If you’re a bride-to-be wondering how to wear your hair with your wedding veil, what hairstyles are possible or whether you’re obliged to have an updo now you’ve bought a veil, let’s spend the next five minutes together. I’ve been chatting with the wonderful Laura and Natalie of Nala & Knot (my own wedding hair and makeup dream team!), and we’ve answered all your questions about all things veils and hairstyles so you need look no further.
Nala & Knot: ‘A huge vibe for us is that all bridal hair looks will work. We want all our brides to have confidence that they can feel the most like them on their day, and we adore the moment when we get to put in the veil! Even after getting over 1000 women wedding-day ready, the veil moment still feels so magical.’
‘We absolutely adore the fashion focused veils from Rebecca Anne Designs.’
How to wear your hair with your wedding veil: all your questions, answered.
What are the key factors to consider when choosing a hairstyle to compliment a veil?
Nala & Knot really wanted to emphasise that it’s possible to have your hair any way you like with your veil, despite what you may have been told previously. With this in mind, the most important thing is that you look and feel wholly and beautifully yourself on your wedding day, ensuring that your finished bridal look is something you’ll enjoy looking back on when you revisit your precious photos. Your bridal hairstylist should be able to work with whichever hairstyle you love the most and ensure that your veil can be fitted perfectly.
So can you wear your hair down and still have a veil?
When thinking about how to wear your hair with your wedding veil, you may be questioning whether it’s really possible to wear it down. The answer: yes, absolutely! In fact, I did exactly that on my own wedding day. The key is in securing the veil properly with some teasing and discreet grips, according to Nala & Knot. Rebecca Anne Designs veils come attached to a quality metal comb as standard, which helps to secure it into the hair. However, you can always request a nifty row of veil loops instead - these can be gripped in and are great for attaching a veil underneath a chic low bun, for example.
When we work together on your bespoke embroidered veil it is made from start to finish in my studio by my little team and I, so we can always talk about your plans and ideas for your bridal hairstyle to ensure you get the best attachment option. I’m always happy to chat with your bridal hairstylist too, so that on the day your veil feels secure and looks picture perfect.
Which hairstyles work best with long, cathedral style veils or those with more weight to them?
Some veil styles at Rebecca Anne Designs are a little heavier* than others, particularly those with ruffled edges, pleats or lots of organza detailing. I asked Nala & Knot if there are any specific hairstyles that can help support the weight and structure of these styles. Their answer was that it’s all in the prep, application and securing of the veil - a great hairstylist will have no problem getting your tulle treasure into whichever style you love the most. Securing grips vertically as well as horizontally is a great insider trick to help keep everything in place!
*When I say ‘heavier’, please be assured it’s only marginal and your veil will always be light as air with that signature flowing fall you expect. My materials are meticulously chosen for their quality and finish, and even the most decadently embroidered, textured style floats and glides to perfection.
Any hair styling tips for incorporating bridal bows alongside your veil?
Many of my bridal bow styles can be worn as standalone statement pieces or with the addition of a veil, making them perfect for a change of look from day to night. I asked Nala & Knot what they thought about styling your hair to make this as easy and seamless as possible.
Nala & Knot: ‘Bows are such a gorgeous addition to bridal hairstyles and can easily be incorporated with veils. You can wear a bow over the veil attachment or have it as a second look, if you want to take your veil out for dancing in the evening.’
Nala & Knot’s ‘first glance to first dance’ service is perfect if you want to do an accessories change before getting the party started, as they can stay to make sure your hair is ready to hit the dancefloor once you’ve slipped into your gorgeous second look.
What advice do you have for brides wanting to switch up their hairstyle for the reception, while still wearing their veil? Is it possible, and what hairstyles work well?
Nala & Knot: ‘We are seeing so many brides have second looks with their bridal hair and makeup and dress changes, and we are here for it!’. One great, versatile style is the half-up, half-down for the beginning of the day, which easily transitions into an all-down style for that second look that still looks incredible with your veil.
We all really want to emphasise that there are no ‘rules’ for how to wear your hair with your wedding veil - the only important thing is that you love it.
What advice can you give brides wanting to make both their hairstyle and their veil standout features?
