Brides with Tattoos...

Mrs.Hofeldt

I love my tattoos and I agree with everyone who has said that if you love it and it's a part of you then show it off! 

However, I will be covering mine with make-up.  I love my tattoo and I'm in no way ashamed of it - but my colors are black, white, and pink and the tattoo is green and blue - I really just don't want it to clash

Xtine22

The only tattoo that will be showing (the other won't) I will be covering. It's near and dear to my heart it's for my mom who passed away of breast cancer. And I'm actually covering it in honor of her too. She HATED tattoos.. and would esp HATE it if you could see it on my wedding day.,

hmsullivan226

I have 6 tattoos of which 4 will be visible at the reception, and two during the ceremony(my shoulders will be covered for the Catholic ceremony part in the church). I'm not concerned about any of my family seeing them, since everyone who knows me knows what and where all my tattoos are. However, if you're concerned about what your grandma might think, you could try talking to her ahead of time and letting her know that you have the tattoo, and find out how she would feel about you showing it at your wedding.

That being said, I have covered mine for someone elses wedding that I was a bridesmai in-at the brides request, and my recommendation would be if you are covering them with make-up do a trial run with a white t-shirt or something just so you can see the results, and whether whatever make-up you get is going to transfer onto fabric. Mine looked bizarre and off skin tone, and then pretty much ruined the dress I wore. cover ups also take something stronger than your standard make-up remover to get off! Check out Ulta or MAC for better stuff than I used and don't be afraid to put a little money into it if you want it to look good.

Virgo1617

I have tattoo's on my arms and on my back. my dress covers some of them and also my hair but not the larger one. Yes I love them, but I am also going to cover mine as well are my bridemaides. Not saying that you have to be ashame of your art, but this is my choice, really its to each their own on this matter

frog_girl77

I have 2 on my right shoulder.  I just wish I had the time and $ to have one of them retouched.  Its getting old and fadded a bit.  I wouldnt cover them with Make-up though, one is a Frog(me) and the other is a Unicorn (him) and they are special to US.
My hair is waist length and I am wearing it down, not to cover up the tattoos but its how I love to wear my hair.
I have one on the top of my left foot and I would love a picture of it while putting my shoes on.

dixiedaughter

Your answers are interesting.  My problem is that I have a huge burn scar on my back - courtesy of my exhusband and a wide barrelled curling iron.  My fiance hasn't said anything, but I don't want to bring that into my new marriage.  I'm having a hard time finding a dress that will cover it, but since we're getting married in the winter, I'm going to take full advantage of a faux fur stole!

Cantia

Honestly I wouldn't worry too much about the top showing, it's not a huge tattoo and it's not colored in. If you are thinking about wearing a veil then problem solved, it would cover it enough. Otherwise I say leave it, I don't think it would be too distracting. Cool tattoo by the way!

trixie02

I have 5 tattoos 3 of which are visible on my back and neck. I am going to cover up the 2 that are visible but 1 is a memorial tattoo I got for my 2 grandmother's and great-grandmother that I want to be more of a focus then the other two that I love but don't have the meaning its my way of paying tribute to them and having them with me on my special since I am going to be wearing my maternal grandmother's bracelet and paternal grandmother's wedding rings hanging from my bouquet. I have many family members with tattoos but my fiancee's family is against them but know I have them because I don't cover them up at all.

defstar82

totally agree with CA2MT4EveR


i have 9 tattoos, including 2 on my chest, shoulder/back, arm, neck, wrist. i love my tattoos and they're part of who i am. i personally find it ridiculous for people to want to cover them, unless they're something absolutely hideous they got when they turned 18 and they want it removed. if its something  you love and it's going to be on you forever, why hide it for your wedding day?


this is a touchy subject for me since people are so divided on the tattoo issue - i don't judge people who DON'T have them, so why judge people that do? i personally feel that its part of who you are.

JeFlanigan

In Response to Re: Brides with Tattoos...:
[QUOTE]Your answers are interesting.  My problem is that I have a huge burn scar on my back - courtesy of my exhusband and a wide barrelled curling iron.  My fiance hasn't said anything, but I don't want to bring that into my new marriage.  I'm having a hard time finding a dress that will cover it, but since we're getting married in the winter, I'm going to take full advantage of a faux fur stole!
Posted by dixiedaughter[/QUOTE]

In regards to your scar... I'm so sorry.  I have an 11 inch scar up my side and back but no one did that too me... it was a surgery that I needed to have for my back.  If you look at my picture, I dip in a lot more on one side because of it(surgery).  
Someone posted early on 'It's covering up you, don't be a model' and I was thinking of responding what about scars and pimples... but I didn't want to blow up.
And not that it matters, but :-( what's wrong with my answers.

