Covering tattoos

I will not be covering mine. What is their reasoning for asking ?

View Quoted Comment They just think it’s “too much” but it’s a half sleeve dedicated to my dad that passed and I’m just conflicted

View Quoted Comment It’s dedicated to your dad who passed. I would leave it for all to see. They should take that into consideration especially since he cannot be at your wedding..

View Quoted Comment Thanks for validating how i feel about it

I don’t have tattoos but one of BMs does. I would never ask her to cover them. Whatever she feels comfortable with is perfect to me.

Asking someone to alter their appearance is overstepping boundaries and offensive. There is no acceptable reasoning for this to be asked of anyone.

The only reason I could understand being asked to cover a tattoo is if it were highly insulting to others or inappropriate. Obviously your tattoo is neither of these and carries significant meaning to you. Only cover it if it is what YOU want to do!

I mean, I guess if you're going to some kind of cultural spot where it would be inappropriate (I can't think where, but I'm sure there are some) then I would do it (if I had any tattoos) but I don't think generally that it's fair to ask that, no.

I basically think, as a bridesmaid, it's fair to expect someone to stay fairly similar to how they looked when they were asked - so if I had natural hair and no tattoos when I was asked, I would not be shocked to hear that the bride wanted me to be un-tattooed and with a natural hair colour on her wedding day.

If I'd had the tattoos when I was asked, I'd think it was a bit rude, however it's not totally black and white to me - If they came to me and were really apologetic and explained his family is old school and that they planned to choose a long sleeve bridesmaid dress for everyone purely to cover the tattoos, well... I'd do it to support my friend so as not to add any stress for her on the day.

So often in life it's not WHAT is being asked, but how that really impacts how you feel about something, you know?

Your tattoos are part of you. It is rude for someone to ask you to cover them.

The only exception is if you will be in a church or other culturally/religiously significant place. These places sometimes have restrictions and out of respect for those beliefs, you should abide requests to cover tattoos, shoulders, etc.

I think they should exercise their choice when they decide whether or not to ask you to stand up for them. I care enough to accept how they look now or will in a year. .... In the distant past I did not accept MOH for someone close ( as in military service close, not lifelong.)
after a day traveling together when she was debating the pros and cons of asking people on this leave, 15 months out, or next near holidays, 8, and who would need time to be " worked on" to lose weight, time to get some discipline and stop focusing on going out with friends all the time. How's she gonna save enough for ( things for me) if she does not do credit union a full year, out of her pay so she saves. ... Listening to her inventory of friends flaw by flaw, ways no one was perfect enough for her royal sweetness, made me ill. She was so stunned when I said no. To me your friends and loved ones are just that. Not a group shining in their glorious selves, the better to reflect her highness's perfection.
Brides are not making a movie of their wedding, casting by appearance the people who will put their lives on hold for a year, to serve you in any way, for a good chunk of money. Pictures, video, are memories of the day as it was with the people you really know. To be on best behavior, not drink too much, or forget things you offered to plan, is one thing. Short term, changeable behaviors for some, but the kinds of changes you make a thousand times as you grow up, take responsibility in your community and life. But I would never dream of telling someone to lose weight for my wedding, or get cosmetic surgery ( that nosebump, those moles, those eye glasses), or gain weight, or do something about a scar, or get a prosthetic where a body part is now missing. Or change looks to be " like the others" when it means really, lose the racial trait.A tattoo is a long term choice of how you present yourself. If you like it most of the time and want it changed others, you will do that yourself. Not for someone who is your friend or sister or boss or mom, because they find your looks unacceptable For them to ask, is a trait of their repulsive personality.And the assumption they make that people will want to do it for a bride, , or live differently for 13 months to save to have $3000 to or whatever to spend on your wedding, is disgustingly self centered on the bride's side. I have never understood why the fact that one person getting married should make 6 people change their looks or how they spend their money, beyond plus or minus a paycheck, and it is arrogant to ask. Tattoos are just one piece of it.

That’s crazy for someone to ask you to cover up your tattoos. I had my back tattoo redone before my wedding since it was over 15 years old & I wanted something beautiful. My mother passed away & I wanted to incorporate her name (rosalinda) plus the colors of my children’s birth months. Plus I wanted my sobriety date on there. I couldn’t imagine anyone asking me to cover it up

It’s your wedding, right? No one can tell you how to look at your wedding. You shouldn’t cover up your tattoos, especially if they’re honoring your father

View Quoted Comment Just in weddings only???? Cuz i see this ALL THE TIME with jobs

View Quoted Comment Unfortunately, many jobs can say your image is allied with their image, like a modeling or actress job.
But often it doesn't, and they shouldn't.

View Quoted Comment

An employer has every right to ask you cover them up. Whether that is long sleeves or high necklines or makeup. They don’t have the same relationship with you that a friend at a party does.

If it is for your own wedding then I would say hell no! If it is a wedding you are attending as a guest then I would still firmly say no but try to be more polite about it. Also ask why.


Is it just a personal dislike of tattoos or do they have another reason for asking you to cover them up? Religious concern due to church requirements? There might be a good reason they are asking but without that being explained, it is a hard no.

The tattoo is honoring ur dad. U don’t have to explain having it on display

My mom haha.

my mom HATES my tattoos so the entire time during wedding planning she would tell me "you can't wear this gown cause it has no sleeves" or "ok since you bought a dress with no sleeves then you need long gloves or a jacket or something to cover it"

in the end i did not cover my tattoos at all. and so on my wedding day she legit was like "oh my god you did not cover your tattoos!!!!" initially i did think of doing a cover up make up for it and got a sample from a make up artist at sephora to what to do but in the end i decided this is who i am

I don't plan on covering up my tattoos for my wedding. I know my mom would prefer it though. I don't think there's anything wrong with a bride with tattoos showing.

I think if you are a bridesmaid, if the bride pays, it is a reasonable request. I've covered up mine for being a bridesmaid and didn't think it was that big of a deal, though I know others would not accept.

If a bride chooses long sleeves and up the neck for everyone, however for whatever reason, you honor it.
You are not fighti g for a tattoo . You are making it clear that whatever part of you does show, is *pure*unadulterated* you*