Maria Lucia Hohan for Weddings: Bridal Veils, Capes and Guest Gowns

Maria Lucia Hohan dresses brides and their guests. For the bride there are lace-trimmed tulle veils and sheer capes. For the guest there are metallic silk gowns, many of them made with a matching shawl for the ceremony. All of it is made in Bucharest by a house founded in 2003.

Which Maria Lucia Hohan veils are there?

• Kiomi: tulle with a fine metallic thread and a lace trim.
• Connie: a long lace-edged veil that falls into a train.
• Iva: soft tulle with a deep lace border at the hem.
• Anise: the simplest of the four, falling past the shoulders.

All four are made without a comb, so you can pin them high on the head, then lower at the back.

When should a bride choose a cape over a veil?

A cape works when the gown has a strong back you want to keep in view. The Dalma is tulle with a lace trim that sits on the shoulders, and the Celestina cape in white is floor-length silk mousseline. Both come off easily for the party.

What should a wedding guest wear from Maria Lucia Hohan?

For a black-tie wedding, choose a metallic gown and bring its shawl for the ceremony. The Salima in Galaxy has a matching Cris shawl, and the Tomina and Verity also have shawls cut in the same print. Avoid white and ivory as a guest, which rules out the Birch and Moonbeam shades.

What about the rehearsal dinner?

This is where the minis come in. The Elsinora has a tulle panel that falls like a short train, and the Kelly has an extra-long back panel. For the morning, the sheer Sassy kaftan is made for getting ready.

What should I know before ordering for a wedding?

Sizes are French, so check the Maria Lucia Hohan size guide first. Order early: the house prepares each piece to order, and alterations to pleated silk take time.

Which gown suits which wedding?

How do you choose a veil length?

Match the veil to the gown and the venue. A long veil such as the Connie suits a church aisle and a gown with a train. A shoulder-length veil such as the Anise suits a city ceremony and a slim column. If the gown has a strong back, choose a sheer veil so the detail still shows.

What should a mother of the bride wear?

Something covered but not dull. A metallic gown with a matching shawl over the arms gives coverage for the ceremony, and the shawl comes off for dinner. The Celestina cape over a strapless gown does the same job.

How do you care for a gown after the wedding?

Steam the metallic silk to refresh it, as the house specifies, then store it on a padded hanger inside a breathable bag. Dry clean the veils and the tulle capes only.

See also how to wear a shawl over an evening gown, how to style a Maria Lucia Hohan gown and the full Maria Lucia Hohan at Coveti.

Frequently asked questions

Does Maria Lucia Hohan make bridal veils?

Yes. The Kiomi, Connie, Iva and Anise veils are tulle with lace trims, all made without a comb.

Can I wear Maria Lucia Hohan as a wedding guest?

Yes. The metallic silk gowns suit black-tie weddings. Avoid the white and ivory shades as a guest.

Do Maria Lucia Hohan gowns come with a shawl?

Several gowns have a matching Cris shawl sold separately, including the Salima, Tomina, Verity and Zephyra.

Does Maria Lucia Hohan make bridal capes?

Yes. The Dalma is a lace-trimmed tulle cape and the Celestina is a floor-length silk mousseline cape.

By Gemma Deeks, Fashion Editor at Coveti.