Baptism/Dedication......need to wear white?

[momtoS]

My daughters and I have started attending a local church that I love. I am considering in the future either doing a dedication ceremony or a baptism.

I am wondering if you must wear white for these ceremonies? What is the symbolism? Pureness? Just trying to learn about it before making a decision.

[MyLittleWonders]

I think it depends fully on the church/denomination. When we dedicated our oldest two (we had left the church before our third was born), we just dressed up a bit for the dedication. Dh and I were baptized at the beach, so it was bathing suits for attire. As for baptisms performed at the church, I believe the person and the pastor both got into a bathing suit and then wore a white choir-like robe over. I would check with the church itself and see if they have any guidelines/rules around dedication/baptism.

[lilyka]

our church has strict guidelines but that is specific to us. definitely ask your pastor. i don;t think it matters in most protestant churches and I have never heard of any guidelines for just a dedication.