Chastity and style: studying wedding dresses for church weddings

Two lovers often decide to tie the knot not only in front of the state, but also in front of God. Under the painted dome of the church, among gilded icons and burning candles, the couple’s hearts are sealed forever. A wedding is an important stage that involves observing many traditions. These include some requirements for the appearance of the bride and groom. Since dozens of eyes will be focused on the beautiful bride on this day, it is very important to take care of her dignified, beautiful, but at the same time modest attire. You will find out what dress you need for a wedding in a church in this article.

Meaning and Orthodox traditions

A growing number of couples choose to get married in a church after registering with the registry office - some because of fashion trends, some to please their parents, and some because of their own deep faith.
It is worth understanding that a religious sacrament is not just a beautiful decoration. This is the creation of strong spiritual bonds between husband and wife, which cannot be broken in principle. Therefore, you can take a serious step only when you are confident in your chosen one , your compatibility and that this is the same person with whom you are ready to spend your whole life, because there is no procedure for debunking in church law.

The appearance of the bride is no less important. Unlike a secular wedding, the sacrament of marriage requires compliance with certain rules. The image of the bride must be chaste and pure , because on a symbolic level she plays the role of the Church, which Christ takes as his wife in the image of the groom.

Invalid:

• pretentious, too bright, dark details;
• excessive luxury;
• emphasized sexuality - bare arms, knees, deep neckline;
• bare head.

Of course, there is no question of any trouser suits, jeans or miniskirts. The bride must wear a dress, and it must be closed and long (below the knee). Makeup should also be used with extreme caution.
Let's say a light, unobtrusive nude that only slightly hides imperfections. Important! The wedding ceremony is spiritual, which means that purity of thoughts and beauty of the soul are more important, not the body.
Under no circumstances should you paint your lips, either with light gloss or long-lasting lipstick. During the sacrament you will have to kiss the crucifix and the image, so the remaining mark can become an extremely unpleasant moment that spoils the ceremony. In addition, a strict priest may simply not serve you sacred things after seeing bright lips, without understanding how super-resistant the cosmetics are.

Rules for creating a bride's image

With a suitable dress for a wedding in church, the bride’s pleasant efforts in selecting the details of the image do not end. You should also take care of purchasing appropriate shoes, headwear, and choosing hairstyle and makeup. The bride's image should be feminine and romantic, without a single hint of vulgarity.

If, when choosing a dress for an Orthodox wedding, a girl chose a restrained style with a minimum of decor, you can add solemnity to the look with the help of elegant earrings and a thin chain.

Cosmetics should not be bright or aggressive. For a temple, daytime makeup in light, pastel colors, without glitter or “acid” colors, is best suited. You should not choose perfumes with rich spicy and floral aromas. The air in the temple is already quite heavy, and the strong smell can cause headaches.

Shoes

Shoes should be modest and comfortable, with low heels, as the bride will have to stand a lot. It is best to complement a beautiful wedding dress with classic elegant pumps in color, without flashy decor, or with ankle boots if the wedding takes place in the cold season. The following types of shoes are not welcome in the temple:

• sandals and sandals with open toes or bare heels;
• clogs (even closed ones);
• platform shoes.

Shoe decor should be minimal. For example, you can choose shoes with an ornament that repeats the embroidery on the hem. Pointed models are not recommended; they look awkward in church and generally do not match simple and modest wedding dresses. For pregnant women, we recommend comfortable ballet flats in muted pastel colors. If the wedding is taking place in the hot summer, and the girl still decides to choose sandals, she should wear thin nylon socks underneath.

Headdress

The traditional headdress for a wedding is a veil. For church sacraments, only options that completely cover the bride’s head are suitable. When deciding which dress to wear for a wedding, you should pay attention to models that have a sewn-on veil-hood made of light openwork lace. Other options are also suitable:

• head scarf made of translucent fabric;
• light cape-veil;
• thin scarf stole;
• an elegant hat (only if the ceremony does not include placing crowns on the heads of the young).

The choice of hats depends not only on what dresses women wear for weddings, but also on haircuts. If your hair is styled in a voluminous style, it is better to choose a veil, stole or scarf. A hat is suitable for short, loose curls, but its style should not be pretentious or extravagant. And of course, a hat with a wide brim or large, flashy decorations is not suitable for a temple.

