Veils, tiaras and... tantrums?

For many brides, how they will look on their wedding day is an image that has been firmly imprinted onto their minds since they were little girls. I was no exception, until I became a 'real bride' and realised that I have a whole realm of Bridal Idols to look to for inspiration, besides a Disney Princess.

Before I even perused the online catalogues of bridal designers and their divine dresses, the 'real' me knew I didn't want a veil or tiara. Don't get me wrong, the right pieces can look absolutely stunning on the right person ~ the crystals of the tiara can twinkle gracefully as vows are exchanged, and a veil can look so romantic cascading behind a bride or billowing in the wind. I just don't think they are very me.

That said, I don't think you can dismiss these things with a sharp wave of the hand without actually trying them on. You don't get to swathe your head in soft, delicate fabrics and glistening jewels on a day~to~day basis, so how do you know if they're right for you? Why not take advantage of the only occasion you can wear such a charming, elaborate accessory without being deemed a fool?

Because I look like a tit, that's why.

Standing in the bridal shop with the beautiful fabric of my utterly wonderful dress clinging to all the right places, I felt incredible. But something was bothering me ~ where were my Mother's tears? Every Mother cries at the sight of their {only} daughter in a wedding dress, don't they? Not mine, apparently. I've read countless blogposts and magazine articles where the bride had known {before she even caught her reflection} that her dress was The One, as the small audience of her nearest and dearest could barely breathe through their sobs. Don't get me wrong, my Mother was a fabulous wedding dress shopping assistant. She was honest with the hideous ones, she ooh~ed and aah~ed at the beautiful ones, and she had a beaming smile as she gushed that my dress was The One, but I felt robbed ~ where were my bloody sobs?!

As I was twirling and sashaying around the changing room, her little voice piped up... "Do you have a veil she can try?". Within seconds the assistant appeared and my head was being pulled in every direction. I'll be honest, I did fit the bridal image a bit more with a veil on, but it doesn't hide the fact that I felt like a tit. At least my Mother would see how silly I looked and stop nagging though...

I turned to her with 'I told you so' hanging on my lips, and spotted a little glint in her eye. There was no denying what was there ~ the tears I had so desperately wanted. In one fell swoop, my Mother had turned my indignant 'no' into a niggle. A big, fat, veil shaped niggle.

Kate Moss wore a stunning veil:

Duchess Kate wore a beautiful, lace trimmed veil:

 

And fabulous Carrie wore a veil {and a bird, but that is irrelevant, let's concentrate on the veil}:

 

In fact, type the word 'bride' into google images or Pinterest and you'll struggle to find one who isn't wearing a veil. For the record, I'm still undecided.

So tell me, am I missing something with this whole veil drama? Did you wear a veil and were there any regrets if you didn't? I'd love to hear your thoughts!

Love Laura x