Wedding dress: traditions of choice. What should be a dress for a wedding: the subtleties of selection What dress to wear to a wedding

When a couple entering into marriage is not limited to a solemn civil ceremony, but decides to undergo the sacrament of the church wedding, the preparation must be advance 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 the temple, while not depriving the bride of femininity and attractiveness. 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 not be superfluous to check with the priest in advance whether the chosen model is suitable.

According to the Orthodox tradition, the wedding dress should be modest, chaste. You can not overload the outfit with elaborate, too bright details. Taboo for the bride should be:

  • excessive luxury;
  • emphasized sexuality, seductiveness (so that the newlywed does not lead anyone into temptation);
  • bare arms, knees (therefore, the popular styles of "t-shirt" and "bustier" are not considered as wedding dresses in the church);
  • deep neckline;
  • an uncovered head (some models of hats will also be inappropriate, the ideal option is a modest veil, scarf or openwork stole).

The wedding ceremony lasts quite a long time, so the festive costume should be comfortable so that the bride feels comfortable. If the sacrament takes place in the summer, and it is hot in the temple, you should not wear synthetic clothes. For a winter wedding in an unheated building, you should take care of outerwear that would go well with the dress.



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 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, in which it will be difficult to breathe, an uncomfortable train or prickly synthetic lace.

Length

Maxi is considered the generally accepted length, but canonically there is a direct indication 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 of a laconic straight cut with a minimum 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

In American films, brides are often shown wearing dresses with long trains. However, in relation to Orthodox church rites, this element is very inconvenient. During the ceremony, the bride and groom will have to walk around the altar, holding hands, and you can 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 refuse it altogether - a wedding dress for a woman will become much more comfortable, and its cost will be much cheaper.


materials

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

  1. Velvet - ideal for winter ceremonies, but in summer the bride will be very hot in it.
  2. Organza is a good option for warm weather, a nice bonus is an affordable price. At the same time, you do not need to choose the most budgetary fabrics - they resemble ordinary tulle and have a characteristic sheen that is inappropriate in the church. The material should be dense so that the silhouette does not shine through.
  3. Lace - on models for the temple, openwork inserts on the bodice and hem are superimposed only on top of the main fabric or lining. Lace can be continuous or fragmented. The material itself is used only on the sleeves. An interesting option for natural blondes, fair-haired brides is a guipure blue wedding dress.
  4. Chiffon - delicate flying canvases 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, creating puffy skirts.

Full short women should choose dresses with openwork inserts, they will divert attention from extra centimeters, visually stretch the silhouette vertically. You can place them on the hem, bodice or sleeves. It is important that the material is not overly decorated, as this would be out of place 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 attire - the outfit should be light, but the halftones are not regulated in any way. Many girls are happy to change their white wedding dress in the temple for pale blue, lilac colors of clothing. Pinkish shades are suitable for young blondes, and golden ones for swarthy women. Also beautiful wedding models can be presented in colors:

  • champagne;
  • ivory ("ivory");
  • vanilla.

The acceptable palette is very rich, so today the question “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 the 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 Russia, red was considered the main wedding color: by the ornament and color scheme, it was easy to determine which province the bride was from.

Popular styles

Despite a number of restrictions, wedding dresses are represented by a fairly wide variety of styles - each bride can choose the right one and look beautiful, slim and elegant on such an important day for herself.

Models Description What figure flaws will help to hide
Simple fit Modest concise products, straight and trapezoidal silhouette, below the knee and floor length Skinny hips, too tall
A-line Fitted top, flared hem, shallow square or scoop neckline Broad shoulders, small size and unfortunate chest shape
Closed A-line skirt or straight to the floor, high collar that hides the neck Massive shoulders, unaesthetic hands
Models for ladies in the body Maxi length, high waist, flowy silhouette, thick fabrics Extra volumes
For women over 40 Semi-adjacent style with a moderately deep neckline, a straight or slightly widening hem without cuts and lush frills Full legs, large bust, "roller" on the stomach

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


direct
A-line
Closed
high waisted

Rules for creating the image of the bride

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

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

Cosmetics should not be bright, aggressive. For the temple, the daytime version of makeup in light, pastel colors, without sparkles, “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 a headache.

