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Botanica Collections
An Evening in Florence

Floral bridal accessories are a beautiful way to incorporate a botanical theme and romantic elements to your wedding look. We explore our favourite finds of the season.

We believe florals are as timeless as pearls. Always on trend, floral elements accenting your bridal look are a beautiful way to accessorise modern and clean lines through to billowy and ethereal silhouettes. Whether you’re loving big or small florals, they make a strong statement of refined elegance.

We love floral bridal accessories in all their forms. When it comes to styling, we love to mix them with complementary elements such as pearls, crystals, ruffles or bows which can add dimension and balance. Similarly, if your wedding gown features floral lace or flower inspired details, pairing them with simpler or contrasting accents will give your gown space to shine.

A quick browse through our bridal accessories collections will demonstrate our enduring love for all things floral and nature inspired. Our favourite picks for the season include:

1. Floral bridal accessories

Whether your vision is fun and flirty, romantic and regal or avant-garde, florals can be incorporated into any bridal look.  It will comes down to styling and choosing the right pieces that convey a certain mood or detail to bring together the look. Magic happens when you least expect it – it could come down to scale, colour or that special something that bring an element of the unexpected.

3. Floral bridal earrings

Elevate your bridal look with statement florals that extend from the ears and frame your neckline. Evoking the soft breeziness of carefree summer days, these contemporary earrings know how to make an entrance. Designed to reflect the pure tranquillity of light, these floral earrings are oversized yet sophisticated and spilling with texture and detail.

4. Floral birdcage veils

Floral birdcage veils are a stunning choice for brides who want to combine vintage charm with a modern aesthetic. These veils add a touch of whimsy and romance to any bridal look, offering a unique way to incorporate floral elements into your wedding attire.

Need personalised styling advice?

Need styling advice to bring together your bridal look? Get in touch with photos of your wedding gown and your favourite pieces from the collection. We would love to offer ideas and recommendations on pieces to suit, including how our pieces can be customised to suit you.

SHOP FLORAL BRIDAL ACCESSORIES

Discover exquisite bridal accessories; customisable to suit you, your wedding dress and bridal hairstyle.

For Blake and Aaron, the three most important elements for their wedding-day celebrations were; the company, ambience and food. Although the pandemic meant they couldn’t have their wedding at a villa in Mexico, which they originally planned, their day was still every bit as special in their home town of Atlanta, Georgia. With a handful of friends and family, a relaxed garden atmosphere and an award-winning restaurant catering, Blake and Aaron fulfilled their wedding-day dreams.

In this relaxed, urban setting, Blake’s bridal look took centre stage. Wearing a bias-cut dress, with her golden hair styled in loose waves and adorning our CARMEN Juliet cap veil, Blake mastered styling a simple dress with an embellished veil for stunning results.

A change of plans

Even before they were engaged, Blake and Aaron both had similar ideas and values for their wedding day.

“We talked about our ideal wedding – we were so aligned it felt like another sign he was the one,” says Blake. “The biggest factor was size. We both imagined a wedding that was small and only had the humans there that would be by us throughout our marriage.”

As they couldn’t travel to Mexico, and they didn’t want to postpone for a year, their ceremony took place at Staplehouse restaurant in Atlanta.

“We were Staplehouse’s first wedding, which felt extra special,” says Blake. “The restaurant has won many awards including Best New Restaurant in the United States, so goes without saying, the food is memorable. The space has a beautiful garden in the back – we knew it was our perfect venue.”

Blake's crepe silk dress

When thinking about her wedding dress, the words that came to mind were ‘organic’ and ‘timeless’.

“I wanted a look that would carry me through my years and one I felt myself in,” says Blake. “Material and cut were of highest priority for me – I wanted a beautiful fabric and a slim cut that I felt beautiful in, with a sensual flow. The crepe silk fabric was perfect for my body, dress cut and style of wedding.”

To help with costs, Blake purchased a sample dress, as she preferred to spend more on a lasting accessory.

“Accessories are easier to pass down and truly help make your look complete and unique.”

A veil for the generations

Blake’s eight-year-old niece (pictured below) has already claimed her embellished CARMEN veil.

“It makes me so happy to know she will always have that piece of me and our love,” says Blake.

With its enveloping Juliet cap silhouette, lace leaves and hand beaded flowers, Blake also fell in love with the elegant CARMEN veil.

“The idea of a Juliet cap scared yet excited me – I knew I wanted something different, and it was the perfect way to bring in a look of traditional and timeless, while still feeling uniquely me,” she says. “Feel and materials are my number one consideration. My dress was crepe silk and felt like butter on my skin all night. My Tania Maras veil was so soft and made me feel so beautiful, I wore it most of the night!”

