Pros & Cons: Covering Tattoos & Removing Piercings for Your Wedding

First off, we never recommend giving into the will of others, especially if it contradicts your beliefs and preferences concerning your own body – just as we do not encourage you ask or demand your bridal party to alter themselves. However, if you yourself are considering this process for your own reasons, our list of pros and cons might help you decide. If you’re thinking of covering your tattoos with clothing fabric/makeup, or removing jewelry from piercings, weigh the options below.

Pros

- Preventing proper makeup. If you’re looking to have heavier makeup application for your ceremony, facial piercings could be a logistical roadblock. Lip piercings could mess with the application and/or staying power of your lipstick, eyebrow studs could conflict with brow lining, etc. Be sure to speak with your makeup artist during your trial run to make these decisions ahead of time.

- Concealing inappropriate images. Whether it’s in consideration of your wedding photos or your grandmother’s sensibility, covering certain words, phrases, or images may bring a level of formality to your day. If you feel a certain tattoo takes away from the motif of the event, your decision to cover it shouldn’t be questioned.

- Distinguishing the day. This practice may be for you if you’re attempting to set this occasion apart from your day-to-day. Oftentimes, your wedding is the most formal event you’ll take part in, and if you’re truly looking to transform your usual ensemble, this kind of alteration could achieve that new concept.

Cons

- Removing originality. There is a reason behind each tattoo and piercing; they are, quite literally, a part of you. If any of them hold importance to you in some way – or even if you simply love the way they look – concealing them wouldn’t be staying true to yourself on quite an important day. These extra modifications help make you unique!

- Covering something meaningful. If you have a tattoo honoring someone you’ve lost or a reminder of some important lesson you’ve learned, it may feel strange or even dishonorable to cover it, even on your wedding day. Let your loved one or life lesson stand with you during your vows of love and commitment to present your whole self while you tie the knot.

- Throwing off your look. Some brides and grooms have had a certain tattoo or piercing so long, they may look like an entirely different person without it. If you don’t want to be unrecognizable as you walk down the aisle, concealing prominent modifications might be the opposite of helpful.

See advice from some of our wedding experts and gain inspiration from our gorgeous real weddings!

Opening photo by Barnet Photography