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Wedding Veils: Are you a hair bride or a wedding veil bride?

Wedding gown by Marys/P.C. Mary's Inc.

You're engaged! The next thing many brides think about is growing out their hair. But into what? How should you wear it? Up or down? Romantic or chic? Traditional or trendy? Do you want a wedding veil? If so where will you attach it? On the top of your head? In the back? Do you want your veil tucked into the updo or covering it? Will you keep the wedding veil on or do you want to remove it at the reception?

With so many options and decisions to make you'll be lucky to have any hair left to worry about!! While every bride is unique, I do run into two types of brides.

Hair brides and wedding veil brides

Hair brides:
The hair bride calls me a year in advance, or more! She prefers the focus to be the hairstyle and the ornamentation. She will talk more about the hair and we will discuss what best complements her features, gown, and the ambiance of her wedding. Then we put a growing-out plan together. One or two trial runs will be done and suggestions for wedding veil and bridal headpieces will be discussed. Many hair brides prefer to simply place the wedding veil behind the Updo and remove it at the reception. Some do not want a wedding veil at all! The hair bride can't wait to whip off that veil and get down to a good time!

Wedding Veil brides:
I know I have a veil bride when she tells me she wants to keep the wedding veil on at the reception. So I help her choose the best one to complement and balance the gown and face. Veil brides' tastes vary with options such as full wedding veils, edging, ornamentation, long wedding veils, multiple layers and blushers. The hair may be secondary; only necessary to support the wedding veil. Or she may have short hair. Veil wearers beware! A full wedding veil on top WILL keep falling forward all evening as table visits call for leaning over. Also with each hug (and hundreds will be given) the wedding veil will be yanked. It will also get in the way of dancing and I have seen brides pull at it all night, as the netting gets caught on any beading. After being educated most brides do consider removing it and I help show them that option.

Final tips:

• My suggestion is to specifically veil shop-around.
• Don't be talked into the wedding veil that "goes" with the gown.
• Don't forget the local craft shops, they have a variety of do-it-yourself pieces as well as complete headpieces and veils to choose from. Save$$$
• On line there are also many great sources.
• After you have your gown discuss your hairstyle options with your stylist before you shop for your veil.
• Have your Updo style done first and then go wedding veil shopping, that way you will have a excellent idea of how your "do" will work with your headpiece.

by Gretchen Maurer, author of The Business of Bridal Beauty and creator of WeddingHair.com.