When a couple getting married is not limited to a solemn civil ceremony, but decides to undergo the church sacrament of wedding, preparation must be early and thorough. In addition to the spiritual component, confession and communion, a more mundane aspect is also important - the choice of clothes and accessories for the bride. A well-chosen wedding dress, as well as a headdress and shoes, should look appropriate in a church, without depriving the newlywed of her femininity and attractiveness. When solving this difficult task, it is important to take into account not only your own wishes, but also church canons. And in order not to make a mistake with the choice of style, length and decor of the outfit, it would be a good idea to check with the priest in advance whether the chosen model is suitable.
Bride's dress for a wedding in a church: style, length, allowed colors
Wedding attire should be simple and modest. To perform the ceremony, it is better to choose models without excesses in decor. For decorations, small beads and neat lace are allowed.
Ideally, the dress for performing the sacrament is completely closed without decoration. This outfit should have a round neck, collar, long sleeves and hem. Noble maidens of the 19th century wore similar clothes. Today, not all modern women are ready to try on such a strict image.
To meet church requirements, open wedding dresses began to be complemented with scarves and capes. Lightweight fabric hides bare areas and makes a woman's appearance clean and chaste.
Suitable dress for a wedding:
- A-line;
- Empire;
- in Greek style;
- fitted;
- straight cut;
- with sleeves;
- lace
It is worth giving up too full skirts and trains. The first detail of the outfit in the church sense contradicts the image of a modest girl, the second can cause inconvenience during the ceremony. Witnesses standing behind will step on the hem and be distracted. Unlike the Catholic faith, in Orthodoxy it is not customary to wear a train.
The dress for a wedding in a church must be closed. Its style lacks a short hem, a deep neckline and a cutout at the back.
In the case when a girl wants to be at an official and church ceremony in the same outfit, she will have to cover the bare areas of her body with a cape. A transforming dress can solve your appearance problem. In it, the parts are unfastened with one movement of the hand.
Short, plump girls who don’t like a full-length model can wear a mid-length dress that completely covers their knees. There are no restrictions on materials. These can be either natural or synthetic fabrics.
In addition to the wedding dress, you can get married in any other outfit that suits the style. It is made mainly in white, milky, beige, apricot, gold or other light shades. It is strictly forbidden to wear dark clothes to the ceremony. In the Orthodox understanding, black and its undertones are the color of mourning. Dresses decorated with colored patterns are not suitable for weddings.
As a finishing touch, wear low heels or ballet flats. It will be very problematic to stand the ceremony on a 10-centimeter stiletto heel.
When going to church, avoid wearing bright makeup. On the day of the ceremony, forget about the existence of ultra-resistant red lipstick, gloss, and shadows. The ideal option for such an event is nude makeup.
Instead of flowing curls and extravagant backcombing, it is better to make a neat bun.
Decorations should be in a minimalist style. Leave bulky shiny necklaces and rings for going out.
Folk signs
There are many folk signs associated with weddings and festive dresses. Many of them are quite interesting. Whether to believe “superstitions” is up to each bride to decide for herself. The Church does not give its blessing to take this “folk wisdom” seriously. The most common signs and rules:
- You need to choose the color very carefully: wedding dresses in beige or cream tones promise frequent infidelity from your husband. Suits made of dark fabric promise a hard life, full of hardships and tears.
- The groom is not recommended to participate in choosing a wedding dress, but he can pay for a beautiful wedding dress for a young bride and take on organizational issues related to the ceremony.
- Ladies who are getting married for the second time should not wear their first suit, otherwise family failures will be repeated. It is also not recommended to wear the dress of your mother, friend or older sister, so as not to repeat her mistakes.
- It is believed that under no circumstances should the groom see the bride in a wedding dress before going to church, otherwise the marriage of the young people will be short-lived and unhappy.
- The ideal option is a festive outfit, sewn by the hands of the bride herself: it will be charged with positive energy and guarantee a happy union. It is also good to get married in a suit sewn by the hands of your mother, grandmother, aunt or other close relative.
- You are strictly forbidden to rent other people's wedding suits. If the bride saves on the most important outfit, then she will have debts all her life. Therefore, to the question “Is it possible to get married in someone else’s dress?” the answer will only be negative.
- For those who purchase wedding clothes in a salon, there is an interesting sign related to money. Having received change from the seller, it must be hidden and not spent for three months - this money should bring prosperity and material well-being to the family.
- It is recommended to purchase shoes on Friday. It is better to go for a veil on Tuesday, and for a dress on Wednesday. Compliance with this simple rule guarantees family life in prosperity and contentment. On weekends, you can pick out decorations.
- When asked whether a wedding dress can be sold, folk wisdom answers in the negative. Also, you should not give it to others - the outfit should be kept as a keepsake.
In order for the wedding dress to fit well and look impressive, you should take care of choosing it in advance, at least a month before the special date. For ladies with a non-standard figure, it is better to turn to a professional dressmaker, and for girls with model appearance, any ready-made standard option will suit you. Particular attention should be paid to the quality of the material and decorative finishing. By following these simple tips, the bride will definitely be able to look like a royal on her important day, without violating church rules.
