Choosing the Right Veil Length
A quick guide to understanding veil sizes
One of the most confusing parts of buying a wedding veil is figuring out what length you need. And to make things more fun, different designers sometimes use slightly different measurements or different names for the same general lengths. It’s a lot. But don’t worry — this wedding veil length guide is here to help you make sense of it all.
Let’s start from the shortest:
Elbow length – As you might expect, this style usually ends around your elbows. Great for simpler dresses or daytime weddings. [Shop elbow length veils in our Short Veils section→]
Fingertip length – The most popular mid-length veil. It ends around your fingertips when your arms are at your sides — flattering, classic, and very versatile. [Shop fingertip length veils in our Mid-Length Veils section→]
Waltz length – These vary depending on the brand and might be referred to as knee, or calf-length veils. Not all designers offer these. [Shop waltz length veils in our Mid-Length Veils section→]
Floor length – Just touches the floor. Best for dresses without a train. [Shop floor length veils in our Long Veils section→]
Chapel length – Slightly longer than floor-length. This trails behind gently and works well with dresses that have a small train. [Shop floor length veils in our Long Veils section→]
Cathedral length – A dramatic option often chosen for formal weddings. These veils usually fall between 108 and 120 inches, depending on the designer. [Shop floor length veils in our Long Veils section→]
Beyond cathedral – Some designers go even longer with “royal” or “regal” veils — less common, but seriously stunning. [Shop floor length veils in our Long Veils section→]
Do you need to measure? Only sometimes.
Here’s the good news:
If you’re planning on wearing a shorter or mid-length veil — like fingertip or elbow length — you can pretty much go ahead and choose whatever you love. No tape measure needed.
Where things get a bit trickier is if you’re going for a long veil — especially one that you want to just skim the end of your train or extend slightly beyond it. In those cases, it helps to know the rough length of your dress’s train, because veils labelled as “cathedral” or “chapel” can vary depending on the brand.
How to Measure for a Wedding Veil
If your dress has a train and you’re choosing a long veil to complement it, here’s how to figure out what length you need:
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Grab a tape measure
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Measure from where you plan to place the veil on your head
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Down to the end of your dress train
Tip: If you don’t have access to your dress right now, you can try calling your bridal boutique — but be aware they might give you a measurement that includes the blusher length. More on this below.
Confusion on Veil Lengths
Some bridal shops include the top layer (blusher) in the total veil length. So if they say 144 inches, they might mean a 114″ bottom layer + 30″ blusher — not a super-long train.
Because we stock veils from different designers, not every “cathedral” veil is exactly the same. Always check the product description if you’re aiming for a precise match.
Final Thoughts
Choosing the right wedding veil length doesn’t have to be confusing — especially if you’re going for a shorter style. But if you’re planning on a long veil to flow beyond your train, a quick measurement can save you from disappointment. Or when in doubt, go for a cathedral veil. It fits with almost all dresses.
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