Nala & Knot were quick to assure that it’s possible to achieve both - you don’t have to choose between fabulous hair and a beautiful veil! Remember that in most cases veils reveal some of the hairstyle beneath so they can really complement each other. If you’re opting for a highly embroidered blusher-style or mantilla veil, it will cover more of your hair and makeup look by design. If you choose one of these styles and also really want to let your hair fall free, you could wear your veil for your ceremony and then take it out later in the day - and even swap it for a new, fashion-led embroidered accessory from me!
What are some stylish and practical options for wearing a veil with short hair? How can brides with shorter hair lengths wear a veil without compromising on style and comfort?
Nala & Knot recommend trying on your veil in plenty of time to make sure you feel comfortable wearing it - just one of the reasons I deliver your veils with lots of time before your weddings! Depending on your hairstyle and veil, they can feel heavy or difficult to secure. You may want to try on some veils before ordering your bespoke design (take a look at my global stockist list here) to gauge whether it feels good, and if you have concerns just let me know. Every veil is made from scratch, which means dimensions and details are all fully in your control. Need to make it shorter, lighter, smaller? No problem.
How about brides with naturally curly or textured hair? How should they approach choosing a veil and hairstyle? How can they enhance those natural curls?
Nala & Knot (and I!) absolutely love a curly hair look, and wearing your natural curls enhanced by your hair stylist is a gorgeous way of feeling purely like yourself. Using curl creams and specific styling products will help your bridal look feel finished and beautiful, and the same rule applies as with any other hair type - whatever kind of veil and hairstyle you’ve fallen in love with, it can work.
Do you have any creative ideas for brides wanting a modern, non-traditional look with their veil and hairstyle? What innovative styles or approaches can help a bride get that unique wedding day look?
Nala & Knot: ‘Most brides head to Pinterest and Instagram to look for inspiration, and at your bridal trial you can work with your hair stylist to see what you like on yourself. It’s all about infusing your inspiration into looking and feeling like the most elevated version of you.’
It’s also so important that you aren’t bound by ‘shoulds’ on your wedding day. Allowing what you think you have to do to dictate your bridal look is a sure way to feel inauthentic, which is the exact opposite of what you want. When looking for inspiration for your hairstyle and accessories, I recommend going even further than browsing bridal magazines and online inspiration - allow yourself to be influenced by fashion, lifestyle and all the other things that make you, you. ‘Bridal’ no longer means just one thing, and you can interpret it any way you like.
When it comes to designing your bespoke embroidered veil, the only limit is your imagination. Even if you’ve never seen me make exactly what you’re envisioning before, always feel free to ask!
What are your tips for maintaining your hairstyle and ensuring your veil stays in place all day, particularly for weddings with an outdoor element? We can’t have that veil blowing away!
Nala & Knot: ‘Always ask for help from your bridal party to do veil and hair checks. Your photographer will also be aware of hair and veil placement for you, but it’s always reassuring for brides to know they have their friends helping them feel picture perfect! We also recommend a soft bristle brush or comb if wearing your hair down, ensuring the curls can be brushed through and redressed for those all-important photos.’
Finally, what are some bridal hair trends you’re anticipating for 2025? Any emerging styles you’re particularly excited about?
Nala & Knot: ‘We feel that 2025 looks for bridal hairstyles will follow this season’s inspiration: timeless and feminine. Think bouncy waves, angel curls, 90s supermodel meets bardot waves, and up-styles that give a finished but relaxed look. The bridal bun will always be a classic, along with the gorgeous hybrid of up meets down. All ways work so well with veils, but we particularly love seeing them worn at the crown of the head for a framed, feminine finish.’
My embroidered bow styles are the perfect grown-up girlhood accessory for a pretty, feminine bridal look. Explore 6 different ways to wear yours here.
Final words…
I am hugely grateful to lovely Laura and Natalie for taking the time to delve into the world of bridal hairstyling and veils with me, as well as for their dedication and friendship on my own wedding day. Here’s what they wanted to finish with:
Nala & Knot: ‘It was a dream to work with Rebecca, the queen of veils, for her own bridal look. Make sure that when you are looking for your own hairstylists, you look for bridal specialists who can help you achieve the look you’ve always dreamed of. Be the most beautiful version of you by staying true to how you feel best.’
Browse embroidered veil inspiration from my real brides here, and contact me to take the first step towards your own bespoke, tailor-made bridal accessory.
All photography by Kamila Nowak Photography except where otherwise stated.
Comments