A variety of scarves go well with braids laid around the head. It is not recommended to choose dense, opaque materials; for a winter ceremony, the bride may prefer an openwork knitted stole.

Makeup and hairstyle

The Church instructs women to abstain from wearing cosmetics. However, such an important event in the lives of young people takes place only once, so the clergy allow small deviations from the rules. At the same time, it is important for the bride to adhere to a number of recommendations:

1. Instead of lipstick, it is better to choose pink or pearlescent lip gloss.
2. Mascara is only dark, but not colored.
3. There's no need to highlight your eyes. Shadows – natural muted colors, without shine.
4. Blush - pink or pinkish-brown.
5. It is better to refrain from glitter powder.
6. The manicure should not be bright, the best option is classic French, it will suit any dress.

Since a church wedding takes a lot of time and involves putting a crown on the head, the hairstyle should be comfortable and not too high. Long hair can be braided by intricately arranging the braids and decorating them with small beautiful hairpins, fresh flowers or a string of pearls. With such a hairstyle, any dress for a wedding in a temple will look organic. A short haircut will be completely hidden under a veil or headdress. Medium length curls are curled and styled using bobby pins. Do not dye your hair in bright, unnatural colors. Ladies of advanced age are only allowed to disguise gray hair with dye or tinted shampoo.

Low “knots” and intertwined braids at the back of the head are best suited for weddings - such hairstyles will not interfere with the installation of a traditional crown and will not lose their shape during the ceremony.

What should it be?

A miniskirt is definitely inappropriate within the walls of a church: the hem should at least cover the knees. Many brides choose a floor-length dress - this is the most chaste and very beautiful option, emphasizing the tender femininity of the bride and the overall sacredness of the moment. This length suits almost everyone, except, perhaps, short, plump girls. It is better for them to take a closer look at a shorter skirt - to mid-calf.

As for the train, this magnificent element, firstly, is quite inconvenient. There will be witnesses with crowns standing behind you, who may accidentally step on the delicate fabric. If you really want a beautiful dress with a train, then choose a model with a removable accessory that is attached with hooks, buttons or ties. Secondly, remember, this train is an attribute of the bride at a Catholic wedding, so if you are getting married in an Orthodox church, it may seem inappropriate, although the church does not directly prohibit trains.

Dress style may vary. Exceptionally revealing outfits are not suitable - with a deep neckline, open back, shoulders or arms, too tight or shiny.

It is better to choose a modest A-line, Empire, Greek style. It is better to avoid overly fluffy skirts with hoops, but petticoats are quite acceptable.

The decor should be modest but elegant - lace, hand embroidery, beads.

The material of the dress may also vary . Delicate silk, shining satin, and royal velvet are also suitable. Lighter, airier options - organza, chiffon, tulle - are also possible, but make sure that the dress is not overly fluffy. There are a lot of candles in the church, and synthetic materials catch fire easily.

If the wedding is scheduled for the same day as the official registration, where you would like to wear a more open dress, then transformable models with a detachable full skirt, as well as shawls or capes that cover the shoulders, will come to the rescue during the wedding.

The color of the outfit, contrary to popular belief, does not have to be pure white. Moreover, canonically this option is allowed only to innocent girls, although now this rule is no longer so zealously observed.

If you want to adhere to traditions and rules, then pay attention to delicate undertones - ivory, champagne, cream, and other soft variations of white. Any other light shades are also allowed - pink, blue, golden, green, lilac. It is important that the color is not too bright or dark. In any case, you will have to refuse dark chocolate or purple, but otherwise there is complete freedom of choice.

Criterias of choice

When choosing a suitable dress for a wedding, you need to correlate your own vision of the image with religious canons and make sure that no discomfort distracts you from the sacrament. A church wedding according to the Orthodox rite will take at least an hour. All this time, the bride and groom will have to stand, so you should not choose models with a tight corset that will make it difficult to breathe, an uncomfortable train, or scratchy synthetic lace.

Length

The generally accepted length is considered maxi, but the canonically direct indication is only that the outfit covers the knees. Accordingly, midi length is allowed, but in Russia women traditionally go down the aisle in floor-length dresses. It is important to adjust the hem to the height of the bride so as not to step on it while walking.

The most popular midi model is a modest product with a laconic straight cut and a minimal amount of decor. The skirt is slightly flared, the sleeves are long, made of semi-transparent material. The neckline is shallow, oval or square.

