| The two biggest style issues a bride-to-be has to | | | | helps determine how formal and elaborate any |
| consider in preparation for the big day are #1 her | | | | manner of headdress can tastefully be." |
| dress, and #2 what, if anything, to wear as head | | | | Thanks to the recent rise in popularity of tribal culture |
| adornment. There are veils, circlets, tiaras, coronets, | | | | and the mythological realms of faeries and elves, |
| crowns and garlands. Of those, there are many | | | | circlets and tiaras are fast becoming two of the most |
| different styles, materials and ways of wearing each | | | | sought-after bridal accessories. Such beloved |
| accessory. Veils, for instance, can be worn separately | | | | characters as Arwen (Liv Tyler) from Lord of the |
| or framed by a tiara or circlet. Crowns can be made | | | | Rings and Lucy from The Lion, the Witch and the |
| of flowers or metal, with or without gemstone | | | | Wardrobe have played no small part in building this |
| adornment. | | | | trend. |
| Back in ancient Greece and Rome, bridal veils were | | | | The ever-increasing favor of circlets and tiaras puts |
| mandatory as symbols of modesty and purity. In other | | | | designers, such as the one mentioned above, in a |
| early cultures where arranged marriages and | | | | great position to help brides-to-be navigate the terrain |
| marriages by purchase were common practice, the | | | | between fashion fad and real personal predilection. |
| veil may have served as a sort of guarantee to | | | | "When a client comes to us looking for a wedding tiara |
| invested family members who hoped to prevent | | | | and finds one she genuinely loves, we know that she |
| rejection of the chosen partner until after the union | | | | is not just purchasing a piece to be worn once and left |
| was officiated. As the ceremony ended, the groom | | | | in a dark drawer for years," the designer says. "She'll |
| would lift the veil and the newly wedded partners | | | | later be able to wear the tiara in ritual or costume time; |
| would see each other for the first time-for better or | | | | or, she may decide to have it slightly modified to fit as |
| worse. In modern times, at least in the Western world, | | | | a necklace, rich with special memories of her wedding |
| there are fewer restrictions on women; brides today | | | | day." Brides who choose to wear circlets or coronets |
| have the freedom to reflect their own character | | | | during their ceremony will have similar options |
| through the adornment they choose. Some women | | | | afterwards. And of course, there is always something |
| maintain tradition with a formal costume including both | | | | to be said for saving that meaningful piece to pass |
| veil and tiara, while others prefer a more relaxed look | | | | down to a daughter for her special day. |
| by wearing a circlet alone. Some women may find a | | | | So, is there a right or a wrong way to wear any of |
| veil with tiara appropriate for the wedding ceremony, | | | | these headpieces? Sellers of veils and other head or |
| and decide to remove the veil afterwards, leaving on | | | | hair accessories should be willing to provide thorough |
| the tiara for dancing and mingling with guests during the | | | | instructions on exactly how to apply and wear their |
| reception. | | | | products for a proper, secure fit. General information |
| When trying to determine the right style for you, begin | | | | can also be found with a simple online search (e.g., with |
| by exploring some of the options available. Peruse | | | | keywords: "how" and "veil"). However, there are a few |
| bridal magazines or search online. Ask friends what | | | | quick tips that can help women when trying on items |
| head adornment they've seen or what they | | | | or imagining how something might look: To explore |
| themselves wore for their own weddings-was it | | | | wearing both a veil and a tiara, remember to put the |
| comfortable and did it last, in tact, through the whole | | | | veil on first and then the tiara. The veil usually sits just |
| event? | | | | in front of the crest of the head and the tiara then |
| One designer of a popular Celtic and Renaissance | | | | acts as a decorative border (there should be no gap |
| jewelry line has been helping individuals select | | | | between veil and tiara). To try out a more informal |
| ceremonial head adornment for years. She | | | | look, with hair down and no veil, slant the tiara at an |
| recommends that women planning for handfasting or | | | | angle of about 45 degrees. If it's worn horizontally, the |
| marriage ceremonies first select the dress and then | | | | look resembles more of a beauty pageant winner. In all |
| seek out the proper accompaniment for head and hair | | | | cases, remember to hide the ends of the tiara behind |
| decoration. "This narrows the field," she explains, "and | | | | the hair. |