NOT covering up tattoo?

Tallync

I have a tattoo on my back of a heart with angel wings with my sister's name in it.  I got it the day I turned 18 and have no regrets (she died when I was 14).  I love my tattoo and have never heard anyone say anything bad.  My wedding is in August and I'm wearing a strapless dress.  I have no intention of covering up my tattoo, but was wondering if I should get it touched up.  I am 23 now and have never had a touch-up for it.  My hair will be half up-half down and currently goes past the tattoo, so I'm not sure if it's worth the effort and money or not.

What do you ladies think?

dizzinea

are the colors still vibrant and beutiful? because if so then don't bother, if it's looking a bit faded then I touch up could be lovely. I think it's wonderful that your not giving into the preasure of a cover up and that such a lovely tribute to a lost loved one is being shown on the big day!

AlmostMrs.Munoz

If you aren't happy with the vibrancy of the ink, then I would. Also, if you have the finances to do so, it might. I just love how new freshly inked tattoos look! I think it is great you aren't covering yours up, I've seen way too many people say that they are going to for their wedding like all of a sudden it has become "bad" or something. Good luck!

jesi_nickles

I have a tattoo on the inside of my wrist, (and its kinda big) and I have no plans on covering it up. Every one that is coming to my wedding have seen it already, and somedays (this sounds bad) I forget that I have them. (I have 3)

They all have special meaning to me, and only one will be fully covered, and is usually fully covered. So wrist and foot will be uncovered.

CA2MT4EveR

IMO, if this is a tattoo in honor of your sister, who is deceased and will obviously not be attending that day, it would be a disrespect to cover it up.  At least a part of her is with you walking down the aisle.

And without seeing a picture of it, I would not be able to say whether you should touch it up or not.  I think that is a decision you will have to make on your own.

BecW2be

I didn't cover my wrist tatoo, and my photographer got some really pretty shots of it. I think you should get it touched up and show it off!

hayleymajayley

Touch it up! I loooove how fresh tattoos look The black is so black and the colors are just so pretty

My tattoo is quite big, it's on my side, starts under my bra band and goes down past my jeans... and I STILL forget I have it sometimes. I just don't really notice it anymore, and I've only had it for like 3 years.

sonya_hoff

my fiance and i both have tattoos (me with just a few hidden ones and my fiance with a full sleeve), and we use a product called Tattoo Goo. It says it will enhance colors...i'm not so sure about long term color improvement, but it really makes a big difference when you put it on that day! You can find it online, at some Hot Topic stores, and at some tattoo artist shops. 

*BeachBride0410*

Its hard to say without seeing it, but if you haven't thought it needed touched up till now, I am not sure if you need to do it.  I know that touch ups can still cost a pretty penny...but if you can afford to do so, go for it! 

I also have to commend you on not covering it up, I personally love tattoos and have a few myself. 

emmy82087

if it is loosing color and doesnt look good anymore, get it touched up (remember the place where you got it at should touch it up for free). but dont cover it up for the wedding! i have a tattoo on my back on flowers of and a chinese symbol for grandfather...its for my grandfather who passed away a few years ago and i plan on leaving it out and about for the wedding!! good luck!

lrigderaj

Reading the other posts I think I would have to get mine touched up and include it in my list of must-shoots I gave my photographer! I t would be so special for you to flip through your wedding album and BAM! there's a pic of your tattoo and immediately your mind focuses to her. As if she was REALLY there and she will still be in your wedding memories doing it this way. Everyone who has lost a loved one thinks of ways to honor them during their wedding wether be a certain flower, a crystal bouquet pic that reminds you of them, a lapel pin saying 'mother' or 'father' or whatever it may be...how neat is it that your sister is already there, always with you and you can show her off with a freshly touched up tatt!!! Go for it!

sweetie89

I agree with the ladies, DONT cover it up! I would get it retouched, especially if you have been thinking about it for a while, and make it a special feature in your wedding photos. I have a memorial tattoo on my back as well and my photographer is going to do some black and white photos where the tattoo is the only thing in color!

swtasa

My sister has a tattoo on her shoulder that was proudly displayed at her wedding. She got it also at 18 and did not have it retouched. But we're so pale our skin holds the color very well.