Midi Maxi

Plume

American films often show brides in dresses with long trains. However, when applied to Orthodox church rituals, this element is very inconvenient. During the ceremony, the bride and groom will have to walk around the altar holding hands and it is possible to easily step on the train. This detail is more suitable for a traditional Catholic wedding.

If the bride still wants to choose a model with a train, this element must be removable. But ideally, it is better to abandon it altogether - a wedding dress for a woman will become many times more comfortable, and its cost will be much cheaper.

Materials

Dresses for church sacraments are made from the same fabrics as clothes for civil wedding celebrations. When considering which dress is best for a wedding, brides often limit themselves to silk and satin. These materials really look noble, but they are expensive and also tend to accumulate static electricity. Other popular options include:

1. Velvet is ideal for winter ceremonies, but in the summer the bride will be very hot in it.
2. Organza is a good option for warm weather; a nice bonus is its affordable price. At the same time, you don’t need to choose the most budget-friendly fabrics - they resemble ordinary tulle and have a characteristic shine that is inappropriate for a church. The material should be dense so that the silhouette does not show through.
3. Lace – on temple models, openwork inserts on the bodice and hem are placed only on top of the main fabric or lining. The lace can be continuous or fragmentary. The material itself is used only on the sleeves. An interesting option for natural blondes and fair-haired brides is a blue guipure wedding dress.
4. Chiffon - delicate, flowing fabrics allow you to create romantic, light images. Goes well with any decor.
5. Tulle - used in combination with denser fabrics, suitable for inserts on sleeves and creating full skirts.

Plump, short women should choose dresses with openwork inserts; they will distract attention from the extra centimeters and visually elongate the silhouette vertically. You can place them on the hem, bodice or sleeves. It is important that the material is not overly decorated; this would be inappropriate in a church.

Atlas

Silk Organza Lace

Chiffon

Tulle Velvet

Outfit color

Contrary to a widespread misconception, the bride does not have to be in a snow-white robe - the outfit should be light, but the undertones are not regulated in any way. Many girls are happy to change their white dress for a wedding in a temple to pale blue or lilac colors of clothing. Pinkish shades are suitable for young blondes, and golden ones are suitable for dark-skinned women. Also, beautiful wedding models can be presented in the following colors:

• champagne;
• ivory (“ivory”);
• vanilla.

The acceptable palette is very rich, so today the question is “Is it possible to get married in a church in a red dress?” has already become controversial. On the one hand, this is the original festive color for an Orthodox church, on the other hand, the image of a bride implies modesty and humility. To avoid confusion, it is better to clarify this point in advance directly in the church where the wedding will take place.

The tradition of wearing a white dress comes from Western Europe. In Rus', red was considered the main wedding color: by the ornament and color scheme, one could easily determine which province the bride was from.

Popular styles

Despite a number of restrictions, wedding dresses are presented in a fairly wide variety of styles - every bride can choose the right one and look beautiful, slim and elegant on such an important day.

A wedding dress for a pregnant woman should hide the “interesting position” as much as possible: models with a high waist, a lot of pleats and a shallow neckline are suitable.

Direct

A-line Closed

High waist

Folk signs

This ancient and sacred ritual is surrounded by many superstitions. How you treat them is your choice.

Important! The Orthodox Church considers such beliefs sinful and does not approve, but folk wisdom does not arise out of nowhere.

In particular, signs say the following about a wedding dress:

• The dress must be new , and even the bride herself can try it on only once. No long periods of staring at the mirror or taking selfies on Instagram!
• Part of the outfit must be borrowed - a ribbon, a string of pearls, a brooch. In case of trouble in a new family, relatives and friends will definitely help you overcome adversity;
• You shouldn’t let even your best girlfriends or sisters try on a dress , otherwise they will “try on” the bride’s happiness;
• The longer the hem and veil, the longer family happiness will last;
• Gold elements on the dress mean good luck and wealth in the family;
• The stronger the material from which the outfit is sewn, the closer and kinder the relationship between the daughter-in-law and mother-in-law will be;
• You cannot choose separate models consisting of a skirt and a corset , otherwise the family boat may split into two halves;
• The groom should not see the bride in a dress immediately before the ceremony , especially since it is forbidden to choose an outfit together;
• After the wedding, the dress should be carefully stored and not given to anyone. It cannot be worn again or sold - it is your symbol of a happy life and protection from evil.

