Summer wedding dress for tattooed guest

[Crazycatlady79]

Hi,

Please help me find a dress for a traditional Catholic wedding next month, please.
I'm on a pretty tight budget (£60) and need a dress that covers chest, shoulders and most of legs.
Heavily tattooed, but can use some kind of lightweight cardigan/pashmina type thing for the ceremony.
I sound clueless, as not been to a traditional church wedding...ever!
I'd love something colourful that might suit a tall, broad framed, 45 year old me, with pale skin and blonde hair.
Any ideas?!

www.asos.com/asos-design/asos-design-high-neck-maxi-satin-tea-dress-in-khaki/prd/206184892#colourWayId-206184894

www.asos.com/asos-design/asos-design-exaggerated-sleeve-embroidered-satin-bias-maxi-dress-in-orange/prd/206031373?_gl=1lirv29_up*MQ..&gclid=Cj0KCQjwv7O0BhDwARIsAC0sjWOja5X8nXpJWqyY0FCG5YYaqt4stxGZfji3Oyv_E6_Ii-XLnUQz1_0aAgeWEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds#ctaref-we%20recommend%20carousel_16&featureref1-we%20recommend%20pers

www.asos.com/asos-design/asos-design-belted-maxi-dress-in-blurred-floral-print/prd/206480800#ctaref-more%20colours%20swatches&featureref1-more%20colours%20swatches

www.asos.com/asos-design/asos-design-high-neck-big-sleeve-jacquard-maxi-dress-in-sky-blue/prd/206331608#colourWayId-206331609

www.riverisland.com/p/gold-floral-patchwork-belted-swing-midi-dress-753807

Unless the wedding is at St Peter’s Basilica, a Catholic Church doesn’t prescribe any dress rules. Just wear what you’d wear to
any other wedding.

Quite! I see all sorts at Mass (teens in cycling shorts and crop tops even!) and no one bats an eyelid.

Nothing to do with the tatts and everything to do with covering up in a holy place.

I’ve been to a couple of Irish weddings and the female guests were done up to the nines. It was a cold, rainy day and most women had bare shoulders, sleeveless and strapless dresses. It certainly wasn’t the thing to be covered as it was a traditional Catholic ceremony.

Would 1950s style swing dresses work? They look great with tattoos

https://www.dollyanddotty.co.uk/collections/dresses?gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAACfOew2OtOv-WUPTBFKei9n3hjrlt&gclid=Cj0KCQjwv7O0BhDwARIsAC0sjWN3bQcZ-eegwEtL18TEieE1aD3NjWdER0gH84H0qnHSQjM3uEzcgWoaApwjEALw_wcB&page=2page=2

https://prettykittyfashion.co.uk/collections/50s-swing-dresses?gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAADlnuNd-DMlL_bFgg2SxufZcHbWZg&gclid=Cj0KCQjwv7O0BhDwARIsAC0sjWPwuLindAlYxyi7zQdnNkE-LIELK_KkfUU7JWCM5amiSL13jYzDwpEaAmS9EALw_wcB

Love this Monsoon dress suggested up thread.

Just to add- my tip is to find what you may like and then search it on Vinted- I have been lucky to get new with tags dresses I want for a fraction of the price!

I was alao thinking a 50s style dress would look fab

Those asking about why I want/am choosing to not have too much 'skin' on display: out of respect for the preference of the couple to be married and their families.
Both are from another country and in their church community, women tend to cover chests/shoulders/legs.
Not saying it's 'right'/my preference (at Mass in my town, you see all sorts and it's pretty chill).
I can dress how I like most days of the year, so more than happy to do a little different for the wedding of a very dear friend.
Some lovely dresses suggested, so thank you very much, all.

You don’t have to wear a dress. A blouse and skirt or loose trousers with a pretty belt can look lovely at a wedding.

Aw you sound lovely OP - enjoy your first ever church wedding (but my one tip is comfy shoes - if it’s traditional it will be LOOONG).

www.next.co.uk/style/su067062/c40060#c40060

I'm Catholic. I've never encountered a priest or parish that's bothered by tattoos but I totally understand you may wish to cover up to respect the wishes of the people getting married and their broader culture.

In terms of coverage in Church, it's generally the 'done' thing to cover shoulders and not wear anything super short or super low cut. Otherwise, most things go.

I hope you enjoy the day and find an outfit in which you'll feel comfortable.

I was brought up Catholic and have been to lots of Catholic weddings - you don't need to cover up your tattoos, please don't spend money on something you might never need again.

A wrap or jacket could be handy if it's chilly in the Church, but it's not like Italy where you have to cover shoulders and knees to enter the Vatican or other churches.

Wear whatever you'd wear to a wedding!

Goodness I’m pretty sure plenty of wedding guests at weddings in churches have some cleavage/plunging necklines going on! Definitely brides do for a start!

Was just going to say (notice one person has already suggested it) but some summer trousers with a blouse could be fab and would cover up to meet the brief.

Maybe a jumpsuit would be a better option.

It’s proper to cover shoulders and cleavage in a church, certainly a catholic one where modest dress is required.

I got married in a Catholic church and my dress showed my shoulders. And my bridesmaid had a tattoo visible.

My family is Catholic. My sister had her tattoo showing as a bridesmaid at my wedding. Sleeveless tops are acceptable, as are just above knee length skirts and v necked tops. You wouldn't want to wear anything that showed side boob or too much cleavage. It's how you feel comfortable.