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 catchy decor, or ankle boots if the wedding takes place in the cold season. The temple does not welcome shoes such as:

  • 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. Pointy-nosed models are not recommended, they look ridiculous in the church and, in general, do not correspond to simple and modest wedding dresses. Pregnant women can recommend comfortable ballet flats in muted pastel colors. If the wedding takes place in a hot summer, and the girl nevertheless decided to choose sandals, you should wear thin nylon socks under them.


Headdress

The traditional wedding headdress is the veil. Only options that completely cover the bride's head are suitable for the church sacrament. When deciding which dress to wear for a wedding, you should pay attention to models that have a sewn-on hood made of light openwork lace. There are other options as well:

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

The choice of headwear depends not only on the dresses in which women get married, but also on the haircut. If the hair is styled in a voluminous hairstyle, it is better to choose a veil, tippet or scarf. For short loose curls, a hat is suitable, while its style should not be pretentious and extravagant. And of course, a hat with wide brim or large, catchy decorations is not suitable for the temple.

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



Makeup and hair

The Church instructs women to abstain from cosmetics. However, such an important event in the life of the young 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 mother-of-pearl lip gloss.
  2. Ink - only dark, but not colored.
  3. It's not worth raising your eyes. Shadows - natural muted colors, without shine.
  4. Blush - pink or pinkish brown.
  5. It is better to refrain from shiny powder.
  6. Manicure should not be bright, the best option is classic French, it will suit any dress.

Since church marriage takes a lot of time and involves putting on a crown on the head, the hairstyle should be comfortable and not too high. Long hair can be braided by intricate braids and decorated with small beautiful hairpins, fresh flowers or a string of pearls. With such a hairstyle, any wedding dress in the temple will look organic. A short haircut is completely hidden under a veil or headdress. Curls of medium length are curled and stacked with the help of invisibility. Do not dye your hair in bright, unnatural colors. Ladies of respectable age are only allowed to mask their gray hair with paint or tint shampoo.

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

Folk omens

There are many folk signs associated with weddings and holiday dresses. Many of them are quite curious. Whether to believe "superstitions" - each bride decides for herself. The Church, however, does not bless us to take this “folk wisdom” seriously. The most common signs and rules:

  1. You need to choose a color very carefully: wedding dresses in beige or cream tones promise frequent betrayals of your husband. Suits made of dark fabric promise a hard life full of hardships and tears.
  2. The groom is not recommended to participate in the selection of a wedding dress, but he can pay for a beautiful wedding dress for a young bride and take care of the organizational issues related to the ceremony.
  3. Ladies who marry a second time should not wear their first suit, otherwise family failures will repeat. It is also not recommended to wear the dress of a mother, girlfriend or older sister, so as not to repeat her mistakes.
  4. It is believed that the groom should not see the bride in a wedding dress before going to church in any case, otherwise the marriage of young people will be short-lived and unhappy.
  5. 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 a mother, grandmother, aunt or other close relative.
  6. It is strictly forbidden to rent someone else'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.
  7. For those who buy wedding clothes in the salon, there is an interesting sign associated with money. Having received change from the seller, it must be hidden and not spent within three months - this money should bring prosperity to the family, material well-being.
  8. Shoes are recommended to be purchased on Friday. For a veil it is better to go on Tuesday, and for a dress - on Wednesday. Compliance with this simple rule guarantees a family life in abundance and contentment. On weekends, you can pick up decorations.
  9. When asked whether it is possible to sell a wedding dress, folk wisdom answers in the negative. Also, do not give it to others - the outfit must be kept as a keepsake.