Fabric and trim

Almost as much depends on the choice of fabric as on the style.

Silk wedding dresses look great. A natural material, the density of which is ideal for creating draperies, and at the same time breathable, delicate, with a noble, delicate shine, will suit a bride of any size and age.

Satin is an extremely common material, very beautiful both in flowing form and in folds. The downside is that the shine is quite bright, so it is best to choose this option for slender brides.

Lighter, airier materials like chiffon, tulle or organza require a thick lining in a wedding dress. However, on the sleeves or neckline such draperies will look absolutely charming, without violating church rules.
Delicate lace, which has many patterns and shapes, is excellent both for decorating an outfit and for its entire upper part , but with a lining.

Shoes and accessories

If the bride's clothing does not cover her back and arms, it is necessary to supplement it with the following elements:

• A scarf or bolero is an excellent choice for this important event. In the cold season, the accessory will make the bride's appearance modest and provide warmth.

• You can cover yourself with a jacket. Elegant models made of silk and satin to match the outfit are suitable.

• For a wedding that will take place in the summer, a shawl or cape is suitable. The accessory is made of silk and lace, chiffon fabric. It is important that the selected element looks harmonious with the whole image.

• Dresses complemented with a hood are popular. This element is made of the finest lace or chiffon and looks very delicate.

• In cold winter, it is permissible to wear a coat or short fur coat to church instead of a bolero. These elements should be combined with the outfit in shade.

• A wedding dress without sleeves or with short sleeves is complemented by gloves.

Listen to your intuition and your heart when choosing your wedding dress. And then the Sacrament of Wedding will give only bright and positive emotions, and will become an unforgettable day of the union of two loving people!

Length

Miniskirts, as mentioned above, are strictly prohibited, and it is unlikely that the bride herself will want to expose herself too much at such an important, exciting moment of swearing an oath of fidelity to her loved one before God.

Otherwise, the church does not regulate the length of the hem. It is possible to have both a strict midi, the main thing is that the knees do not peek out from under the fabric, or a floor-length maxi, as well as all the intermediate options. Remember that it is most convenient when the hem rises 2-3 centimeters above the floor, taking into account your shoes. This way you will definitely not step on and tear the dress.

Color: white and alternatives

The white color of a wedding dress is traditional, recommended for innocent girls, although this rule can be forgotten. Snow-white looks great on dark-skinned or tanned brides, but older ladies with a curvaceous figure should avoid it.

A beautiful blue dress, because the color personifies heavenly grace and purity. This outfit is suitable for blondes, as well as romantic, dreamy girls. Be careful with sky shades if your color type is autumn.

Other color solutions are also possible : from various shades of white (cream, beige, champagne, ivory) to various tones of the light spectrum (pink, green, lilac).

Important! Dark colors are prohibited - black, brown, purple, as well as too bright and acidic colors.

The red color stands apart - on the one hand, it is too aggressive for a delicate wedding look, and on the other, it is extremely popular and historically accurate, because a wedding sundress several centuries ago was scarlet. If the choice falls on red, we recommend asking the priest who will marry you for approval.

Color spectrum

To wear a white wedding dress or to wear a festive dress of a different shade? Only the bride can answer this question. Light shades rejuvenate and refresh the skin. Every woman who is over... A traditional white dress for a bride is not always appropriate and may not play into the hands of a woman over 50 years old. Choose new tones that are not typical for your everyday wardrobe. After all, on this day you need to surprise your betrothed. Cream, champagne, light pink, mint, ivory, ice blue - the pastel range is extensive.

Cream with draped waist

For a wedding ceremony on exotic islands or in the hot summer, active people full of strength and energy will choose rich, deep, but not flashy tones. If they are present in the groom’s clothes or accessories, the duet will turn out to be harmonious and original at the same time.

Greek style

You can choose a suitable wedding dress among evening and cocktail clothes. They are rich not only in a variety of shades, but also in interesting styles for women with different body types.

Styles – evening and non-wedding with photos

Closed, chaste models of a simple style are classic, but there are many other options to suit every taste and figure. Be sure to choose an outfit that fits your figure perfectly and hides imperfections , because modesty does not mean the need to look insufficiently elegant.

