The Wedding Veil
December 21st, 2006 Posted in Wedding Planning and IdeasLook for the veil and you identify the bride. Veils are as popular today as they were centuries ago. Sure, the styles and their intentions have changed, but brides within many cultures still incorporate this traditional accessory in their attire. Some brides now combine it with a stunning tiara so that the same hair-do can be used for the ceremony and the reception. But why wear a veil? Where and how did this custom come about? Let’s take a look to the past to see where this classic bridal tradition began.
Veils were initially used for different purposes depending upon the culture. Superstition played a large role in many societies. In fact, it is the underlying reason why we have many wedding traditions, including bridesmaids, the tossing of rice and of course the veil. For many cultures, the veil protected the bride from evil spirits. This disguise shielded her from all spirits that wished to prevent the marriage. Veils were not always white, which may not have been too important since the tradition of white dresses was not as common during this time. A simple piece of cloth was all that was needed to hide the bride from these spirits. This practice has of course changed over the years for a the veil no longer hides a bride, but rather distinguishes her.
Another one of the veil’s uses dates back to the times when marriages were arranged. Many of these arrangements took place without the bride and groom ever seeing each other. Not only was it considered back luck to see the bride prior to marrying her, it also served a functional purpose. The father hid his daughter until the wedding day in fear that the groom may refuse the proposal if he was not pleased with her looks. The groom would lift his bride’s veil during the ceremony to see her face for the very first time.
The veil later became a symbol of innocence and chastity during the nineteenth century, especially in Britain. In addition to the veil, the young bride would wear her hair long and flowing as a symbol of her modesty. This modest bride was to be given to the groom, who was to protect and care for her. To symbolize this, ceremony took place beneath a canopy to signify that she was now under his protection. The veil functions similarly. As the groom lifted the veil, he was uncovering her and placing her under his protection. It still remains a custom for the groom to unveil the bride, yet many couples now view this as a romantic gesture. It is also not uncommon to see a bride lift the veil herself or choose to wear a veil but letting it hang loose in the back rather than covering her face. My, how the times have changed!