Make a fashion statement on your special day with permanent results…
Words by Craig Sterriker
For many people, visible tattoos during a wedding ceremony are a taboo. Scouring the internet will leave you inundated with posts labelling body art as “trashy” and articles advising you on the best ways to cover up your ink in preparation for your big day. However, in 2025 many couples are embracing their art and displaying it proudly during their ceremonies, with some even styling their attire in a way that seeks to be complemented by their tattoos. Regardless of whether they’re tied to a personal memory, symbolic of a time in your life or you just figured they look cool, tattoos are a form of self-expression inextricably linked to individual identity and in turn, should be displayed with pride. Here are some of the ways you can fashionably incorporate your ink into your special day.
Dress to Impress
If your tattoos are a feature you proudly display in your everyday life, why not show them off on your special day? There are several ways in which you can go about blending your ink with your ideal dress and this is often most heavily impacted by the placement of the piece you’re displaying. Why not float some of these dress ideas around during the planning process before seeing the results for yourself?
Bridal Back Pieces
Back tattoos often cover some of the largest surface area on the human body, with many hours of blood, sweat and ink being poured into curating the perfect piece – so it’s only right you show yours off! Open back dresses are fairly commonplace, with many suppliers selling them in varying forms, offering a perfect window to display your intricate artwork. For more delicate tattoos located on the upper-back, leaving just below the shoulder blades exposed works amazingly, whereas brides with full back pieces may wish to consider a V-back dress that descends to the waistline in order to uncover the full majesty of their ink.
Sensational Sleeves
Tattooed limbs are often the most common places to sport some ink, so why not find a dress that displays your artistic appendages in a chic, emboldened way? Classic fits such as A-Line and Ballgown dresses often leave space for arms and shoulders to be on show, granting tattooed brides the perfect way to combine timeless elegance with contemporary body art. Dresses with spaghetti straps also work in perfect harmony with tattooed shoulders and arms, so if a classic style isn’t what you’re seeking, try searching for something that works with your style.
Legs tell a similar story, with many popular wedding dress styles sporting slits in the dress that allow for some tasteful limb exposure. There are several ways to incorporate leg tattoos into your wedding day fashion, including adjusting overall dress length or choosing a dress with the aforementioned leg slit. Whether you’re sporting a delicate thigh piece or a big, bold leg sleeve, there are plenty of ways to show off your ink on the special day.
Guidance for Grooms
Visible tattoos on the groom aren’t often referred to as much, with many detractors placing much more of a focus on the artwork on the bride than her partner. As grooms typically spend the celebrations in a suit, there is usually much less visible skin incorporated into the overall look associated with typical men’s wedding fashion. Those out there with visible hand, neck and head tattoos will be used to having their artwork on full display and this doesn’t normally change under any circumstances, so fret not. For those wishing to show off their full arm pieces, short-sleeve shirts are your best friend – perfect for after the ceremony when the party starts to get going during the reception.
Colour Coordination and Artistic Accessorising
White dresses provide an astonishingly versatile base for colour coordination, so there are several ways to seamlessly blend your tattoos into your wedding outfit. Regardless of the style of your ink, white pieces will provide a gloriously stark contrast to your tattoos, providing a bold and highly distinctive visual flair to the proceedings. This is applicable to any style or colour of wedding dress, so if white isn’t your thing, worry not. Bold colours such as green contrast heavily with shades of red, crimson tones are accentuated by black backdrops and so on. So experiment with colour palettes until you decide on your perfect shade and you’ll be sure to end up with a winning combination!
This sentiment can also be extended to accessories and theming. For example, if you’re the proud bearer of a winding floral sleeve, why not seek out some accompanying accessories that correspond with your outfit? This level of personalisation is perfect for those seeking to further make their nuptial attire quintessentially them and there’s no better day to be yourself than your wedding day.
We hope you’ve found some inspiration amongst our ideas, for more alternative wedding fashion ideas, why not check this piece out?
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