Crowning Glory

Not every bride bows to tradition when it comes to wedding attire. Women who balk at wearing a billowy white confection of a dress can opt for a sexy mini, a crimson satin gown or an ivory tuxedo.

Yet even the most strident nonconformists usually follow convention and wear some kind of veil or headpiece.

More brides these days are choosing tiaras, says Renee Strauss of Renee Strauss for the Bride in Beverly Hills. We’re not talking Princess Di knockoffs; styles include burnished gold vines accented with pearls and beads, polished stones wrapped free-form with gold cording, Gothic looks in dark metals, and ivory, pearl-trimmed soutache. They can be worn alone, or paired with plain or embroidered veils.

“A tiara adds a sense of jewelry to the ensemble,” says Strauss, who adds that the headpiece and veil are “the first impression of the bride. This certainly makes a statement of self-assuredness, and it’s worn with a great sense of style.”

Tiaras, she adds, reflect the fact that wedding gowns are becoming a bit more ornate with touches of beading and pearls, rebounding from embellishment-free styles of a few years ago.

Strauss concedes that some brides are wary at first of putting something that looks like a crown on their head: “A lot of times they’ll look at themselves in the mirror and say, ‘Wow, I never thought it could look like this. I thought I’d look like Miss America!’ ”

Mantillas are making a comeback, says Tauni Fenton sales manager at Mon Amie Bridal in Costa Mesa. The Spanish-style lacy veil, which falls from the top of the head over the shoulders and back, appeals to brides who “want some special detailing.”

Veils and headpieces, she adds, are more than an accessory to go with a wedding ensemble. They can balance out a poufy dress and complement the shape of the bride’s face.

“I have a long face,” Fenton explains, “and I wore a headpiece that sat on top of my head. But then I added a full veil that offset the height. If someone has a round face and she wants to add more length, she can wear a crown shape. You can offset any feature that the bride feels is too strong.”

Fenton has witnessed enough fittings to know there’s a strong emotional component with trying on a veil: “When they put it on, the women will blush or cry a lot. A veil can really throw them over the edge, but in a good way. This really clinches it for them. It’s the crowning glory.”