Tattoos

LDYGTR13

H and I are currently at the tattoo shop. He has a hideous dragon tat on his back from 10 years ago that he's getting covered.

I've always thought about getting a small tattoo somewhere but as I've gotten older and bigger I still want one but I don't know. I'm wavering and I'm in here and tempted.

Talk to me.

Loopyseven

I thought I wanted a tattoo while I was in college, but could never afford one.  Now I'm glad I don't have any.  

Mrs.B6302007

If you don't know for sure, I wouldn't do it.

aleighk1

I only have one that I got for my dad who passed away. That's probably the only one I'll ever have.

Edited to make sense

neelynicole

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_tattoos-2?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:9Discussion:5dddc40b-0689-4c71-98d8-e808d46454d4Post:5aed724d-08bc-42f9-be96-93797c0eb6c8">Re: Tattoos</a>:
[QUOTE]If you don't know for sure, I wouldn't do it.
Posted by Mrs.B6302007[/QUOTE]

That ^^

It's a permanent thing (unless you want to spend tons on removal later). So it's definitely not a whim decision IMO.

mica178

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_tattoos-2?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:9Discussion:5dddc40b-0689-4c71-98d8-e808d46454d4Post:5aed724d-08bc-42f9-be96-93797c0eb6c8">Re: Tattoos</a>:
[QUOTE]If you don't know for sure, I wouldn't do it.
Posted by Mrs.B6302007[/QUOTE]

This.  If I remember correctly, Andy had a tattoo she had removed.  Painful and expensive.

kcscejal

I have a gerbera daisy on my ankle, but I got it in memory of my brother. It's something I knew I wanted and that meant something to me. If you're not sure, it's not something you should just do on a whim.

DodgersBride

If you don't know fore sure what you want I wouldn't do it. What is your H getting?

When I was 15 my mom was getting a tattoo and she told me if I wanted one I could get one right then and there, I didn't know what I wanted so I didn't get one. I have to say I'm glad I didn't get one.

LDYGTR13

That's what I'm thinking. I've always wanted a little blue and orange flower with the initials if people close to me who have passed away kind of hidden and worked into the artwork - but with the ability to add more as time goes by. I just don't know...

LDYGTR13

Ok so I thought he was getting his dragon covered, but I just saw the drawing and it looks like he's just tweaking the current dragon so he doesn't look (in the artists terms) like he's missing a chromosome. I wish I could show you a before pic, it's terrible

almost-a-bride

Don't do it!! Especially if your not sure. I don't have any and I'm glad I don't. I have nothing against people with tattoos, but they will look like crap when you get old and wrinkly. Ew.

maratea

I have 3 and I love all of them. But I thought about each one for a long time before I actually got it. And all 3 have special meaning to me. They aren't just random symbols or Chinese characters that say "I love feet".

LDYGTR13

I'm resisting the temptation for now (especially since I STILL have a sunburn).

Stackeye210

I have 2 tattoos but they're sort of worked into one.  The first is two dolphins diving out of water (because I was a diver) and then below it is the celtic symbol of life that my mom, sister and I all went and got together after my dad passed away.  I almost got the celtic symbol on my foot, but I'm really glad that I didn't....mine are on my lower back. 

teachermegs

I have three and do not regret any of them. I am thinking of getting one more and have wanted it for years. I want my sign on my foot.

If I were you and not sure, I would find something you like and wait to see if you like it a year later. That way you know it is right for you.

specialk84

I got one on my ankle at 19.  I regret it.  I'd been thinking about it for months, but couldn't quite figure out what I wanted.  Once I found a picture in a magazine, I was tattooed within 48 hours.  It's not the biggest mistake of my life or anything, but I definitely wish I hadn't done it.

I'm afraid to find out how much it would be to remove.

tpender13

I spent years deciding on the two tattoos that i have. One across the back of my shoulders and one on the bottom of my back. I love them. I want more, but I'm waiting until I have a firm idea of what I want.

I would say that it wouldn't hurt to talk to an artist and ask them to sketch a design for you. But like PPs said, I wouldn't do anything until you're certain.

Nebb

I have stars all over (on each wrist, 6 down my spine, swirl of stars on each calve) and I kinda want more but I cant bring myself to commit to it. If I do, I want a tiny star in various places, but I cant decide where, so I figure its just a flight of fancy I will get over eventually.

Jeni1090

Here's a thought-if you know what you want to achieve with a tattoo (it sounded like you wanted a memorial tattoo), maybe just tell the artist your initial ideas and have him/her draw a few things up?  You'll know pretty quickly if it's something you want to go through with from that.

mixtapehearts

Personally, I freaking love tattoos. I'm getting my first one in August, and I adore them. However, I totally think a tattoo should have some type of special significance to it, and that you should be fully committed before you get it. So, I'd wait if I were you, and think about it.

