Fall Wedding

[Deleted User]

I'm getting married on Oct.1, 2011. I have already bought my wedding dress and it is strapless...I don't really want to configure it by adding straps to it. Do any of you know these days whether or not women get married in strapless dresses in the Catholic church? I plan to speak with my priest about it but I was just wondering if anyone else is questioning their dress if it's strapless.

ring_pop

It really depends on the priest. Mine allows strapless dresses. But many don't.

lmeade62

Mine is strapless too. They know me well at my church, and when I asked, they said they knew I wouldn't wear anything too revealing...so I would ask your priest or your church's wedding coordinator.

Linda

mica178

I was allowed to wear a strapless dress.  So were my two SILs that were married in Catholic churches.

ootmother2

I think most priests are pretty open on wedding gowns unless they're cut down to your navel.

You really should ask though.

clearheavens

It depends on the priest.

I found a lot brides have made detachable straps or worn a bolero for the ceremony or Mass and then took them off for the reception.  There are numerous of very chic options.

linzluvsgzuss

Mine is strapless and I was going to get straps made, but probably won't now. I asked our priest and he said it was up to the mission where we're getting married. I called the mission and asked if they had a policy about strap vs. strapless dresses. The lady's response was something like "we trust our brides to be tasteful so we don't have any specific guidelines". I don't have much to reveal anyways, and I think my dress will be "tasteful". Good luck with your priest

newlyseliski

It all really depends on the church!  I'm re-working the top of my strapless dress to be more of a bateau just because I have no ability to hold it up   Ours simply requested that dresses befit the sacred nature of the marriage ceremony... and recommended that dresses not be too low cut or have high slits.  Strapless dresses are permitted.

If you're more comfortable with some coverage during the ceremony... there are a lot of places that you can get nice boleros or jackets like Davids Bridal and Etsy! 

professorscience

I've never been to a Catholic wedding where the bride wore anything other than a strapless gown.  Ditto PPs, just check with your church (in fact, I know mine gave me a little booklet with information about all the things I'll need to throw together, and there's something in there about attire).

If you're terribly worried or your church doesn't like strapless you could have a jacket made to wear for the ceremony and take it off afterward?

ootmother2

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/cultural-wedding-boards_catholic-weddings_fall-wedding?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Cultural Wedding BoardsForum:615Discussion:cae46c7d-c785-4599-be06-fd5acc143ae4Post:e463ec36-5537-4e42-857b-e8ba098b9f36">Re: Fall Wedding</a>:
[QUOTE]It depends on the priest. I found a lot brides have made detachable straps or worn a bolero for the ceremony or Mass and then took them off for the reception.  There are numerous of very chic options.
Posted by clearheavens[/QUOTE]

sorry, CH, I totally detest the bolero over a wedding gown!  It totally destroys the line of the gown.  Best thing is to check first so you don't wind up looking like you covered up as an afterthought!

If your priest says no sleeveless, simple sheer half cap sleeves can be stitched on to comply with the rule.  M's SIL did that and it looked great.  A bolero would have made her look like a linebacker, as it does most women.

OP, it's a good thing that you're checking in advance.  You are so lucky to have  mica, clearheavens & me dress you ;)

Calypso1977

some priests wont allow them.  its a modesty issue.

ours might have allowed them, i honestly dont know.  it never occurred to me to wear a strapless gown to church.  for me, personally, it just isnt modest/appropriate. 

my sisters MOH gown was strapless but she purcahsed the matching bolero (both were from Davids).  i actually liked hte look of her gown better with the bolero.  it was much more dressy/formal looking.

i would definitely ask ahead of time so you arent surprised that day when they ask you to cover up with any old item.

lmeade62

I think the vast majority of wedding dresses in general are strapless...if you've watched "Say Yes to The Dress," you've seen them have to really scramble to find one that isn't, and they have over 1700 dresses! Honestly, some of halter dresses I've seen on there - and indeed the ones I tried on...are wayyyy more revealing and immodest than my dress is.

Linda

[Deleted User]

Thanks for all the responses. I don't think that my dress is revealing in any sense and I will ask the priest on what he prefers. I don't see it being a problem because I do have a shall that comes with my dress so I can just use that to cover up my shoulders if he in fact does not approve of it. This is my dress and the back is all covered too...I will ask and hopefully I don't have to alter it too much! I will fill you all in when I know more. Thanks again!

Calypso1977

i love the skirt on that!

do you have any pics of it with the shawl?

depending upon how large chested you are, it does have cleavage potential.  IMO, thats the thing to avoid, no matter if your dress is strapless or with sleeves.  particularly when you are kneeling - anyone standing above you (i.e., the priest) can see right down your front depending upon how the top of the gown fits.

[Deleted User]

No I don't have any pictures with the shawl but it is the same colour as the dress and looks pretty decent together. I will have to have my bridesmaids wear their shawls too as they have strapless dresses as well. I am very small chested and it should fit nice and snug when I go for my fitting. She said she will make it nice and tight to my body so there is no cleavage potential. I don't see any reason for the priest having any concerns over the dress if I use my shawl to cover up my shoulders...I'll ask him what he perfers but now that i have the dress and it's paid for there is no going back so I'll have to make something work. I'm about the same size as the girl in the picture with the dress...The dress i have chosen is ivory...I tried the white on and it was just too bright. I love the skirt too! It will be beautiful when it's all layed out in the church  I am also having the lady who is doing alterations pin it up so I can dance in it at the reception. Anyway I'll definitely get in contact next week with the priest and see what he says. Thanks for all the advice from all of you. It is muchly appreciated!