In order for the wedding dress to sit well and look spectacular, you should take care of its choice in advance, at least a month before the solemn date. For ladies with a non-standard figure, it is better to turn to a professional dressmaker, and for girls with a model appearance, any ready-made standard option is suitable. Particular attention should be paid to the quality of the material and decorative finishes. Following these simple tips, the bride will definitely manage to look like a king on an important day for herself, without violating church rules.

Video

A photo

A wedding is one of the most important events in a couple's life. For believers, it is even more significant than registering a marriage in the registry office. The church union is concluded in Heaven, and the ritual that accompanies it symbolizes its steadfastness, eternal conjugal love. The ceremony itself is very solemn, and the preparation for it is complex, does not tolerate fuss, neglect of trifles. The main questions that concern the bride are: what can I wear to church for a wedding, what should I wear besides a wedding dress?

The history of the wedding dress

A wedding is a church ceremony that united two loving hearts into a single, inseparable union for many years. In ancient Russia, a girl prepared for it in advance: high-quality material was prepared, carefully dyed, a shirt and a sundress were sewn from it, they were decorated with original embroidery. All processes were carried out manually, so they required a lot of time and special skills. Each young bride aspired to outdo her friends, to show her skill in needlework: her outfit should be the most beautiful, bright, unusual. The color of the wedding dress usually had a shade of red, because "red" means "beautiful".

A wedding is not only the union of two souls into a single eternal and indestructible union. It is also a farewell to girlhood, a “free life”, leaving her home to someone else’s husband’s family. What awaits the girl there, how will her life turn out, will she be calm and happy? Uncertainty, uncertainty about the future were reflected in the sad songs, rituals that accompanied the bride while preparing for a trip to church.

Initially, a wreath of flowers was placed on the bride's head. Then it was replaced by a headdress in the form of a piece of fabric, fixed with a metal hoop, then a kokoshnik became part of the wedding attire. The girl's hair was loose or braided into two braids.

In the 15th century, the fashion came to get married in outfits made of heavy, luxurious brocade. Skillfully embroidered with pearls, beads, precious stones, gold and silver threads, brocade dresses weighed 10-15 kg. The bride needed to have sufficient strength to bear this weight during the church ceremony and then at the festive feast. But this concerned only noble ladies, the daughters of wealthy people with prosperity. Peasant women still wore beautiful sundresses sewn with their own hands, over which aprons were put on, as a sign of thrift, thrift of the future mistress.

An outfit that resembles the current white wedding dress appeared in the 18th century. This was preceded by a decree of Peter I, which required Russian women and girls to wear European dresses. Catherine II was the first in Russia to wear a white wedding dress. And until now, the white color is associated with purity, purity, chastity.

Wedding and wedding: are there any differences?

As with any church ceremony, you need to prepare for the wedding: go through the sacrament of communion, confess. In the modern church, weddings are booked in advance, determining the day and hour of the solemn ceremony. In the list of mandatory items that young people should bring with them:

  • Marriage certificate;
  • wedding rings;
  • wedding icons;
  • towels and so on.

For the wedding, the bride puts on a special wedding dress. Many people think that you can get married in a wedding dress, the same one that was bought to visit the registry office. Is it so?

Usually two such important events are not planned on the same day. They can be difficult to match in time. Yes, and psychologically it is quite difficult. Some couples decide to get married after a long life together, 5, 10 or even 30 years after the wedding. Of course, more than one dress will not withstand so many years of “waiting”, moreover, the figure of the “bride” can undergo significant changes.

The church does not impose any prohibitions and does not give advice on wedding attire, except for the usual rules for visiting the cathedral.

  • The dress should be with a closed back, shoulders, moderate neckline. A classic wedding dress does not quite fit these rules, or open parts of the body will need to be covered with something (cape, scarf, shawl).
  • Hands, at least to the level of the elbow, also need to be closed. It does not have to be sleeves made of dense fabric, wedding dresses with sleeves made of lace, guipure, and other thin, translucent fabric are now in fashion.
  • Do not try to impress the audience by coming to the wedding in an ultra-short, outrageous suit. The best option for the length of the dress is “on the floor”.
  • Among the traditions of the peoples of the Catholic faith, it is considered important that the bride be in a wedding dress with a train. The longer the train, the happier life together will be. This is not accepted among Orthodox peoples.

