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Original poster

Why do so many brides continue to wear veils at their wedding?

194 replies

Houseplantmad · 18/05/2023 23:27

Seems a bit weird and antiquated in this day and age ie being “revealed” to a prospective husband at the alter, having been “given away” by your father. Why do so many women continue with it?
in fact, so much of traditional wedding rites are just plain odd in this day and age.

OP posts:
SDTGisAnEvilWolefGenius · 18/05/2023 23:28

Because they think it looks pretty.

Because they want to.

evtheria · 18/05/2023 23:29

Because they're pretty? At least, as an unmarried atheist I think so. Reminds me of capes, and I bloody love a cape.

Unbridezilla · 18/05/2023 23:33

I'm wearing one, although it won't cover my face, like most modern veils. So there is hardly any "revealing". It's pretty and when am I ever going to get the opportunity to wear such an elaborate head piece again? To me, it's part of the fun

And my dad isn't "giving me away". He is accompanying me down the aisle. So much wedding stuff is mother/daughter orientated (dress shopping, getting ready together etc) that I am really looking forward to the time I spend with just my dad on the drive to the church and just before the ceremony.

You choose the traditions you want for your wedding, and I'll choose what works for me.

Unbridezilla · 18/05/2023 23:37

evtheria · 18/05/2023 23:29

Because they're pretty? At least, as an unmarried atheist I think so. Reminds me of capes, and I bloody love a cape.

There's a real trend at the minute to have a cape (out of veil material) instead of a veil attached to the head.

I was offered to try on so many when I was wedding dress shopping. My friend had one for her wedding last year, and they fall beautifully because of being attached to each shoulder rather than a single narrower point on the head

MrsDoylesDoily · 18/05/2023 23:39

A lot of people like tradition 🤷‍♀️

Look how many MNetters live with their partners and have kids with them, yet they're 'waiting for him to propose'.

Itsanotherhreatday · 18/05/2023 23:42

I didn’t have one …. But a cape veil …. I’m in and I would insist all guest wear them as well!

HinnyInAPinny · 19/05/2023 00:19

My daughter had a veil, but it was set into her hair towards the crown with a pearl headband, and was then draped over her shoulders and back, rather than over her face.
It looked beautiful. I love a nice veil.

Worriedmotheroftwo · 19/05/2023 00:30

I had one for some photos as I thought it looked pretty but not for the ceremony. And I didn't take the title Mrs but Ms afterwards. I did wear white though. You pick and choose what works for you.

MrsRandom123 · 19/05/2023 00:31

Because they want to.

SleepingStandingUp · 19/05/2023 00:32

The veil is to confuse the devil so he doesn't know who you are and can't steal you, or something like that.

SleepingStandingUp · 19/05/2023 00:35

Oh sorry no, bridesmaids are to confuse the devil, and veils are to hide her from evil spirits.

TooBigForMyBoots · 19/05/2023 00:39

They're pretty and often the "something old" or "borrowed", so free.Grin

BillyNoM8s · 19/05/2023 00:50

I wasn't planning to have one, but I tried it on and it looked nice. That's why I had one.

I don't think I had it over my face at any point. Can't remember.

I do remember that it was weirdly expensive.

BillyNoM8s · 19/05/2023 00:52

We eloped though. There was only us, the photographer and the celebrant. We didn't even need witnesses.

No giving away. No alter. No church. No guests.

UWhatNow · 19/05/2023 00:56

They’re pretty and often finish and complete the wedding dress.

I think if you’re looking to wage war for feminism then there are much bigger issues at stake right now than this one!

Redglitter · 19/05/2023 00:57

I dont remember any brides I've seen having the veil over their face. I dont think that's a thing anymore. Veils look lovely though attached to a tiara etc

BitOutOfPractice · 19/05/2023 01:01

And why do they continue to get married in church when they have no faith? Lots of things about weddings are odd 🤷‍♀️

USaYwHatNow · 19/05/2023 01:21

To each their own? I had a fingertip veil, which I wore over my face. My dad gave me away, and he lifted the veil halfway through the ceremony. We got married in a church in 2019 and it just felt 'right'.

DaftyLass · 19/05/2023 01:36

Because I am traditional, and it fit with everything else about the wedding.
Still going strong 25 years later.

EllandRd · 19/05/2023 01:38

I love the long Cathedral Veils, they are beautiful.

GlutenFreeGrump · 19/05/2023 01:50

Because they look like you're part of a fairytale / fantasy princess / real life princess / someone with riches and wealth and a life of ease.

I'm not dissing it by saying that. I think lots of us would like for one day (if not a lifetime!) to escape into a fairytale where we live in a castle and don't have to load the dishwasher and manage the after school clubs schedule. There are pretty much no other days of one's life where it's seen as acceptable to create that little escapist world. So I'm all for it! (I didn't wear one; I live in a hot location and got married on a farm. But if I'd been in a church I would absolutely have worn it.)

You don't have to associate it with being given away by a man if you don't want to. Not every misogynistic tradition can be reclaimed and redefined, but I think this one can be if you want to.

notangelinajolie · 19/05/2023 01:54

Because they can.

OP if you don’t like veils you do realise that your don’t have to wear one?

SusannaQ · 19/05/2023 01:56

HinnyInAPinny · 19/05/2023 00:19

My daughter had a veil, but it was set into her hair towards the crown with a pearl headband, and was then draped over her shoulders and back, rather than over her face.
It looked beautiful. I love a nice veil.

I had this. In truth it was because the back of my dress was cut low and I developed a really bad rash a few weeks before the wedding which wouldn't clear! The veil hanging down the back covered it nicely, but I didn't want it over my face. It actually looked lovely.

JandalsAlways · 19/05/2023 03:20

Why does anyone do anything nowadays? It's all old and antiquated 🤷🏻‍♀️

MisschiefMaker · 19/05/2023 03:24

I think they look beautiful. Besides, the wedding day is the only day you can get away with wearing elaborate nonsense like that.