The two biggest style issues a bride-to-be has to consider in
preparation for the big day are #1 her dress, and #2 what, if
anything, to wear as head adornment. There are veils, circlets,
tiaras, coronets, crowns and garlands. Of those, there are many
different styles, materials and ways of wearing each accessory.
Veils, for instance, can be worn separately or framed by a tiara
or circlet. Crowns can be made of flowers or metal, with or
without gemstone adornment.

Back in ancient Greece and Rome, bridal veils were mandatory as
symbols of modesty and purity. In other early cultures where
arranged marriages and marriages by purchase were common
practice, the veil may have served as a sort of guarantee to
invested family members who hoped to prevent rejection of the
chosen partner until after the union was officiated. As the
ceremony ended, the groom would lift the veil and the newly
wedded partners would see each other for the first time-for
better or worse. In modern times, at least in the Western world,
there are fewer restrictions on women; brides today have the
freedom to reflect their own character through the adornment they
choose. Some women maintain tradition with a formal costume
including both veil and tiara, while others prefer a more relaxed
look by wearing a circlet alone. Some women may find a veil with
tiara appropriate for the wedding ceremony, and decide to remove
the veil afterwards, leaving on the tiara for dancing and
mingling with guests during the reception.

When trying to determine the right style for you, begin by
exploring some of the options available. Peruse bridal magazines
or search online. Ask friends what head adornment they’ve seen
or what they themselves wore for their own weddings-was it
comfortable and did it last, in tact, through the whole event?

One designer of a popular Celtic and Renaissance jewelry line has
been helping individuals select ceremonial head adornment for
years. She recommends that women planning for handfasting or
marriage ceremonies first select the dress and then seek out the
proper accompaniment for head and hair decoration. “This narrows
the field,” she explains, “and helps determine how formal and
elaborate any manner of headdress can tastefully be.”

Thanks to the recent rise in popularity of tribal culture and the
mythological realms of faeries and elves, circlets and tiaras are
fast becoming two of the most sought-after bridal accessories.
Such beloved characters as Arwen (Liv Tyler) from Lord of the
Rings and Lucy from The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe have
played no small part in building this trend.

The ever-increasing favor of circlets and tiaras puts designers,
such as the one mentioned above, in a great position to help
brides-to-be navigate the terrain between fashion fad and real
personal predilection. “When a client comes to us looking for a
wedding tiara and finds one she genuinely loves, we know that she
is not just purchasing a piece to be worn once and left in a dark
drawer for years,” the designer says. “She’ll later be able to
wear the tiara in ritual or costume time; or, she may decide to
have it slightly modified to fit as a necklace, rich with special
memories of her wedding day.” Brides who choose to wear circlets
or coronets during their ceremony will have similar options
afterwards. And of course, there is always something to be said
for saving that meaningful piece to pass down to a daughter for
her special day.

So, is there a right or a wrong way to wear any of these
headpieces? Sellers of veils and other head or hair accessories
should be willing to provide thorough instructions on exactly how
to apply and wear their products for a proper, secure fit.
General information can also be found with a simple online search
(e.g., with keywords: “how” and “veil”). However, there are a few
quick tips that can help women when trying on items or imagining
how something might look: To explore wearing both a veil and a
tiara, remember to put the veil on first and then the tiara. The
veil usually sits just in front of the crest of the head and the
tiara then acts as a decorative border (there should be no gap
between veil and tiara). To try out a more informal look, with
hair down and no veil, slant the tiara at an angle of about 45
degrees. If it’s worn horizontally, the look resembles more of a
beauty pageant winner. In all cases, remember to hide the ends of
the tiara behind the hair.

Lexi Soulios is a writer living in Ashland, Oregon. She
occasionally writes for http://uniquecelticjewelry.com
Designers of Celtic jewelry in sterling silver and hand
carved mammoth tusk, they also design and produce an
exclusive line of Tiaras and Circlets
(http://uniquecelticjewelry.com/tiara_circlet_crown.html)
for weddings, handfastings, ceremonies, and fun.