About Wedding Hats

Wedding hats include everything from sprays of beads and jewelry findings to gossamer, shoulder-length coverings to fully lined and fur-trimmed velvet capes with hoods. Snoods with a bit of netting pulled over the face; cathedral trains that rival a fairy princess or a Hollywood celebrity; Victorian wide-brimmed hats dripping with ribbons, lace, pearls and feathers; and Juliet caps with a fountain of silky, beaded tulle are other examples. A bride is only limited by the color of her gown and her imagination, and even those rules can be broken.

History

In ancient times, the strongest, fiercest warriors stole their brides, carrying them away in the furs, blankets or other coverings nearest to where the woman was sleeping. To thwart pursuit, a group of warriors would sometimes pair up, covering themselves just like the women being carried away. While the woman's family wasted their time pursuing these men, the groom would get as far away as possible with his "prize" before stopping to consummate his success and seal his marriage. The woman would be hidden away for a time, until the family's wrath had time to cool, and the first child of the marriage would hopefully sweep away any remaining bad feeling. Although not a veil, this covering of the bride grew into a symbol of the bride's transfer from her family home to her husband's home.

In harsh climates, veils protected a woman's skin from sun and wind. They also served to prevent strangers from spotting beautiful young women and then stealing them away. At this time, a woman's value was in her virtue, beauty and ability to bear children. A man who wanted to secure a border or enlarge his holdings could trade a daughter for a son-in-law's labor, wealth or his pledge of fealty. A woman was seen as the property of her father until she was handed over to her new husband. Sometimes, though, the woman in question was not as beautiful as the groom hoped. A man might back away from a deal upon learning that his intended had some flaw of face or form that would be unbearable over time. Thus, it became custom for women to be veiled when handed over to their grooms. In the Bible, Jacob was tricked into marriage with Leah this way.

In medieval times, bridal veils symbolized purity. Young women from well-to-do families were sent to nunneries until they were old enough to be given in marriage. This relieved the family of a portion of their daughter's upkeep while providing an added guarantee of her virtue, because the cloister walls prevented access to unwanted suitors.

By the 1500s and later, fashions had changed and veils became smaller and shorter. No longer covering the entire body or being made of opaque fabrics such as wool or muslin, veils became shimmery, gossamer coverings for the head, shoulders and ankles while allowing the groom to see the bride well enough to know that he was not getting a pig in a poke.

By the 1700s and beyond, veils began to be replaced by elaborate hats. Feather-trimmed, beaded and jewel-bedecked, bridal head coverings were a visual symbol of family wealth.

Types

There are many types of bridal hat, categorized by the style of the hat base, length of the attached veil and by the type of headpiece holding the veil in place. Hats can be picture frame, wide-brimmed straw covered in satin brocade, a velvet cloche trimmed with ribbon, bead sprays and feathers, straw boaters decorated with pearls and jewelry findings, or even fur-trimmed velvet bonnets. They can also be jeweled headbands or elaborate tiaras with attached cathedral veils. The hood of a fur-trimmed cape can be a wedding hat as well as a shoulder to toe covering to keep the bride warm.

Features

Wedding hats can be made with a variety of headpieces: wide-brimmed Victorians, bonnets, headbands, Juliet caps, tiaras, crowns, bun holders, combs, clips and sprays. The attached veil can be as simple as a single length of gossamer cloth or as elaborate as Star Jones' 27-foot-long cathedral veil, a full 2 feet longer than Princess Diana's. Most veils are light, because many traditional weddings take place in the summer, or they can function as a cape if made of velvet and trimmed with fur.

Considerations

Wedding hats and bridal veils should match both the style and length of the dress. If choosing an elaborately beaded or sequined gown, however, the bride may wish to avoid excess by choosing a simple veil. Veils should be long enough to provide mystery, but short enough to avoid covering any back detailing the gown might have. Cathedral veils are not appropriate for ankle length or shorter dresses, although chapel and ballerina veils are fine. Do not wear a white dress with a cream veil, nor a cream dress with a white veil, although you can use either color if your dress is not all-white or all-cream.

Shop for hats and veils at the same time you shop for your dress. Take a friend or two to critique you from the back and sides, and to help arrange any bustles or trains on your dress. Try several styles with each dress, and make notes about what you liked or did not like. If you do not find the hat and veil you want, this information will help you when making a custom one.

Time Frame

If you are going to have a wedding hat and veil custom-made, decide who will make it for you at least three months in advance. Choose a hat, headpiece, comb or cap and decide whether to use gossamer silk, chiffon, tulle or netting. If you will need any beading done, give your seamstress at least a month to get it completed, and longer if she is doing pieces for other wedding party members as well.

Wedding outfits

Thursday, January 9, 2014