Bridal veils are made of myth and legend as much as chiffon or lace. Brides in Rome wore veils to shield them from evil spirits the night before the wedding. One story traces wedding veils back to the Old Testament and the story of Jacob, Rachel and Leah; the switched brides in that story are the reason grooms in Jewish wedding ceremonies traditionally lift and then lower the veil again to see the bride's face. They are, in general, a symbol of purity, and of the bride's transition from one role in life to another.
On the day of your wedding, of course, you're more likely to be worried about whether your bridal veil, headpiece, or tiara is securely attached than about whether it's keeping away evil spirits. Make sure when deciding what sort of headpiece you want that your choice will stay on, even if the wind is blowing, or if whoever lifts your veil fumbles or pulls on it a bit. Also be certain that it will be comfortable enough for you to wear for pictures, through the wedding ceremony and, in the case of a tiara, through the reception as well. You'll want to have other things on your mind besides, "It's going to fall off any second now, I can feel it!" or "My head is killing me."
For all these reasons, it's a good idea to try on a selection of veils before you buy one. Discount wedding veils and tiaras are widely available in internet bridal stores, but nothing compares to seeing how your veil looks and feels for yourself. Is it in proportion to your dress, does it flatter your face and the shape of your head? Atlanta bridal shops will be happy to help you try on veils and give advice about securing it properly.
There are a lot of options out there. Long or short? A chiffon wedding veil, or one made of lace? A tiara, or a circlet of flowers?
Shop around. Even if you're wearing your grandmother's antique lace wedding veil, you'll need to have it cleaned and any yellowing taken out. There are shops in Atlanta that specialize in veil cleaning and preservation; check to see if there's any damage, even down to just a few threads pulled out of place. You might want to use the veil itself, but attach it to a different headpiece, or vice versa.
And remember, it all comes down to what looks and feels best for you!