Veil Terminology: the 4th in our series of expert Veil advice from Lead Designer Justine M

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.  

Why we love Southern Bride Magazine and all the Southern Brides who read it

What is it about a southern bride and a southern wedding?  The old-school style charm, the rich landscape, the historic beauty of the cities and buildings?

Maybe it's all those manners since justine and COUTURE's lead designer is from England we have a particular appreciation for a land of people who love old fashioned pastimes and good manners!

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Of course it helps when the South has such an amazing magazine and blog as Southern bride!

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Southern bride magazine has been kind enough to showcase just going into tour pieces more than once over the years these images showcase a beautiful shoot by the seashore. 

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Where do I fit in? The right veil for your body - the 3rd in a series on veil selection by Lead Designer Justine M

“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....

Let the stylist or designer help you.

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.

Matching your veil to your gown: The second in our series of expert veil advice from LEAD DESIGNER JUSTINE M

Gown meet Veil - Veil meet Gown…

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. 

Make your veil work for you!

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!  

Length, Cut and Details

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

The Catherine Veil from the Justine M Couture Avant Grade Collection

Gown Shape and Width

When choosing a veil your bridal gown’s shape and width should be considered.

  • A gown with a lot of movement works well with a wavy or “waterfall” cut veil.
  • A full-skirted ball gown is the perfect gown to pair with a wide cut or “teardrop” shape veil to encompass the width of the full skirt. 
  • A gown with very straight or clean lines works well with any veil, as you can either mirror the line of the dress or create more volume with shape.

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.

Watch for our next article in the series..."Veil Terminology" coming soon!

 

The triumphant return of the [very] dramatic veil

One of the hottest bridal style trends for this year is heavily embroidered and embellish veils.

The Armonde Veil from The Avant Garde Collection

The Armonde Veil from The Avant Garde Collection

The Paisley Veil from Embellished Collection

The Paisley Veil from Embellished Collection

For a few decades the veil was nowhere to be seen at weddings and now it is back in full style and with no holds barred!

The Amy Veil from the Lace Collection

The Amy Veil from the Lace Collection

Today's bride wears a veil for different reasons than her sister of centuries ago- no need to hide behind a wall of fabric before seeing your groom for the first time! Today's veil is a celebration of design and style for any wedding.

Want to see what's popular with brides right now? Check out the best selling Justine M Couture Veils section. 

Featured Store: Kleinfeld New York

You know Kleinfeld as the home to the fabulous "Say Yes to the Dress" television show where brides of all sizes and styles come in to find the perfect bridal gown to say YES to! 

Kleinfeld is also home to the effervescent and caring bridal stylist Randy Fenoli [the voice of poise and sanity on "Say Yes to the Dress" . Randy now has his own show Randy to the Rescue" helping brides find the perfect gown all across the USA! 

You may not know this, but Kleinfeld sells more bridal gowns than any other gown salon in the world!! They have a professional staff of over 200 [including on-site stylists and bridal consultants, custom fitters, sewers, beaders, embroiderers and presser] and carry hundreds of designers and accessories including... Justine M Couture jewelry, accessories and veils of course! We are proud to say that Kleinfeld is a Justine M Couture Flagship Store. 

Now obviously Kleinfeld works by appointment only but next time you're in the big apple you've just got to do a drive by to just see this iconic store in person! 

 

What in the world is New York International Bridal Market?

The New York International Bridal Market is a highly anticipated, very exciting bridal industry event showcasing all the top designers, goods and accessories from manufacturers AND REPS from around the world! 

Some of our favorite designers from around the globe will be there with bells on, like: Badgley Mischka, Kitty Chen, Giovann Allessandro, Gemy Maalouf Bridal, Ersa Wedding Couture and more!

The New York show is widely known as the top trade show for wedding accessories, bridal gowns, veils....everything a bridal store could possibly want to show to their bridal clientele.

The October 10 - 12, 2015 event will offer bridal salon owners and buyers from all over the world an incredible experience at the Pier 94. 

Justine and Couture is proud to be showing at Pier 94 [booth 431] at New York market to meet with industry buyers and media. Bridal salon reps, buyers and media should make an appointment here. {Sorry brides this one is just for the industry!}

Justine M Couture is represented by Bridal Fashion Group.

Summer close outs of popular discontinued styles!

Did you know that Justine M Couture offers close out deals on some of our most popular discontinued styles for last year's fashions? Check out the Denise multipurpose piece and other very limited deals in our close out section. 

DENISE MULTIPURPOSE PIECEClose out sale price $150.00 (regular price $315.00)Authentic Alencon French lace encrusted lightly with swarovski navettes and pearls, adjustable ribbon tie.

DENISE MULTIPURPOSE PIECE

Close out sale price $150.00 (regular price $315.00)

Authentic Alencon French lace encrusted lightly with swarovski navettes and pearls, adjustable ribbon tie.

Romantic and feminine; the classic headpiece comb for brides.

Sweet, dramatic and a little old fashioned, the headpiece comb for bridal hair is a classic way to control your 'up-do' or accent your whole look the day of your wedding. 

The Justine M Couture Sugared Vine headpiece comb  

The Justine M Couture Sugared Vine headpiece comb  

Unlike some other bridal hair accessories, you'll find yourself wearing a headpiece comb for many other occasions and days where you want dress up and celebrate ... What a great piece to wear for your first your anniversary!

 

The Justine M Couture Dearest Daisy headpiece comb 

The Justine M Couture Dearest Daisy headpiece comb 

A headpiece comb holds back soft, be beachy natural waves (this seasons favorite bridal hair style!) or tucks into a French roll or even highlights a simple bun. We just love this versatile style of hair accessory for brides!

