How to Wear a Mantilla Wedding Veil | Emmaline Bride (2024)

Today we’re talking about the mantilla wedding veil: what it is, how to wear one, and where to buy beautiful mantilla veils. Before you read the post, join our FREE mailing list for the latest!

What is a mantilla wedding veil? A mantilla wedding veil — a bridal veil with wide lace trim on the edge — is a traditional Spanish lace or silk veil.

If you like this traditional bridal veil but are not sure how to wear a mantilla wedding veil, we’ll tell you (and show you, with visuals below), along with where to buy mantilla wedding veils that are absolutely breathtaking.

A mantilla wedding veil (also known as a chapel veil) is worn over the head and shoulders. Unlike other veils, the mantilla wedding veil is worn over a high comb known as a peineta — or large hair comb — to keep the veil in place on your wedding day.

A peineta or large comb looks something like this (via SIBO Designs):

hair comb by sibo designs
Wearing a mantilla veil at the top of your head will give you a very classic and traditional look; doing so also allows the lace to drape along the sides of your face and gently over the shoulders. You’ll want to place the edge of the veil approximately two inches back from the hairline to achieve the desired look.

Throughout today’s post, we’ll show you how to wear a mantilla wedding veil with examples of veils from SIBO Designs. Sheila, the shop owner and designer, hand-sews each veil herself. She’s incredibly detailed and thorough; you won’t find mantilla wedding veils like these anywhere else.

mantilla wedding veil by sibo designs | photo credit: brumley & wells
The shape and design of a mantilla wedding veil are different than an ordinary veil. The mantilla veil origin dates back to 1900s (you can find out more on how the mantilla wedding veil originated here). Mantilla wedding veils are most commonly worn in church or chapel settings; however, any bride can wear one, regardless of where she’s tying the knot.

mantilla wedding veil by sibo designs | photo credit: brumley & wells
The mantilla veil, like other wedding veils, offers different lengths; most mantilla bridal veils are made in cathedral length (that’s 108″ long — quite the show-stopper!) That’s why it’s so popular for church weddings: you’ll make quite a grand entrance with such a long, stunning veil draped over your gown.

Just imagine your spouse waiting for you on the other side of the aisle. :) And the incredible bridal shoot images you can capture with this veil style.

Let’s take a look at some of our favorite mantilla wedding veils from SIBO Designs, all illustrated below. This first mantilla veil pictured is one of my all-time favorites.

mantilla wedding veil by sibo designs | photo credit: brumley & wells

This veil has a cathedral length and delicate embroidery along its edge. It is designed in ivory and offers a gold and silver plated hair comb for easy addition to any hairstyle. This applique is positively stunning.

mantilla wedding veil by sibo designs | photo credit: brumley & wells

This next mantilla veil is shown in cathedral length and features a soft lace edge. This particular veil, lovingly handmade with soft ivory English net, also combines dark ivory /ecru colored French lace. This mantilla style veil is unique because it can be worn as a traditional mantilla veil or, since the fabric is soft enough, can be tied into a knot for a natural bridal look.

mantilla wedding veil by sibo designs | photo credit: amanda drost photography

Here are two additional mantilla veils for inspiration:

mantilla wedding veil by sibo designs | photo credit: amanda drost photography

mantilla wedding veil by sibo designs | photo credit: amanda drost photography

You can get this veil here.

No mantilla wedding veil is exactly the same: you’ll find differences in embroidery, lace, fabric, color, length, and even how it is worn. As an example, this mantilla veil, shown below, combines a classic mantilla with the Juliet cap. A Juliet cap is perfect for a modern bohemian bride; when combined with the mantilla wedding veil, it can be worn as a traditional mantilla or knotted into a bridal cap. The bridal cap on this particular veil features heavy matte sequin beading and dozens of seed beads. Soft ivory English netting and a gold or silver plated comb are in place to finish this piece.

This entire veil is sewn by hand. Isn’t it breathtaking?

mantilla veil by sibo designs | photo credit: amanda drost photography

mantilla veil by sibo designs | photo credit: amanda drost photography

As another stunning option, this mantilla wedding veil features a beaded ivory applique and a 90″ chapel length. I adore the vines created by hand-sewn pearl and seed beads along the sides of the veil. The appliques are completely sewn by hand.

mantilla wedding veil by sibo designs | photo credit: brumley & wells

mantilla wedding veil by sibo designs | photo credit: brumley & wells
This veil offers a remarkably breathtaking design.

mantilla wedding veil by sibo designs | photo credit: brumley & wells
This next mantilla veil also has a 90″ chapel length and is made in ivory. There is a delicate floral lace design along its edge and includes a silver finish hair comb to keep it firmly in place. The elegant beaded floral applique on this veil is completely sewn by hand.

lace mantilla wedding veil by sibo designs | photo credit: brumley & wells

lace mantilla wedding veil by sibo designs | photo credit: brumley & wells

lace mantilla veil by sibo designs | photo credit: brumley & wells

This next mantilla veil is ideal for a bride with ivory,light champagne, or gold tones in her wedding dress. It features all three colors with hand-cut, hand-sewn beaded lace appliqués and a gold plated comb. This veil is shown in a 90″ chapel length.

I positively adore the beaded lace on this veil.

mantilla veil by sibo designs | photo credit: brumley & wells

mantilla wedding veil by sibo designs | photo credit: brumley & wells

A mantilla wedding veil can also be a shorter length, also known as waltz length. Here is an example of a waltz length mantilla veil:

veil by sibo designs | photo credit: thecablook fotolab

As you can see, it has a shorter length than the usual Cathedral length shown in other examples. This particular veil has soft beading and a matching lace trim all around the veil. It features ivory and silver tones atop a silver comb.

veil by sibo designs | photo credit: thecablook fotolab

Now that you know what a mantilla veil is and how to wear one, you should look into getting a mantilla veil for your wedding. We recommend checking out the veils you’ve seen here from SIBO Designs. Sheila is absolutely amazing to work with; she’s been designing veils for many years and now she has expanded to offer bridal gowns, too. She’s not only an expert at mantilla wedding veils, hair accessories, and bridal veils of all kinds, but she is extremely passionate about her craft. That’s hard to find and makes a big difference when you shop handmade versus a large chain. Your veil is totally hand-sewn just for you and will be perfect for your wedding day.

veil by sibo designs | photo credit: kurt boomer

We’ll be sharing the new wedding gown collection from SIBO Designs here soon, so be sure to subscribe so you don’t miss it.

To buy your mantilla wedding veil ↓

Buy your mantilla wedding veil here. You can also browse SIBO Designs on their new website here.

Have a question or comment?

If you have any questions about how to wear a mantilla wedding veil or what veil style looks best with your gown, just leave it in the comments below & we’ll swoop in to help. Alternatively, you can submit a question to us in our Ask Emmaline inbox.

♥

Happy Planning!

xo

Emma

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Emma Arendoski

Emma is the CEO of Emmaline Bride, The Handmade Wedding Blog, published author, leading wedding expert, and wedding planner. Read her latest book: The Inspired Wedding. Wife, mother, coffee lover. Follow on Instagram and at Emmaline Baby for baby + kids inspiration.