A birdcage veil can be a gorgeous alternative to a traditional veil. Particularly suited to 1950s and 1960s style wedding dresses, as well as the more slinky 1940s fishtail style dresses, these veil alternatives have a beautiful bridal look without being over the top.
What is a Birdcage Veil?
Typically a small veil covering only the face, it is fixed into the hair with a comb or hair pins. It is made of netting, either Russian Net or French Net, in a diamond pattern which can also be adorned with flocked polka-dots or rhinestones. A birdcage veil made in the flocked style of netting, like this one in the photo below, has a particularly lovely vintage look to it.
History of the Birdcage Veil
The birdcage veil rose in popularity in the 1930s and 1940s, when they were typically worn with hats as everyday fashion, and adorned with a variety of millinery detailing, like these beautiful images below.
Birdcage Veil Styles
There are a number of different styles of birdcage veils.
Bandeau Veil
Known as either a bandeau veil or blusher veil, which you can see here, this is the most popular style of birdcage veils that we sell. Easy to wear and very flattering on most face shapes and hairstyles, the bandeau birdcage veil is made with 9″ wide French or Russian veiling and fixed into the hair on either side of the face with either combs or pins.
Full Birdcage Veil
The full birdcage veil like this one here is made with 12 or 18″ netting and provides fuller coverage over the face, coming down to the chin.
Mini Birdcage Veil
A small amount of French netting can be added to a bridal headpiece in order to create a mini birdcage veil which can be worn throughout your wedding day as it only just covers your eyes. This is a lovely option for brides looking for an alternative to a traditional veil.
Birdcage Veil Hat
Reminiscent of those gorgeous hats worn in the 1930s, French netting set on a small hat piece is a really lovely veil option for a bride looking for a vintage style veil.
How to Wear a Birdcage Veil
Your veil will come on one or two combs which can be easily secured into your hair. As this veil is very lightweight, your hair stylist should have no trouble securing it. If you are wearing a bandeau veil, you may wish to pin down small sections of the veil at the top of your head to get the exact look you want, as French or Russian netting can be quite stiff. Another tip is to gently steam the birdcage veil to soften it so it will sit nicely across your face.
Can I Wear a Headpiece With a Birdcage Veil?
We often get asked by brides: Can I wear a headpiece with my birdcage veil? The answer is of course yes! The bandeau veil is very well suited to wearing with a comb or headpiece, as you can simply place the comb or headband directly over the veil. The veil can then be removed after the ceremony (if you wish) and you still have the beautiful headpiece to wear throughout your wedding day.
If you have chosen a full birdcage veil which will be placed into your hair further back towards your crown, you can either wear a headpiece underneath the veil, to be revealed when you take the veil off, or wear a bridal comb at the back of your head where it will not be hidden by the veil.
You can see all of our birdcage veils here, as well as our gorgeous new Exquisite Veil Collection which includes beautiful french silk veils, single and double tier veils and stunning beaded lace mantilla veils.
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