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26
ENCHANTED BRIDES ~ SPRING / SUMMER 2013
This
may come as a surprise
to most: there is no definitive reason or
meaning to wearing a veil. The fact is,
that it is merely a personal choice. A veil,
a headdress and a hat have been a sym-
bol of the bride's complete look for many
centuries.
Throughout history many stories have
evolved over the origin of the veil. In
Ancient Rome many believed the bride
should be covered with silken veils pre-
venting her from being attacked by evil
spirits. Therefore concealing the bride
with a covering confused the spirits from
seeing her features. Then during Medi-
eval times the veil was used as a protec-
tion from "the evil eye" and was used as
a symbol of purity, chastity, and modesty.
Many others say that the origin of the
veil was used as a circumstance of an ar-
ranged marriage. In latter times a young
man would make a bargain with an eli-
gible young lady's father for her hand in
marriage. When the ceremony was over
the veil was lifted revealing the brides
features, thus it was to keep the groom
from backing out of the deal should he
not like what he saw. And still others say
the veil was used as a symbol to display
a bride's submission and willingness to
obey her husband.
In more recent times the veil has
changed tremendously. A bride wears a
veil to signify the joy of a wedding day, to
highlight her appearance and features for
a brief moment. Whether it is a veil, fas-
cinator, tiara or hat, it becomes the final
crowning touch for HER DAY.
With all that has been said over the
years as to the mystery and origin of the
veil, the modern day bride still looks to
her wedding day as the most significant
day in her life. She wants to feel special
and recognized by her groom as a thing
of beauty for him. Therefore, she seeks
advice from her mother, grandmother,
bridesmaids, friends, etc, as to what she
should wear in both attire and headdress
for the occasion. Nevertheless, she re-
ceives multiple opinions of what to wear
whether it be the veil from her mother,
grandmother or her own, and in some
cases she decides on no veil at all.
However, based upon a recent survey
on brides-to-be, 85% of brides that went
into planning their wedding, planned on
wearing a veil of some sort. The other
15% went with a comb, hairpiece or none
at all. Although of that 15% that decided
on no veil at all found themselves chang-
ing their mind once they tried one on.
At the time when the bride is making
decisions, she starts to get sentimental.
She thinks back on her parent's wedding
day album. She thinks of how her mother
will be helping her for the last time as
"Miss". She thinks of dad escorting her
down the aisle to give her away and how
traditional and formal it would be to have
him pull her veil back (if covered) to
give his daughter to a fine gentleman. All
these things go through her head as she
struggles with making these decisions.
Based upon my experiences with
brides over the years, the veil has a sym-
bolic meaning with my brides. A bride
can come into the salon with her mind
made up that a veil is not needed. Her
thoughts are, "it is old-fashioned, makes
me look old, it is not needed". Then she
will find herself going over to the veils
without thinking, touching the fabric, and
trying them on. And before long the tears
of joy flow from her eyes, her mother's,
her bridesmaid's and even mine. I can't
express how many times over and over
again, it has happened. After the veil is
put on the crown, it becomes an epiphany
whether the wedding gown is simple or
extravagant; the veil becomes the crown-
ing touch to the wedding day.
Written by Alain Patterson of Le Jardin de Julia
Photography by Divine Images
Veils . . .
The Crowning Touch