Best advice

“Know you will be stressed, but remember what the purpose of your wedding is,” says Blake. “And that purpose could differ depending on the couple. For us, it was a sacred joining of families in the presence of God; for others, it could be a celebration party of love with all their friends, and others could feel an elopement of just the bride and groom would be most genuine. And get a wedding planner, even just a day-of planner. Despite size or location, do it.”

Special thanks to…

Handcrafted with love and care, Angela's floral wedding crown was a delight to bring to life.

Designing bespoke bridal headpieces is one of the most rewarding aspects of what we do. Working closely with brides allows us to explore new ideas and push creative boundaries. Each bespoke headpiece is a new opportunity to blend different elements in innovative ways.

We had the pleasure of working with bride Angela to create a decadent and indulgent crown for her wedding day. This bespoke beauty makes a bold statement of regality and romance with its charming vine-like silhouette adorned in detailed clay roses and a soft scattering of pearl elements.

Angela’s bespoke journey started with an email sharing her love for our SPIRIT headpiece and DUET crown. She loved the fullness of the SPIRIT roses and the structure of a crown so she could wear it as a headband to frame her face.

Angela's bridal look

Angela’s wedding gown and bridal hairstyle are best described as timeless, romantic and elegant. Her gown features a classic silhouette with floral and leaf motifs accenting a low V bodice and her hairstyle captures an Old Hollywood vibe with its soft waves and side part.

To capture the essence of her bridal look, we worked with Angela to design a bespoke crown that featured the full roses from the SPIRIT crown and worked this detail along the piece in varying sizes set amongst golden leaves. We incorporated petite, medium and large roses and nestled between them were subtle pearl sprigs that added a sweet detail whilst allowing the blooms to take centre stage.

It was important to ensure Angela’s headpiece complemented her dress. This means, its detailing, scale and silhouette needed to feel harmonious with the details on her dress and design features of her gown.

Need personalised styling advice?

Every wedding gown and bride is different and the perfect accessories for you will not only depend on your gown but your personal style, vision, height and hairstyle. We love to work with our brides to create the perfect veil that you will love to keep as an heirloom after your wedding day. Get in touch with us – we would love to hear from you!

Taking proper care of your wedding veil is essential to preserve its beauty and quality, for your wedding day and beyond.

From the moment you purchase or receive your wedding veil to the day you store it after the wedding, there are several important steps to follow to ensure your veil will remain pristine and beautiful for years to come. The abundance of material and delicate nature of a wedding veil is part of its beauty. However, this also means it requires extra special care when steaming, storing, transporting and cleaning them before and after your wedding day.

In this post, we’ll provide a comprehensive guide on how to care for your wedding veil and to keep it in perfect condition for your wedding day and beyond.

1. How to handle a wedding veil

Wedding veils are often made from delicate fine fabrics such as tulle, lace, organza and silk fabrics. These materials require extra gentle handling to avoid snags, tears and general damage.

If you have ordered your veil direct from us, it will arrive beautifully and safely packaged in a gift box for you to unravel. Always handle your veil with clean, dry hands to prevent transferring oils, dirt, lotions or makeup on to the fabric and embellishments.  

Be mindful of sharp objects near your veil such as jewellery, zippers, rough fingernails or other objects that could catch and damage the veil’s delicate material.

2. How to store a wedding veil before the wedding

Once you have unboxed your veil, we recommend you hang it up straight away on the clip provided with your veil. This will help avoid creases and wrinkles. 

Store your veil in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. This could be the corner of a spare room or in your wardrobe.  Avoid storing your veil in plastic bags or boxes as they can trap moisture and cause mildew or fabric deterioration.

You can also hang a veil in a garment bag to protect it from dust, but we recommend that the garment bag is made from breathable fabric and is long enough to accommodate a longer veil.

If your veil is made from lace or features intricate beading, consider storing your veil in a flat box, cushioned with acid-free tissue paper to prevent the fabric and embellishments from becoming misshapen or damaged. 

Remember to keep the box your veil came in and to store it wrapped in acid-free tissue paper, as you can use this to transport your veil and store it in after your wedding date.

Keep your veil in a safe place away from animals and loose fur. If your veil is extra long, ensure the train is safely tucked away so it doesn’t get stepped on or caught under wardrobe doors.

3. How to remove creases from a wedding veil

The best way to handle creases on a veil is to prevent them. When folding your veil, try to fold your veil lightly and avoid excessive pressure to prevent heavy creasing.

