Mantillas are a traditional Spanish veil or shawl usually made from lace. They cover the head and shoulder area, and are worn for religious festivals like Easter or on occasions like flamenco performances or bull fighting. Again traditionally, white mantillas are worn by single women, with black ones worn by married women. Underneath the mantilla, a Peineta is worn. These decorative combs look almost like crowns, giving the mantilla a high point to softly drape over. Today, a Mantilla usually refers to a veil with a lace edging of some type and no gather. Some beautiful examples are made entirely from a piece of lace, others are tulle based with a lace edge applied. They are worn pinned into your hairline at the front (covering most of your hair) or flat over a hairstyle/bun etc. This style is really popular, as it can be something subtle with a fine all over lace or more dramatic with heavy or wide lace edging.

Not necessarily a style of veil, but something that is worth a mention on its own. These veils can be any length you like, but always come with a blusher (see short veil blog for explanation) I like to think of them like you’re in a Disney movie, where tiny birds fly in with your veil and drop it softly over your head in the perfect position! So, what are they really? Just a veil with little to no gathering so they give a very sheer look that sits close to you. Usually they will have a small comb attached for your hair, otherwise how else will you keep it on when your blusher is lifted for the kiss! They are a great option for brides that have a very ornate dress with beading and lace etc. So you can get the look of wearing a veil, but your dress can still steal the show!

Whenever I mention a Juliet cap veil its usually met with “Like the one Kate Moss wore?” Yes! and thank you Kate Moss, for reviving this beautiful style! So, what’s in a name? Well as you probably guessed it is named after the Juliet, as she was originally depicted with this type of veil neatly crowning her head. Fast forward 300 or so years and it was back! These veils from the 20’s and 30’s were seriously beautiful. Some have so much work in them they could be considered art (Also special mention to the 70’s, as this style so featured heavily with Boho brides). It can, like many other style veils, be very classic and simple or completely unique and Avant Garde. The wedding portraits of brides from this era are sooooo beautiful, their long veil spilling out onto the floor around her with an oversized bouquet of flowers (although a smile wouldn’t hurt!). They were generally cathedral length or longer (even though many brides chose ‘short’ gowns) and would have embroidery or beading applied. Some brides even chose to have flowers around the crown or orange blossoms. Now days though you can really have one any length, and with any detail you can think of. Most commonly they will have lace on the front/cap area.