When Should You Remove Your Veil on the Wedding Day?

Three expert planners weigh in.

miya matthew wedding veil
Photo: Clary Pfeiffer Photography

Many brides choose to wear a wedding veil for at least some portion of the day-whether that's during your pre-nuptial portrait session, throughout the ceremony, or even until the end of the reception is entirely up to you. After all, if you love your veil, you should wear it for as long as you want. However, if you're only planning to wear this classic accessory for just a part of your wedding, when's the right time to take it off? Here, wedding professionals share their best advice on when to remove the veil.

Julie Savage Parekh with Strawberry Milk Events says when you choose to remove your veil really depends on its style. "A short birdcage veil, fascinator, or headpiece can easily be worn into the reception as part of the outfit," she says. "If you're having a more traditional long veil, most leave it on for formal portraits after the ceremony but take it off prior to the reception entrance." Parekh says that taking the veil off for the reception is one of the easiest ways to make your look more party-ready and to show guests that you're ready to celebrate.

Laurie Arons from Laurie Arons Special Events recommends that brides wear their veil through the ceremony and part of their portrait session, either during the first look (if they're having one) or following the "I dos." By wearing it for just a portion of the photos, you'll get some snapshots with and without the accessory and can then remove it ahead of the party. "Long veils, which are currently in style, are too difficult to manage once the bride starts mingling with guests," she says. "Ideally, we have the hairstylist stay until this point to remove the veil properly and touch up the bride's hair before she enters the reception."

Sunna Yassin with Bash Please agrees that having your hairdresser stick around to help remove your veil before the reception is ideal. "Wait until the reception to take it off completely and use this as an excuse to have a quick hairstyle change," she says. If your hairdresser won't be around at the time you want to take off your veil, ask them to show your maid of honor how to properly remove the veil without messing up your wedding big-day 'do.

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