To remove creases, steam is your best friend. With steam, gravity and a bit of time, the creases will drop out. Hang up your veil and gently apply steam to it using a garment steamer or hang it in the bathroom during a hot shower.

If you don’t have access to a garment steamer, your wedding dress alterations professional or local dry cleaner may have be able to steam your veil for you.

Once steamed your veil will feel a little damp so it’s best to keep the veil on its hanger to allow your veil to dry and to minimise future creases before your wedding day.

We do not recommend ironing your veil as incorrect temperatures may melt and discolour your veil.

4. How to transport a wedding veil

Whether it’s a dress fitting, a hair trial or a trip to a destination wedding location, at some stage you may need to safely transport your veil. We recommend that you refold your veil and place it back in its box.

To refold your veil, follow these steps.

  1. First, find a flat surface like a dining table or a hallway
  2. Lay the veil on tissue paper lengthwise. The paper will support the netting between folds and it’s important to use white, acid-free tissue paper as this won’t damage or discolour the tulle over time
  3. Smooth out the veil
  4. Fold in the veil crosswise
  5. Tape to secure
  6. Gently fold the veil to fit in the box

5. How to wear and remove your wedding veil

Your veil is a key part of your bridal look so wearing and removing it with care is crucial. We recommend you work with your hairstylist to ensure your veil is securely fastened. Depending on the veil style, they may use bobby pins or clips to ensure it feels comfortable and secure. 

Removing the veil with careful is also important. Practice removing it before the wedding day. Have a trusted friend or family member assist you in removing the veil after the ceremony. Gently unfasten it and remove any pins or clips, taking care not to pull or tug on the fabric.

6. How to care for an embellished veil

The embellishments applied to our wedding veils are applied by hand. If cared for properly, your veil will last for many years to come. For veils featuring 3D florals, we highly recommend ensuring you do not place heavy objects or firmly fold up the veil as this can crush the florals and distort its appearance.

If you need to spot clean around an embellishment, avoid rough handling near an embellishment as vigorous rubbing can damage or lift embellishments.

7. Can you wash a wedding veil?

As tempting as it might be to throw your wedding veil into a washing machine, please avoid the temptation! If your veil is marked, avoid the washing machine and avoid the temptation to soak it in water. Your veil can be spot cleaned with a damp cloth or baby wipes with dabbing movements.

Always be mindful to handle your veil with clean hands and be conscious of contact with your makeup.  To remove pet hair or lint, we recommend using sticky tape or a lint roller.

8. Managing different types of veil fabrics

Wedding veils are made from a range of delicate fabrics and nettings. They are commonly made from synthetic materials such as nylon or polyester and can also be made from natural fibres including silk. Vintage veils were often made from cotton and silk fibres so are prone to discolouration and deterioration overtime due to sunlight, insects/bugs and heat.

It is important to consider the fibres of your veil when thinking about how to best care for it. A veil made from nylon is more durable than silk however it is less resistant to heat so can melt under high temperatures. A silk veil is best stored folded as over time gravity will impact the fibres/weave and will distort its shape.

The Victoria and Albert Museum in the UK have a helpful guide on caring for and restoring vintage wedding dresses and veils: https://www.vam.ac.uk/articles/caring-for-vintage-wedding-dresses-veils

With proper love and care, your wedding veil will become a beautiful heirloom for you to pass on to your daughters, sisters or dear friend.

Need personalised styling advice?

We are here to guide you through the exciting journey of accessorising your wedding dress and bridal looks.

We would love to work with you to bring together your vision. Email us photos of your wedding gown, bridal hairstyle and examples of styles you love from our collection. We can then get back to you with ideas and recommendations.

There's very few opportunities in life when you can wear a crown.

A wedding crown is more than just a beautiful accessory; it’s a symbol of the regal elegance and timeless beauty that every bride embodies on her special day. Whether you’ve been dreaming of a fairytale wedding or simply want to add a touch of luxury to your bridal look, the right wedding crown can make all the difference.

With so many styles and options available, choosing the perfect wedding crown can feel overwhelming. In this post, we’ll guide you through the key factors to consider when selecting your crown, ensuring you find the perfect piece to complement your style and make you feel like royalty.

1. Understanding different styles of wedding crowns

Wedding crowns come in a variety of styles, each offering a unique aesthetic.

  • Classic tiara: A traditional choice, a tiara is often a small and dainty piece featuring crystals, pearls or gemstones. They evoke a timeless elegance and capture a princess-like aesthetic.
  • Floral crowns: Floral crowns can be constructed from fresh or faux flowers, creating a romantic and bohemian vibe. They are ideal for garden or outdoor weddings with their free-spirited detailing.
  • Wedding crowns: Wedding crowns and tiaras are terms that are often used interchangeably. Generally speaking, crowns are larger in size.

