The Challenge: A Wedding Veil

So anyone getting married is faced with the challenge of accessories- one largely being a veil, even if not for a blusher over your face, many (such as myself) want the accent of a bridal veil. However, if you start looking at the bridal boutiques or even the bridal warehouses, the veils start from $50 all the way up to $500 (and up). With a little bit of creativity, you can get away with spending less than $5-$10. Definitely worth it to customize so it matches your dress, and you take in that little sense of pride :)


First, go to your local fabric store, and browse around the tulle section. They have costume tulle, household tulle, bridal tulle, and so on. Most of it can run just $0.99/yard to maybe $4.99/yard. The particular one I chose was $2.99/yard, and I also used my handy 40% coupon. I purchased two yards just to allow myself practice room, as well as I wanted to go with a longer chapel length veil. So, for about $3 now, I have 90% of the veil ready.

When you get home, lay it out, make sure to smooth out (use an iron on the lowest setting if you need to), and fold in half, cutting the bottom with fabric scissors into a rounded shape (or whatever shape you wish). Unfold, and make sure the bottom is the shape you desire. Also note that depending on the fabric purchased, many are 54" width- this may be too full for some- so trim the width if you wish.

Then, the toughest part is if you choose to have a finished edge. Many will leave a blunt/unfinished edge to the veil- which is perfectly fine, but you can also use ribbon, string pearls/beads, or a rolled edge. In this I decided to use a rolled edge, which just has you folding over about 1/2" of the tulle, and sewing along the edge- so that only the seam/sewn edge is on the right.

When you're down sewing it, go back and trim the excess, being careful not to snip the edge/seam. Seeing as I did this the first time around, don't freak out! You can go back with the sewing machine, and fix your mistake. 

Now for the fun part! I wanted to accessorize mine with pearls and a bit of shimmer.There are clear crystals next to the pearl beads. I used a hot glue gun- which is a bit more challenging when considering the heat/strings it can create, but I like the quick drying and no spreading of it. Fabric glue will also work well. Just be careful not to glue the veil to your work table! :) A simple toothpick will help place the beads. (Beads purchased for about $1.00)

Once your down adding your accessories if you wish, then you'll take the top- unfinished edge, and gather using a strong quilting or utility thread. Just make a simple stitch straight across the top, using it to pull the top, gathering along. I left this undone until I pulled the comb I was going to use to attach the veil to. You can also use a tiara, headband, and so on. 

I purchased a simple silver metal comb (6.99 at the fabric store, minus my 40% coupon- about $4), wide width in order to attach the veil to. I used a simple stitch to attach to the comb. Make sure that the fabric is spaced out how you want it before sewing it on. You can either finish the comb by sewing/gluing on ribbon or fabric, or leave it plain. As you may see here, once the fabric is turned over the comb, you won't see the comb at all in your hair. If you wanted a two tier veil, you can do the same steps as above, just having a different length for the top, and sew on the same way. 

Then, there you have it- as I do, I still have several months before the wedding, so I have plenty of time to change it, add to it, or start all over. So for a grand price of $8- there ya go!!!