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White or ivory wedding veils

White or Ivory Wedding Veils – Making the Right Choice

When it comes to finding the perfect wedding veil, one of the most important details is matching its colour to your dress shade as closely as possible. Many brides assume their gown is white, but the truth is, most wedding dresses today are ivory. This can lead to a common bridal mistake: choosing a white veil for an ivory dress—a big no-no.

So, should you get a white or ivory veil? The answer depends entirely on your wedding gown’s colour. If it’s a true, stark white with cool undertones—something not very common these days—you should opt for a white veil. However, if your dress features a softer, off-white or ivory shade with warmer tones, an ivory veil will create a more harmonious look. Let’s explore the differences between white and ivory wedding veils to help you avoid this common mix-up and ensure your veil complements your gown flawlessly.

Why Most Dresses Are Ivory (Not White)

White has long been considered the traditional colour for wedding dresses, but the reality is that ivory has become far more popular. Designers favour ivory for its softer, more flattering hue, which complements a wider range of skin tones. If your dress looks white it’s likely to be “off-white”, or if it has a soft, creamy appearance, it’s likely ivory.

off white vs ivory
Example of off-white on the left and ivory on the right.

Neither of the dresses above are pure white. The one on the left is off-white and the one on the right is ivory. As you see, the differences can be incredibly subtle. To avoid any mismatch when shopping for white or ivory wedding veils, confirm the shade of your gown with your bridal boutique. Whether it’s ivory, white, or another variation like champagne, knowing this helps you choose the perfect veil. For added peace of mind, consider ordering our veil fabric swatch samples from our collection to compare directly with your dress.

Lighter colours veil tulle samples main
We offer a host of bridal tulle shades including white, off-white and light and dark ivory

White Vs Ivory Wedding Veils: What’s the Difference?

The distinction between white and ivory may seem subtle, but it can make a significant difference in your overall bridal look. A white veil is crisp and bright with cool undertones, while an ivory veil has a soft, warm tone that blends beautifully with ivory gowns. Pairing a white veil with an ivory dress could create a stark contrast, making the veil stand out in an unintended way.

When deciding between a white or ivory wedding veil, it’s a good idea to order tulle samples before committing to a veil. This way, you can see how the veil fabric matches your dress in natural light, ensuring a perfect colour pairing.

White to dark ivory - veil colour guide
All the colours of the bridal rainbow – white to dark ivory tulles

Examples of Perfect and Mismatched Veil & Dress Colour Pairings

White Veil with a White Dress

While white dresses are rare these days, a white veil paired with a true white dress creates a sharp, classic look. However, the bright tones can be a bit stark against many skin tones, which is why most brides opt for softer ivory shades.

White Veil with White Dress
White Veil with a White Dress

Ivory Veil with an Ivory Dress

For a more subtle and skin-flattering tone, an ivory veil paired with an ivory dress is a stunning choice. The soft, warm tones blend beautifully, creating a seamless look that enhances the bride’s natural glow.

Ivory veil with an ivory dress
Ivory Veil with an Ivory Dress

White Veil with an Ivory Dress (What to Avoid)

The combination to avoid is pairing a white veil with an ivory dress. The contrast between the veil and dress can feel harsh and mismatched. A high-profile example of this can be seen in Sophie Haboo’s celebrity wedding, where she surprisingly wore a short white veil that clashed with her mid-length ivory dress for one of her three wedding day looks. Obviously, she still looked amazing, but the colour clash really jumped out at me when I saw these images. You can check out the photos yourself here.

How to Match Your Veil to an Ivory Dress

At The Wedding Veil Shop, we offer our veils in a variety of ivory shades to suit different gowns. Our veil collection includes off-white, light ivory, and dark ivory (cream), so you can find a shade that perfectly complements your dress. Additionally, these shades are available in our shimmer tulle variant, which adds a subtle sparkle for brides looking to add a bit of glamour.

If you’re unsure which shade is right for you, we recommend ordering our swatch samples. This allows you to see the exact colour and fabric finish before making a decision, giving you confidence that your veil will harmonise with your ivory dress.

Matching your dress to your veil
A perfectly matching dress and veil. Picture sent in by our lovely real bride Amy

Why Veil Colour Matters for Your Big Day

It may seem like a minor detail, but choosing the right veil colour is key to pulling together your bridal look. After spending so much time selecting the perfect dress, it’s crucial not to overlook the importance of a matching veil. With the right colour wedding veil, you’ll achieve a flawless, cohesive look on your big day.

Choosing a white veil for your ivory dress is quite a common mistake we see brides make, but not the only one. Checkout of these 5 Common Mistakes When Choosing a Wedding Veil.

Don’t Forget About Other Accessories!

Beyond your veil, consider how your other accessories fit with your dress. Matching your shoes, jewellery, and hairpieces to your gown and veil can create a polished look. Opt for accessories that blend effortlessly with the tones of your dress, especially if it’s in ivory.

Ready to Shop?

Check out some of our gorgeous wedding veils available in 11 beautiful shades.

  • Plain Veils
  • Beaded Veils
  • Lace Veils
  • Custom Veils
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    Sabrina – Cathedral Length Silk Effect Veil with a Sewn EdgeSabrina – Cathedral Length Silk Effect Veil with a Sewn Edge

    Sabrina – Cathedral Length Silk Effect Veil with a Sewn Edge

    £198.00
  • New
    Anastasia Classic Two Tier Cathedral Veil scaledAnastasia Classic Two Tier Cathedral Veil close scaled

    Anastasia – Classic Two Tier Cathedral Veil with a Cut Edge

    £184.00
    Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page
  • New
    Esta – Classic Single Tier Chapel Length Veil with Sewn EdgeEsta – Classic Single Tier Chapel Length Veil with Sewn Edge

    Esta – Classic Single Tier Chapel Length Veil with Sewn Edge

    £143.00
    Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page
  • New
    Maya – Chapel Length Barely There Veil with a Cut Edge scaledMaya – Chapel Length Barely There Veil with a Cut Edge

    Maya – Chapel Length Barely There Veil with a Cut Edge

    £129.00
    Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page
  • New
    Hailey – Classic Two Tier Fingertip Veil with a Pencil EdgeHailey – Classic Two Tier Fingertip Veil with a Pencil Edge

    Hailey – Classic Two Tier Fingertip Veil with a Pencil Edge

    £109.00
    Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page
  • JESSICA - one layer cathedral length wedding veilJESSICA - one layer cathedral length extra wide veil with a simple edge

    Jessica – Classic One Layer Cathedral Length Wedding Veil with a Sewn Edge

    £178.00
    Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page
  • Brooke one layer plain chapel length wedding veilBrooke one layer chapel length wedding veil

    Brooke – Simple One Layer Chapel Length Veil with a Sewn Edge

    £158.00
    Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page
  • Lauren – single layer fingertip length veil with a pencil edgeLauren – single layer fingertip length veil with a pencil edge

    Lauren – Single Layer Fingertip Length Veil with Pencil Edge

    £99.00
    Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page

Image credits: All dress images by Maggie Sottero

White Veil with a White Dress
White Veil with a White Dress

Comments (2)

  1. My daughters dress is ivory and the veil looks dark tulle when bunched tightly together we tried a light ivory one but looked to bright can you send samples of tulle

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