What to do with the veil?

[Philco]

The bride last weekend wore a 'cathedral length' veil, which obviously has a lot of potential for creativity, but for simple shots (see below) I'm wondering how other photographers deal with the excess. I could have laid it out, but then it would have trailed out of the frame. I'm wondering if letting it fall as it may is okay versus straitening it out and simply cropping it. In this case, I had maybe 3 minutes before the ceremony for the bridal shots, so I didn't spend time dealing with the veil, and of course now I'm regretting it. Any thoughts?

http://www.defalcophoto.com/Casias/preceremony/Casias%20%20(20).jpg

[xtravaluemeal1]

I probably would've tried to hide it behind her, but like you said, it was just before her walk down the aisle, so you don't want to crumple it up. One other option is to use the rule of thirds and have her on the far left end of the bench and trail the veil and capture it all in one shot

[JMW-Photo]

I like the idea presented by xtravaluemeal1 and can see that shot in my minds eye. BUT, once again there is the reality of time in this case and the fact that you have her sitting in some pretty sweet natural light.

I think puddling it on the floor was fine, just needed to be a little neater. It adds some drama shows how much of the veil there is.

I still like the shot. ;)

[Philco]

I would like to have moved her over for that kind of composition, but there was only one small spot of light coming through the window, so knowing that this was the only available light I was going to be able to use for the whole event, I did my best to take advantage of it. I agree that more neatness would have made for better shots. You can see the light source here:
http://www.defalcophoto.com/Casias/preceremony/Casias%20%20(17).jpg

The groom called me before we even started shooting to say he was a block away, so we really ran through shooting a bit too quickly. It was a good experience, and when I find myself in the situation again, I'm sure I'll do a better job.

[JMW-Photo]

Yep, completely understand. With the time crunch and that wedge of available where it was I would have done the same thing. I do like the shot with the window also.

[islandphoto]

I would have her standing mostly... Can you post some of your creative veil shots?

[Philco]

This wedding was scheduled around a long term medical situation involving an immediate relative, therefore the bride is 7 months pregnant . This wasn't their original date, as it were. So, I did have some of her standing, it's just that they don't make for the most classic images with her tummy way out there. : ) Unfortunately, in the few minutes we had, there wasn't much time to spend being creative with the veil, but I've seen some great examples I can send to you via pm.
cheers

[luannf1980]

Hello, I am new here :) I got married 6mths ago and would just like to say, I wish my phographer took a few pics like this. I think this pic is beautiful.. dropping the veil looks great, much better than laying it out.. looks more * natural* and not staged.

[Wilt]

Imagine she has the train out behind her as she walks. Then imagine she walks around the periphery of a spiral inward into the center of her own train.

Why ball it up when it can be displayed around her? It is as much a part of the dress as the bodice, and we try to show THAT off, so we should try to show off the train as well in the best manner possible.