Shop this look: BLANCHETT tiara, MOSS headpiece, PERLA tiara

Your wedding dress plays a crucial role in determining the best crown style for you.

  • Embellished dresses: If your dress features a lot of detail or embellishments, opt for a simpler crown to avoid details clashing. A minimalist tiara with simple details works beautifully with embellished dresses as it will complement your dress without overpowering it.
  • Simple dresses: For a more understated gown, an ornate crown will add a pop of interest and drama to elevate your look.
  • Dress neckline: The neckline is an important detail which will influence your choice in crown. High necklines work well with simpler crowns. Strapless or off-the-shoulder dresses can accommodate more elaborate designs. Plunging necklines work well with crowns with peaks.

Shop this look: BLANCHETT tiara, MOSS headpiece, PERLA tiara

When it comes to styling your bridal look, referring back to your mood board is important to ensure your choices stay true to your original vision. The theme and setting of your wedding will be an important consideration to ensure you achieve the vibe you’re after.

  • Fairytale or royal theme: Classic tiaras with delicate and dainty detailing, featuring crystals or pearls, are a beautiful way to capture regality and a traditional spirit.
  • Bohemian and garden weddings: Floral crowns or vintage-inspired pieces will complement the relaxed and romantic vibe of these settings.
  • Modern weddings: Sleek and minimalist crowns will add a contemporary edge to your bridal look. Look for an unexpected take on the classics with baroque, keishi or smooth pearls or angular details.

Shop this look: BLANCHETT tiara, MOSS headpiece, PERLA tiara

Your wedding crown should perfectly frame your hair and face so your chosen hairstyle will be an important consideration.

  • Bridal updos: Wedding crowns pair beautifully with updos, providing a stable base for the headpiece to rest.
  • Loose hair or waves: Floral crowns and lightweight tiaras complement loose flowing hairstyles, adding a touch of softness and romance to your look.
  • Braids: Braided bridal hairstyles and crowns will create a textured and intricate look. Perfect for whimsical weddings.

Shop this look: BLANCHETT tiara, MOSS headpiece, PERLA tiara

We always notice that the moment a wedding crown is placed on a bride, she will walk with her head high with a confidence that only she knows.  It’s important to ensure your crown fits well and is secured in place. We recommend bobby pins or hair combs to secure the crown into your hair. Your hairstylist will be able to help you with the fitting to ensure it stays in place throughout the day.

Need personalised styling advice?

Need styling advice to bring together your bridal look? Get in touch with photos of your wedding gown and your favourite pieces from the collection. We would love to offer ideas and recommendations on pieces to suit, including how our pieces can be customised to suit you.

When Angelica first watched the wedding scene from The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn, she immediately knew that she had found her wedding day inspiration. From the garden paths, to the hanging Wisteria and lush greenery, Angelica and Norman’s nuptials had all the romance and magic of the famous Twilight wedding, sans the vampires and werewolves!

Angelica was adorned in our CATALINA cathedral veil, featuring fabric flowers, intricate lace and beaded details, which was right on theme for her special garden wedding.

Handcrafted details

With careful planning, time and a big dose of creativity, Angelica and Norman achieved their wedding day vision. Nature was an important factor when it came to the décor and events during the day.

“I wanted the wedding to feel whimsical and like we’re immersed in nature but elegant at the same time,” says Angelica. “I loved the look of green moss on wooden tables and knew that had to be a key element in bringing that earthy feel. I wanted to see the space fill with greenery but pop with white flowers just like you see in the movie! Of course it’s quite expensive to do all that so I simplified it a bit and searched all over Central Florida for a venue where I could add these details, where it wouldn’t get too expensive, and it would all complement the space.”

During the ceremony they had a Tree Unity ceremony where Angelica and Norman’s mothers added the soil (representing their foundation) in the couple’s new pot (home) and then the couple planted their tree (their new family) and then they watered it, which represents new beginnings.

Other special elements were the wisteria decorations that were hung in the dining pavilion to add to the Twilight wedding vibe and the backdrop at the sweetheart table which Angelica’s Maid of Honour/sister DIY-ed.

The “wow, I feel like a bride” dress

Angelica had a specific off-the-shoulder, A-line lace dress in mind, however it was in a travelling trunk show and she was unable to try it on. So she began trying on similar styles in bridal shops.