When elderly people go down the aisle or the bride is pregnant, then talking about purity and innocence is no longer appropriate. the dress can be of any shade, mostly pastel, light colors: pink, blue, peach, beige, pearl gray. You should refrain from bright, colorful outfits. Moreover, do not choose dark colors, because in our church black is the color of sadness, mourning.

What to add to a wedding dress?

But what to do if the wedding dress has already been bought and it does not quite comply with church canons, and the newlyweds simply do not have money to buy a special wedding dress? What can be worn on the head, how to cover the open shoulders, back, chest?

  • For the cold season (winter, late autumn, early spring), you can use fur outerwear: bolero, stole, vest, short fur coat. Will the wedding take place in a large cathedral or, conversely, in a small, unheated rural church? Ask church employees in advance about the temperature regime inside the church. This will help determine the need for outerwear for the bride and groom.
  • In the warm season, the situation will be saved by the addition of openwork, thin lace, and light guipure. It can be a variety of capes, shawls, boleros, elegant jackets, voluminous scarves, combined with the rest of the outfit in style and texture of the material.
  • A veil will help solve several problems at once: cover both the head and open parts of the body. Of course, in this case, it should be long, and the bride will have to practice so that while walking, the veil does not accidentally reveal what needs to be hidden from prying eyes.
  • You can add short sleeves and cover your hands with long lace or satin gloves to match the dress.

It should be noted that a woman cannot be in church with her head uncovered. If the bride is getting married in a wedding dress, then the best way out is a veil. Her choice, fastening will be determined by the hairstyle that the stylist will build for you. To keep the tradition enough to cover the back of the head. But you can choose another type of decoration: a thin cape, a scarf, which are easy to throw on your head just before entering the church, while there will be no fear of damaging your hair.

The wedding ceremony involves the use of special church utensils - crowns. In different churches, they are used in different ways: they are either put on the head, or simply held on top, without lowering to the end. When ordering a wedding, ask the ministers how the ceremony goes with them. This will help to correctly determine the type of hairstyle and model of the veil.

The final touches of the image

But a wedding outfit is not only a dress and a veil. The marriage ceremony takes a rather long period of time, during which the bride and groom will have to stand all the time. Wedding shoes with high heels will create significant difficulties, so you need to get another pair: low flat wedges, ballet flats. In addition, there is a sign that you need to get married in closed shoes. These can be shoes, boots, ankle boots or ankle boots, depending on the weather, but not sandals.

Well, the final touch, without which it is impossible to imagine a modern bride - makeup. Going to church imposes certain restrictions on the choice of decorative cosmetics. It cannot be too bright, especially when using lipstick. It is best not to use it at all before the wedding, because in the course of the ceremony, the young will repeatedly touch the icons and the cross with their lips.

A wedding is a church sacrament that has become very popular recently both among newlyweds and among married couples who have been married for several years. The ceremony is a rather decisive step, to which the spouses must approach thoughtfully and seriously. Particular attention should be paid to the wedding dress in the church. For suitors, the church does not put forward any requirements.

Basic requirements for along

It has become fashionable to hold a church wedding not on the same day as an official wedding, but after some time or even after years of family life. When preparing for the ceremony, it is worth remembering that this is not just another trip to the temple for a celebration, this is a sacred rite that has great spiritual significance and will connect you with your spouse at a higher level than the seal in the registry office.

If to the suit of the groom there are no special requirements, the main thing is that it should be of a soft color and unsportsmanlike, then there are a number of recommendations for the bride's dress. So, a wedding dress for women should be:

  • below the knee;
  • slightly fit the figure;
  • noble soft color;
  • chest and shoulders should be covered;
  • minimal presence of shiny decorative elements.

