Understanding Fabric Properties of Wedding Veils

Fabric choices for wedding veils typically include tulle, lace, organza, nylon net, and chiffon. Understanding the fabrics properties used in fashioning bridal veils will assist brides in choosing a veil that will meet her expectations.

Tulle Netting is popular because it is light and has a floating, elegant, and lacy like look. Four different types of tulle netting are available.

• Bridal Illusion: This fabric has a medium body making it suitable for creating some height when gathered on a hair comb.


• Glimmer Illusion: This fabric is quite similar to Bridal Illusion; however it is not quite as soft. It has a beautiful, sparkling, and brilliant sheen.


• English Netting: This fabric is made of 100% cotton or a polyester nylon blend. It is the least sheer variety of tulle netting. It is a heavier fabric and will hold its shape well, but do to its heaviness may not drape as well as the other types of tulle netting.


• Silk Tulle is very soft. It is superior in its ability to drape and flow. A bride that does not want a poofy veil may prefer silk tulle, since it does not create height well when gathered, as Bridal Illusion does.

Organza is a nice thin, crisp, translucent, and lightweight fabric. It is available in either silk or synthetic fibers. Silk organza has a beautiful sheen.

Nylon Netting is also light in weight and comes in a variety of mesh patterns, including hexagon, honeycomb, fish net, birdcage, etc.

Chiffon is a non-transparent fabric with a soft finish, made of either rayon or silk.

• Polyester Chiffon veils are not very poofy due to the weight of the fabric. These veils flow and drape nicely and are very durable.


• Silk Chiffon veils are very light, flow beautifully, and have a dramatic fluidity. They feel and appear quite luxurious.

Lace is a fabric which is made utilizing a variety of construction methods. Lace fabrics can be simple to exquisite with a wide variation of price points. Some laces have patterns only on the edges of the fabric. Other lace fabrics encompass designs and motifs throughout the body of the fabric.

• A French needlepoint lace called Alencon Lace is made with floral designs. It may or may not have beads and sequins.


• Venice Lace is a heavier damask fabric. It most often has an open background with floral leaf patterns.


• Sheer Organza Lace has fully embroidered lace motifs that often have spaces cut out to emphasize the pattern. Organza lace may or may not have beads and sequins.


• Tulle Lace has fully embroidered designs on soft tulle.


• Chantilly Lace is made in Chantilly, France. It is a handmade bobbin lace.

As you easily see from the previous descriptions, there is a wide variety of fabric choices available for making gorgeous wedding veils. Your veil can be the length that is just right for you and your gown. It can be anywhere from simply stated, but beautiful to exquisitely sublime! The choice is your is all yours. Happy hunting!