With sleeves

The style of a wedding dress with sleeves definitely does not go beyond the church dress code, even if the sleeves are made of weightless chiffon or openwork lace.

Plus-size brides should pay attention to the bell sleeves; however, they also look fabulous on thin arms. A flashlight or wings will hide only the shoulders, leaving the arms exposed. In this case, it is better to add elegant gloves to your outfit, but remember that wedding rings are only worn on the skin, because according to tradition, the jewelry is not removed. Therefore, if you decide to wear gloves, do not forget to take them off in time so as not to do it in a hurry before the altar. An original alternative is the transition of the sleeve into the mitt: part of the bare wrist is closed, but the fingers are free for the rings.

A simple straight sleeve to the wrist also looks very gentle and elegant. It can be made from the same material as the entire dress, or from something more delicate and airy.

If you choose lush lace cuffs, be careful with lit wedding candles: one of them will be in your hands during the entire sacrament.

Closed

Such models hide the chest, shoulders, back and arms from prying eyes, and sometimes even cover the neck with a high collar , and for girls with a long graceful neck this will become a truly royal option.

Idea! Draperies, embroidery, lace, or just a scarf of a different color will be a wonderful decor for a wedding dress. You can combine different fabrics, then, despite the closeness, the dress will still look airier and more delicate.

A closed dress is the most modest style, intended for elegant girls who understand the solemnity of the ceremony, or for older brides. In general, the church allows a small neckline, so you can choose a boat neckline or a shallow V-neckline. The main thing is that it does not expose the skin too openly, and that the dress remains chaste.

Lace

Openwork motifs look wonderful both as decoration and as a single canvas.

It is important to remember that if you use other lace accessories, such as a scarf or cape, you should carefully select the shade. If these are different shades of white, then the darker one inevitably looks untidy.

You should also be careful with the pattern - patterns that are very different in density will conflict with each other , destroying the whole image.

Modest

A-line, straight cut or any other simple models are quite budget-friendly, but at the same time they look very organic at the sacrament , demonstrating the modesty of the bride and without distracting attention from her natural beauty with unnecessary decor.

The absence of unnecessary details allows you to create an elegant, seamless look that will appeal to older brides.

For pregnant

Pregnancy is not an obstacle to a wedding; on the contrary, the clergy believe that it is better for children to be born in a married marriage. But choosing the right outfit becomes more difficult when you are pregnant, because you need to be comfortable.

Advice! Since white is associated with virginity, it is better for a pregnant bride to take a closer look at other shades: from cream to soft pink or blue.

The dress should fit and not be too tight, so it is better to choose stretchy fabric, especially if you are choosing an outfit at the stage of rapid growth of the tummy. Give preference to a loose-fitting style. Empire style dresses, Greek draperies, and a high waistline will perfectly hide the interesting position of a dress.

For full

Nothing can stop curvy girls from looking perfect at a wedding if they choose a dress that hides flaws and emphasizes their strengths.

Closed A-line dresses, Greek motifs, and empire style are suitable for chubby girls. It is better to choose either bell or straight sleeves, without excess volume, which visually enlarges the shoulders.

Be extremely careful with draperies, they will weigh down the look. Be no less jealous of shiny fabrics, large or, on the contrary, too small lace pattern - all these solutions are fattening.

For an older woman

More and more often, couples come to the decision to get married after 20 or more years of marriage, so an older bride needs to approach the choice of an outfit differently than a young girl.

You should not choose white. It will highlight imperfections in appearance. It is better to focus on cream, golden, and other light options.

Elegant closed dresses with a light cape or bolero look good. Choose shoes taking into account your own comfort: if you can stand in high heels for at least an hour, then do not refuse an elegant option.

Suitable styles

The style of the product can be almost any, the main thing is that it sits harmoniously on the girl and complies with Orthodox standards.

Laconic straight dresses

The semi-adjacent hem is perfect for the Sacrament of Wedding for a newlywed with a proportional figure, of any age and height. The maxi option will hide imperfections, and the shortened “Case” model, ending below the knees or in the calf area, will perfectly lengthen you visually.

It's great to choose an outfit with a lace top, sleeves or collar.

Discreet "A-line"

His skirt gradually widens downwards, which means it can easily hide figure flaws, for example, too voluminous hips.

Among the decorated elements, delicate lace, interesting embroidery and pearls fit perfectly into the style in question.