The ideal length for a church wedding dress should be floor-length, but the Christian religion allows the bride to choose festive clothes that cover her knees and are not very tight-fitting. It is also customary among Catholics for girls to enter the temple in completely closed long dresses with long trains.

Bridesmaid color scheme should be non-flashy tones without bright applications or transparent inserts in intimate places. For a wedding dress, the following colors are suitable:

  • white and all its shades;
  • golden and all its shades;
  • pale pink tones;
  • mint shades;
  • always stylish beige.

Do not opt ​​for a dress for a church ceremony with shiny sequins and many multi-colored stones. From the decor, elegant pearl trim or a belt of a different color is allowed, but not very eye-catching.

A sleeve for a wedding dress can be as long as possible, or take up ¾ of the arm. If the dress is sleeveless, you should wear high gloves. If the outfit is with open shoulders and back, then you should wear a bolero, cape or a shawl that will cover both the head and hide the inadmissible bareness of the body.

Customize to fit

The style of the dress, as mentioned above, should not tightly fit the figure of the wedding person. Fortunately, the modern fashionable wedding industry presents brides with a wide selection of models for various budgets and needs. Depending on the figure and financial capabilities, you can buy a wedding dress in boutiques or online stores.

If in a bridal salon there is an opportunity to try on what has been chosen, then in a virtual boutique everything is much simpler, to select a model, you can first scroll through a number of albums and only then go for a fitting, which will significantly reduce the time spent by modern brides.

The most popular style in the modern world of wedding fashion is Kate Middleton's wedding dress, which, after the wedding dress of Princess Diana, is recognized as the most sophisticated and stylish ceremonial outfit. Modesty, here is an important feature for the image bride and future wife before God.

So, among the models it is worth noting the following:

Let's consider each option in turn. So, A-line dresses have never gone out of fashion and have always been popular with brides from different countries. This cut suits any figure and emphasizes the innocence of the bride. A modest wedding look is the standard of the world of official ceremonies.

There are no special requirements for a wedding dress with sleeves. Here the flight of fancy can also stop at the classic long lace, as well as flares and lanterns. Particularly large and prominent puffs are not welcome.

A fully closed wedding dress provides for complete concealment from prying eyes of parts of the bride's naked body. In this model there are both long sleeves and a closed back, chest and shoulders. Some variations even provide for a low or high, at the discretion of the woman, collar.

A separate topic of conversation is a lace outfit or a wedding suit with lace inserts on the sleeves or back. Note what this model will make of any bride a fragile unearthly creature that you want to protect and carry in your arms.

Look for special brides

If a married couple decided to get married a few years after the marriage, then you can opt for an ordinary evening dress. In this case, you should not lose sight of the requirements for length and color.

Owners of various types of figures, both thin and appetizing female representatives, go down the aisle. In the fashion industry, there is a special focus that develops wedding dresses for full brides. Dresses for such girls will help not defiantly emphasize the dignity, and skillfully hide the flaws.

It also happens in life that women in position also go down the aisle and decide on the ceremony of the church sacrament. In this case, it is worth considering the duration of the bride's pregnancy so that she is comfortable in the temple and looks harmonious. Particular attention should be paid to the abdomen and make sure that the dress skillfully covers it.

Having lived with her husband in marriage for more than a dozen years, women over 40 also get married. In this case, you should opt for a long outfit of a golden or flesh-colored hue. It is also worth paying attention to closed styles so that the bride looks organic in them. In no case should a woman of forty years old choose a white wedding dress, as it will emphasize the lady's middle age.

Attention to the nuances

If the couple's budget is limited, then you can choose an inexpensive wedding dress and decorate it with an interesting accessory. In cold weather, you can come to the temple for the ceremony in a coat to match your outfit or throw on an appropriate sheepskin coat.

When choosing an outfit for a wedding, weather conditions should also be taken into account. If the ceremony is scheduled for the winter months, then it is more appropriate to opt for a closed dress. The summer heat will simply exhaust the owner of a long closed dress, so you just need to cover your shoulders and arms with a scarf or a light scarf.

