Posts Tagged ‘veil advice’

Wedding Veil Advice: how to choose length and style

Friday, May 11th, 2012

Since the updates to our Advice Centre, we are moving some of our in-depth advice pages to our blog. Today we take you through the basics of the options in length and style of our veils. For more information on the colours and materials we use, click here.

What is a Tier?

Veil C305CA ‘tier’ simply means a layer of veiling. Most wedding veils have two tiers, which means that they have two layers of veiling coming down from the comb that sits in your hair. Usually the top tier is shorter than the bottom tier, and is called the blusher. This can be brought down over your face for the traditional blushing bride look. If you want your veil to be a main feature of your bridal outfit then a veil with three or more tiers will make a great statement. We make more modern three-tier veils with a blusher that sits as a small face veil, giving a fantastic shape whether worn with or without the blusher over the face.

The most popular veil size is 72”. This is the length from the bottom of the blusher to the bottom of the back of the veil, meaning that on a two tier veil it will hang around 40-45” from the comb, usually reaching your hips.

What veil sizes are available?

We use the traditional method of giving sizes of wedding veils in inches. The chart below shows standard sizes of two tier veils, and how they are otherwise known.

Size in inches

Size in cm

Also known as

36” 91.5 Shoulder length
54” 137 Waist or elbow length
72” 183 Hip or Fingertip length
108” 274 Floor length
126” 320 Train or Chapel length
144” 366 Long Train or Cathedral length

Most of our veils can be made in any length. Remember the size in inches or centimetres includes the blusher or face veil.

Veil C307AThe veiling we use is exclusive to us and is of the finest quality, no other manufacturer can compare to it; Richard Designs wedding veils really are unique and of the highest quality. Our veiling has a very soft, delicate feel to it and hangs beautifully from the comb. It is very fine meaning that it will not cover your dress, but will simply float over it.

Enquire with your local stockist about our full range of wedding veils, as only a taster collection is shown here on our website. Richard Designs veils can only be bought in approved retailers, please call or email us and we will be very happy to provide you with details of your local stockist.


Princess Charlene Wittstock’s Wedding Veil: The Details

Tuesday, July 12th, 2011

Before we start discussing the beautiful Princess Charlene’s wedding veil, have you seen our new Celebrity Weddings page? You can find information and pictures on all the recent celebrity weddings (including how to get their looks!) on this one page.

We have been asked what it is about Charlene Wittstock’s wedding veil that made it look so spectacular at her wedding to Prince Albert of Monaco, so today we share more details.

Charlene’s veil was a two-tier tulle creation with a simple beaded edge.

Charlene Wittstock wedding aisleImage from here

Charlene Wittstock VeilImage from here

The top tier, or blusher, was longer than on a standard veil, which you can see in this picture here.

Princess Charlene Wedding Veil BlusherImage from here

When the blusher is over Charlene’s face, it reaches beyond her hands, which considering it is already put quite far back on her head, shows just how long the blusher really is. A standard blusher is around 30” long, and would fall just above the waist if worn at the back of the head, but we expect that Charlene’s was around 45” long.

Charlene Wittstock Wedding Veil BlusherImage from here

Of course as all of our veils are hand made to order, we can make them to any size you would like, so if you would like your veil to have a longer blusher then just let the bridal shop know when you make your order.

As mentioned, Charlene wore the veil further back below the crown of her head, so that it was secured just above her chignon. This created this beautiful halo effect when Charlene wore the blusher over her face, which in our opinion makes her a truly stunning bride.

Charlene Wittstock wedding veilImage from here

The decoration on Charlene’s veil was very simple but effective. It allowed the long, flowing tulle to make up the bulk of the veil, meaning that the focus was on that beautiful shrouded effect.

Although Charlene is a royal bride, with a princess’s bank balance, her veil would be ideal for a bride who wants to look like a princess but doesn’t want to go over budget. The simple decoration brings the price down, and the long fine tulle gives a princess bride effect. A fantastic option for a bride who wants to achieve this effect would be a Richard Designs style C204C, with tiny Swarovski crystals sewn around the edge, in a 126” or 144” size, and with a longer blusher if you prefer.

C204C Wedding Veil

See here for information on Charlene’s silver hair piece and how to achieve a similar look.

Would you wear a longer blusher? Would you even wear your blusher over your face? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below!

How to buy

Have you got any questions about your accessories?

Wednesday, June 29th, 2011

Have you seen our updated veil advice pages? We have recently updated our veil advice pages to include even more information for brides and bridal shops.

Wedding Veil Advice

Now you can see which length of veils work best with which style of gown, how to wear your veil in your hair, and the difference between a single tier and two-tier veil.

As we are constantly improving the website, we will be updating the tiara, petticoat, jewellery, bridesmaid and millinery sections of the website over the coming weeks. If you have any questions about choosing or wearing your bridal wear accessories then let us know in the comments below and we will try to include the answers in our advice sections.

Do you want to know which shape of petticoat will go with your dress? How to wear your sparkling comb in your hair? Whether to have a veil or not? Ask away in the comments below!

