[millie]

I married my husband in a civil ceremony 10 years ago because I was ill and our funds did not allow a big church wedding.

Now we have the funds and would like to have our wedding at our Catholic Church. I understand that it is a Blessing of our Marriage and that it is not the traditional wedding. But in my haste and nievty I went ahead and purchased a beautiful wedding dress. I am heartbroken because I have read that I am not supposed to wear it. I am changing other parts of my wedding to fit the ocassion, my father of course will not walk me down the aisle, instead I am having him walk down with my mother. I will walk alone. My vows will also reflect this is a reaffirment and my reception will also be tweeked. Was I wrong to want the dress?

[Etiquette Now]

Dear Heartbroken,

There are no etiquette police who will come and carry you away to etiquette jail for this. We just want to keep this from appearing to be a wedding. This is viewed negatively.

It is probably not the best thing to appear in a wedding dress. A dressy dress or nice suit would have been perfect. However, you waited for a milestone anniversary to renew your vows and to have your marriage blessed by the church. So, this is often a bit more formal.

With everything else that you are doing to ensure that this will not be viewed as a wedding I think you will be fine, especially if this will not be a huge event. Plus, you can dress it down a bit by just using a comb or flowers in your hair.

Let's not focus on the dress. Just continue proper planning and enjoy the fact that you and your husband have a healthy marriage and are celebrating it.

Best wishes,

[the_admin]

Why don't you post a photo of your dress so we can see it? Maybe if it doesn't have that traditional long train and wedding dress look we can give it a real thumbs up?