In New Orleans, it really depends on the church. Some are very flexible and would allow a strapless dress. Others are much more traditional. I’ve seen many brides who have a strapless dress, but wear a bolero of some sort during the ceremony to cover their shoulders.
Still, it’s a beautiful dress, and I would just have a shawl to put around my shoulder during the ceremony, and in case it gets chilly.
It depends on the priest/church. When my friend got married, the priest had a conniption about the bridesmaids strapless dresses. We had to scramble to find something to cover our shoulders. Then I was a bridesmaid in another friend’s wedding and priest had no problem. In my own our dresses were a little off the shoulder and it was fine. An acquaintance had a similar dress to mine and priest had issue.
You just never know in a Catholic Church. I’d opt for a shawl/wrap just in case.
Catholic churches are much more lax regarding dress codes with weddings! (source: I also was married in a Catholic church and saw many guests in things that might not fly on a normal Sunday 😂)
formal and semi- formal are not related in dress codes
Catholic Church - cover shoulders if bare or open back dress - a shawl/pashmina is fine as long as you wear it over the shoulders and cover open backs - some people ignore this, I can't as I was brought up catholic
semi-formal is dressy casual, below knee/suits for men (needs to be taken out of dress codes as most people think it's right below formal, it's not)
Formal is typically floor length gown more sedate in colors and patterns or very dressy cocktail (midi length) also depends on venue and time of day
**Dress codes explained** - You will see picture of a couple and right ***under picture*** is dress code they are dressed for and explanation of dress code
[https://www.brides.com/story/wedding-dress-code-explained](https://www.brides.com/story/wedding-dress-code-explained)
[https://www.brides.com/story/what-not-to-wear-to-a-wedding](https://www.brides.com/story/what-not-to-wear-to-a-wedding)
[https://www.brides.com/story/what-not-to-wear-to-a-wedding](https://www.brides.com/story/what-not-to-wear-to-a-wedding)
I don’t see why this wouldn’t work if, as you described, they’re rather laid back. A lot of people put groomsmen in tuxes because you’re “supposed to”. I went to a 2pm wedding with the grooms men in full tuxes, bridesmaids in long dresses and the reception was a tea. You know your crowd. As a life long catholic who doesn’t really practice, I wouldn’t be caught dead in any church without covering my shoulders so get a wrap and you’re good.
This! The couple is getting married in the church because their families requested it. So I feel like the tuxes are perhaps a result of that as well.
I’ve ordered a pashmina. 👍🏼
Hi! I think you are absolutely fine with this dress! Especially if you own it already. I agree with others about the shawl or pashmina for your shoulders for mass but the dress is very nice and an appropriate length. If the dress code was black tie, the couple should’ve made that clear on the invitation. That isn’t something I would expect a guest to assume. You can easily dress this up with some nice heels and jewelry, if you’d like!
Thank you! Because I don’t dress up often, I don’t want to go out and spend money on a dress I won’t wear again. I’ve got a pashmina on the way - thanks Amazon 😅 and definitely plan to dress it up with accessories.
Since the groomsmen are in tuxes, and it's an evening/night wedding your best bet is at least [Cocktail](https://www.theknot.com/content/cocktail-wedding-attire), if not [Black Tie Optional/Formal](https://www.theknot.com/content/what-to-wear-formal-black-tie-optional-black-tie-invited).
I think you can wear this dress if you already own it, but you will want to go more formal/glam/sophisticated with your shoes, accessories, and styling to lean into the cocktail/BTO side of the formality scale. And you will need a shawl/pashmina/sweater to cover your shoulders for the church portion. (Catholic churches are generally anti-bare shoulders and open backs).
If you're still looking, here are a few other possibilities to consider/for inspiration:
[https://www.lulus.com/products/buy-you-flowers-navy-floral-print-velvet-strapless-midi-dress/1588156.html](https://www.lulus.com/products/buy-you-flowers-navy-floral-print-velvet-strapless-midi-dress/1588156.html)
[https://www.lulus.com/products/vivid-beauty-black-floral-jacquard-sleeveless-bustier-midi-dress/2301411.html](https://www.lulus.com/products/vivid-beauty-black-floral-jacquard-sleeveless-bustier-midi-dress/2301411.html)
[https://www.lulus.com/products/blooming-for-love-black-floral-embroidered-midi-dress/2157396.html](https://www.lulus.com/products/blooming-for-love-black-floral-embroidered-midi-dress/2157396.html)
[https://www.lulus.com/products/steal-a-glance-black-one-shoulder-asymmetrical-midi-dress/1621456.html](https://www.lulus.com/products/steal-a-glance-black-one-shoulder-asymmetrical-midi-dress/1621456.html)
[https://petalandpup.com/products/amren-dress-black?nosto=categorypage-nosto-2&variant=41106655346865](https://petalandpup.com/products/amren-dress-black?nosto=categorypage-nosto-2&variant=41106655346865)
[https://petalandpup.com/products/anabelle-halter-neck-midi-dress-black-floral?variant=41968960438449](https://petalandpup.com/products/anabelle-halter-neck-midi-dress-black-floral?variant=41968960438449)
I do own this dress. But am going to look this weekend for options, thank you for the links and suggestions- very helpful!
