Designer Notes
designer notes: the blog by Justine M Couture accessories, veils and bridal wearable art. Bridal jewelry, bridal veils, wedding jewelry, wedding veils, bridesmaids jewelry, bridesmaids accessories, bridal accessories, wedding accessories, wedding fashion, bridal gowns, bridal accessories, bridal necklaces, bridal earrings, bridal bracelets, bridal crowns, bridal tiaras, bridal fascinators, bridal headpieces, bridal sashes, bridal belts, wedding gowns, wedding necklaces, wedding fashion, bridal fashion, wedding jewelry, accessories, jewelry, bridal circlets, bridal diadems, bride’s fashion, bride’s accessories, bride’s jewelry, bride’s necklaces, bridal hair ornaments, wedding hair ornaments, blusher veils, cathedral veils, embellished veils, rhinestone veils, veiling, bridal veiling, wedding veiling, tulle, lace veils, vintage veils, vintage jewelry, antique bridal jewelry, rhinestone bridal jewelry, cage veils, circular veils, double layer veils, trimmed veils, cascade veils, simple raw cut veil, pencil edged veils, silk satin edged veils, silk corded veils, metallic ribbon veils, organza ribbon, Swarovski beading, New York Market, New York Bridal Market, Bridal Accessory designer, embroidered veils, lace mantilla veils, mantilla, lace mantillas, Swarovski rhinestones, Swarovski rhinestone veils, French net veils, ivory veils, white veils, diamond white veils, champagne veils, cream veils, silk white veils, tulle veils, Juliet veils, Juliet style veils, waterfall veils, wide cut veil, gathered veils, Justine M Couture.
With its whimsically embellished embroidery, delicate beading and fresh light coloring, the Mermaids Purse veil is the perfect bridal accessory for sea loving creatures of myth and legend who adore beautiful style and design (you know who you are!).
Veil has vividly rich embroidery starting at fingertip. Shown here with veil detail worn as a mantilla with embroidery at top (optional).
Sometimes a bride just needs to go for her dream retro style. We feel the veil that brings back all the Grace Kelly, 1950's glam for weddings is the Justine M Couture Versaille Caged Veil.
Authentic French net is deliciously soft and is of the utmost quality. This unique material creates the perfect cage veil, fully beaded with intense silk Swarovski rhinestones covering the French net and finished with a layer of soft illusion tulle. The delicate side beaded brooch finished off a veil that Grace Kelly would have worn with aplomb.
We are often asked if we love all of our veil creations equally. Of course we do! But out of the myriad of styles, shapes, textures, trims and options that we offer in our veils we were bound to come up with a couple of favorites....and the Florence veil from the Embellished collection is one of them.
This lovely, rich veil has a traditional cut veil with medium gather on comb, embroidery all round the edge and is embellished with intricate, hand sewn filigree embroidery and delicate seed pearls, beads and stones throughout bottom and sides of veil. We love it!
If you are veil shopping then you know a girl can become a tiny bit overwhelmed by all the various terms being thrown around: butterfly, waterfall, cascade, fingertip and more.
Veils have been around for a very long time with many centuries of style changes and additions so here's a little Veil 101 cheat sheet for you to help you along...
Butterfly: Oval-shaped and folded in half. Ribbon edging follows a crescent shape rather than a straight line.
Cage: A small veil that just wraps around the head, often ending at the chin and usually made from Russian tulle which has a very wide aperture
Cascade: Two or more layers of various lengths.Can do double duty as a blusher. Bottom layer(s) can act as "petticoat(s)", fluffing out top veil. The more layers the less translucent [or opaque] the effect.
Cathedral: Falls 3-1/2 yards from the headpiece (that's 11 1/2 dramatic feet of length!)
Chapel: A yard shorter than a cathedral veil. Often worn with a sweep train to give the illusion of a longer train.
Elbow: A blusher that goes to your elbows.
Fingertip: The veil touches the tips of your fingers, a length that often works with ball gowns.
Flyaway: Touches or just covers shoulders.
Mantilla: A long, Spanish-style, circular piece of lace that frames the face. Can be attached to a high metal armature and is usually secured with a comb. The fabric is often lace or lace-edged tulle.
For more beautiful veils take a look at our best selling Justine M Couture veils.
The Felicity double layer veil
This beautiful classic veil is available with a raw cut (no trim) or trimmed and has medium/light gather on the comb and is available in alternative lengths.
This classic double layer veil offers the best of all worlds for brides looking for traditional, elegance and romance!
Placing the comb in the middle of the tulle creates a double layer veil with a waterfall effect.
The Felicity is perfect for gowns with dramatic trains or hemlines.
The Felicity's blusher layer gives the touch of tradition so many brides love for formal or religious weddings, or anytime you want to feel the drama of being unveiled for your true love at the altar!
Did you know that we have gathered together all of the most popular Justine M Couture veils and put them into one lovely catalog just to delight you? Check it out here, but we warn you.... they're so gorgeous you 're going to want to have a wedding just to have an excuse to wear one!