“I had tried about 20 dresses already and I remember not thinking much about my dress when I first picked it up to try on. But once I had it on and saw myself in the mirror, my first thought was ‘wow, I feel like a bride’. I walked out to show my mum and sister. They thought I wasn’t going to like it but once I told them I felt like a bride they started crying, and so did I! It was off-the-shoulder like I wanted, it wasn’t A-line, which I actually loved, and the lace cut-outs were the perfect touch of unique and sexy that I was hoping for! It was a simpler dress so I knew my veil had to stand out somehow.”

A garden–themed veil

With beaded lace and handcrafted flowers, the CATALINA veil caught Angelica’s attention and admiration.

“I loved the CATALINA veil because it has these beautiful fabric flowers that pop out and cascade down the top portion of the veil,” says Angelica. “It was the perfect amount of detail for my dress and my hair since I wanted to style it up. In every picture with the veil you can see the flowers stand out perfectly.”

Best advice

“Talk specifics about the visions you have for your special day and give yourself enough time to make it happen,” suggests Angelica. “Don’t rush your timeline for anyone else and keep what you two want at the forefront. It’s good to keep others in mind but this is your day so do what feels right to you. A wedding is no small task and sometimes it’s nice when people want to help but it gets overwhelming real fast so try to keep things between the two of you and your vendors, that way you prevent unwanted input and headaches. Don’t lose focus on the fact that this is about you and your significant other. And remember to enjoy the process. It can be hard sometimes but take a step back, breathe and enjoy the fact that you are planning your wedding!

Special thanks to...

Sophie is a much-loved bridal stylist in the wedding industry and we’ve called upon her talents on many occasions for photoshoots and creative campaigns. Sophie is our trusted stylist for pulling together beautiful bridal looks to showcase our unique accessories.

It’s not often that someone in the Tania Maras Bridal family ties the knot, and when they do, we celebrate by creating a beautiful veil for them!

We were honoured to contribute to Sophie and her partner David’s special day. We made a Morning Mist crystal veil for Sophie, to add a touch of sparkle to her classic ballgown by Australian designer, Georgia Young Couture.

“Tania is not only an incredible designer but has now turned into a beautiful friend,” says Sophie. “She captured the look I was going for straight away and knew that the Morning Mist in a cathedral length would complement the vision I was trying to achieve.”

Expert wedding planning from a bridal stylist

Bridal stylist Sophie is currently the Co-Founder and Style Director of two businesses – wedding dress directory service, Love Find Co and creative marketing studio, Engaged Creative.

“Engaged Creative takes up 99% of my working week and I love it as no day is different – between having strategy sessions with our clients, being on set for editorials or rebranding up and coming wedding vendors, I absolutely love everything to do with Engaged Creative and what it has evolved into,” enthuses Sophie. 

Having worked in the fashion and bridal industry for close to 10 years, Sophie was well prepared when it came time to plan her own dream wedding, which took place at the scenic Ooralba Estate in Kangaroo Valley, NSW.

“I really wanted my wedding to be a reflection of Dave and myself! Our biggest point throughout planning our wedding was that we wanted everyone to just have the best time. The inspiration and key design elements that I tried to incorporate was modern, attainable and chic. I would spend hours in Pinterest researching different design elements and pinning different parts of the wedding.”

Supporting Australian designers

With the wealth of talent here in Australia, Sophie was determined to support local bridal designers.

“We have so much talent here in Australia and it’s an incredible experience being able to see your gown from start to finish with a designer who designs and produces here,” says Sophie.

She worked with two designers for her two looks, wearing a classic ballgown for the ceremony and a sparkly dress to dance the night away in!

“Originally I wanted a gown that was quiet heavily embellished however after trying on a number of different looks something more classic with no beading felt way more me! I wanted a gown that I could look back in 30 years time and it would still be a classic,”  says Sophie. “I was lucky enough to work with Georgia Young Couture for my first gown who created a one shoulder ballgown and then the incredible Karen Willis Holmes who’s gown allowed me to have a bit more fun with sparkles and allowing me to dance up a storm!”

As Sophie’s first gown had no embellishments, she wore our Morning Mist veil, featuring a scattering of crystal details which sparkled as she walked down the aisle. Her hair was styled in a low bun that was heavily curled, so she was able to undo the bun and release tousled waves for her second look.

Special moments

One of Sophie’s favourite moments from the wedding was when she was given a very romantic and thoughtful gift from her husband David. He gave her an album at the end of the night filled with special moments they shared over the last ten years together. From little love notes to menus from special dinners and holiday snaps, David selected mementoes to represent the beautiful times they’ve shared together so far.

“At the end it said that it was an overview of the past 10 years we’ve been together and he cannot wait to fill the rest of the blank pages with me in our life as a married couple.”

