What is a Blusher and Does a Bride Really Need One?

One of the most common questions we hear from brides at our bridal accessory boutique is: "Do I really need a blusher?"

If you're unfamiliar with the term, you're not alone. The blusher is that shorter layer of veil that can be worn over your face as you walk down the aisle, then flipped back after the ceremony. It's an old tradition, and so many women wonder if this style element still has a place on their big day.

Let's dive into what a blusher actually is, explore its history, and help you decide whether it's right for you.

What Exactly Is a Blusher?

A blusher is typically a shorter layer of a veil that extends to about chin or shoulder length. It adds a lovely fullness behind, and when worn over your face, it adds drama to your walk down the aisle. It's also amazing for those romantic shots of the bride and groom with the veil surrounding them!

Generally, once you're at the altar, it's lifted back. This can be done by the person who walked you down the aisle, your groom, or you can move it aside yourself. Though most often paired with a longer veil that falls behind you as you walk, like a cathedral veil, blushers can be worn by themselves, too. You've probably seen brides wearing a French net veil over their face – that's considered a blusher, too!

The History Behind the Blusher Veil

The tradition of veiling the bride's face has roots that stretch back thousands of years. In ancient Rome, brides wore flame-colored veils called "flammeum". Made in rich shades of yellow and orange, flammeum represented the warmth and light of the new hearth the bride would kindle in her home. These vibrant veils were believed to protect the bride's happiness on one of life's most sacred days.

The bedeken, or veiling ceremony, is a cherished tradition in many Jewish weddings. Taking place just before the main ceremony, the custom has roots in ancient biblical stories. While it serves as a final, intentional moment for the couple to see one another before the chuppah, it also carries deeper symbolism. By placing the veil over his bride's face, the groom expresses that he values her inner character and soul above physical beauty, creating a profound moment before they are joined in marriage.

The Appeal of Blushers Today

Symbolism and tradition aside, soft, sheer net over a woman's face is so striking that blushers have been a part of non-wedding fashion as well! During the 1940s and 1950s, a hat with a blusher veil was an elegant and fashionable accessory.

Christian Dior's influential "New Look" collection in 1947 paired chic, tilted hats with short veils, emphasizing femininity and luxury. Since then, veils and blushers have often been employed by avant-garde and luxury designers to convey glamour, elegance, opulence, and edge.

Also, the fact is, a blusher creates an amazing photo op. Open the social media platform of your choice, and you'll find thousands of images of just-married couples captured together beneath the bride's blusher.

The blusher can also serve a practical purpose. For some, walking down the aisle can be overwhelming. Some of our brides have said their blusher helped them feel more composed. From the guest's perspective, it makes the emotion on your face that much more moving!

Finally, a blusher veil is fantastic with a wedding headpiece. Far from obscuring it, somehow beneath that soft-focus effect, crystals sparkle even more brightly! Not to mention that removing your veil at the reception acts almost like a reveal for your bridal hairstyle and accessories.

So, Do You Really Need a Blusher Veil?

Here's the simple answer: absolutely not. And also, maybe yes!

The truth is, there's no "need" when it comes to wedding traditions—only what feels right for you. Many modern brides are choosing to forgo the blusher entirely, and their weddings are no less beautiful or meaningful. Others are embracing it wholeheartedly for the romantic aesthetic it provides.

Consider wearing a blusher if:

• You love photos of couples canoodling beneath sheer net.
• You want that "reveal" moment during your ceremony.
• You're drawn to timeless, classic bridal aesthetics.
• You feel it adds to your vision of the perfect bridal entrance.
• You want the extra layer of privacy and composure as you walk down the aisle.

Feel free to skip the blusher if:

• You want your face clearly visible for photos during the processional
• It simply doesn't align with your personal style*

*With all things wedding, try to leave preconceived notions at the door. Being a bride and putting together your look is an emotional journey. It's hard to know if you want a blusher, a veil, a dazzling bridal hair vine (or any headpiece), or wedding jewelry until you try them on. We can't tell you how many times a woman has surprised herself about what she loved (and didn't) in our shop!

Making the Blusher Veil Work for You

If you decide a blusher appeals to you, here are a few things to keep in mind. First, do a trial run during your hair and makeup appointment. You'll also want to coordinate with your partner or father about who will lift it and when so there's no awkward fumbling during the ceremony.

Wedding veils and blushers come in all shapes, sizes, and fabrications. A blusher can be gathered tightly for more volume or have less for a sleeker look. There's variability with the fabrics, too. Tulle is most often used, but women have worn net, French net (the cage veil material), organza, and all-lace.

So, no matter what your style, there's a blusher that might be right for you!

The Bottom Line

Are brides still wearing veils with blushers? Yes, many are. But just as many aren't, and both choices are equally valid. The blusher is a beautiful tradition with romantic symbolism, but it's your wedding, and your choices should reflect who you are as a couple.

If you'd like to try blusher veils with your wedding look, we'd love to help! Visit our NYC bridal accessories boutique to try them on in person, or contact us to order a custom veil and blusher.