The Meaning Behind 10 of the Most Common Wedding Traditions
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According to historians, the veil is the oldest part of the wedding ensemble, dating back to ancient civilisations when brides were wrapped from head-to-toe to protect them from the malicious intentions of evil spirits (natch). Over time, it was used to cover the face of the bride in arranged marriages, sometimes hoodwinking an unsuspecting groom into marrying the sister of the woman he preferred. In modern times, it's often worn as a simple accessory, which was inspired yet again by Queen Victoria, who was the first monarch to ever wear a veil on her wedding day.