Full Catholic Wedding Mass - Coverage Needed for my Dress???

I have been to plenty of Catholic Wedding Masses where the bride wore a strapless dress. I would check with your priest because some Parishes are more strict.

It's really up to the priest who will be marrying you. Some want it and some don't. Give him a call and see what he says.

By the way, beautiful dress!

As far as I know, you are not allowed completely bare shoulders in a catholic ceremony. Your church should let you know what is required. sometimes a simple strap covers enough. Good luck. Every catholic wedding I have been at with a full mass, the brides were essentially covered (shrugs, lace jackets) and went without that stuff for the reception.

ETA: btw your dress is really cute and you look ecstatic in it!!

It must vary by church/priest because I have been to numerous catholic weddings (in different churches with different priests) where the bride wore a strapless dress. Check with your priest or church secretary.

Love your dress by the way

I heard for the first time this weekend that this whole shawl thing was actually a thing. My sil and fsil both had strapless dresses and nobody said anything. Apparently it varies from church to church and priest to priest. FH says I should ask the priest. I say nope. Better to apologize later. My dress is strapless and nobody will see it until I walk through the door

Definitely varies from church to church. The more conservative the church, the more they're going to want covered up. Every Catholic wedding I've been to, the bride has had bare shoulders.

I would guess that if your church does have a dress code, you'd either already know it (if you're a member of the congregation) or the priest would make it clear when you scheduled the ceremony.

Good luck--and I love the dress!!

I haven't received any information from the church about my dress, or the bridesmaids, and we've gotten LOTS of information and rules. However, I would ask your priest directly.

I am always surprised when I see Catholic weddings where the bride has bare shoulders. In Europe, for anyone to WALK IN to a Catholic church, your shoulders and knees must be covered.

But it seems most churches in the US don't have an issue with bare shoulders. I would check with the priest of your church to be sure.

Ok thanks for all the great advice. I guess I really don't need anything. I'll just apologize later if there is a problem. LOL My church is VERY VERY casual and our wedding will be too.

Hey Shannon - I don't recommend an "apologize later" plan. In some cases I do, but the priest could actually refuse to marry you for any reason he wants. Seriously

Shannon, your priest may refuse to marry you until you cover up. Wouldn't it be better to have a complementary jacket/shawl rather than your dad's jacket over your shoulders?

That dress is so pretty; I love the tea length! Like the PPs said, I think it varies from parish to parish (and priest to priest, for that matter). I've been to several Catholic weddings where the bride wore a strapless dress.

I like it the way it is, but I agree with others- check with the church to see if they have rules about that.

last time I was at a catholic first communion service lots of the little girls wore strapless gowns. I'd ask though.

Iʻm covering it up for my church wedding out of respect to my relatives and the church. When in doubt, cover it up. better safe than sorry!

I agree with the others who said to check with your parish priest. I have been to Catholic Masses where the bride wore strapless and others where they were required to cover their shoulders. It is better to be prepared than to receive a surprise on your wedding day. PS Ilove your dress!

Not required at my church, but I want to be covered for the ceremony. Personal preference.

I've been to several full catholic mass weddings where the brides wore strapless....no shawl/jacket. My own wedding was a full catholic mass and while my dress wasn't strapless there were no guidelines/rules regarding dresses.

I think the priest would have mentioned it in all of the paperwork i filled out if i needed to do that. also, i know my priests really well. all 4 of them. 1 of them married my SIL...in a strapless dress.

It doesn't matter if the priest is laid back, if the church has those rules then he may have no choice but to say no.

I myself would be baffled to attend a catholic wedding in which the bride wAsnt covered up.

A simple 5 minute call will fix this issue