Above: A blusher veil.
The flowing white veil is a sign of virginity. The groom's lifting of the veil signifies his acceptance of the bride. He unwraps his bride as he takes possession of her. Hence, a bride traditionally was given away while a man took a wife. These days, many brides lift their own veils, presenting themselves as equals.
In the modern wedding ceremony, the bridal veil should complement the bridal gown; and so, the most popular colours are white, diamond white, and ivory. Today, veils of tulle and nylon have come to prominence, though old veils - especially family heirlooms - are still considered lucky. It's still commonly said to be 'bad luck' for grooms to see their brides before the ceremony, so perhaps the veil is still offering protection against bad luck.
