In a traditional Spanish wedding, the lace veil worn over the bride’s head and shoulders is called a mantilla.
A mantilla is a traditional Spanish lace or silk veil, often supported by a decorative comb called a peineta. In bridal dress, it may frame the face and fall over the shoulders or back. Black mantillas have also had important ceremonial and religious uses, while white or ivory mantillas are especially associated with brides.
The mantilla is strongly linked with Spanish visual culture and can be worn for church weddings, formal religious occasions, or national celebrations. Its shape, lace pattern, and attachment vary according to region, family custom, and fashion. A bride may wear it with a comb, pins, or another headpiece.
A mantilla is not simply another word for any veil. It is a distinctive Spanish style, while a mantou or other regional head covering belongs to different traditions. The peineta supports the mantilla but is not the veil itself, so the two terms should not be treated as interchangeable.