Dress for a mature woman
A wedding is a sign that both representatives of the couple are completely confident in their feelings and feel a kinship of souls. Understanding of these values does not always come at the same time as marriage registration. Those who decide to get married at 30 or 35 years old should give preference to dresses with a hem that widens at the bottom when choosing clothes. This style looks beautiful and elegant.
A church wedding dress for a 40-year-old woman should be light beige, gold or sand color. Pastel shades of other tones are also great. At 50, you can highlight your own beauty and the atmosphere of the venue by wearing a dress with guipure inserts. They will make imperfections invisible and the image elegant.
The church allows the ritual to be performed even in old age. At 55 and 60 years old, it is customary to wear dresses of simple closed styles in one of pastel colors for weddings.
The veil and snow-white color are a symbol of purity. Only a woman who is getting married for the first time has the right to use them in creating a bow. What's remarkable is that she must be young.
Choosing a gift
What do guests give the newlyweds as a wedding gift? Since you will be present at a ceremony that has a deep spiritual meaning, the usual wedding gifts will not be suitable here. Household appliances, a certificate for visiting a beauty salon, a trip to Hawaii - all these are useful and pleasant things, but mundane. Present them during civil registration at the registry office. Why should young people not be embarrassed?
- Gifts with playful hints. For example, cheerful kitchen aprons that imitate a naked body or an expensive nightgown for the bride.
- All kinds of talismans. Moreover, both the Chinese “money toad” with a coin in its mouth and the original Slavic amulets are prohibited. Even the currently popular panels with the Brownie “for the prosperity of the house” are not the best choice.
- Dangerous and aggressive presents. Knives, guns and other “murderous” symbols have no place in the church.
And yet, what do wedding guests give to a pair of young (or not so young) spouses?
- Spiritual books, prayer books, the Bible in an expensive binding.
- Icons. Moreover, it is worth considering that the images of the Mother of God and Christ are presented to the young by parents, and the images of the patron saints of the marriage of Peter and Fevronia are witnesses. It is preferable for guests to purchase an icon of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker or Seraphim of Sarov.
- A lamp, oil or souvenirs brought from travels to Holy places.
- Paintings and embroideries on biblical themes. Perhaps even made by yourself.
- Coins made of precious metals with the faces of saints.
- A photo album with a cover designed to suit the occasion.
- Bouquet of flowers. Just make sure that there are no roses, orchids and chrysanthemums in it: the first have thorns, the second indulge passions with their strong aroma, and the third often act as a symbol of sorrow.
And finally, let us mention one more point. It is good if the guests agree in advance who will prepare what souvenir, so that on the special day the newlyweds do not have to receive half a dozen gift editions of the Bible and an incredible number of icons. Then your gift will bring joy to your spouses, and you yourself will feel satisfied that you managed to please your friends.
Author of the article: Svetlana Rozhenko
Orthodox wedding dresses for brides
According to church canons, the main thing in a person is not his external appearance, but his inner world. Purity of thoughts and correct thinking are much more important than any decoration. Despite this, a woman going to a temple for a wedding must look appropriate for the place and have documentary evidence of her marital status.
In special selections you can see photos of dresses for a wedding in a church. Each of the proposed models will be relevant in 2022.
Groom's suit for a church wedding
A man's attire should match the solemnity of the atmosphere. The best option is a classic blue suit, complemented by a white shirt. In order not to reduce the seriousness of the event to a minimum, refuse casual clothing. It's best to save sneakers, tracksuits or jeans with holes for another occasion.
Excessive extravagance is also out of place. You should not deliberately open tattoos or unbutton the top buttons. Unlike the bride, the groom's head should be uncovered. No matter how impressive it may look, hats and caps are prohibited.
Remember the rules of behavior
...And the rules are simple. The entire time the sacrament lasts, guests should stand decorously along the walls or in a place specially designated by the priest, sometimes with lit candles in their hands. You are not allowed to talk, laugh or move around the temple for no reason. Remember that you did not come to gawk at a curious performance, but to be present at the conclusion of a sacred union blessed by God! At such a moment, believing guests need to pray together with the priest for the gift of love and patience to the future spouses to build a happy family, non-believers should patiently wait for the end of the sacrament and mentally wish the bride and groom happiness.
After the newlyweds venerate the icons and the Holy Cross, relatives and friends can come up and congratulate the newly-made spouses and present flowers and gifts.
What can a married couple wear?
Orthodoxy has established uniform requirements for those going down the aisle. Spouses who decide to get married after 10, 20 or 40 years of marriage should dress both formally and modestly. If her figure allows, a woman can wear a wedding dress. In other cases, you should choose a classic evening dress that is below the knees or floor-length.
A man's outfit should embody masculinity and seriousness. It consists of a regular suit with a shirt or thin turtleneck. In the hot season, you can limit yourself to one shirt and trousers. T-shirts, shorts, flip-flops and other everyday items are absolutely not suitable for the celebration.
Pregnant
Just like being married at the time of the wedding, pregnancy will not become an obstacle to the celebration. But the difficulty lies in choosing a wedding dress, especially if these are the last months of pregnancy.
