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Writer's pictureLori Beneteau Photograpy

Wedding Veil Etiquette - What Every Bride Needs to Know

Updated: Feb 16, 2023


There’s just something about a veil that beautifully completes any bridal outfit. The tradition, the flowing fabric, and the intricate details all create such a romantic look and feel.

If you’re planning to wear a veil on your wedding day, you might have a few questions about when to put it on and how long to wear it.

Here is what you need to know.


Bride and groom facing each other and smiling with joy.  The bride's veil is over the groom's head and shoulders.



Putting Your Veil On

You may want to put your veil on once your gown is on, but it’s best to use your timeline as a guideline. If you will be doing a first look, get someone to help you with your veil before you leave the room, not after. If you will be traveling in a vehicle to your ceremony venue, you might want to put your veil on when you get there. This way, it won’t wrinkle, mess up your hair or rip when you’re getting out of the car.



Side view of a bride in her dress, two hands are placing a veil on to her head. There is a view of them in the mirror behind the bride.


Taking Your Veil Off

When you want to take your veil off is a personal decision. Some brides prefer to wear their veil throughout their ceremony and during some of their photos, while others prefer to take it off directly after the ceremony. Another option is to swap the veil for a shorter blusher for the rest of the day. If you like the idea of a longer veil and a blusher, you might want to purchase a two-piece veil.




A view of a beautiful bride from behind, in her wedding dress and lacey long veil.  The bride is looking into a three way mirror and we can see her reflection.

Keeping It In Place

Your veil will come with a comb, which will keep it in place throughout your ceremony. However, if you want to feel more secure, use a few bobby pins that match your hair color to attach the veil to your hair too. You really only need one or two pins on either side, hidden beneath your hair.



Gorgrous red headed bride looking back over her shoulder at the camera and holding on to her veil with her one hand.

Veil Assistance

If you want to remove your veil after your ceremony, get your hairstylist to help you. If he/she won’t be around, get your stylist to show one of your bridesmaids or your wedding planner how to do it correctly. You would start by removing the pins, while keeping the veil’s comb in place. The person removing your veil should place one hand under the veil on top of your hair so that the comb can be removed gently. Tilt the comb away from the head when pulling it out so that the teeth come out.


Side view of a bride and groom that are kissing and the veil is partially in front of them.


And there you have it, these are some of the general veil etiquette guidelines – don’t forget to get some beautiful veil shots.



Bride and groom kissing under the Blue Water Bridges in Sarnia, Ontario. They are under the bride's veil which flows towards the camera.

A beautiful bride in her wedding dress and cathederal length veil standing in a park infront of flowers.  The bride is looking down and to the side and she has her veil held out to each side with her hands.

Bride is in her wedding dress and long veil infront of a b

Black and white photo of a bride facing away from the camera and looking down and to her right at her bouquet. She is wearing a wedding dress and  a veil.

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