Transformer

The detachable long skirt has become quite popular among girls lately. Designers have added new options to their collections with detachable tops, such as sleeves. This is an excellent idea for the ceremony if it is planned on the same day as the marriage registration. At the registry office and church, it is appropriate to wear a floor-length dress with sleeves, and at a banquet you can unfasten the removable parts.

Also, “Transformer” will fit perfectly into a warm summer wedding.

Greek style

A delicate and feminine style with a light flowing skirt and a defined waistline is considered universal, which will ideally fit a pregnant or overweight bride. For a cathedral, it is appropriate to choose models decorated with a shiny belt and with a closed top.

With sleeves

It is inappropriate to appear in a temple, especially at a wedding, with bare shoulders, so sleeves are perfect here. Modern fashion designers never tire of adding options to their collections with different sleeves. For the Sacrament choose:

• long;
• straight;
• three quarters;
• short;
• free;
• flashlight;
• wings;
• bell;
• lush;
• bat.

The sleeves may not necessarily be made of the same material as the dress. Options made of delicate lace and guipure, as well as translucent fabric, such as weightless chiffon, look great.

Lace

Interesting and romantic openwork motifs can perfectly decorate an entire outfit or its individual elements. Most often, lace is used to trim the back, shoulders, arms, bodice or skirt.

Airy and elegant dresses, as a rule, do not require additional decor, because they are already incredibly festive and spectacular in themselves.

Candid transparent models are not suitable for the ceremony, so make sure that no excess is visible through your lace.

Fully closed

This option is considered the most ideal for a wedding in the Russian Orthodox Church. It implies a closed chest and shoulders. Most often it has sleeves approximately to the wrist, as well as a stand-up collar or a round neck. By the way, newlyweds with a long, beautiful and graceful neck will look royal in products with a collar.

Suitable decor for these dresses will be various draperies, interesting embroidery, lace motifs and fashionable flounces.

Closed styles will wonderfully decorate both an older bride and a lady with full arms and large breasts.

If the ceremony is planned for the winter season, then there is one more advantage of this type: you will definitely not freeze in it and will look more than appropriate and comfortable.

Evening

Many people do not want to specifically buy an outfit just for going to church, so these models will come to the rescue, which you can wear after the ceremony. It is preferable to choose an evening dress for girls who are going to a wedding ceremony not immediately after the wedding, but after several years of official marriage.

An excellent choice of the evening item in question for the role of a wedding item, for older ladies, aged from 40 to 60 years.

It is appropriate to choose the color of the fabric in a delicate light shade:

• cream;
• Ivory;
• beige;
• champagne;
• soft pink;
• heavenly and so on.

Accessories

Wedding shoes should not only be comfortable, but also practical. You should not choose an excessively high heel, because it will be difficult for the witness to stretch almost the entire time of the ceremony to hold the crown over your head. Choose modest shoes in a neutral color, without fussy details. Classic elegant pumps are perfect.

A veil is a traditional element of an outfit, but optional, because it can be replaced by a bonnet, scarf, or cloak with a hood. If you decide to go with a veil, then give preference to models that are attached high enough to the top of the head. According to church rules, women must cover their heads at least to the middle. Of course, the veil cannot be colorful, too short, or too unusual. Be careful with overly layered, fluffy models, as there are a lot of lit candles around. Despite the covered hair rule, your face should be exposed , so be careful when you want to throw part of the multi-layered veil back yourself, without the help of a witness.

A more classic option is a scarf, which can cover either just the hair or be an elegant cloak or bolero that also covers the shoulders, arms, back and décolleté. The material of the accessory can be very varied - from lace to weightless tulle. The color is not necessarily white, but certainly light and not too bright.

How to complement the image

What attributes must appear in the image of a bride walking down the aisle? It is mandatory to select a headdress. Typically this is a scarf, a lace cape with a hood, an embroidered organza shawl or a veil stole. A veil is a spectacular decoration that is considered a timeless classic of wedding fashion.

If desired, the bride can choose:

• gloves or mittens made of lace or glossy fabric;
• wreath or tiara;
• bolero, cape, cape, boa.

The style of the wedding dress and the time of year determine what accessories and pair of shoes will be.

