Who would’ve thought a thin piece of lace or tulle could truly make a bride look and feel like she is getting married? The wedding veil is a popular headpiece brides wear during the ceremony. The bridal veil symbolizes many things, even though the modern bride treats it as an accessory.
History
In ancient cultures, a bride wore a veil for protection against dangerous sand storms and evil spirits that could cause her harm. From a practical perspective, the wedding veil kept the groom in an arranged marriage from looking on his bride’s face until after he had taken his vows.
Significance
Bridal veils symbolize purity and innocence. Because only first-time brides are virgins, tradition dictates that brides do not wear a veil for the second marriage.
Function
When the groom lifts the veil at the end of the ceremony, it symbolizes that he has taken over for the care of his bride. A modern bride may lift her own veil to symbolize that she is giving herself away as an equal partner in the marriage.
Features
The common elements of the wedding veil also have origins steeped in tradition. The choice of a lace veil over more common tulle represents wealth, as does the tiara.
Misconceptions
Although the white wedding veil is a modern tradition, white was not always the color of preference. Christians in the Renaissance era preferred blue, while ancient Greeks chose fiery shades of red and yellow.
