Wedding, in modern traditions, still follow a pattern. There are variations on a theme. Modern brides often forego or ignore certain old customs. They decide, for example, on an unveiled wedding event. When they choose to do so, they are forging a new tradition – one that replaces one that is centuries old.
Early Wedding Veils
Most historians appear to agree that the first wedding veils were worn by roman women. They covered their heads on this day of Hymen and Hera with a flaming red veil. Not for them an unveiled wedding event if they were of a certain class. This flammeum, was purportedly intended to protect the bride from and groom from the envy of the Gods and any other spirits that may wish them ill.
In Judaism and Christianity as well as Islam, the intent of a veil worn any day, not simply on a wedding day, was to show modesty. It evolved over time into a symbol of modesty, propriety and virginity. In certain periods of history, and in parts of the world today, an unveiled woman is perceived as being immodest, loose and definitely not a virgin. The veiled bride became part of religious ceremonies around the world. In mystic circles, however, the veil came to represent the hidden mystery.
Victorian Veils
A Victorian middle class or upper class woman would not have had an unveiled wedding event. The exception would have been for a widow. She was no longer a virgin or considered an innocent. As with other aspects of weddings, Victorian customs have since become an ingrained part of wedding ceremonies and customs. It became important to select specific types of veils to denote the status of the bride and family. Someone who was royal or royally connected would have the longest, finest, heaviest wedding veil.
The Victorians put their stamp on everything wedding. The customs, once established remained in place. Only the fashion or styles of the time altered specific characteristics. An unveiled wedding event was not common, even during times of war. All had to be done according to the etiquette established by the Victorians.
The Roaring Twenties and Afterwards
In the 1920s, short veils became part of the wedding attire. They were lace cloche headdresses constructed of silk material or netting. Flowers and leaves formed the basic decorative patterns. This evolved into loosely hanging veils in the 1930s then short veils called birdcages. By the 1950s, the veil resembled a skullcap type of veil.
The 1960s and even into the 1970s, saw a major change. The whole approach became more bohemian in appearance. The veils floated around the bride. The extensive amount of material used during this period, however, was nothing when compared to the veils of the 1980s. To match the bloated philosophy of the time, came veils of incomparable lengths. Chief among them was the one that Lady Diana sported on her wedding day. It was 24 feet in length. After this date, holding an unveiled wedding event was not seen as fashionable.
Unveiled Wedding Event Today
Today, it is not impossible to hold an unveiled wedding event. It is more common than in the past few decades. Yet, the tendency is still to wear a veil. Although we no longer fear a devil or demon will destroy our first days together if we fail to do so, wearing a veil, no matter what size or type, has become a firmly entrenched tradition.
