Weddings and Modesty -- Time for us to review this!

I thought I would do a blog about weddings since my brother is about to have his "big day" in San Antonio later this month. 

Weddings are fun. They are fun to attend. Some, however, get a bit carried away with the "wedding dress" and this can get immodest very quickly in my opinion. I haven't really gone to that many weddings in my day. I guess I didn't have friends getting married that much or maybe I just didn't have that many friends. Anyway, getting to the point here -- many brides-to-be pick out dresses that show the shoulders, back, and "boobs" way too much these days. What does Our Lady of Fatima have to say? She said that fashions would be introduced that would lead people to hell. Yep, to hell! 

So, what in the "hell" are we letting brides-to-be dress like this anyway? Are there any real Church guidelines about modesty especially for weddings, but any day of the week that we are going to Church? It is also good to have guidelines. 

Well, these are the only guidelines that seem to be quoted for "Marian modesty" -- it reads:

During the reign of Pope Pius XI to declare among other things:

• "Marylike dresses have sleeves extending to the wrists; and skirts reaching the ankles."
• "Marylike dresses require full and loose coverage for the bodice, chest, shoulders, and back; the cut-out about the neck must not exceed 'two fingers breadth under the pit of the throat' and a similar breadth around the back of the neck."
• "Marylike dresses also do not admit as modest coverage transparent fabrics—laces, nets, organdy, nylons, etc.—unless sufficient backing is added. Fabrics such as laces, nets, organdy may be moderately used as trimmings only."

Link here to article quoted: https://www.catholic.com/magazine/online-edition/the-blessed-virgins-guide-to-catholic-modesty

So, a wedding dress that doesn't meet above standards shouldn't really be used at all in a ceremony. I'll even be brave enough to say that the pastor or priest officiating should make sure the Marian standards are done properly or he should ask the couple to re-consider the ceremony. This Marian modesty should also go for bridesmaid dresses, flower girls and all people at the ceremony. We should really dress like this for every Sunday Mass. Also, pants/jeans for women at Sunday Mass is tacky and wearing them to a wedding should not be done! Of course men please keep your pants on!! (LOL -- ok jokester me...) 

If a bridesmaid's dress requires a cover or jacket, that jacket should also stay on during the reception. 

So, now that we got all this Marian modesty down -- what else can we talk about as far as weddings go?

Well, usually weddings are not held during Lent or Advent, but I guess there could be some exceptions like maybe a "holiday" like St. Patrick's Day. Try to pick a day that means something to you. We ended up picking October 20th since we wanted to avoid days that were relatives' birthdays. We later found out that this particular date is usually "Sweetest Day." How nice! (Fatima day was a relative's birthday!) 

Wedding decorations! When I got married, I had made up all my decorations (except the extra flowers for the altars were brought by some friends) and my bouquet came from most of the flowers from my friends plus orchids that we had ordered special. There is a meaning for certain flowers at a wedding. (See resources at end). 

So, if you are planning a wedding this summer, think of a theme that you want to consider such as "Marian theme" and decorate with colors such as blue and gold for instance. Or you might have a favortie saint -- for instance if your patron was St. Patrick -- you might pick green and blue for your wedding colors. So, these are just some ideas. I know alot of us don't think of saints as patrons of weddings, but we should consider this more often. Anyway, no matter your theme, remember to include Mary in it too! 

Another tradition at Catholic weddings is after the ceremony to go over to the Marian altar and leave flowers for Mary. We also had purchased this gigantic Rosary which we had our "stand up people" put over us and that was a special ceremony for sure. Then, the exciting part was also signing the actual marriage documents afterwards. We got some pictures of our rings together at that time. I have a heart-shaped diamond and they aren't that easy to find from what I understand. So, it is a special ring for me too. We chose a trinity knot band for the wedding band to go with my ring. I really need to get them re-sized. My fingers are fatter now; but still can wear it. 

So, anyway, I'll post a few resource ideas below -- hope if you are planning a Catholic wedding this information will help you out. God Bless and hope you have a great wedding day! 

Resource list:

https://www.catholic.com/magazine/online-edition/the-blessed-virgins-guide-to-catholic-modesty

Orchids are a symbol of beauty (and love, refinement, fertility and so on) and come in a variety of colors and sizes—so no matter what your definition of "beauty" is, you're likely to find a bouquet- or corsage-worthy orchid for you. 

https://www.theknot.com/content/symbolic-wedding-flower-meanings

Planning your wedding up to 12 month timeline: https://www.theknot.com/content/catholic-wedding-ceremony-checklist 

Catholic wedding help: http://catholicweddinghelp.com/wedding-planning/wedding-planning.htm 

Catholic wedding tips: https://blessedisshe.net/planning-a-catholic-wedding/ 

Wedding dress ideas: http://nafdress.com/list-detail-modest-catholic-wedding-dresses.html 

Royal inspired dresses: http://www.weddingdressesilove.com/royal-wedding-dresses.html 

Another site for dresses: http://sperr.us/beautiful-modest-wedding-dresses.htm# 

OK, hope this helps you plan your wedding if you are getting married!!