Catholic Wedding Dress Restrictions??

I personally have not heard anything about restrictions at a catholic church. My fiance and i are getting married at a catholic church and my dress has both spaghetti straps and a bit of a low neckline.

Ask your church as each one is different. Mine didn’t have any requirements. I inquired about requirements when I called to set up the appointment to meet with the priest.
Some require shoulders to be covered. And, I’m sure being in a church something modest is preferred (no excessive cleavage, inappropriate cut outs, high slits etc)

View Quoted Comment Thank you, and your dress is gorgeous!

Yes, most Catholic churches require modesty when it comes to both the bride’s and bridesmaids’ dresses. Common rules are no low cut or plunging necklines, no cleavage, and no short or tight dresses. Some churches are more strict than others. I attended a Catholic wedding where the brides and bridesmaids were not allowed to have bare shoulders (ie, no strapless dresses), and the bride wasn’t allowed to wear a mermaid style dress (they cited modesty and also that it would cause difficulty for her when kneeling and standing). I assume this is your fiancé’s church? I would have him inquire about the rules of dress for weddings there.

This is what I wore

This probably depends on your Parrish. I would ask your priest directly to make sure. Many brides add a removable wedding dress topper to the dress to respect modesty in a church, then can still wear the same strapless/sexy dress without the topper for the reception.

I’m getting married in the Catholic Church also! No restrictions that I know of... my dress has spaghetti straps and is fitted, but no major cleavage. My long veil will also be covering my back/shoulder area. If there is a restriction, your priest/contact for the church will bring it up to you. If they aren’t mentioning it, then I would assume no restrictions.

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Your dress is gorgeous

It is expected that in a Catholic Church your shoulders are covered. But it definitely depends on the church. Some don’t care, some do.


You can always buy a beautiful shawl or bolero for your wedding gown! There are some really gorgeous ones I’ve seen.

View Quoted Comment I love that dress. I was looking at something similar and I have a similar body type as you. Where did you find your dress if you don’t mind me asking .

View Quoted Comment Thank you! It is a MoriLee gown and i got it from Ve'Lace bridal in Bellingham, MA

View Quoted Comment Thank you!

Ask about it during your pre-marriage meetings with the priest.
I’ve found there can be a HUGE variety between parishes.

Talk to your priest. I have 2 cousins who are Catholic and married not long ago in separate areas and they said they had a difficult time finding anything modest in regular bridal shops. Since they were not allowed to have strapless, spaghetti straps or any skin below the collarbone on display (cap sleeves or sleeveless ok). In that case, check into modest gowns aimed at LDS brides.

View Quoted Comment I love your dress

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Make sure to show this to the priest. I know in the Catholic Church where I live, this dress would not be allowed. That is pretty much across the board for the Catholic Church. No bare shoulders or bare cleavage is permitted.

View Quoted Comment As an update, I got married in the Catholic Church wearing this dress back in 2021. I did not have any issues.