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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.
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.”
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.”
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!”
“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.”
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.
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.”
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.
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.
For bride Bronte nothing beats the Aussie countryside, with its sweeping hills, fragrant eucalyptus trees and striking red dirt. While her husband Justin is a water baby, he loves the pristine white sand beaches along the coastline. For their wedding, they found the perfect compromise. A venue located on the NSW Tweed coastline, right in between the ocean and valley.
The scenery, combined with Bronte’s bridal look, made for some truly beautiful photos. She wore a classic white gown and our statement RIVIERA veil. The delicate florals, lace motifs and scattering of pearls cascaded down Bronte’s hair and shoulders and billowed behind her in the breeze. She looked ethereal amongst the native plants and lush woodland. Her bridesmaids beautifully coordinated with her, wearing our ROSA hair pins in their up dos.
Shop this look: STELLAR hair pins, VERSAILLES headpiece, BORDEAUX veil
The first (and only!) venue Bronte and Justin viewed was Summergrove Estate. The estate has panoramic views of the ocean and valley and is set up for chapel and garden ceremonies and restaurant and barn receptions. The barn in particular, was very special to Bronte and Justin.
“Both Justin and I wanted our reception in a barn, and Summergrove Estate were building our dream barn, almost like it was being built for us! It was white and huge and modelled on the big American style barns, in other words, it was exactly what we were looking for. We both loved the polished concrete floors, exposed beams and hanging Edison globes,” says Bronte. “We also wanted an outdoor ceremony which Summergrove offered and Justin wanted to be married on top of a hill (don’t ask me why) which again Summergrove gave us the opportunity to do.”
It’s clear from the photos alone that Bronte was truly in her element at the Estate.
“I was born in Brisbane and raised in Cairns but if I could convince Justin to move a few hours west into the country I would in a heartbeat. You couldn’t find a vista I loved more than rolling countryside, some Aussie bush and red dirt. The smell, the fresh, crisp air, the fact that you can see all the stars, nothing beats the country! (I sound like a country girl, don’t I?).”
For bridal inspiration, Bronte browsed Hello May, Vogue magazine and photos of her friends weddings. Ivy Road, Tania Maras and Babushka Ballerina Instagram feeds also all helped Bronte narrow down her style. She chose a simple, classic white gown by Daisy Brides.
“One of the biggest factors in choosing my dress and my main reason for keeping my dress so simple and classic was because I knew my head wear would be the star. Whether it was a stunning headband or a veil, I wanted something nobody would have seen before and that was a real ‘wow’ factor. When Tania suggested the RIVIERA veil (I emailed her for some help choosing), I knew this would be my wow factor and dare I say it, I love it more than my dress. It’s so ‘me’!”
The RIVIERA veil features organza flowers with hand beaded pearl and crystal centres, amongst lace details and a scattering of pearls. The veil is textural, sparkly and beautifully completed Bronte’s look.
“The RIVIERA veil was my perfect ‘wow’ accessory. It was long, it was light, but most importantly that stunning flower and pearl detail. My dress needed some details and the veil delivered that. I wanted something that would float behind me and look stunning in pictures and I knew the RIVIERA veil would,” says Bronte.
“My tip would be stay true to yourself, find accessories that show your personality and make your outfit shine with you! I love a simple gown with ‘wow’ accessories, but if you go for a more intricate ‘wow’ gown then make sure your accessories complement that gown and don’t clash.”
Bronte selected the ROSA hair pins as accessories for her two bridesmaids, to tie in with her look. The ROSA hair pins feature organza flowers with pearl and crystal details, attached to metal hair pins for styling flexibility and are perfect for adding a flourish to hair styles.
The pins were styled on the bridesmaids in a low set bun and looked striking against their dark hair.
“My tip would be stay true to yourself, find accessories that show your personality and make your outfit shine with you! I love a simple gown with ‘wow’ accessories, but if you go for a more intricate ‘wow’ gown then make sure your accessories complement that gown and don’t clash.”
“Have fun with it, try not to let it stress you out (easier said than done). Make compromises with each other. Don’t rush into any choices, take the time to look around and see your options. Stay organised, have some kind of system for tracking vendors, design ideas, payments etc. Most importantly, make the day say ‘you’, pick vendors, venues and outfits that really show you as a couple and your personalities,” says Bronte.
The soft, billowy beauty of a veil can completely transform your bridal look with its movement and drape. And while we love minimalist and traditional veils, an embellished wedding veil adorned with laces, crystals or pearls can feel fresh and infinitely romantic.
The design possibilities of embellished veils are endless. From veils that are dripped in feather-soft organza blooms, to veils dotted with soft ivory pearls and dazzling crystals, embellishments add texture and detail to an otherwise blank canvas. With lengths and styles customisable to suit you, your veil can beautifully complement your body shape and dress and capture your personality.
Dramatic veils also pair beautifully with modern silhouettes, from on-trend body suits to barely-there dresses. For a look that’s enchanting and sensual, find our styling tips on how to style and make a statement with your wedding veil.
