Find a Supplier
Forum
Share your ideas, tips, experiences and problems with other brides and grooms on our wedding forum.
Choosing Veils and Tiaras
Most bridal boutiques carry a stock of accessories; veils, tiaras, shoes and jewellery. This enables you to try the entire ensemble together, showing you how the gown will look when fully accessorised. Don't feel that you have to buy your accessories from the same boutique as your gown; other boutiques will not be offended if you try their accessories with one of their gowns, or perhaps take your gown in with you to choose accessories.
For the most original accessories, go to specialist shops or suppliers for a wide range to suit all tastes. Some of the nicest tiaras and jewelery come from little cottage industries found only via the web.
How do I choose a Tiara?
Tiaras come in different shapes and sizes, so do try on a selection. Ensure that the tiara bodes with the look of your gown. Talk through with your hairdresser how the tiara will sit with the hairstyle you are choosing. A fine, delicate tiara will get lost in a mass of pre-Raphaelite curls, but a simple French pleat will need only a simple adornment.
How do I choose a Veil?
This needs to flatter your face and your dress, not over-power it. A full, puffy veil is flattering with a band or tiara atop. A long ‘cathedral veil’ can double as the train to your dress and this, we would recommend, should be detatchable, so that it won’t get stepped on or torn during your reception! An 'elbow or fingertip' length veil looks best with a low backed dress, while a ‘chapel veil’ (3 foot long) looks best with long sleeves. The wedding veil actually pre-dates the dress by centuries. This custom allegedly comes from arranged marriages where the brides face would be covered by a blanket so that her husband-to-be couldn’t change his mind if he didn’t like the look of her! The veil is traditionally lifted by the husband when the minister announces the happy couple as man and wife. However today the veil is often lifted by the bride's father, when he gives her to her groom at the altar.
