In the Moment: Veiling the Bride

After we finished getting our photographs taken it was almost time for the festivities to start so we headed back to the Odeon room. Unlike when we'd started taking our portraits the room was no longer a quiet out of the way room. It was swarming with people. We'd told everyone that the ceremony would be starting promptly at 5:30 pm so as guests arrived they were all stopping in to say hi and congratulate us. 

When it came time for the ketubah signing at 5:00 pm - the room was still full of guests.

I don't know what I'd expected but when the rabbi called for the bedeken de kallah (or the veiling of the bride) and Ames came forward, the fact that we're getting married and we're getting married right now hit me. 

The veiling can be done by the groom, the bride's mother. We hadn't planned on having Ames veil me, but it felt perfect in the moment. As Ames veiled me, our rabbi explained the significance to our gathered guests.

In the bible, Jacob accidentally married his beloved Rachel's sister Leah by mistake. The father had veiled Leah and Jacob did not see his bride until he raised the veil at the completion of the ceremony. Brides are veiled in front of the groom so that the groom is sure he's marrying the right girl.

Up next, Signing the Marriage License.

If you've just joined and want to catch up, here's what we've done so far.

• Highlighted my dress and how it almost didn't happen.
• cubes and I took our turn in the spotlight for our portraits.
• The bridespeople get herded for photos.
• Socks captured!
• The groomspeople get herded for photos.
• The wedding party strikes a pose.

Credits: All photographs unless noted otherwise were taken by Jessica Palopoli. Bride's dress: Vintage I.Magnin, reconstructed by Miss Velvet Cream. Bride's hat and veil: Estar Hats. Bride's and Girls' makeup by Guille of The Lobby Salon. Bride's and Girls' hair styled by Catherine Walters. Bride's hair color and cut by John Skinner and Louise Frost of CODE Salon, respectively. Girls' dresses: Adrianna Papell from Nordstrom.

Sneak Peek: Topping it Off

I couldn't wait to share with everyone this sneak peek Esther of E-Star Hats sent me. Here's what my hat looks like so far.

What do you think?

To top it off

Last month I went to try on veils. At the time, I wasn't sure whether I wanted one or not - I'd always envisioned a cute little hat sitting a top my head.

Then... we met with the rabbi and she mentioned the veiling ceremony. All of a sudden I wanted a veil and I wanted one that my mother could cover my face with. The visit to the bridal shop left me less than enthused about veils. (Wearing a trenchcoat and turtleneck might not have helped the overall look.) After seeing me in the various veils, friends quickly suggested a birdcage veil.

So that I could try on the look I went in search of store that had birdcage veils. I found many cute little top hats with birdcage veiling but none that covered more than my forehead. Sorry there's no pictures as I was in a hurry and rushing home from work. I learned that I didn't want a veil that fell across my face at an angle and I didn't want a top hat.

Yesterday I met with Esther of E*star Hats. Until I visited her studio last year for my MOH's final wedding dress fitting, I hadn't really been a hat-type of girl. I *love* hats now and knew that if I ever got married I wanted her to design a hat for me to wear.

When I arrived yesterday I had no idea really of how a hat would come into existence. I brought our color palette swatch card; material swatches from my dress, table runners, and bouquet ribbons; theme inspiration cards; dress photos; hair trial photos; and veil inspiration photos.

Photography Credits (from left to right): Heather Fowler via Style Me Pretty, Heather Waraksa via Inspired by This

Over a cup of Wedding Imperial tea, we talked about the overall theme for the wedding and various elements that we were incorporating (keys, watchwerks, etc.). We discussed what I didn't like about the veils I'd tried on and which veils I liked. We sorted through watchwerks and vintage keys. We also talked about how I'd be wearing/using the veil. A clip to secure the hat was quickly abandoned in favor of elastic so that it stayed in place without messing up my hair.

I left totally excited about what we were planning. I also left firmly believing that every girl should have clothes or hats designed for them for scratch at least once in their life. The feeling you get from knowing the design is infused with your personality and meaning (if for a wedding or celebration) is absolutely amazing. I was walking on air when I left.

Have you decided to wear a veil for your ceremony? How did you decide what look you wanted?

In search of a veil

Let me just say this - veils are expensive! And I'm not altogether sure they're me. At lunch I went to Gesinee's Bridal in Concord. I tried on a couple of one tier elbow length veils. I was actually looking for two tiers and blushers or birdcages which they didn't have. It also turns out antique ivory is nearly impossible to find at your average bridal salon.

Here's me in two veils that can be made in ivory.

Now the first veil (with the floral trimmed edge) is your typical tulle. At the store it's $195. I found it online for a little less $114.99. The second veil - the one on the right was a little better - it was 100% silk. The price tag for some silk with a simple pencil edge and a comb seemed outrageous to me. The price is $295.

Are you going to wear a veil? How did you find one that you liked? Are you going to make your own?

Which way up?

I'd always thought that my stylist who I'd been going to for years would be doing my hair for my wedding. Unfortunately I can't afford her. What this means is that I've never really thought about what I wanted me hair to look like - I've always trusted her and was going to leave it to her.

So now I have a hair and makeup trial coming up and I need to be able to tell the makeup artist (MUA) what I want. Wedding blogs to the rescue. Here are a bunch of styles that might work for me. Do you have a favorite? Should I wear my hair (just past the middle of my back) up, partially up, or down?

Were you surprised to find out you can't afford your stylist's wedding prices? How did you chose a MUA?

Photography Credits:

1. Cheyenne and Geoff Schultz via Inspirations & Creations – Elizabeth Anne Designs, March 8, 2010
2. Sam and Mary Photography via Style Me Pretty, February 24, 2010
3. Stella & Leon Alesi via Style Me Pretty, March 12, 2010
4. Cato & Pade via Polka Dot Bride, March 2, 2010
5. Holger Thoss via Style Me Pretty, March 9, 2010
6. Jessica Lorren via Style Me Pretty, February 23, 2010
7. Modern Life Studios via WeddingBee, March 2, 2010
8. Melissa Musgrove, February 11, 2010 (lots of gorgeous options!)
9. Chelsea Nicole via Style Me Pretty, February 26, 2010
10. Unknown
11. Unknown