Best advice

“My biggest advice would be to remember that everyone is there to celebrate you and your love story together,” says Sophie. “Very rarely in your lifetime will you have everyone in a room that you love celebrating you so just remember that.”

Special thanks:

In the last instalment of our ‘Weddings and Pandemics’ feature, we’d like to introduce you to the lovely Claudia. She’s been working in a lab in Munich, Germany, studying the COVID-19 virus, while also navigating a long-distance relationship and planning a wedding! To thank her for the work she is doing, we gifted her with our MARION headpiece and DAHLIA veil, her favourite pieces from our collection. In return, Claudia shares her story with us. From her lab studies, to a very sweet ‘meet-cute’ story and tips for managing a a long distance relationship, Claudia lifts our spirits with her anecdotes and insights.

Highschool sweethearts

Claudia and Andres became friends in high school, initially bonding over a shared interest in the cello.

“I used to play the cello back then, so I carried my instrument around during classes. Most of my classmates were making jokes on what I had inside my instrument case, most of them going for an abnormal guitar,” says Claudia. “One day, in the middle of the hall, I heard someone yelling “look! A cello!” and I couldn’t hide my smile. It was Andres, a guy from my class that I hadn’t talked to before. He rushed over and started walking with me to our next course. He added me on messenger “for school purposes”, but we ended up spending all afternoons talking about whatever came into our minds. We became best friends in no time. One year later, he told me he liked me. As my parents were not happy with the idea of me having a boyfriend in high school, we remained friends but very much in love. Two years later, once we were in our bachelors, he officially asked me to be his girlfriend.”

In total, Claudia and Andres have been in a long-distance relationship for almost 6 years. They have lived in 12 different cities, in Mexico, Germany, Sweden, Russia, USA and the Netherlands. Andres is currently a paediatrician in Saalfeld, Germany, while Claudia is four hours away, in Munich, Germany.

“We are very lucky that Germany allows visiting couples that live apart, so we have continued to see each other a couple of times during the lockdown. Nonetheless, traveling imposes a risk for ourselves and everyone in contact with us, so when we do not see each other as frequent as we want to,” says Claudia.

The couple have found many ways to stay positive and connected during this time a part.

“We talk over the phone, schedule video calls and watch series or movies online (we are masters on synchronizing screens, way before Netflix party!). We make sure we include each other in our daily activities and projects, and use the other as our accountability partner for long term projects, including exercising,” explains Claudia. “We share our post-workout stats from Fitbit, and challenge each other to beat the mark. We are also re-reading the Harry Potter series, which brings back old childhood memories and I am thrilled to share that with him. On days when everything feels overwhelming, we focus on a ‘post COVID-19’ bucket list, talking about the places we want to visit, and the people we want to meet again. Lastly, we plan our days together. Our wedding will celebrate the beginning of no more long travels to see each other, and we can’t wait for that!”

Claudia's bridal look

Andres had organised a special getaway to celebrate their anniversary. He asked her to leave work on time for the their special weekend, however Claudia had to stay back late.

“He picked me up and I noticed he was stressed, but I assumed it was because I was late,” says Claudia. “I spent the whole ride talking about work, without realising we were arriving to the Nymphenburg Palace, a gorgeous baroque palace in Munich. We walked through the gardens until we came to an old-looking bench and we sat down. He started recounting our previous anniversaries, each one on a different city, at different stages in our career, and asked me what I would think if in our next anniversary we were soon-to-be husband and wife. At that point, I saw swan on a nearby lake sinking its head under water, and started rambling on how I don’t know what swans, nor ducks, eat. After some laughs, Andres got us back to the conversation, pulled the ring box out, and asked me if I wanted to marry him. We hugged and laugh, and he made me promise that I will not be asking what different birds eat during our wedding ceremony!”

Claudia's bridal look

Claudia is drawn to ethereal, flowy fabrics and natural makeup. In line with this aesthetic, she plans on wearing our chapel length DAHLIA veil, featuring soft and floaty fine netting, paired with our intricate  MARION headpiece, to her wedding.

“Shortly after the engagement, I created a Pinterest board to explore ideas for our wedding. I was captivated by a headpiece that was very soft and delicate, and saved different pieces similar to that. After looking for more details, I realised all these pieces came from Tania Maras, so I looked for more of their products (the first headpiece I fell in love was the MARION!). I soon followed their Instagram account and started reading their blog. I love how soft and delicate their pieces look!”

A cathedral veil is a nod to tradition and acts as an extension of your wedding dress.