Although I fully understand your temptation- I'm an instant gratification sort of person myself, haha

cengle

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_tattoos-2?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:5dddc40b-0689-4c71-98d8-e808d46454d4Post:5aed724d-08bc-42f9-be96-93797c0eb6c8">Re: Tattoos</a>:
[QUOTE]If you don't know for sure, I wouldn't do it.
Posted by Mrs.B6302007[/QUOTE]


This. Don't get a tattoo just for the sake of getting a tattoo.

I used to want one, but I couldn't decide on something I liked enough to have permanently etched into my skin. I took that as a sign that I really didn't want one. And I'm still tat-free, and always will be.

DeadUtopia

My first tat was picked straight off of the wall at the tattoo parlor and while I don't regret it (cuz it does look pretty sweet) I do wish I had thought a little more about making it more personalized and unique. My second tat was the dumbest thing in the world, the initials of my then boyfriend, all nice and big and huge on my ankle. My third was the worst and I don't know WHY on friggin earth I did it...the stupid corny Playboy bunny thing in the typical place. After 3 kiddos and almost 10 years, that thing looks more like a jackelope now and will eventually have to be covered. And my last one, which is my fave, is a huge lotus that covers the ex's initals. This one I consulted with the artist and picked out my own colors and the whole design was hand designed by him with my input, which makes it so much better. If you do get one, make sure it's something you wouldn't be embarrassed of when it's a few inches lower and make sure that it's something that can endure the test of time (ie-no names unless it's memorials or children or something like that) Buuuut I'm a rocker chick and I tattoos.

FutureMrsFezz

I wouldn't do it until your positive of what you want/where you want it.

That being said.  I have 6 that I've accumulated over the last 7 years that I love.  Well one that I don't particularly love but it was my first one and my least favorite.  (A little heart with my name in it on my back shoulder area.)

Obviously it's permanent, I'm not going to preach about that. You're a grown woman, you know that. Just make sure it's exactly what you want.

lisa89760

I have a heart on my foot and I love it!  It hurt like hell and I passed out after....though I am a giant baby and am scared of needles!

MyNameIsNot

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_tattoos-2?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:5dddc40b-0689-4c71-98d8-e808d46454d4Post:6cff0c6c-7da2-4c06-9410-08eb7b7e9822">Re: Tattoos</a>:
[QUOTE]That's what I'm thinking. I've always wanted a little blue and orange flower with the initials if people close to me who have passed away kind of hidden and worked into the artwork - but with the ability to add more as time goes by. I just don't know...
Posted by LDYGTR13[/QUOTE]

<div>This could be really cool.  I would ask the artist to draw something up, and then take it home and stare at it for a few days.  Maybe tweak it or whatever, and if you love it in a month, then get it.  Or maybe get someone good at graphic arts to mess with it.  </div><div>
</div><div>I got a butterfly just to get it when I was 19.  I went out in search of a fake ID and came home with a tattoo.  I really wish I'd put more thought into it.  I like having it, but wish it was less cliche.  So now I've been trying to figure out what to do in honor of my brother for 5 freaking years, and cannot commit to anything.</div>

Bubbalub

You've already gotten the advice I was going to give. But I agree with pps that if you are thinking about getting a tattoo eventually, go ahead and consult with the artist while you are there and have him draw up an initial design for you to look over and think over.

One thing that was really important to me when getting my tattoo was that the artist be a real artist: as in someone who can draw and paint traditionally and use tattoos as their medium. I looked at portfolios and such and when I chose my artist it was mostly because I loved his portfolio and all the paintings on the walls of the tattoo parlor were his. They were oils and though the subject matter was radically different from what I like to paint, the methods and techniques used to paint them were similar to mine. Turns out he owned the shop, was an awesome person in general and was willing to work for trade.

My tattoo is on the back of my neck. It is four intertwined symbols: Taurus, Ceres, Venus and Juno. I got it after my divorce to remind myself of how strong and well-rounded a person I am and that if I could survive that nightmare, I could survive anything.

baystateapple

I have one tattoo, a flower on the hip I broke.  I designed it and thought about it for a year before I got it.  I don't regret it, but I wouldn't rush into getting a tattoo "just to get one."  I think you'd regret that.

H has two HUGE tattoos that he loves, I'm not a huge fan of either of them but eh.  At least I talked him out of getting anything that's visible.  The two that he has now are on his chest and his shoulder blade.

JA2003

I have 8, but each of them have a special meaning for me and I don't regret them one  bit. What I can't stand is people who have tats and when you ask "Why did you pick that?" they said, IDK, or, for fun. Gah! Don't get a tat if you're not sure, please. Get a tat when you have something that truely means a lot to you that you would like to have forever.