Are veils only for religious ceremonies?

I've never heard of this. I'm wearing a veil and I'm not having a religious ceremony.

Its not true, wear the veil!

Ummm NO. I'm wearing a veil and I'm not getting married in a church.

No. Almost all my brides wear them!

No. Almost all my brides wear them!

I thought veils were just something for a wedding and nothing to do with religion. Wear it!

No. Wear it.

No, veils are an accessory and if you want to wear one then do it.

IV never heard that . I think a Vail is just traditional.

Nope, I'm wearing one and I am not having a religious ceremony. Also like @vjgaff I'm taking it off during the reception.

I had a secular outdoor ceremony and I wore a veil.

Thank you ladies! Most most of my family is Catholic and they are kind of disappointed I'm not having a religious ceremony, but well, I will still rock my veil!

Not for religious ceremonies. I was told it represents innocence and purity for brides. So you can wear it if you would like to.

The tradition of the veil being lifted by the father as they reach the altar to prove the identity of the bride stems from a biblical story. Originally, the veil was not sheer and was lifted only after the 'I do's'.

However the veil itself is not an EXCLUSIVELY religious tradition that I know of.

Ancient Greeks and Romans used it for superstitious reasons; they believed it would help protect the bride from evil spirits. It was also used in arranged marriages so that the groom wouldn't even see the bride's face until she was already at the altar.

Judaism, Islam and Christianity all also have a long history of veiling, particularly at ceremonies. So traditionally, they're not wrong, in that it does have a religious origin and deeper meanings other than just being an accessory. There are some religious groups (including mine, I attend a church where it's common to veil at Mass) that veil for church, not just for weddings.

But these days? Very few people know the history of veiling or will care about it.

Not true at all! We are getting married outside in our venue's garden and we are not religious at all and I am wearing a veil

Like pp post said, if you want to wear the veil, do it!

I used to think the same! I was worried it'd be disrespectful so at first I wasn't going to wear one, but changed my mind after checking out pics of ceremonies at our venue and seeing that everyone wore a veil.

I remember hearing comments like that in my family when I was younger, maybe it's an old Mexican custom? ETA: I meant that maybe it's an old Mexican custom to side-eye veils at non religious ceremonies.

@VC lol I really think so! My grandma said that since I was most likely not a Virgin (since I live with my FH) and not getting God's blessing then I shouldn't be using one. Sorry grandma!!

As previous posters have said, it has religious roots, but doesn't necessarily mean the same now. I wouldn't think twice about a bride with a veil having a non-religious ceremony.

I always heard that they were used in arranged marriages so that the groom wouldn't get to see the bride until after they were married. That way he couldn't run.