Choosing a Mantilla Wedding Veil
The Beautiful Mantilla Wedding Veil
A mantilla veil, cascading about your hair and down over your shoulders is a beautiful way to frame your face during your wedding ceremony. These veils are traditionally made of delicate white Chantilly lace and are perched atop an ornate head comb called a peineta. While popular in Spain and Latin America, as well as among persons of Latino descent, a mantilla may be worn by any bride that wants a traditional, semi-formal hair style.
Historically, mantilla veils were more often of black lace instead of being white. They were originally worn by women of the Andalusia region of Spain. This may be due to some Arab influence in the early years of their use, as Spain had many Arabian visitors. Generally the women of this time period wore mantillas only during special occasions. As Spain explored and brought its cultural ways to South and Central America, so came the mantilla veil to Latin America.
In Spain, women still wear mantillas during Holy Week (the week leading to Easter), bullfights and weddings. Also a black mantilla is traditionally worn when a woman has an audience with the Pope.
Now, a white mantilla is appropriate for a church wedding but can be worn at other ceremony locations as long as it coordinates with the wedding gown and the theme or type of wedding. For example, a bride would probably not wear a mantilla veil for a beach wedding.
The peineta comb gives the mantilla height. It could be made of tortoiseshell, be encrusted with jewels, or be of another simpler yet elegant material. Together with the lace mantilla veil, women adorned in this way appear especially feminine. The length of a mantilla veil ranges from shoulder length to below the knee. While very lovely, the mantilla may be removed entirely after the ceremony. Depending on her hairstyle, a bride may keep the peineta or replace both with a tiara for the wedding reception.
Wearing a mantilla can bring some old-world charm to the modern wedding.
Since you are interested in veils, you'll probably enjoy our articles on Wedding Veils and Wedding Hair Styles.