Wedding
day attire has changed in many ways, but one component that has
withstood the test of time is the wearing of a wedding veil.
Though
many brides know it is tradition to wear a bridal veil, many do not
understand why. Here is a look at the history behind the veil and why it
continues to be worn today.
The veil and the
bouquet that a bride carries may predate the wearing of white. Although
there is no definitive reason for the wearing of a veil, many surmise it
has to do with ancient Greeks and Romans’ fear of evil spirits and
demons. In fact, this is where many of the bridal traditions actually
come from, including bridesmaids wearing similar dresses in order to
serve as decoys for the bride. In an effort to frighten away or disguise
the bride from evil spirits, brides-to-be were dressed in brightly
colored fabrics like red and obscured by a veil. But in many cases, the
veil prevented the bride from seeing well. That is why her father or
another person "gave her away." He was actually escorting her down the
aisle so she wouldn’t bump or trip into anything. The veil also served
as a method of shielding the bride’s face from her future husband,
especially in the cases of arranged marriages.
Superstition has it
that it is bad luck for the groom to see the bride prior to the wedding.
A veil hiding her face also ensured that the groom would not see his
soon-to-be-betrothed up until the ceremony.
Eventually the
meaning behind the veil transformed as weddings evolved into religious
ceremonies. The veil came to symbolize modesty and obedience. In many
religions it is seen as a symbol of reverence for women to cover their
heads. When white wedding dresses were worn to symbolize chastity, the
white veil followed suit.
Regardless of the
origins, veils continue to be sported by today’s brides, who choose from
a few different styles. A flyaway is a short veil that ends at the
shoulders, while a sweep veil ends at the floor. Chapel and cathedral
veils follow the bride at a significant length (nine and 12 feet,
respectively). A blusher is a very short veil that covers just the
bride’s face as she enters the ceremony. With a fingertip veil, the veil
reaches the bride’s waist and brushes at her fingertips.
The wedding veils and headpieces should
coordinate with the style of the gown, and many wedding attire
consultants suggest choosing the gown prior to the headpiece and veil.
No comments:
Post a Comment