The mother of all wedding veils – cathedral veils – offer a regal formality and sophistication like no other length of veil. As you can guess from the name, cathedral length wedding veils are designed to be worn in a cathedral style church or a similarly grand setting where the aisle is long and wide and your wedding dress and veil will be on full display.

If you’re now planning a smaller wedding or you’ve moved your church wedding to the outdoors, a cathedral veil can still be worn. Just ensure your aisle is wide enough to accommodate the length of your veil and drape the veil over your forearm to keep it off the ground as you move around for your bridal photos.

Not all veils are created equal and there’s no standard ‘cathedral veil’. They come in various lengths and widths, fabrics and cuts. Let’s explore our favourite veil style below:

1. If you want to make a statement, this is your go-to veil

A cathedral veil feels more dramatic than a classic chapel veil.  Its sweeping train will glide effortlessly across the floor as you walk down the aisle. In fact, it’s fair to say that your veil will be what your guests will notice as you stand at the altar with your back to them.

Not planning a church wedding? No worries. Many brides have worn cathedral veils on mountain tops, by the sea or in an enchanted garden. The extra length can add the perfect amount of drama to more relaxed settings and will create impressive images you will love to share for years to come.

A cathedral veil acts as an extension of your dress so a beautiful lace trim or embellishments will be a striking focal point that will pull together your bridal look.

2. Consider whether it will be practical for your wedding venue

A 3-4 metre long veil may not be the most practical wedding accessory if you’re planning a beach wedding, a backyard gathering or a small intimate wedding in a restaurant or a quiet park.

However, if you have already purchased a long cathedral veil and now find yourself planning a smaller wedding due to COVID-19, you can manage the length of the veil by draping it over your arm to keep it off the ground.

Alternatively, if your veil is free from embellishments and your dress length allows for it, consider having your cathedral veil trimmed back to chapel length which might feel better suited for the occasion.  Floor length veils are often cut to 180cm and chapel length veils are generally cut from 230cm. These lengths might feel more suitable for modest venues and locations.

3. A cathedral length veil is generally for the ceremony only

If you’re worried about your partner tripping or falling onto your veil during the bridal waltz, keep in mind that your cathedral veil is worn for the ceremony and wedding photos only.  Your bridesmaids would have already removed your veil and packed it away safely.

A lot of our brides will pair their wedding veil with a headpiece or tiara, so that when they remove their wedding veil, their hair still looks beautifully adorned and complete.

4. Ensure your wedding hairstyle can support your cathedral veil

A cathedral length veil isn’t necessarily heavy. But depending on the cut and fabric of your veil, it can be quite tricky to manoeuvre if you’re weaving between guests or hopping in and out of cars.  You will need to ensure your wedding hairstyle is strong and stable enough to support the weight and length of your veil.

A cathedral veil will need to be reinforced in your hair. This will prevent it from falling out if someone accidentally steps on it or the wild winds try to blow it out of your hair.

5. Single tier versus 2 tier veil?

It’s a very common question – what looks best with my wedding dress? A single tier veil or a veil with a blusher layer?

Our response depends a lot on the dress, the venue, the personal style of our bride, cultural considerations, and of course, the vision of our bride and groom.

For a lot of brides, a veil isn’t a veil without the blusher layer. The ‘lift and kiss’ is what the veil is all about. In fact, we have worked with quite a few brides who personally don’t like the idea of a blusher layer but they know that their partner has always dreamed about lifting the veil to reveal their wife so taking that away from them is something they wouldn’t dare to do.

For some brides, the blusher layer has cultural significance and is also a religious requirement. For Christian or church wedding, covering the face and shoulders is important to show respect.

When it comes to the dress itself and recommending single tier vs 2 tier veils, we like to look at the lines of the dress, the style of the gown and general proportions. A statement veil is the perfect finishing touch to accentuate the lines of the dress as it creates a beautiful silhouette.

6. Cathedral veils can vary in length

Generally speaking, a cathedral wedding veil starts from 300cm or 118 inches long. But it can vary between designers. This is a fairly standard length but some wedding dresses with significance trains might be better suited to regal or royal cathedral veils.

A regal or royal cathedral veil can be cut to 450cm or  180 inches. This length is only recommended if you’re planning to wed in a large cathedral.

And of course, wedding veils are completely customisable so if you’re looking for a veil that’s somewhere in between these measurements, do get in touch as we can certainly accommodate. All chapel veils in our collection can be made in cathedral lengths.

7. Longer veils aren't necessarily wider

A 3-4 metre long veil isn’t necessarily double the width of a standard veil. The width depends a lot on the style of the veil itself. I.e. whether it’s a full and gathered veil with generous amounts of volume at the comb, or whether it’s more clean and modern, such a drop veil which features no gathers or volume.