The Justine M Couture Isabella headpiece comb

The Justine M Couture Isabella headpiece comb

See all the Justine M Couture headpiece combs. 

Designer Pnina Tornei's dramatic and original gowns at Kleinfeld

A little drama for your viewing pleasure: a tour through one of the most iconic and original gown designers in the world: Pnina Tornei as seen at the legendary Kleinfeld Bridal Salon in New York [home of the popular TLC series "Say Yes to the Dress".]

Gowns as dynamic [and signature as Pnina Tornei's] need the perfect complementary accessories so the bride's overall look becomes a symphony of style rather than discordant notes all vying for attention. 

The above gown would pair well with a classic and clean circlet to add some sparkle to a bride's hair and bring attention to the eyes. Perhaps our Edith Circlet with its discreet charm and hint of nature with tiny flowers and silver leaves.

A gown this bold calls for a dramatic accessory to keep pace, perhaps our Paisley Crown with its sparkle and soft curves softening the silhouette around a bride's head like a sparkly halo. 

Be sure to catch to exciting Trunk Shows coming up at Kleinfeld: Pnina Tornai August 26th through September 5th and the Justine M Couture Collection September 8th through 10th.

Trunk show through August 8 shows off latest Justine M Couture style right outside Philadelphia.

Nicole Bridal in Jenkintown Pa is a fabulous place to find everything a bride needs for a stylish wedding including the Justine Couture collection on show right now through August 8!  

Located at The Pavilion 261 Old York RoadJenkintown , PA 19046

Located at The Pavilion 261 Old York RoadJenkintown , PA 19046

Nicole Bridal carries top designer gowns like Claire Pettibone (as seen below), St. Puccini, Rivini, Ian Stuart, Eugenia and Kelly Chase.  

And here are some lovely Claire Pettibone styles for your enjoyment! 

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Featured Justine M Couture Store: Ivy Bridal Studio

If you haven't been there yet one visit will convince you that Ivy Bridal Studio is the hottest new bridal shop in Columbus, Ohio. You know they carry Justine M Couture accessories and veils of course, but the carry some amazing bridal designer gowns like Alvina Valenta, Amy Kuschel, Blush, Hayley Paige and Modern Trousseau.

Ivy Bridal Studio offers designer wedding dresses as well as bridesmaids dresses that have been hand selected with you in mind. Whether you’re looking for something glamorous, charming, flirty, elegant, classy, sexy or sweet, you will find it there!

And while they're confident that you will fall in love with one of their bridal gowns, you will never feel pressured to buy. Ivy Bridal Studio creates a beautiful atmosphere that is personal, memorable, and most importantly, fun!

Visit them at 4441 W Dublin Granville Rd  in Dublin, OH 43017 

Selecting your veil: Lead Designer Justine M brings you expert advice on Veils

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...

There are 6 key things to consider when selecting your veil style:

  1. Veil Length (short & flirty or long & dramatic) should complement your gown
  2. The cut of the Veil (refers to the Veil's shape) again be sure to pair with your gown
  3. The gather/thickness of the Veil (the way the veil is attached to the comb)
  4. The number of layers the Veil has (1 is translucent, 2 or more is bold and mysterious)
  5. The Veil's trim (lace along the edge?) or decorative beading (scattered beading?)
  6. The comb type (the way the Veil attaches to your head)

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!

The Byzantine Veil by Justine M Couture

One of the top trends of 2015 for veils is the "Juliet style" veil. If your style is Bohemian or rich vintage a Juliet cap veil is for you! One Wed says: "A timeless classic every vintage bride should look into is the beautiful Juliet Cap Veil. This veil became extremely popular in the 1920’s and 30’s and now the veil in making a comeback. The piece itself can be worn with any bridal style from romantic to vintage or elegant to simple. Even Super model Kate Moss’s wore a lace cap veil on her wedding day!"  

A Juliet style veil like the Justine M Couture Byzantine from our beautiful Embellished Veils Collection has a cap to fit close to your head, giving it a classically romantic old Elizabethan English style. 

Justine M Couture featured on Style Me Pretty

What a beautiful and romantic wedding this was! Thanks to the stellar event design and coordination talent of the amazing Wynn Austin of Wynn Austin Events! We just love her romantic style and over the top vision and did we mention she carries the Justine M Couture Collection to help all her brides find the finest accessories like the Rose Petal Tea headband and the Justine M Couture custom sash shown on this lovely real bride.

Photography by Joseph Matthew Photography.

Amazing florals by Aileen Tran

Another beautiful real Justine M Couture bride featured on Ceremony Blog

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! 

pairings: Claire Pettibone's Romantic Wedding Dream Gowns

Claire Pettibone is known for her oh so romantic take on bridal gown fashion like these gowns from a recent collection...here we pair a few of the Justine M Couture collection with top designer gowns to show how we would style them. And we think these lovely deep neckline, off the shoulder gowns would be fantastic paired with a bold multi purpose piece used as a showstopping necklace!

We would pair this classic romantic silhouette with our delicate Iris Multi Purpose Piece

We would pair this luminescanet lace covered gown with the sparkle and bling of our Olive Multi Purpose Piece

The clean lines of this gown are perfect to showcase the drama of our bold Baroque Multi Purpose Piece

We would pair this classic Greek Goddess tulle overlay gown with our Byzantine Multi Purpose Piece

Thank you to the amazing Claire Pettibone for inspiring the world with your talent and breathtaking bridal gown designs!