BRIDAL HEADWEAR

If you are going to wear a veil you will need something to keep it in place on your head. This may be a simple band or comb or a floral garland. Orange blossom is traditionally associated with the bride and goes back to the Romans. Queen Victoria re-established the tradition by wearing a garland of orange blossom for her wedding - subsequently, real and imitation silk orange blossom has remained a popular tradition for brides. You might want to match your bouquet, dress fabric or corsage to a floral headpiece, or you may decide on an alternative statement piece or hat without a veil.

First, decide if you are a hair, a veil or a hat person. If you are wearing your veil to the front for the ceremony, your headpiece may have to be limited in size and type. If you are wearing a lace or decorated veil, you may not want to detract from it with any additional headwear. If you are wearing your veil to the back and your hair is the more important feature, then you may just want to keep it as the focus. Hair that is piled up on top of your head may benefit from a simple ribbon to match the dress, decorative hairpins or floral sprigs. If you have shorter hair you might want to wear a hat - wide brimmed and top hats with veils wrapped or draped over them can look striking with the right dress or suit. Tiny pillbox hats with short veils that just cover the eyes can be a seductive partner to  1950's styles, while headbands and feather creations team well with shorter 1920's styles and modern columns. 

Make sure you look at the whole picture when deciding, so trying on a hat without the dress is not such a good idea.