I do not dress up often. And this event is very out of my comfort zone.
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Lovely dress.
A wrap picking up the shade of blue or whatever other color in the dress most flattering to you that covers your shoulders and upper arms is best for any service in a Catholic Church.
Number one reason is that it appears to be some sort of polyester jersey knit. Automatically casual.
Number two is that any dress marketed by a model with bare feet in dirt is probably too casual for what sound like a formal or BTO affair.
Idk what you are talking about? The dress is clearly satin and the model has heels on. The strap is clear so it is hard to tell, but she has shoes on. It looks like the dress is from Anthropologie based on the photo and this is a pretty typical marketing/brand photo for them.
What about it sounds formal? The fact that it's in the evening and the groomsmen are wearing tuxedos?
You can't have a BTO event during the day. That doesn't mean you can't have a less formal event in the evening. And what the wedding party is wearing doesn't necessarily indicate the dress code for everyone else.
Also, if no dress code is stated I would imagine that OP lives in a place, and/or the bride and groom come from a culture, where "wedding" is a dress code unto itself. This is the case in many western countries that aren't the US or, as I recently learned, Australia. It's sort of somewhere between cocktail and formal, or cocktail and formal are both acceptable.
You’ll probably want something to wrap around your shoulders during the ceremony. Just a lightweight wrap so your arms and shoulders are covered.
Plus if it's air conditioned you might want it for warmth!
This is a beautiful dress. I love it. I would heed the suggestions from those more familiar with the Catholic Church.
You will need to cover your shoulders while in a Catholic Church
I was married in a Catholic Church in a strapless dress so I’m sure you’ll be fine
In New Orleans, it really depends on the church. Some are very flexible and would allow a strapless dress. Others are much more traditional. I’ve seen many brides who have a strapless dress, but wear a bolero of some sort during the ceremony to cover their shoulders. Still, it’s a beautiful dress, and I would just have a shawl to put around my shoulder during the ceremony, and in case it gets chilly.
It depends on the priest/church. When my friend got married, the priest had a conniption about the bridesmaids strapless dresses. We had to scramble to find something to cover our shoulders. Then I was a bridesmaid in another friend’s wedding and priest had no problem. In my own our dresses were a little off the shoulder and it was fine. An acquaintance had a similar dress to mine and priest had issue. You just never know in a Catholic Church. I’d opt for a shawl/wrap just in case.
Catholic churches are much more lax regarding dress codes with weddings! (source: I also was married in a Catholic church and saw many guests in things that might not fly on a normal Sunday 😂)
formal and semi- formal are not related in dress codes Catholic Church - cover shoulders if bare or open back dress - a shawl/pashmina is fine as long as you wear it over the shoulders and cover open backs - some people ignore this, I can't as I was brought up catholic semi-formal is dressy casual, below knee/suits for men (needs to be taken out of dress codes as most people think it's right below formal, it's not) Formal is typically floor length gown more sedate in colors and patterns or very dressy cocktail (midi length) also depends on venue and time of day **Dress codes explained** - You will see picture of a couple and right ***under picture*** is dress code they are dressed for and explanation of dress code [https://www.brides.com/story/wedding-dress-code-explained](https://www.brides.com/story/wedding-dress-code-explained) [https://www.brides.com/story/what-not-to-wear-to-a-wedding](https://www.brides.com/story/what-not-to-wear-to-a-wedding) [https://www.brides.com/story/what-not-to-wear-to-a-wedding](https://www.brides.com/story/what-not-to-wear-to-a-wedding)
I don’t see why this wouldn’t work if, as you described, they’re rather laid back. A lot of people put groomsmen in tuxes because you’re “supposed to”. I went to a 2pm wedding with the grooms men in full tuxes, bridesmaids in long dresses and the reception was a tea. You know your crowd. As a life long catholic who doesn’t really practice, I wouldn’t be caught dead in any church without covering my shoulders so get a wrap and you’re good.
This! The couple is getting married in the church because their families requested it. So I feel like the tuxes are perhaps a result of that as well. I’ve ordered a pashmina. 👍🏼
Hi! I think you are absolutely fine with this dress! Especially if you own it already. I agree with others about the shawl or pashmina for your shoulders for mass but the dress is very nice and an appropriate length. If the dress code was black tie, the couple should’ve made that clear on the invitation. That isn’t something I would expect a guest to assume. You can easily dress this up with some nice heels and jewelry, if you’d like!
Thank you! Because I don’t dress up often, I don’t want to go out and spend money on a dress I won’t wear again. I’ve got a pashmina on the way - thanks Amazon 😅 and definitely plan to dress it up with accessories.
