Why Brides Still Love the Veil

Over the long weekend, Lauren Sánchez Bezos made headlines in Venice — not just for her custom Dolce & Gabbana mermaid dress, but for the lavish lace-edged veil that crowned her final look. Vogue called it a show-stopper. The bridal veil still has unmatched might to transform us into a vision.

Priyanka Chopra’s 75-foot Ralph Lauren veil needed five handlers. Hailey Bieber’s had “Till Death Do Us Part” stitched into the hem. Gwen Stefani’s was dip-dyed pink. Angelina Jolie’s was embroidered with her children’s doodles. The veil is less about presumed modesty and more about meaning. And occasionally, pure theatric.

So why is the veil back in such a big way? Part of it is pure nostalgia. Queen Victoria wore lace in 1840 to signal virtue — a move that practically invented the white wedding. Diana’s 25-foot tulle trail, hand-beaded with 10,000 pearls, remains unmatched in royal bridal lore. Meghan Markle’s 16-foot veil, embroidered with flowers of the Commonwealth, followed in that very same grand tradition. The veil isn’t an accessory now. It’s a moment.

In theatre, it adds instant movement, and majesty — a visual finale that photographs well and feels ceremonial. And amid TikTok, flowing tulle reacts beautifully to wind, camera flashes, and slow-motion edits.

Off-White’s late Virgil Abloh (who designed Hailey’s), use it to send messages. Others opt for unconventional shades, like Bora Aksu’s red and blush netted veils, or Gracie Abrams’ sheer Chanel moment at the Grammys. Andreas Kronthaler sent veils down the Vivienne Westwood runway with polka dots. It’s fashion, not formality.

And what about second weddings, or brides who don’t wear white at all? That’s the beauty of the veil today — it’s no longer locked into rules. Lily Allen wore a mini Dior dress to a Vegas chapel but topped it with a traditional tiered veil. Mandy Moore wore dusty rose Rodarte. Yet many still felt that veil tug.

Of course, not everyone wants one — and that’s okay. Some opt for tiaras, headbands, even bows. Do what feels right. But for those who do choose the veil, it often becomes the emotional heart of the outfit — the finishing touch that says “I’m the memory” in a way nothing else does.

So, is it about nostalgia, or just great wind-blown photos? Maybe all of the above. The veil endures not because it’s required. It exudes history, commands attention, and still makes brides feel like main characters. Which, on that one day, they are.