Wearing a veil with your hair up is a classic and elegant choice that beautifully complements an updo, enhancing your bridal aesthetic. The most common and recommended approach is to secure your veil into the top of your updo, creating a seamless and sophisticated look.
Key Veil Placement Strategies for Updos
While securing the veil into the top of your updo is ideal for stability and a polished appearance, there are other elegant ways to style your veil with an updo, depending on your desired look and veil style.
1. Securing into the Top of Your Updo
This is the most popular and often recommended method. It involves placing the veil's comb directly into the body of your bun, chignon, or other pinned-up hairstyle.
- Placement: Insert the veil comb from the top or slightly behind the highest point of your updo. This ensures the veil flows gracefully from the secured hair, often creating a clean, uninterrupted line.
- Benefits:
- Maximum Security: The updo provides a strong anchor for the veil comb, minimizing movement.
- Seamless Integration: The veil appears to emerge naturally from your hairstyle.
- Hair Visibility: Allows your beautifully styled updo to be fully showcased.
2. Styling from the Crown
Alternatively, you can attach the veil higher up on your head, closer to the crown, even with an updo. This can create a different drape and feel.
- Placement: The veil comb is inserted just behind the top of your head, above where your updo might sit, allowing the veil to cascade over your shoulders and down your back.
- Benefits:
- Traditional Look: Often associated with a more classic, regal bridal style.
- Versatility: Works well with various updo heights and styles, from low buns to high chignons, as it doesn't necessarily sit within the updo itself.
3. As a Mantilla Style
A mantilla veil is a specific style, typically circular or oval with lace edges, that drapes over the head and shoulders.
- Placement: This style is usually secured with a small comb or pins at the crown of your head, allowing the decorative lace edge to frame your face and shoulders, irrespective of the updo's exact position. The updo serves as a beautiful backdrop.
- Benefits:
- Elegant Drape: Offers a unique, soft drape that highlights the veil's intricate details.
- Romantic Aesthetic: Creates a timeless and often Spanish-inspired look.
Enhancing Your Veil and Updo Combination
To further elevate your entire hairstyle and bridal look, consider these practical additions:
- Bridal Pins: Add some bridal pins to the side of your veil for extra security and a touch of sparkle. These decorative pins can also help hold the veil's layers in place or add subtle embellishment.
- Decorative Comb Overlap: Position a comb just above your veil's attachment point so that it overlaps the veil. This serves multiple purposes:
- Conceals the Veil Comb: Hides the functional comb of the veil, making the attachment look more polished.
- Adds Glamour: Introduces another layer of sparkle or intricate design, such as pearls, crystals, or floral motifs.
- Additional Security: Provides an extra layer of stability for your veil.
Choosing the Right Veil for Your Updo
| Veil Length & Style | Best Updo Pairing | Consideration |
|---|---|---|
| Fingertip/Waltz | High buns, mid-level chignons | Versatile, allows updo to show, ideal for dancing. |
| Cathedral/Royal | Any updo, especially high for dramatic flow | Creates a grand, formal statement; requires more management. |
| Birdcage/Blusher | Chic buns, sleek ponytails, retro styles | Modern, short veils often secured higher to allow face framing; less interference with intricate updos. |
| Mantilla | Low buns, soft chignons, half-up styles (if applicable) | Drapes over the head, so the updo should be positioned to complement the veil's flow rather than hide it. |
Ultimately, experimenting with your hairstylist during your trial will help you find the perfect placement and styling for your veil to complement your updo and overall bridal vision.