Note that it is not necessary to buy a new dress for a church ceremony if your wedding dress meets most of the requirements for a wedding dress. A little imagination and a formal outfit will get a new life and will look relevant.

The church recalls that the dress in which the wedding took place, as well as the attributes of the ceremony, cannot be sold or given away somewhere for the sake of one's own safety. All this should be kept in the house and perform the function of protecting the family from adversity.

It is known from history that our ancestors initially chose a wedding dress not white, but went down the aisle in red sundresses and embroidered shirts, since such an outfit emphasized the innocence and beauty of the girl, and also showed her needlework skills. The first bride in Russia, who chose a white dress for the wedding, was Tsarina Catherine I. I. .

wedding dress











A wedding is a sacrament. The couple creates their own little church before God. The two agree that they are ready to walk with each other together all their lives, knowing sorrows and joys. As you can see, the rite is not only touching, but also very responsible. That is why special requirements are imposed on the wedding dress for the wedding and the image of the bride as a whole.

What it is?

A wedding dress is a special dress chosen by the bride for a church ceremony. There are a number of rules by which an outfit is considered appropriate or inappropriate. The main thing - you need to remember that the outfit is designed to emphasize the modesty, decency and chastity of the bride.

How to choose a wedding dress (rules)

Portal for brides Wedding.ws has collected the rules according to which a dress will be considered appropriate for a wedding in the Orthodox Church. The bride should choose:

  • namely the dress (a trouser suit is strictly not allowed);
  • restrained dress that emphasizes the modesty of the bride;
  • it is desirable that the skirt be on the floor (the skirt of the minimum allowable length should cover the knees);
  • shoulders, back, décolleté, arms to the elbow should be covered (at least with a veil);
  • the head of the bride must be covered (veils are enough);
  • it is desirable that the dress be white, although delicate pastel colors are allowed;
  • a wedding dress can be decorated, but within reason;
  • a train is allowed, however small or clip-on (a train is more of a Catholic than an Orthodox tradition; besides, a crown will be held over you);
  • a puffy dress is allowed, but it should not be huge, again due to the requirement for modesty of the image of the bride and for practical reasons (so either remove the rings or prefer A-line models with flared or flowing skirts).



What outfit is not suitable for a church wedding?

Wedding dresses cannot be too revealing or extravagant. So the seductive mermaid style will have to be abandoned. Mini dresses and some midi dresses that show off the knees are not allowed. Also, the Orthodox Church will in no case approve trousers on the bride. According to popular beliefs, the outfit should be solid, i.e. the top and bottom of the outfit must be sewn. Therefore, many refuse skirt suits. A “richly” decorated dress with numerous frills, draperies, rhinestones and other decorative elements, as well as catchy accessories on the bride, are condemned. Yet the main thing in the bride - the inner self-esteem.

Which model to choose?

The dress should be modest and meet many criteria. But modest doesn't mean boring. We have selected for you the most interesting models of wedding dresses with photos.

A closed dress is one of the best options for a sacrament. On the one hand, it satisfies all the requirements of the Orthodox Church. On the other hand, the bride will be satisfied with his style, because a closed dress is one of the modern trends. In addition, the back, arms and décolleté area can be covered not with a dense fabric, but with exquisite lace and thin veils. As a result, closed wedding dresses are elegant, sophisticated and really stylish.



For a wedding in the Orthodox Church, you can choose a dress in a straight cut or A-line style. Classic is always in fashion. In addition, such dresses, as a rule, are sewn from dense high-quality satin and do not require an abundance of decorative elements.


For summer weddings, pay attention to dresses with flowing skirts in the Greek or Empire style. They are not lush, so they will not shock the audience in the church, but on the other hand, their lightness and numerous folds will make the image romantic and tender. However, most likely, you will have to choose a cape or bolero for the dress, because. the upper part of such dresses is usually open.


