LDS Wedding Dresses
Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are asked to dress modestly. The guidelines for appropriate dress state, “immodest clothing includes short shorts and skirts, tight clothing, shirts that do not cover the stomach, and other revealing attire. Women should wear clothing that covers the shoulder and avoid clothing that is low-cut in the front or the back or revealing in any other manner. Men should also maintain modesty in their appearance. All should avoid extremes in clothing, appearance, and hairstyle. Always be neat and clean and avoid being sloppy or inappropriately casual in dress, grooming, and manners. Ask yourself, “Would I feel comfortable with my appearance if I were in the Lord’s presence?”
Soon to be brides are also asked to make sure that their wedding gown is modest. They are asked to make sure their gown has sleeves and a higher neckline. The back should not be too low or covered only with sheer material. If there is sheer material in places that Church guidelines require be covered such as the back, sleeves, or neckline, it is easy to fix by adding lining. If a bride wants to wear her dress in the temple, make sure it is white, not cream.
Here are a few tips to find a modest wedding dress:
- Start looking early. When people are pressured they are usually more willing to cut corners. Also to get a modest dress, it often takes longer because alterations need to be done or because the dress needs to be ordered.
- Explain your needs to the sales assistants. They help hundreds of brides and are more likely to know what can be altered or where to find a dress that fits your standards.
- Don’t worry if all you can find are sleeveless wedding dresses. Only a small percentage of gowns today are made with sleeves. But don’t loose hope, because most gowns can have sleeves added easily, especially if you are able to order extra material from the manufacturer.
- If you do need your dress altered, or sleeves added, make sure you get a seamstress that has experience with wedding dresses. Be very clear about your needs, and provide the seamstress with as many different ways to contact you as possible in case she has any questions.
- Ask friends. If you are LDS you more than likely know at least three or four people who have been married recently. Ask them where they found their dresses, what the service was like, and which places weren’t helpful. You may even have a friend that has a wedding dress that you love, that she wouldn’t mind letting you borrow.
- Take pictures. When you are not having luck finding modest dresses take pictures of dresses that you have tried on that you like, but may need some alterations. Take the pictures to a seamstress and discuss which dresses could be altered and how they would look.