It is possible to achieve a modern and minimalist look and feel but still have the grandeur of a cathedral length veil. Our favourite veil to customise is our AUDREY veil in this instance. As you can see with the AUDREY veil below, a simple wedding veil can look just as dramatic as a 2 tier gathered veil.

It’s important to take into account the proportions and style of your wedding dress when deciding on the best length and width.

8. If you've fallen out of love with your wedding dress, a cathedral veil can add a touch of magic to your bridal look

Sometimes we’ll work with a bride who has fallen out of love with their wedding dress. They may have loved the simplicity of their dress 12-18 months ago when she first tried it on but when she picked it up from the bridal boutique, it just didn’t wow her anymore.

The good news is if the dress fits, there’s many ways to fall back in love with the dress. Often this is through finding the right accessories.

An extra wide and long wedding veil can create a dramatic silhouette for a dress that might be on the simpler side. It can also be handcrafted with beautiful embellishments such as pearl or crystal elements for a look that’s glamorous and luxurious.

9. You don't need to find a 3-4 metre tape measure

It can be hard to find long measuring tape. Try using a long piece of ribbon, string or yarn instead and then measure that piece of string against a ruler or tape measure. You might also find it easier to measure it in sections – a section from the head to the bottom of the dress and then a separate section from the bottom of the dress to where you’d like your veil to end.

How do you measure for a veil?

  1. Grab a measuring tape (ribbon, string or yard) and wear your wedding shoes, if you have them handy.
  2. Start the measurement where the top of the veil will sit. If you’re wearing a mantilla style veil, that will be at the top of your head. The position of the veil comb will depend of your hairstyle – usually secured at the crown or under or below your updo.
  3. Now let go of that tape and measure roughly where you would like that train to end.

Need personalised styling help?

If you aren’t sure what length veil will best suit you and your wedding dress, do get in touch. Please send us photos via our contact page of your wedding dress, your height and heel height measurement and we’d be happy to offer some advice and recommendations.

As the sun slowly sets, a warm glow is cast on the rugged landscape, and photographer Michael Schultz captures the most breathtaking photos of newlyweds Stacey and Lee at the New Zealand wedding.

Stacey and Lee could be described as ‘modern romantics’, their wedding was special, intimate and unique. The couple were less concerned about the formal traditions of weddings, and more interested in creating a day that was in harmony with their personalities and values, as well as being a relaxed and enjoyable time for their guests.

Modern styling

Stacey and Lee both gravitate towards a clean, simple and modern approach to styling. One of the best ways they kept things simple was having a short engagement.

“We just didn’t have time to overthink things and go overboard,” explains Stacey. “We loved the simplicity of the dreamy bright white reception space and the natural greenery in the courtyard where the ceremony was held, so we only brought in a few black and white elements, some wood tones and lots of clear acrylic.”

The ceremony and reception were held at a small restaurant in Hawke’s Bay. Their New Zealand wedding ceremony took place in the vine-covered courtyard and reception was in a room upstairs. Everyone sat together at one long table, as Stacey and Lee wanted the night to feel more like a big dinner party and less like a formal wedding. This is just one of many ways the couple stayed true themselves when planning their wedding.

“Don’t do anything you aren’t comfortable doing just because it’s your wedding day. We didn’t have a bridal party, we didn’t do speeches, we said our vows in private the morning of the wedding. We were comfortable and at ease and able to enjoy the day with our friends and family.”

The dream dress

From the off-shoulder, A-line silhouette, to the dramatic skirt and pockets (!), Stacey’s wedding gown featured all the details she feels comfortable wearing.

“I stopped looking for dresses as soon as I saw it. It truly was my dream dress. I never thought I would wear such a big, dramatic dress, but I just felt so good in it.”

From there, Stacey set up a Pinterest account and began creating mood boards for hair and veil inspiration. This is how she came across our much-loved Riviera veil.

The statement veil

Although she endeavoured to keep the styling simple, from the moment Stacey saw our embellished Riviera veil, with its abundance of floral laces, 3D hand-beaded flowers and crystal pearls, it filled her thoughts.

“I showed it to my mum and that was it, we placed the order then and there,” says Stacey. “I always feel my best with my hair down and curled, and the veil just fit in with that styling perfectly.”

We especially love how Stacey styled the veil up high on the crown of her head, allowing the lace and floral details to gently cascade down her hair and shoulders.

Stacey’s advice is to trust your instincts when pulling together your bridal look.

“Stay true to yourself, your personal style and what you know you feel good in, and it will all fall into place,” says Stacey.

Special thanks to:

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