Shop this look: RIVIERA veil
Our floral veils are layered with lace motifs, organza flowers and bead work, with each layer adding texture and dimension. The effect from a far is romantic and dreamy, as the floral elements set onto sheer tulle give the illusion that they’re floating over you. But the veils are just as beautiful up close, where the detailed bead work can be fully appreciated.
A floral veil doesn’t need to feel heavily embellished or overwhelming. The organic details can be applied to the top of the veil only – to frame your shoulders and hairstyle – as seen in the CATALINA, WEEPING CHERRY and RIVIERA veils. If your dress is more detailed across the top with lace sleeves or a beaded bodice, the floral details can float along the train of the veil and drape behind you as walk – as seen in NIGHT GARDEN veil. If you’d like head-to-toe florals, then the ATHENA veil might be perfect for you. All veils can be made with or without a blusher layer and in varying lengths.
Wear it with:
Shop this look: RIVIERA veil
“Floral veils tick all the right boxes for an ultra glamorous and luxurious wedding. These wedding veils are not for the fainthearted – they are designed for bold and confident brides,” Tania Maras, designer and Creative Director.
Pearls feel classical and timeless, and a scattering of pearls on a veil can have a modern and chic effect. Even if your look is a little more traditional, a pearl veil can exudes a more contemporary vibe compared to a more traditional or vintage-inspired lace trimmed veil.
Reminiscent of drifting snow flakes, our pearl veils are made with soft bridal illusion tulle and crystal pearls. The pearls are attached by hand, with special attention to placement, so that the overall effect is balanced, flattering and seamless.
The pearl details can be placed on the top, as seen on the THEODORE veil, or along the bottom of the veil – the LUMIERE veil. For a look that’s next level, the pearl embellishments can be applied and scattered all over. It’s everything we love about the NADIA veil. Our veils can be made with or without a blusher and available in cathedral, chapel or fingertip lengths.
Wear it with:
Shop this look: NADIA veil
Crystal accents were once only for the bling-obsessed bride. No longer a detail to be feared, our range of crystal veils have been designed to reflect a more captivating and intriguing mood. The result is added drama and romance to a bridal look – without the excessive ‘bling’ factor.
In designing our collection of crystal veils, we looked to the night sky for inspiration. Each shimmering crystal has been meticulously applied by hand to catch the light and enlighten your bridal look in an effortless, celestial and ethereal way.
One of our most versatile crystal veil designs is the airy and dramatic MORNING MIST veil. This veil features crystals that are scattered around the face, shoulders and neckline. For sparkle from head to toe, the DEWBERRY feels dreamy and dramatic without the overwhelm.
Shop this look: MIDNIGHT veil
“We recommend crystal veils for the bride who isn’t afraid to make a high style bridal statement on her wedding day,” Tania Maras, Designer and Creative Director.
At Tania Maras, we offer bespoke veils and a styling service where we can work with you one-on-one to create your dream veil, without you needing to visit the studio. If you would a like a statement veil made to suit you, please get in touch. Contact us through our contact page or send us an email directly ([email protected]).
During a few daydreaming moments in a high school textiles class, Jemma sketched out her perfect wedding dress. When the time came to marry her fiancé, Alex, she referred back to this vision and entrusted it to the expertise of a talented couturist, Laila Nakhoul, who brought her ideas to life. With her dream dress, Jemma needed an equally impressive veil, and she couldn’t go past our embellished RIVIERA veil, with hand beaded flowers, lace motifs and a scattering of pearls. Jemma’s overall look was the epitome of modern luxe style.
And the whole wedding had a similar vibe. Jemma and Alex wanted their day to be unique and edgy, while still maintaining traditions and elegance. There were classic formalities, including a church ceremony, but they added their own personal twist – an urban photo photoshoot in Sydney’s CBD, burgundy colour accents and a night of non-stop dancing!
“The whole reception was exactly what we were after… fun!” says Jemma. “It was just one big party all night – no one sat down! We had an idea of mixing the room with both sides of the family, rather than having all of my family on one side and all Alex’s on the other. We had a bit of each on both sides – that really set the whole vibe. Both sides were able to mingle and celebrate together as one family. It was such an amazing atmosphere.”
Jemma suggests trying not to not get too bogged down with the finer details of wedding planning, because on the day, it’s the interactions you have with your husband and guests that will be the most important.
“When you’re dancing the night away surrounded by everyone you love, you won’t even think about the colour of the napkins, or what your hair looks like, or if people are sitting in their allocated seats – they’ll be on the dance floor all night anyway!”
Jemma’s bespoke dress was designed by Laila Nakhoul, who not only created her high-school vision, but also added some extra special elements. The dress featured an on-trend high-low hemline, elegant V neckline and an embellished bodice.
“My dress designer Laila really listened to my vision and even added her special touches to finish the bodice with the 3D flowers and beading on the train,” says Jemma. “The hemline of the dress made it so easy to move and dance. I never wear full length dresses either so I knew this style suited me because it still had the traditions of a bridal dress but I was still able to add my personal style to it.”