Shop Floor News: Current popular veils and headdresses

Wednesday, June 22nd, 2011
Ben Allen Richard Designs As promised, here is more exclusive news from Senior Sales Executive Ben Allen. To see Ben’s other blogs, click here.

Hello everyone,

I can’t believe how quickly the last month has gone by, my appointments have taken me all over Scotland, England and the Republic of Ireland, which has given me a chance to see things from a wide perspective!

During my travels I have noticed some of my samples are really popular across all areas, so this month I just want to take a few minutes to show you some of our current best-selling wedding veils and headpieces.

Veils

As you would all expect the vast majority of veils purchased are two tier veils, however recently I have been noticing an increasing number of requests for single tier veils. For a while now, more and more brides are choosing to leave the blusher at the back of the head rather than wearing it over the face, which has lead to many shops increasing the number of single tier veils that they carry.

So what is the difference between two-tier and single tier veils?

Two-tier veils create a beautiful, full, halo effect. Single tier veils on the other hand, create a very different look. As most single tier veils are fully combed the decoration on the edge falls from the crown. Here, you can see the different effects achieved by both a single tier and two-tier veil.

Two Tier Single Tier Veils

You can see how the two tier veil has a softer, more bouffant effect. The decorated scalloped edge on the single tier veil can be seen falling from the crown.

For more advice on shapes and sizes of wedding veils, click here

The most popular single tier veil at the moment is style C318C

Single Tier Veil C318C

This wedding veil offers detail which can bring a dress to life. The silver diamante detailing of the C318C, which gives a lovely sparkle all over the body of the veil, looks brilliant with almost any dress, either over a plain dress or complementing the silver diamante detailing in another.  I have found that this veil is most popularly being ordered in a 98″ length (equivalent to a 126″ two tier veil) but is also popular in a 43″ length (equivalent to a 72″ two-tier veil).

Headdresses

When looking at trends in headpieces, as you might expect, the majority of interest is still for the asymmetrical side spray styles, which have been all-conquering for the last few seasons. However I have noticed an increase in requests for the simple headband, while I am still taking orders for a few traditionally shaped tiaras.

Here are a few pieces that have proved popular over the last couple of months:

Representing the side spray headpieces we have the ever popular TR1105A, still a very popular headpiece

The Harrogate Wedding Lounge TR1105APicture from The Harrogate Wedding Lounge and Cat Hepple Photography

The traditional shaped tiara TR1035A is still a popular choice for brides, with an elegant combination of pearl and crystals in silver settings.

Traditional Shape Tiara TR1035A

New at the Harrogate show in March we have TR1267A and TR1271A showcasing the beautiful Swarovski set stone crystal with moonlight effect which adds brilliance and sparkle. The moonlight stone is more in keeping with today’s trends than AB which was so popular in recent years.

TR1267A with moonlight crystals

TR1271A

For headbands we have two new pearl and diamante pieces. TR1338A below is an ornate piece with vintage button style side decoration.

TR1339A Ivory

TR1339A below is a simpler version which could be teamed for your bridesmaids or worn by a bride looking for a simple band.

TR1338A

…and not to be left out, for a traditional tiara, style TR1344A, the unmissable tiara design inspired by the Duchess of Cambridge, Princess Catherine.

Royal Wedding Inspired Tiara TR1344A

Well that’s all from me this month. I would love to hear your feedback: do you agree with my observations, or have you noticed another trend develop that you would like to discuss? Please leave your comments below.

Speak to you all again next month, when we will be looking at the impact that the Royal Wedding has had on bridal wear trends!

Thanks,

Ben Allen
Senior Sales Executive

To see more styles, see our veil and tiara gallery


Dress your Dress: Justin Alexander 8557

Friday, May 13th, 2011

Accessories such as veils, tiaras and jewellery complete your wedding gown and give you that true bridal look. Anna has put together a perfect wedding outfit for you, with accessories to match the elegant & feminine Justin Alexander gown style 8557.

Justin Alexander Gown 8557

Top left Richard Designs pearl and set stone side spray TR1196A, below Wedding Bouquet tied with lace (photo) flickr.com original www.passionforflowers.net , bottom left Richard Designs French laced veil edge C339B, Laced wedding dress Justin Alexander www.justinalexanderbridal.com, bottom right Richard Designs pearl crystal set stone band TR1208A.

The delicate detailing of the lace on this beautiful dress design from Justin Alexander would be perfectly complemented with dainty accessories. Pearl and minimal crystal complements the vintage, yet contemporary feel of this gown without overpowering the embellished waist and delicate sweet-heart neckline.  A fine lace edge ensures a soft, floating veil that does not compete with the detailed all over lace on the gown, but instead enhances its floral shapes. The pearl and crystal details on the tiara and headband work seamlessly with the vintage colouring of the dress, with the shape of the tiara (TR1196A top left) mimicking the flower detail on the dress. Finish off with a lace tied bouquet of blush roses for a beautifully feminine bridal look!

For details of stockists that have Richard Designs accessories please contact us and we will be happy to help.

For more inspiration, see our wedding veil and tiara galleries.

How to buy