Cantia... thanks!

lindinordin

I am fully sleeved, and then some. While I am not completely covering them, I am wearing elbow length gloves - they go well with my dress which is very 1930's Hollywood starlet.
I applaud those who decided to not worry about it and let there art show. But, you can't disparage those who choose to cover them up - whether it is to not offend someone or because they are uncomfortable with them.
We all get our art for different reasons, and who am I to berate someone for choosing to cover them up.
I think it is kind of you to consider your grandmother's feelings - but on the same token,  I hope she wouldn't love you any less for having a tattoo.
I chose the gloves because, while 99% of my guests already know about my artwork, I thought they were too distracting for my dress - so, the gloves help to mellow out my art, and blend it better with my dress (which is super simple), instead of over powering my dress.
What ever you decide, go with your decision and have a wonderful day!
 

MiSpoonIs2Big

You might respect your Grandma's values, but she needs to respect yours too. You are a grown woman. I had a grandmother like that, and while I don't have a tattoo, if I did, and had a reason like yours, she would have been okay with it.

I think you should tell your grandma you have it, give her time to get used to the idea. Let her know that you'd like her to respect that you're a woman and can make your own decisions. I also think if your dress doesn't fully cover it, if it's half covered, either find a way to get it fully exposed or cover it up. Partial tattoos look kind of odd in my opinion. If it fully shows, show it, if not, no need to worry.

I hope you get it sorted out okay!

rebeccaloveshair

When I was a teenager, I got tattoos all over my legs and lower back.  I made the decision that no matter what career i have, i could cover them up easily and professionally.  My dress covers them up except when i lift it to walk down/up the stairs.  I am a bridesmaid in a girlfriend's wedding in September, and i requested that I get to wear a long dress to cover them out of respect for her family.  I'm not against them, but a tattoo of a scary scull and crossbones might clash with your  wedding decor.

LykensWedding123

If you really feel that you must cover your tattoo, I would suggest adding a professional make-up artist to you vendor list. They have great technology and tricks (including portable air-brushing machines), so anything is possible.

jimmyrose

I see almost evryone here is "proud" of their tattoos and so am I, but personally i think a bride walking down the isle in a church with tattoos looks tacky, I have 3 about to have 4 and i made sure not to get one on my shoulder or back until after my wdding day for this reason. I have one on my upper back but it will be covered by my hair and its not that big. like some of the ppl here said, i dont want to look back at my wedding pictures and regret it.

Skooter26

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_chit-chat_brides-tattoos?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:14Discussion:b1c1ce99-c742-41ef-a40c-2245e17abc10Post:e9710c16-69d1-48b9-ac78-f7394b8badc9">Re: Brides with Tattoos...</a>:
[QUOTE] I do have a bridesmaid that is utterly covered on almost every portion of her body (no arm sleeves or anything but still) so I'm asking her to cover up any visible tattoos. ... Plus I don't think her tattoos should be the center of attention in my wedding photos.
Posted by mpelosi520[/QUOTE]

<div>I've got the same situation. My MOH has a huge chest piece and one on her bicep and some on her ribs and down her spine. She would be the center of attention, and take away from my special moments. My solution was to ask her to wear a boatneck BM's dress with sleeves. She was completely understanding and had no problem with it.</div><div>
</div><div>I have 5 tattoos and am only covering 2. One that spans across my back will be covered by my dress and I'm going to cover the one on the outside of my ankle with makeup since my dress is tea-length. But my small ones on the inside of my heels & wrists I'm just going to leave alone. I like them best anyways. :)</div>

torabeaarmy

I soooo agree with this!!! I have six and the ones that will show I would never dream of covering them up! Its my body and wedding... everyone who knows me has seen them all.

FutureMrsM1

I have a 3/4 sleeve full of beautiful work, my foot up to my calf is covered too, as well as my wrists and right ring finger--sooo it's safe to say I have alot of them; however, I am covering them all. If they peek out of my dress somewhere then fine--it's me! BUT it is still my wedding, the tattoos are meaningful, important and most of all me but I think there is a time and place to have tattoos blazing for everyone to see. Maybe the wedding isn't the first place to show off the work....after all, you have every other day of your life to let them be seen. My wedding day is a complete fairy tale and they just aren't the appropriate "accessory" for my dream wedding aaaahhhhh I can't wait!

jessiefletch5

I have a blue and green sun (smaller than the diameter of a soda can) on my upper back that i absolutely love.  I've just had the color touched up so that it will look it's best.  It's simple enough, and fortunately fits perfectly with our color scheme, to show it off on my day.  i bought a backless dress and rather than wearing a necklace, my friend, an amazing artist is going to help me fashion it to look like a piece of  jewelry hanging down my back that I can incorporate on my big day.  She's  got a plan of adding a few tiny rhinestones to make the tips sparkle and is even going to use body paint and a delicate chain to accentuate it and make it part of my theme.  I'll post pictures once I have them!

alaskancoppertop

I only have one tattoo (I am not addicted to tattoos like the people surrounding me that want me to get like five more!!) that I got after my ex-husband and I seperated. My tattoo does have meaning to me, it isnt' just something that I thought "looked pretty" and decided to get (I actually took 3 years to design my tattoo). I didn' thave it at my first wedding, so it wasn't an issue, but when I was deciding on where to put it, the things I kept in mind were that I wanted to be able to cover it up easily, especially since I was in the military, but I wanted to be able to show it off easily, too, without having to wear a bathing suit. Since I had finally gained enough confidence in my body to start wearing spagetti strap shirts more often, I went ahead and put it on my shoulder blade.

