Having made the decision to wear a veil, you are now faced with what can be a bewildering range of options. Here are a few pointers to help you choose your perfect veil.

First, you should consider what length is most appropriate. This will be governed to some degree by the style of your dress. A very short veil works best with a simple sheath gown, whereas a frothy meringue of a frock will accommodate as long a veil as you would like. There are six standard lengths of veil:

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Madonna Sometimes referred to as Flyaway, the Madonna is a shoulder length veil. The standard length is 24 inches, but actual lengths will be within a range of 18 to 27 inches.

Elbow Just as the name suggests, this veil should come just level with the elbow. The standard length is 30 inches, but actual lengths will be within a range of 28 to 36 inches.

Fingertip Again, the name is the clue. This veil should fall level with your fingertips. The standard length is 48 inches, but actual lengths will be within a range of 37 to 50 inches.

Ballerina Sometimes referred to as Waltz, the Ballerina should extend to just below mid-calf, or 8-12 inches from the floor. The length will be determined by the height of the bride, but is usually between 54 an 60 inches.

Chapel A Chapel length veil should fall just below the ankle, so it skims the floor without touching or trailing. For some strange reason, the standard length is defined as 90 inches, which of course is far too long to fit the definition. The actual length will, again, be determined by the bride's height.

Cathedral Usually reserved for the most formal of weddings, Cathedral length is designed to trail behind the bride as she glides down the aisle. Lengths vary from 108 to 180 inches.

Once you have settled upon the length, you should determine the style that will work best for you. If your gown has elaborate embroidery or beading, a single layer of delicate illusion can complete your ensemble without obscuring the detail. Multiple layers and all kinds of embellishments can be used to dress up a simpler style of gown.