Friday, 25 Jan 2008
With apologizes to Master Shakespeare, that is the question. I’ve seen this asked a number of times, by brides, bridesmaids and other party members - should I cover my tattoo for the wedding? Talk about a loaded question!
Let’s tackle this a couple of ways:
The bride is considering it: Even if you proudly display your ink in your daily life, the thought may cross your mind to cover up for the wedding. Maybe you are wearing something extremely formal and want to temporarily conceal your tattoo. Perhaps you don’t want to answer a million questions from guests who didn’t know you had one. The reasons may be as varied as tattoos themselves.
The bride is requesting it:  If you are the bridesmaid and the gown you are wearing will display the tattoo, I would think the bride will have the final say. After all, it’s her wedding, right? Although, if you’re good enough friends that she asked you to bridesmaid, then one might imagine she knew you’d been inked beforehand. This one I’d have to say is completely between you and bride. Be tactful and tasteful. Looking for ways to respond to the bride? Check out some of the forums discussions at Answers at Yahoo and Aisledash.com for a couple different perspectives.
In either case, if you’re considering covering it up, you have two choices. One - find a way to cover it via a wrap or style of dress. Two - cover it with a concealer or make up. Will a “cover-up” cause a mess? Rub off on the dress? I don’t know. I don’t have any personal experience with those. But the Internet is a wonderful tool and one finds all sorts of answers via the “search” box. Here are two possible solutions for a “make up” type cover:
Test them out in advance. See if your skin reacts adversely and see if the product rubs off or marks the material you’re wearing. Ask your tattoo artists for advice.Â
Who knows? I might have missed a discussion where the bride gave tattoos to her bridesmaids as wedding favors! 
January 25th, 2008 at 1:58 am
I think if you are going to get something permanently etched onto your body, why hide it? It’s obviously got to be important to you, might as well flaunt it! I consider it as art.
January 25th, 2008 at 7:40 am
As my fiance likes to remind me, the wedding isn’t for me (us), but more for her parents…and they are not the tattoo type. So out of respect for them, we won’t show our ink.
January 25th, 2008 at 9:22 am
Thanks for your comments Dara & Jackson! The tattoo subject itself has strong advocates on both sides. Toss in a wedding or two and it can be a debate!
Jackson - I LOVE the fact that you and your fiance discussed it and considered others in that discussion. Sounds like you certainly won’t have any problems in the communication department in your marriage! Best wishes to you!
January 25th, 2008 at 11:19 am
In some cases, you may want to show off your tattoo, because you are expressing who you are. But sometimes, when you grow up and have pictures hanging on your wall to show your children, you are not so proud of your self expression.
Some people have really inked up! Everyone they know is that way. So I would think it would suit them to proudly show their art-work.
Personally, I don’t have a tatto. But if I did, I would probably choose to conceal it!
January 28th, 2008 at 8:03 am
Hi, just found your blog. Some great ideas. Look forward to reading more.
January 28th, 2008 at 6:04 pm
Welcome! Glad you found us.