Unveiling the Veil

As I work with brides, I’m often asked what the symbolism or purpose of the bridal veil is. Through a little bit of research, I’ve found several different interpretations of the meaning of a veil, especially when it comes to weddings, and even those interpretations have changed over the years. I had hoped to find a definite answer to the question of a veil, but instead, I have to leave you with a few different ideas and let you decide for yourselves!

1) To disguise the bride or otherwise protect her from evil and harmful spirits. Ancient Greeks and Romans used brightly colored veils that completely shrouded the bride to protect her from evil. The Roman flammeum was often deep red while the Greek counterpart was yellow.

2) To show a bride’s resolve to be a gentle and obedient wife. The Japanese Tsunokakushi is a traditional wedding head covering that literally means “hidden horns”. It is worn to veil the bride’s horns of jealousy, ego, and selfishness.

3) As a show of modesty and decorum. In Genesis, as Rebekah approached Isaac, her husband to be, she “took her veil and covered herself.” In Corinthians, St. Paul writes that women should not be unveiled in church, lest they be dishonoured.

4) To sheild the light of God. Just as Moses had to veil himself after returning from Mount Sinai in Exodus because his face shone with the light of God, a bride is elevated with the divine presence during the ceremony and must veil herself.

5) To show that her groom recognizes that he is marrying her for her inner beauty. In the Jewish bedeken ceremony, the groom verifies that she his true bride and then reveils her to show that he loves her for her inner beauty and spiritual qualities and not just her outward looks which fade in time.

6) As an adornment to enhance the beauty of the bride. It is said that veils in early America became popular after the marriage of Nelly Curtis to Major Lawrence Lewis, President Washington’s aide. After Lewis glimpsed Nelly through a sheer curtain and spoke of her beauty, she decided to wear a veil for their wedding.

As you can see, there are a plethora of different meanings to the bridal veil. Personally, I’ll take some of reason # 5, some of reason # 6, a little of reason # 4, and maybe a dusting of reason # 1 (just in case). Regardless of where the veil came from, the importance of the veil is what it means to you as a bride now. I have to admit that in doing my research, some of the reasons made my liberated female blood boil- and yet, I am still choosing to wear a veil for my upcoming wedding.

For our modern times and world, I feel like # 6 fits best. After working with brides for so many years, there is nothing more undeniably “bridal” as the veil. Veils can truly complete the picture of the bride and bring the realization that yes, you are marrying the man you love. And no matter the kind of wedding, you are always a bride and if you want to wear a veil, you can. And just to be fair, if you don’t want to wear a veil, we’re not gonna make you….. although we may make you try one on first- you know, just to make sure

Come in this weekend to see the newest veils and accessories from Toni Federici. Saturday and Sunday, by appointment.

9/18/09 Update:  We are now accepting appointments for our Paris Veil and Accessory Trunk Show on Friday, November 20th and Saturday, November 21st.