The RIVIERA veil is one of the most elaborate veils in the Tania Maras collection. It features hand-beaded 3D flowers in varying stages of bloom, lace motifs, and a scattered pearls on sheer tulle. The veil is feminine and dramatic and was the perfect accompaniment in terms of style and embellishment, for Jemma’s gown. She styled the veil with her hair flicked to one side and big curls.
“I came across the veil online and absolutely fell in love with it. The flowers and lace matched the bodice of my dress perfectly, it was like they were made together!” says Jemma.
Her advice for bridal accessorising is choose pieces that compliment your dress but don’t draw away from it.
“Simple and comfortable shoes (comfort is a must!), a nice diamond or pearl bracelet and matching earrings… you don’t need too much to make a statement,” she advises. “Being Lebanese, I knew I would be carried all night at the reception and we’d be dancing non-stop, so my main priority was definitely comfort when it came to the dress and shoes.”
With all the excitement and activity, your wedding day can feel like it’s happening in double time. Jemma’s best advice for couple’s on their wedding day, is to stop, breathe and be present, which will help you savour every magical moment.
“Alex and I kept reminding each other throughout the day to stop and just look around at everything and everyone, and we can honestly say, because of that, we remember the whole day.”
When it comes to bridal styling, it’s often said your wedding veil should accentuate your bridal look and not distract from your wedding dress. We generally agree to this. But, there’s always exceptions. Figuring out how to style a dramatic wedding veil will depend on a number of factors which we will cover below.
But let’s be honest: there’s no rule book and it’s highly unlikely the bridal police will be patrolling your wedding aisle. Yes, there are traditions and conventions that we should all respect. For example, religious and cultural customs require brides to cover their shoulders if they wed in a church. There are also certain symbolic colours that are best avoided. But beyond the walls of religious institutions and family/cultural traditions, brides today have more freedom than previous generations to be expressive and showcase their own style on their wedding day.
Shop this look: RIVIERA wedding veil
Before we can explore how to style a dramatic veil, let’s explore how to choose the right veil in the first instance.
You might have chosen a dramatic wedding dress and you’re looking for a simple veil to complete the look. Or, your style might be minimal which allows room for expression where your veil is the perfect piece to capture your essence of your style and personality.
For other brides, they might like the best of both words. A classic wedding dress with a touch of embellishment can be paired with complementary details such as contrasting ornate lace patterns with decadent pearl accents.
There’s a lot to consider when choosing the perfect veil. Consider the style of your wedding dress, the venue, time of day, formality of the wedding, you and your partner’s style, and of course, your bridal hairstyle.
Shop this look: ATHENA cathedral veil, NADIA pearl veil, NIGHT GARDEN cathedral veil
A cathedral length veil is all about regal appeal but you don’t need to have an extra long veil to create an impact. A short veil combined with handcrafted couture details, such as the WEEPING CHERRY veil, can be just as dramatic as a heavily embellished long veil as seen in our NIGHT GARDEN, ATHENA or RIVIERA veils.
When styling a dramatic wedding veil, consider the following:
Consider the style and shape of your wedding dress.
Try to define your bridal style with a few words. Free-spirited, relaxed and fashion forward? Or modern, clean and high end? If you’re struggling to find the words to best describe the vision you have in your head, a Pinterest board will help you gather your thoughts and better understand your vision.
Sometimes it’s easier to know what you don’t like rather than what you do like. The process of elimination can be just as effective!
As a general guide, your veil should accentuate and be proportional to your dress. When it comes to statement veils, we like to pair them with simpler silhouettes so that they doesn’t overpower or take away from the details of the dress.
It’s important to consider the placement of any defining details on your wedding dress. Look for any focal points on the dress to ensure that the veil doesn’t interrupt the flow or details of the dress. Some things to consider include:
Other things to note:
To quote Coco Chanel, “Before you leave the house, look in the mirror and take one thing off”. This is valuable advice generally, and especially when it comes to incorporating a showstopper wedding veil into your bridal look.
If you’re fond of dramatic wedding dress, minimise the rest of your wedding accessories. Think simpler shoes, no necklace or bracelet and perhaps just a set of elegant earrings to frame your face.
We’re here to help. We work with brides worldwide to help them coordinate and choose the perfect wedding accessories from our collections.
Feel free to send us photos of your wedding dress, bridal hairstyle and details of styles from our collection you love and we can go from there.
We’re here to help. We work with brides worldwide to help them coordinate and choose the perfect wedding accessories from our collections.
Feel free to send us photos of your wedding dress, bridal hairstyle and details of styles from our collection you love and we can go from there.
Bespoke and ready-to-wear bridal accessories and veils. Designed and handcrafted in Canberra, Australia. Our online store is open 24/7 with worldwide delivery available including express options. The Fyshwick showroom is by appointment only. Virtual appointments are available for interstate and international brides.