You can also find all Best Selling Veils from all of our Collections including...
“A badly chosen accessory, however beautiful in its own right, will take the attention away from its wearers, and thus fail to do its job by becoming “the focus” rather than an complementing “accessory” which is it’s purpose. Most importantly; you should still feel like you!”
A properly selected veil should accentuate the positive aspects of your face, figure and coloring. Women with dramatic features can pull off a more dramatic detailed look, lighter complexions suit softer fabrics, embroidery and lighter laces.
Face Shape and hair style is important…. correct placement of a veil is crucial to your overall look so consider how you are wearing your hair when selecting a veil. If the veil feels overwhelming close to your face, try placing it further back towards your crown.
Ask yourself when wearing your potential veil… does this veil compete with or add something to my gown and look? How does the veil suit my personality? Do you feel like you are wearing the veil or is it wearing you?
One of the most important pieces of styling advice I give to brides is....
We’ve all seen the reality shows and know that opinions of your family and friends matter, but most good quality bridal stores truly know how to style brides, and so take advantage of this skill and where possible attend a “designer present veil trunk show” – designers are qualified to select the perfect veil for brides based on all your needs and considerations:- “it’s what we do best aside from design” so use this tool where possible and be honest about your likes and dislikes, it will help achieve your goal to find the perfect veil.
Your gown is the best tool to use when selecting a veil and accessories. This single item so intimately highlights the outline of your personality. A simple gown with clean lines is a clean canvas to paint on it what you will …..add a lace veil for a romantic vintage touch, a heavily beaded or embroidered veil for classic elegance or keep it simple with a raw cut (no trim) for effortless sophistication.
Other fun tips to consider is that most cathedral veils can we double up as a wrap for an evening reception by placing the veil over the shoulders, for a multi purpose look. Long veils can also be bustled into the skirt of the gown so that you get to wear them for longer and highlight any embroidery or detail…… be sure to make the veil work for you!
The veil’s length, cut, styling and details are easier to select if you consider the style of your bridal gown. Consideration should always be given to the back of the gown to ensure that any particular pattern or cut, bow or waist band, bustle, belt or beading on the back of your gown isn’t compromised by adding a veil with competing trim or mainly in the wrong length. Elaborate and flamboyant gowns can be enhanced by dramatic or simple veils, depending on the wearer’s personality.
The Catherine Veil from the Justine M Couture Avant Grade Collection
When choosing a veil your bridal gown’s shape and width should be considered.
You can create a more dramatic silhouette with any veil by adding layers, thereby adding volume and character. Consider a circular cut veil where the comb is in the center of a circle or oval so that the trimmed edge sits around the base of the veil (i.e. away from the face) allowing you to wear a more elaborately trimmed veil.
In the modern world… women have a fresh approach when it comes to thinking about the wedding veil, now considered a bridal accessory, rather than a tool worn for modesty.
(above the Justine M Couture Kyoto Veil in the Avant Garde Collection)
A veil is not something we wear everyday, and selecting one that suits your own style [and that perfectly complements your bridal gown] can be a daunting task. Veils add an extra sense of tradition and flair for occasion. And your veil should enhance your style and personality.
(above the Justine M Couture Paisley Veil in the Embellished Collection)
Today we bring you the first in a weekly series of tried and tested “veil facts” to help any bride find the perfect veil! Designer Justine M says...
Some brides love a dreamy and bold “full poufy” look that multiple layers creates and some brides prefer a more simple “fine gather” look with a simple trim. Your veil matches your personality more than any other accessory!
Justine M Couture has the capacity to cut any veil in a variety of different thicknesses and lengths. Also comfort is a huge factor on your wedding day so be sure to pick a veil with a metal comb [the only type Justine M Couture uses] that will be comfortable and easy on your hair.
(above the Justine M Couture Pirouette Veil in the Lace and Mantilla Collection)
Stay tuned for the next installment....."Matching your Veil to your Gown" coming soon!
Fun Fact: Did you know that in Ancient Rome Brides appeared enveloped in a saffron-colored haze that symbolized the flame of Vesta, the goddess of home and the provider of life? Check out more fun facts on Veils on the "For Dummies" website!
We just love seeing this San Diego bride in a Justine M Couture veil and accessories! Thanks to the amazing White Flower Bridal Boutique in San Diego for carrying our collection and taking such good care of your bridal clients! Be sure to attend a great trunk show this Saturday at The White Flower Bridal Boutique!
Shout out to the amazing photographer Taylor Abeel for such lovely photos!
Gorgeous bridal veils, accessories and jewelry. The Justine M Couture Collection of bridal jewelry, accoutrements and veils, is crafted from the absolute finest elements available in the world: Sterling Silver, precious gold fill, luxurious fabrics, authentic Swarovski crystals and unique vintage elements culled from many shores all brought together to be designed and fashioned by hand in America to create the finest Bridal Accessory line available.
