The bridal veil is rich in history and gives the bride an aura of mystique and elegance as she floats down the aisle. It completes the gown. There are several styles of veils and they should be selected depending upon the style of your wedding dress and the formality of your ceremony.

The shortest of veils is the Blusher Veil which is worn over the bride's face during the ceremony. Traditionally, it's lifted at the conclusion of the ceremony, by the groom, for their first kiss as husband and wife. It extends just below the shoulders and is a perfect veil for the less formal affair. It can also be added to a longer veil and used as a face covering.

The next veil length extends to the elbow and is attached to one of the many headpieces available, such as the headband. This veil is very well suited for the afternoon garden wedding or the early evening wedding on the beach. It will allow the bride and the wedding dress, perhaps a simple sleeveless Vera Wang silk satin sheath, to be the focus rather than the veil.

The Fingertip Veil is the first on our list that is truly appropriate for any style wedding dress, and is, therefore, the most common veil length among brides. It brushes the fingertips when the arms are hanging straight down at the sides. A fingertip veil with gold embroidery combined with a Vera Wang ivory and gold mermaid gown would make a beautiful picture coming down the aisle.

The first floor length veil is the Waltz Veil. This veil, when attached to a headpiece, such as the tiara, flows to the ankles. You can also wear a blusher veil with this for an added layer. The waltz veil moves into the more formal category and needs a dress to match, such as a strapless Vera Wang original with a full skirt and lace accents.

The next two veils are similar, the main difference is the length. The Chapel veil flows 2 1/2 yards from the headpiece down over the train of the dress. The Cathedral Train flows 3 1/2 yards from the headpiece down over the train of the dress. Both of these veils are usually worn with gowns that have trains of the same length. The Cathedral Veil, in particular, is a very formal piece and needs to be paired with a gown of the same style. A Vera Wang white silk satin gown with scalloped bodice and layers of sheer silk organza leading to the train would be a strong enough dress to handle a cathedral veil.

The Mantilla is of Spanish origin and is made from a single piece of fabric. It's usually oval or round, often with lace trim, simply draped over the head. There's no headpiece used, but sometimes a pin to keep it in place and a haircomb or bow to cover the pin. It can be any length from Blusher to Cathedral and can be worn with formal and informal dresses.

The Pouf looks just like it sounds. It has a significant amount of fabric gathered and attached to a headpiece which creates a veil with a lot of volume. This veil can be worn alone or it can be added to any one of the other lengths to fashion a sensational double tier veil.

The length of the veil is a major determining factor when making a selection. But there are other things to consider, also. Your hairstyle, for example, is a very important issue when deciding on the veil. If you plan on removing your veil after the ceremony, make sure your hairstyle will hold up under the weight of the veil and still look good. Also, the religious considerations need to be researched. You want your beautiful designer wedding gown to be complimented by an elegant veil that you will cherish for years to come and, hopefully, pass down to future generations.