When I got married, I actually looked for a dress (I didn't have a big wedding with the white dress, I had a quickie wedding with the brigade chaplin in front of the Vietnam Memorial at the Post museum and wore a pretty green dress) I actually looked for one that was sleeveless and hopefully would NOT cover up my tattoo. When I do the formal wedding with the white dress, I intend to wear a strapless dress. My tatto is part of who I am, it incorporates my children and military service and patriotism and my family's religion... if you have a problem with my tattoo, then you don't belong in my life, let alone attending my wedding.

And for someone who has "strict ideas" on stuff... they can have their strict ideas at THEIR home and at THEIR events. At MY home and MY events, they can keep those opinions to themselves. What would they like you to do, require all your guests to change anything that someone ELSE doesn't like? No. It's your day, everyone (and I mean EVERYONE) should be making whatever reasonable changes they can to accomadate YOUR wishes for YOUR special event (and this doesn't just apply to a wedding, this applies to anything in life... if you host Christmas dinner and someone doesn't like turkey with a passion, are you going to not let anyone else enjoy turkey at your table, or you going to tell that person to just don't eat the turkey and enjoy the ham, iknstead?) and should not be forcing their opinions onto you and expecting you to accomadate THEM.

Wear your tattoos proudly as long as they are not offensive and look good with your dress. Don't hide what you like just because someone else doesn't. Make yourself happy, not just on your SPECIAL day, but daily. No one elses happiness should trump yours in your daily checklist.

cdlopez

I am getting married in 2 months and am actually planning on adding a half or 3/4 sleeve to finish up the work on my left arm. I love my tattoos (and mostly everyone knows I have them) and think they'll look beautiful with my vintage 1958 wedding dress. They're a part of me and I feel beautiful with them.  Do what makes you feel beautiful and comfortable - it's your big day, and you'll be the one with the wedding photos the rest of your life.

pnkeleph

I have a Chest Piece and a 1/2 sleeve. Everyone knows they are there, they only would be covered up if I get cold. My tattoos did dictate my dress a little bit though. The way the wording swoops across my chest (reading "Life is a Symphony") did make me go with a sweetheart neckline. But I didn't sit through all those tattoo sessions (10 for the sleeve) just to hide it away. Grandma and Grandpa are both aware of my tattoos and although they probably are not thrilled, they still love me, with or without doodles on my body.

jess-0207

I have 5 all together. Two of them will be showing, I have eeyore on my left shoulder blade, and the chinese symbol for "Courage" on the back of my neck. I love my tatoos, and have no plans to cover them up. I got them for a reason, and I feel that if I'm going to be myself on my wedding day, why cover something up that is a part of me. I also have one on each ankle, and I plan to get some pictures of those as well. Besides, you don't want cover-up to get all over your dress!

j&b_bullock

I am definitely not covering mine and he is not covering his. What is the point? Tattoos are a lot more acceptable these days.  Why should anyone have to cover something that is apart of them??

vto_823

I love my tattoo so I'm planning on showing it. It's about me and him and we both liek ti so I don't see a need to cover it up.

kangel7

I haven't completely decided on what I'm going to do about my visible tattoos yet (I have tattoos on my shoulder blades, and one in the middle of my shoulder blades). I'm definitely not ashamed of my tattoos, and I do love them. With that being said, I'm not so sure if I want to have them showing, because I'm looking for a more elegant and timeless look on my wedding. I'm probably just going to get them airbrushed for the ceremony, and them have them show during the reception.

psychoticline

I have tribal wings on my back. My dress does not cover it. I also have the 'Super Mario' mushroom on fire at the ball of my neck. The dress doesn't cover that either. Luckily for me (I guess) the wings are black and red, and match my wedding colors. Besides, I've had the wings for years and am proud of everything on my body.

Plus, it looks pretty sweet with my hair up with the dress on. />.<

But I guess if you feel the need to worry about your tattoo's, you probably shouldn't have gotten them anyways, especially the ones that are vulgar.

maisery22

I have one on my right shoulder, I'd show it, but I don't particularly like my arms so I plan on having sheer sleeves on my dress.  I might show a little but I don't care cause I love my tattoo!

TammyWage

I would suggest trying on the dress and seeing how you feel it looks with the dress.  If you think it looks fine maybe accentuate with some glitter or rhinestones.  If it doesn't look right to you then cover it up.  I only had 1 at the time of my first wedding, on my shoulder.  When I was dress shopping I didn't think about the dress, just found one I liked.  if it covered it, great; if not, great too.  The dress I found ended up not covering it and I added a little bit of silver glitter just to make it pop when the light caught it.  It looked wonderful.

Sn2BKW

I'm not hiding my tattoos because I'm simply proud of them , and I've only seen brides cover up their tatoos because they were bad for some reason or another. Nowadays nobody cares in fact I think it looks quite unique I mean honestly its a reflection of you and your wedding should reflect that also!!!