Shoes

Brides dream of high-heeled shoes, but if they have to go through the sacrament of wedding, then the high instep will cause considerable inconvenience. You should not choose stiletto heels or unstable heels. Shoes should be beautiful, but as comfortable as possible. Wedge heels and sandals with open toes and low heels will help out. Utilitarian pumps with a comfortable last are a win-win option.

Accessories

We have already talked about the headdress for the bride. As for handbags and jewelry, accessories must be modest. A moderately roomy clutch is suitable for hiding the necessary little things. The bride won't need the bag in church anyway.

With regard to jewelry, we can say the following: there should not be a lot of them, especially since it is not possible to see the items under a shawl, cape or veil. It is allowed to wear a string of pearls or earrings with stones for the wedding. An abundance of gold is not welcome, because the wedding ring remains the main decoration of the bride.

What to do with your outfit after a church wedding?

It's best to keep your outfit as a symbol of a happy marriage - another reason why it's better to avoid overly curvy styles. It is not recommended to sell or rent such a memorable item, or to cut or alter it.

Sometimes a wedding dress is worn on a wedding anniversary; it will look especially touching on the 20th anniversary and beyond.

Important! The Orthodox Church itself does not regulate in any way the future fate of the wedding dress, and all of the above are not strict rules, but worldly wisdom.

What to wear: stylists' recommendations

• The main thing your image should talk about is elegance and modesty , so choose a simple style;
• The dress must cover the knees, chest, shoulders and back. In the case of very short sleeves, you cannot do without gloves or a cape;
• Don't forget to cover your head. A scarf in a different shade from the color of the dress will add charming accents to the image that do not go beyond the church dress code;
• Be sure to choose a dress that suits your figure. Tight clothing is basically inappropriate within the walls of a temple, but you should take into account your parameters and height. Plus-size girls don’t need to overuse decor and shiny fabrics, and short brides should avoid floor-length hemlines;
• The color of the wedding dress can be white, but it is better to give preference to cream, cream, ivory and other light shades. Leave acidic and dark colors for another occasion;
• The train at an Orthodox wedding is an extra element. Leave it to the Catholics!
• The most varied fabrics are possible - silk, satin, guipure, organza, velvet, tulle, chiffon.

Choose by age and body type

For full

It is always more difficult for overweight young ladies to choose an outfit, and even more so for a wedding, because you not only need to skillfully hide flaws and show off your strengths, but also take into account certain rules.

A wonderful solution for plump women would be the Greek style, which can easily hide large hips and an imperfect waist. The “A-silhouette” can also hide a voluminous bottom. But overweight girls should not wear skirts that are too full, as they will make the look more bulky. Drapery and shiny fabrics will also make your figure heavier.

It is very good to find closed options, with a collar and sleeves.

Feminine “Fish” dresses are perfect for appetizing, but at the same time harmonious proportions and tall stature. In this case, “Mermaid” with long lace sleeves will look trendy.

For mature women

There is no strict rule for choosing a style for a wedding for an older woman. The main thing is that the model fits well, hides imperfections and meets the requirements of the temple.

You need to be careful with glossy material, because it emphasizes figure flaws, especially excess weight.

Straight, semi-fitting and A-line silhouettes would be an excellent option, but fluffy skirts and too-tight “Mermaid” designs are best left to young ladies. And as a decoration, openwork elements look good; besides, lace not only makes you look great, but is always in fashion.

For ladies over 50 years old, a good solution would be dresses with long sleeves, which will hide age-related changes on the hands in the form of pigment spots and imperfectly elastic skin.

A wonderful addition to the look of women over 40 will be light capes over a dress or bolero. This look will make any lady airy, feminine and elegant.

For pregnant

For the church, a couple expecting a child and deciding to get married is not a hindrance; on the contrary, the priests believe that children should only appear in such a marriage. But choosing an outfit for the bride and groom will not be easy, because it should not put pressure or restrict movement, since, first of all, during pregnancy it should be convenient and comfortable, and even more so when you already have a belly. Empire can easily cope with these tasks. The high waistline will cleverly hide your belly, and your gait will be free and easy.

If you are still in the early stages, then the classic “Princess” style, a straight silhouette, and perhaps even a “Mermaid” are suitable.

Advice. A white wedding dress has long been considered a symbol of virginity and purity, therefore, it is better for a pregnant woman to look at any other pastel shade: peach, light yellow, honey, milk, and so on.