An important detail is that pregnant women should not wear a white wedding dress. Since white is the color denoting the bride’s virginity.
Materials for a wedding dress need stretch for greater comfort. If this is an early period, then the tummy can be completely hidden with empire or high-waisted styles.
Handkerchief
The most convenient option to complement a formal dress. To prevent the crown from slipping off during the ceremony, pay attention to scarves made of mixed or natural fabric. Capes with delicate openwork lace look especially sophisticated and beautiful.
Depending on the size of the chosen model, the ends of the headdress can be tied under the chin, crossed among themselves or thrown over the shoulders.
How to dress guests for a wedding
Modern style presupposes the presence of deep cutouts, jingling chains, and broken holes in the image. When going to a wedding, forget about fashion and dress in classic outfits. Suitable for a guest:
- costume;
- shirt or thin knitted jacket with trousers.
The bridesmaid can come in a midi dress or a full-length dress.
Avoid trousers, jeans and shorts. Regardless of gender and personal taste preferences, sandals and sneakers should be replaced with pumps or shoes. Wearing revealing or casual outfits is disrespectful to the celebrants of the ceremony and the venue.
Is it possible for a woman to get married in a suit?
There is no talk of any trousers. No matter how much you love such clothes, it is better to choose a dress for the sacrament. According to church traditions, a woman should be the embodiment of purity and purity. Only a long dress can convey such a message. A priest will refuse to marry a married woman if she is wearing inappropriate clothing.
The appearance emphasizes the seriousness of the decision made. Jeans and trousers made of any other fabric, covered with a scarf, are unlikely to be a good addition to a sacred moment. Such vestments will not only spoil the aesthetic appearance of the ceremony, but will also significantly reduce the spiritual value of the event.
Hairstyle
According to tradition, crowns are held over the newlyweds during the sacrament. However, you should ask the priest whether they will be kept or put on their heads. The choice of a suitable hairstyle depends on this. General requirements for wedding hairstyle:
- modest styling;
- natural appearance;
- a minimum of bright strands or extravagant highlights;
- medium curled curls;
- low composition.
The ideal solution would be loose hair - a long-standing symbol of a girl’s chastity, honesty and innocence. You can curl them slightly, but it is important not to overdo it.
Short hair should be styled neatly, avoiding the currently fashionable tousled look.
You should choose a suitable hairstyle based on the presence of a veil, scarf or hat: women are prohibited from appearing in church with their heads uncovered. It is important to think not only about what kind of dress you can wear for a wedding, but also how to choose the right hairstyle.
Is it possible to sell your wedding dress?
It is not recommended to sell the outfit that the bride wore in church during the sacrament. Many believe that after a sacred ceremony it is comparable to an amulet. Selling an item charged for family well-being is tantamount to the loss of an emotional connection between spouses. Due to quarrels arising from misunderstandings, the marriage begins to crack at the seams and soon collapses.
Those who do not believe in folk omens can assess the situation from a financial point of view. A used lace wedding dress loses in value from 30 to 60% of its original cost. When there is no urgent need for money, it is better to keep it as a memory. And if you don’t want it to take up space in the closet, change it into a cocktail dress or corset.
Another reason to keep your wedding dress for your church wedding is to show off your figure by wearing it for your 10th or 20th wedding anniversary. Such a family holiday will definitely not be complete without admiration and riveted glances.
Options with a train
A snow-white outfit with a veil and a long train looks truly majestic. The presence of a train in the dress of a bride walking down the altar evokes the admiration and delight of those around her, and gives the newlywed confidence on such an important and exciting day.
The train is ideal for any style of wedding dress. There are several types of cables in terms of length and method of attachment.
There are two types according to the method of fastening:
- one-piece - one piece with the dress, it cannot be removed. But if it is too long, you can attach a special loop to hold the fabric;
- removable - attached to the fabric of a skirt or belt using buttons, ribbons, hooks. After the ceremony it can be shortened or unfastened.
Types of trains by length:
- train-brush - up to 20 cm, usually used purely symbolically at a Quiet Celebration;
- official - up to 90 cm, intended for painting in government institutions;
- wedding - from 1 m and from 2 m, designed for a long journey to the altar in a temple or cathedral, which is why it has such a length.
Is it possible to wear someone else's dress to a wedding?
Signs do not recommend using other people's things for rituals. A wedding and the sacrament of marriage are one of the most important events in a person’s life, which bring with them changes in their way of life and their own perception.
For a happy relationship, it is better not to tempt fate and buy a new wedding dress for the ceremony and wedding in church.
Although the catalog of outfits for rent beckons with its assortment, it is better to spend money once and be confident in what you do. Yes, such an acquisition can hardly be called cheap, but doubts about what will happen in the future or has already happened in the past will definitely disappear.
Marriage is a family bond that is legitimized before people and the Lord. People show a desire to get married in adulthood, when they fully realize the value of relationships. Married women get married in a dress of a modest, closed style. Among all the existing ones, choose exactly the model that suits your figure and complies with strict rules.