Both of my tattoos will be mostly covered by my dress however I'll be getting my daughters named tattooed on my shortly, on my back with her little handprint and I have no intention of covering it up. Why should I? It's part of who I am. I'm also wearing my body jewelry as well.

cellarius

i got some of my tats @ 18 & i'm 23 now don't need them touched up & i'm going cover them. unless it's really faded or something i don't think it's necessary. definitely don't cover it though!

pooh8402

I think it is every person's choice whether to cover up tattoos. if your tattoo means that much to you (and it sounds like it does) and you don't want to cover it, then don't. it's a part of you.

I'm covering mine up, but that's my choice to do so.

Nina+Harrison4E

Most of my back is covered in totally beautiful tattoo work, which means a lot to me. Each piece was created for me, and they all have a story. A wedding is about celebrating your stories, and combining them for life right? No way should you cover your tattoo! It will be a beautiful tribute to your sister! I am most definitely not covering mine on my back, wrists, or feet! NO way! They are a part of who I am, and as they say...take me as I am! However, being a Jewish bride, having a pretty traditional Jewish Wedding, I am conscious that tattoos are a no no. I have actually struggled with the idea of covering them with makeup for the ceremony, and taking the makeup off for the reception. It's something I go back and forth over in my head a lot. I am still not totally sure what I will do in the end for the ceremony. I may just wear a bolero or something, which I would do anyway if the dress is strapless, because it's appropriate to cover your shoulders when in temple.

Tallync

Thanks for all the advice!  If I think we have the money I might touch it up.  I definitely will NOT cover it up.  You all made me feel better about that :-)

sweetlipz

If it's bright and colorful, go for it.  If it is dulling, you might try a sugar scrub to remove the dead skin cells and a thick, shimmering balm to deepen the colors.  For your photos, you can have the photographer photoshop the tattoo out on some of them and you can choose which you like best.

Ken&Cass

It may be cheaper just to have someone go over it with a couple of different colored make up pencils...
I won't be getting mine touched up.
Also, making sure the area is well moisturized will help to darken it.

cukimerrydoll

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_wedding-beauty_not-covering-up-tattoo?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:358Discussion:91a50f88-2912-4939-a276-6633e721d58dPost:df686832-268d-45fc-b692-7fd3e10344f4">Re: NOT covering up tattoo?</a>:
[QUOTE] One of my BM's has about 20 & she asked me if I wanted her to cover them. I said DEFINETLY NOT! They are part of who she is!
Posted by Sarah-Jean[/QUOTE]
That's how I feel about my BMs too.  Three are tattooed, and I want to get some ink - haven't had the finances for what I want yet though.

Not sure about the touch ups, but maybe go into the shop and get a quote (if it's free for a touch up, then by all means, do it!) just to see if it is going to make a difference - even if you're the only one who really notices.

hippie4yahweh

2 thumbs up. 

Ditto PP, only have it touched up if you can really notice the colors fading. 

kristi-ji

I think it's a wonderful testiment to you and to your sister to have your tattoo visible on your wedding day. And please, DO have it touched up. All tattooes fade over time and new ink looks so vibrant and beautiful!
I have a large back piece (a series of lotus flowers that span my back). I intentionally found a dress without a back to show it. It is, as my fiance stated, a part of me, an expression of me which is and always will be beautiful. Talk to your photographer as well. See if you can't organize a shot not only to commenorate your beauty and your day, but also your testiment to your sister.

Thanks

Amymarie_MILLER

I say go for it! Totally have it touched up if its needed, fresh ink looks great, and I think its awsome your not covering it up! I have three dragonflies on my foot, and I really want to have them touched up for the big day!