Choosing the Right Veil for Your Face

Are you a hair bride or veil bride?

Face the facts... Not everyone can wear the same wedding veil.  Make a plan. “Hair” brides want to focus on their hair and usually go for the simple tack on veil that can be removed after the wedding ceremony. The “veil” bride wants to enjoy her wedding veil through the reception. Veil brides usually opt for the more detailed pieces with edging and multiple layers. For veil brides, the hairstyle is to support the veil look.  No matter what type of bride you are, you want to choose the veil that is right for your face.

Not every bride has a face shape that needs balancing by her wedding hairstyle and veil. If you have a rounded or angular face, you should pay attention to these pointers.

The basic face shapes are: Oval, Round, Oblong, Heart, Diamond, Square, Rectangle, and Triangle.

The first four shapes are soft and curved, while the last four have more angles and corners. Pull your hair away from your face and study the outer edge to determine your face shape. Here's how to tell which category you fall into:

If your face is OVAL, it has soft, curved edges and is slightly longer than is it wide.

If your face is ROUND, use the nose as a center point, there is equal distance all around. It will be as wide as it is long.

If your face is OBLONG, it will look like an elongated oval. Many oblongs are mistaken for ovals, but an oblong has added length.

If your face is HEART-SHAPED, it has a narrow chin and is wider at the eye, temple, and cheek area. The edges are curved.

If your face is a DIAMOND, you have sharper features and it's widest at the cheeks, narrow at the chin and forehead.

If your face is SQUARE, it's level at the forehead and down the sides. Your chin may stick out a bit and your jaw is strong and square. If the distance from the top of your face to your chin is the same as the width, you have a square face.

If your face is REGTANGULAR, it's longer than it is wide and similar to a square.

If your face is TRIANGULAR, it's similar to a heart shape, but the lines and edges are more angular.

What Wedding Veil Is Right for You?

When searching for hair and veil styles, "opposites attract." For example, a round, full face will benefit from a wedding veil that falls along the sides of the face, working to narrow it. A round-face should also stay away from round hairstyles. Wearing your hair down or in a face-framing style is best.

On the opposite end, a square jaw line needs softness. Tendrils of hair that frame the face help to ease a strong jaw, and a longer veil will work better than a short wide one. Many people consider a strong jaw line a striking feature, and the strong bride will want to show it off.

If you have an oblong face, add a bit of width. Look for veils with the waterfall effect, along with a wide tiara or bun wrap. Stay away from big hair, this will only make you look more elongated.

If your face is heart-shaped or triangular, you'll want to add width at the jaw. Most veils will be too full for you, the best choice is a back piece wedding veil, where the width shows up behind the neckline. As for hair, a flipped-up style is a great look.

And, finally, if you're lucky enough to have a diamond- or oval-shaped face, congratulations – your choices are unlimited because you're perfectly symmetrical. Look for a style to match your wedding gown.