A wedding dress gives you a reason to pay attention to interesting models with sleeves. Long, three-quarters, "bat" - here wedding salons offer a lot of options. A dress with short sleeves is also possible, especially in the hot season and in combination with a long veil that can cover the arms. The only thing is to coordinate such a dress in advance with the priest.


An interesting option is a dress in the style of the 50s. They are stylish and in all respects suitable for a wedding. The length of the skirt is below the knees, the skirt is moderately puffy, the back and shoulders are closed, often this dress has sleeves, and if not, then the dress will perfectly complement the bolero.


Simple dresses are also suitable for a wedding, for example, evening dresses, casual dresses or a modest outfit on the second day of the wedding. Such models are relevant if you decide to get married after several years of family life. The church requires a couple to be spiritually ready to marry before God. And compliance with the rules regarding the outfit is a consequence. And certainly the church does not oblige the wearing of a solemn dress.

For an older woman, the rules about choosing a wedding dress remain unchanged. So, older women can choose a dress of one of the models listed above. In addition, in your case, colored dresses are quite acceptable, the main thing is that the shade is not bright.


Wedding accessories

A veil (long or short), a headdress (veil, hat) or a scarf is a must-have accessory for a bride who goes to church. The image of the bride is perfectly complemented by special wedding capes: sewn boleros and a veil with a hood. They are made of lace or translucent fabrics, are easy to put on and look very beautiful. The wedding attire of the bride will be harmoniously complemented by a stole, bolero, fur cape, jacket, especially if you want an open wedding dress. From jewelry, give preference to laconic earrings and a bracelet. Considering that a cross will hang around the neck, the necklace will have to be abandoned. Although a thin chain goes well with modest pearl beads, the website www.svadebka.ws believes.

Instruction

The first thing to consider is the color of the wedding dress. It should be white or any other light color. Of course, most often brides choose a white dress. But now it is not uncommon to see a newlywed in a red, green, purple dress. These colors are absolutely not suitable. The bride's dress should not be too bright or dark. In addition to the traditional white, beige, ivory, light blue, pink, cream are allowed. However, there is one "but". Often couples who have been legally married for several years, often already having children, decide. And in this case, priests usually recommend not choosing a white dress. After all, the essence of the snow-white outfit of the bride is in her innocence, even if in fact this is not so. Therefore, a bride who has children, is pregnant, or just looks strange by the standards of the church for a long time. In this case, any other light shades are the best choice.

The second nuance is that the wedding dress should not be too open. The church does not welcome the neckline, open shoulders and back. The length should not be above the knee. Of course, in the registry office and at a wedding celebration, any bride wants to look beautiful and sexy, and it’s a pity to hide her figure in a closed dress. Especially if it's a hot summer outside. There are two ways out of this situation. You can buy two dresses - one for a wedding party, the other for a wedding. True, this option is very expensive, and not every girl can afford such a luxury. But there is another way out - in the church to cover all the "immodesty" with a bolero, cape, stole. Shoulders can be covered with a falling veil. If the arms are open, then gloves should be matched to the dress to the elbow.

As for the material from which the wedding dress should be sewn, there are no restrictions. But all kinds of rhinestones, beads and other shiny and iridescent details should be few, or not at all. But this does not mean that the dress should be very simple and inconspicuous. Feel free to choose satin, chiffon, lace. Popular dresses with a voluminous skirt on the rings are acceptable, but excessive splendor is still not needed. In the West, a fairly popular attribute of a wedding dress is a long train. Of course, this is beautiful, but this attribute has nothing to do with the Orthodox tradition and is more appropriate for a wedding in the Catholic Church.

As you know, a woman is allowed to enter the church only with her head covered. Therefore, during the wedding ceremony, the bride must have a veil on her head, or a stole, a gas scarf. But a hat as a headdress is not very suitable for the reason that crowns are held over the heads of those who are getting married - church crowns, which is why the ceremony bears such a name. If the bride has a hat on her head, it is simply inconvenient.