need to cover my shoulders in Catholic church--any suggestions?

[selflove]

I was afraid of this happening. I just found out that in Slovenia I''ll have to have my shoulders covered in the Catholic Church. G*d d*mn*t!

Just kidding.

Can I just take the left over tulle from making my veil, and drape it across the back of my shoulder blades, have each side come across each shoulder and then under my armpits and secure in the back? It would definitely cover my shoulders but since the dress is already in Slovenia I can''t tell how it will look. Here''s an old picture, without the alterations and without the slip. Any suggestions? I think the tulle would be complimentary to the sheer fabric overlay of the skirt. I have like a week to find something.

 

[selflove]

Crap, I''ll post a better pic when I get home tonight.

 

[Jelly]

Yes, that sounds good. Will the tulle be too puffy? What about a wrap?

What will the weather be like for the wedding? It sounds tacky, but I''ve seen beautiful fur wraps that go over the shoulder for winter weddings. How many days before the wedding will you be in Slovenia to play with the look?

That''s a gorgeous dress. Take off the makeshift shawl when you get to the reception to fully show off your dress.

Good luck!

 

[FireGoddess]

My SIL got some matching material to the sheer overlay on her dress and had the ends finished and a tie sewn on the end so she could tie it around herself. I think a sheer wrap would look very nice, and then you could take it off after the service.

 

[selflove]

The wedding is in 2 1/2 weeks and the weather will be spring-like in Slovenia...anywhere from 55-80 degrees, could be rain, could be sunny. I do know that the church will be cold, so that fur wrap looks yummy! But it''s probably too unseasonal for May.

I could fold the tulle flat and even press it to keep it from being poufy. Poufy is NOT the look I''m going for! I''ll try to play with it tonight and post some pictures.

 

[meepcat]

I suggest a chiffon stole/shrug, wrapped around your shoulders, and laced at the back (to keep from bunching up in your arm pits).

 

[DonaBella]

I am not sure what you would think of a pashima wrap. There is a company via the internet...something rockymountain...that can get you a wrap very fast and lots of grades to choose from...from economy to luxurious and silk...I am so tired right now so the name escapes me, but look on google and it should pop up...just an idea...

 

[blodthecat]

I just have to ask....what is wrong with shoulders that they must be covered???

 

[Skylah]

That''s how it is in the Armenian Orthodox church as well. I think it is a modesty thing. My BM''s are wearing matching satin wraps for the ceremony and because i will be wearing a veil and my cress has straps, I don''t need one.

Sorry, can''t really see the dress but is there lace on it/ If so, how about a lace bolero? If not, go with the tulle but silk tulle so it won''t be too poofy and have it over your shoulders and pulled back and tied in a knot/bow or hold it together with a broach.

 

[Moja]

Hi!
I''m quite new to this forum (a long time lurker though) but have introducet myself in the LIW-part.
I come from Slovenia and have been to at least 5 (catholic) church weddings in the last 2 years (yes, I guess I''m the right age) and not one of the brides had her shoulders covered! It''s true that some priests can be funny about it, but usually not with the brides.
BTW - if I''m not too noisy - how come you''re getting married in Slovenia?

 

[ivanadiamond]

Hi Selflove,

My girlfriend bought this lacey jacket since her wedding was outdoors, it looked gorgeous in person and I think she got it at Nordstrom. I took out her face, sorry for bad Photoshop skills~!

 

[Munchkin]

There is actually a Catholic church in CT that will not allow brides to wear strapless or spaghetti strap dresses without covering their shoulders. Brides have used lace, tulle, etc. to create wraps and boleros.

It is a shame that you are just finding out about this now!

Good luck.
Munchkin

 

[selflove]

Thanks for all the suggestions! I gotta do something about this!

Moja--we''re getting married in SLO b/c my FI is from Kamnik! I lived in Bled in 2003 and that''s when we met. He got a transfer with his company to work in the LA office in 2004 to be with me. He proposed last April and we planned the wedding for next month. He asked our priest about the shoulder thing, the priest is actually his uncle, and he still said I had to have covered shoulders.

Blod--I dunno!!!! This is the million dollar question, to me!!!! I guess some catholic priests think it''s not modest enough. Who knows. Oh but don''t get me started on my opinions about the catholic church...FI is lucky I am going thru the catholic ceremony.

 

[LollyBear]

I think using leftover tulle as a wrap would look great. Another option might be to check with your seamstress to see if she can use the material to sew a bolero? Would it matter that it would be a sheer jacket as long as your shoulders are covered?

 

[LollyBear]

Attempting to upload a larger version of the dress for everyone's reference.
ETA: hope you don't mind, SL.

 

[griffitk]

This probably won''t work with your dress, but here is a pic of my favorite bolero! A bunch of bridesmaid lines come with the option of bolero jackets, so you might ask at a salon.

 

[selflove]

Thanks StephensBride for posting the picture and also for the suggestion of getting my seamstress to help! Why didn''t I think of that?!

Thanks Griffitk!

I found a bunch of great pictures in MS Weddings (the issue with all the luscious diamonds on the cover--with a Tiffany blue background, I might add...it''s practically a framer!!) of sheer wraps clipped with sparkly brooches. I happen to have a sparkly brooch and the tulle might work fine.

Now if I could only get home before 9pm some night so that I actually had the energy to see how this might work...

 

[diamondfan]

Covering the shoulders is common in synagoges too...if you are time pressed, a shawl in a neutral color (white or ivory depending on your dress) would probably suffice. they have lovely thin ones with lacy edges or beading, if they do not conflict with your dress. You can order some to see which one works, they pack easily so you can take them with, or send them over and have someone there with a good color sense help you. They are great to have around anyway, if you tend to get cold, perfect weight for summer nights in air conditioning over skimpy tops...