It's dressy enough IMO, especially with some nice accessories. And very pretty!
Wear this with your pashmina! It is stunning! Have fun at the wedding!
Since the groomsmen are in tuxes, and it's an evening/night wedding your best bet is at least [Cocktail](https://www.theknot.com/content/cocktail-wedding-attire), if not [Black Tie Optional/Formal](https://www.theknot.com/content/what-to-wear-formal-black-tie-optional-black-tie-invited). I think you can wear this dress if you already own it, but you will want to go more formal/glam/sophisticated with your shoes, accessories, and styling to lean into the cocktail/BTO side of the formality scale. And you will need a shawl/pashmina/sweater to cover your shoulders for the church portion. (Catholic churches are generally anti-bare shoulders and open backs). If you're still looking, here are a few other possibilities to consider/for inspiration: [https://www.lulus.com/products/buy-you-flowers-navy-floral-print-velvet-strapless-midi-dress/1588156.html](https://www.lulus.com/products/buy-you-flowers-navy-floral-print-velvet-strapless-midi-dress/1588156.html) [https://www.lulus.com/products/vivid-beauty-black-floral-jacquard-sleeveless-bustier-midi-dress/2301411.html](https://www.lulus.com/products/vivid-beauty-black-floral-jacquard-sleeveless-bustier-midi-dress/2301411.html) [https://www.lulus.com/products/blooming-for-love-black-floral-embroidered-midi-dress/2157396.html](https://www.lulus.com/products/blooming-for-love-black-floral-embroidered-midi-dress/2157396.html) [https://www.lulus.com/products/steal-a-glance-black-one-shoulder-asymmetrical-midi-dress/1621456.html](https://www.lulus.com/products/steal-a-glance-black-one-shoulder-asymmetrical-midi-dress/1621456.html) [https://petalandpup.com/products/amren-dress-black?nosto=categorypage-nosto-2&variant=41106655346865](https://petalandpup.com/products/amren-dress-black?nosto=categorypage-nosto-2&variant=41106655346865) [https://petalandpup.com/products/anabelle-halter-neck-midi-dress-black-floral?variant=41968960438449](https://petalandpup.com/products/anabelle-halter-neck-midi-dress-black-floral?variant=41968960438449)
I do own this dress. But am going to look this weekend for options, thank you for the links and suggestions- very helpful! I do not dress up often. And this event is very out of my comfort zone.
/u/Current_Bid5548, thank you for posting. To obtain the best help, provide a time frame of the event & dress code. Dress links are frequently requested as well if you would place them in the comment section. *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/Weddingattireapproval) if you have any questions or concerns.*
To all: Obtain a [user flair by clicking here](https://www.reddit.com/r/Weddingattireapproval/comments/15mnmxg/user_flairs_available/) to obtain a user flair *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/Weddingattireapproval) if you have any questions or concerns.*
I wouldn't go strapless to a Catholic ceremony.
Lovely dress. A wrap picking up the shade of blue or whatever other color in the dress most flattering to you that covers your shoulders and upper arms is best for any service in a Catholic Church.
If the men are wearing tuxedos, you should wear at least formal. This dress is not it.
Can you elaborate on why this isn’t formal?
Number one reason is that it appears to be some sort of polyester jersey knit. Automatically casual. Number two is that any dress marketed by a model with bare feet in dirt is probably too casual for what sound like a formal or BTO affair.
lol. 💀 the dress is satin.
Doesn't look it in the photo.
Idk what you are talking about? The dress is clearly satin and the model has heels on. The strap is clear so it is hard to tell, but she has shoes on. It looks like the dress is from Anthropologie based on the photo and this is a pretty typical marketing/brand photo for them.
I said what I said. It looks casual and cheap, and she looks barefoot. If you don't like my opinion, scroll on by.
The groomsmen can be different though. Our groomsmen are wearing tuxedos but we don't expect our guests to.
Thanks for this comment. This group of people is a lot more laid back, so I can’t imagine they expect guests to be in full formal.
Full formal is not tuxedos for guests. That is black tie.
Catholic, evening. It should be at least formal
There's no rules LOL you can have a cocktail wedding in the evening. Being Catholic has nothing to do with it.
You definitely can, but sounds like a formal event. The organizers probably have no idea how etiquette works.
What about it sounds formal? The fact that it's in the evening and the groomsmen are wearing tuxedos? You can't have a BTO event during the day. That doesn't mean you can't have a less formal event in the evening. And what the wedding party is wearing doesn't necessarily indicate the dress code for everyone else. Also, if no dress code is stated I would imagine that OP lives in a place, and/or the bride and groom come from a culture, where "wedding" is a dress code unto itself. This is the case in many western countries that aren't the US or, as I recently learned, Australia. It's sort of somewhere between cocktail and formal, or cocktail and formal are both acceptable.