Modest Wedding Dresses from LDS

I came across a website to share, via this article on how to find the perfect wedding gown:

"If you wish to find a modest dress that, like Princess Grace of Monaco’s wedding dress, suggests elegance, refinement, and taste, you don’t have to sacrifice modesty for modernity.... A modest wedding gown can make you feel more feminine and beautiful than a flashy, revealing, pageant dress. After all, beauty and modesty go hand-in-hand."

"... Who initiated and perpetuated the rumor that modesty means that a woman must forfeit femininity, beauty, elegance, grace, and style? Certainly, this is a fallacy. To insinuate, allude to, or directly state that modesty is the antithesis of femininity and squelches the inherent grace and beauty of womanhood and her unique features, is to forget that modesty, by definition, is humility. And humility is considered a noble, godlike quality. It is of the divine and therefore modesty perfectly illustrates, accentuates, enhances, and emphasizes a woman’s divine design..."

As many women searching for a wedding dress know, bridal stores are oveflowing with sleeveless and strapless gowns (I don't care for strapless dresses at a wedding, too sexy for the solemnity of the occasion, I think).   It can be pretty hard to find stylish gowns that cover the shoulders and arms.  The article above links to the Latter-Day Bride website, which has an extensive selection of gowns for brides and briodesmaids.  I find the cap-sleeved gowns look not quite right, they're not "queenly" enough for me (although this one is interesting).  But many of the 3/4 length and long-sleeved gowns are elegant and beautiful.  I'm puzzled, though, by what appears to be a maternity wedding dress.  Hmmm.

Brides-to-be, you might want to peruse their website for ideas.  Their price are modest too, most are in the $300-$600 range. 

Comments

[DH]

Don't worry Miss Kelly, it isn't a maternity wedding dress, it's a temple dress. When Mormons attend temple services (different from the weekly church services) they wear white.

[M. Landers]

It's puzzling that there are unmarried pregnant women? Pregnant women who would like to be married before their child is born? Or pregnant women who would like to formally renew their vows?

I understand a general philosophical disagreement with the first, but not a state puzzlement over any.

[Alexandra Foley]

I am so pleased to see that someone is doing something about the dearth of modest wedding dresses these days. In my experience, most of the dresses available nowadays are not only immodest but also terribly unflattering on most brides. This site seems to offer some choices for once.

[Grace]

(This is my first comment here, but I've been reading for awhile now.)

While a maternity gown--and that one *does* say that it can be used for that purpose--may not be our ideal, I'd certainly rather see a pregnant woman getting married and having a nice wedding than just running to the courthouse in jeans or not getting married at all.

I'm planning my own wedding right now and looking for a dress with long sleeves, preferably a somewhat opaque lace--I think that looks very elegant, but so far the ones I've found are all *very* pricy. I can't see myself with cap sleeves; to be honest, those all look to me like white satin t-shirts. I think part of the reason for the lack of detail, though, is that LDS weddings often happen *much* faster than those in other faiths, and other wedding gowns often have lead times of three or four months.

[Mark La Roi]

I haven't visited here in a bit, and strangely enough I just minutes ago visited a friend's blog in which she posted pictures from her best friend's wedding and the bride's gown made me do a double-take due to it's deeply cut neckline.

I usually get a wide-eyed, suspicious reaction to saying this since I'm a man, but I have an image in my mind of how I'd like my bride to look (or at least NOT look) coming down the aisle someday.

I haven't met her yet, but I look forward to the day as well as the ceremony, and I hope her dress and attitude will reflect the same mindset: "This is waiting to be revealed to just one person".

Man, I feel all girly now... ;)

[Lauralee]

the dress that looks like a maternity "wedding dress" isn't a wedding dress at all. It is a temple dress which means the girl is already married. You can be pregnant and still attend the temple. If you look at the categories that dress isn't under wedding dresses. It is under temple dresses. I hope that clears things up a bit.

[spudmomof6]

Mark, I love that quote! "This is waiting to be revealed to just one person". It's a great reason to give to teenagers who need a reason to dress modestly besides, "Because I said so." Once they understand that the "one person" is most certain when you actually married, we've got it.

[EPC]

I know that a white wedding dress is considered modest and traditional now, but I was just wondering if anyone had opinions on this article:

As a youngster -- or perhaps even as an adult -- have you ever sat dreamily imagining yourself in a fairytale wedding dress, about to marry your very own Prince Charming? And, what colour is the wedding dress? The chances are it's a white one. Millions of girls and women that dream of the perfect marriage have a vision of the perfect white wedding dress in their minds. But why white? Where did this tradition come from?

Women Haven't Always Been Marrying in White

In fact, in the grand scheme of things, the tradition isn't even all that old. The white wedding dress of today is deep-seated tradition, and for many is worn to signify virtue as well as uphold tradition. Millions -- in fact billions -- of women all over the world start thinking about the perfect white wedding gown before they have even found the perfect partner.

Britain is a place that is rife with traditions and legends, so it is little wonder that the tradition of the white wedding dress was started by the English Monarchy. It was the wedding of Queen Victoria that spawned the interest and popularity of white wedding dresses as we know them today.

Queen Victoria married Albert of Saxe in 1840, and wore what would then have been considered a flamboyant white gown. Of course, this did not start the tradition immediately; however, many women saw this as a statement of class and style, and copied the Queen by also getting married in white.

The white wedding dress in those days had nothing to do with being virtuous -- it was all about wealth. Getting married in a white, extravagant gown was a sign that you could afford to buy a dress that you would never be able to wear again because of its style and colour (whites were not easy to clean in those days as they are today!).

Of course, women still continued to be married in various colours and styles of dress -- it was only the vain and the wealthy that insisted on white to follow in the footsteps of the wealthy Monarch. However, during Edwardian times, the white wedding dress once more soared to new heights of popularity, as Coco Chanel unveiled its new knee-length white wedding dress, complete with extravagant train.

Even so, with the depression that followed World War I and the approach of World War II, many women continued to make do with whatever type of dress they could afford, and this went on for decades. Some women would marry in a short white informal wedding dress, which could then be dyed and used as an everyday dress. Again, it was only the fabulously wealthy that could really afford to splurge on an elaborate gown.

However, from the 1950s onwards, as the world watched Hollywood stars, royalty and members of high society get wed in stunning white gowns, the tradition of white became signed and sealed.

Wedding Dresses of Different Colours: A bit of folklore

As with many other things in life, there is much folklore and legend surrounding the various other colours that brides have been known to wed in. One old rhyme seems to sum up these notions:

Married in white, you have chosen all right.

Married in green, ashamed to be seen.

Married in red, you will wish yourself dead.

Married in blue, you will always be true.

Married in yellow, ashamed of your fellow.

Married in black, you will wish yourself back.

Married in pink, your spirits will sink

[Lauren]

About the Maternity gown...These are for LDS sealings, and they are sometimes done *after* the couple is already married. There are two married couples in my church who will soon be taking their first trip to the temple to be sealed. Not everyone in the church was born in the church. Also, some members marry non-members who later become members...they'll later be sealed.

On another note, the text you quoted mentioned Grace Kelly's beautiful gown. This dress by Maggie Sottero was made in it's style: http://www.maggiesottero.com/dress.aspx?keywordText=grace+kelly&keywordType=exact&page=0&pageSize=8&style=J135

[Mrs. O'Callaghan]

I only discovered this blog yesterday, so I was very surprised to notice this topic today when I was re-checking its address. Anyway, I am a recent bride (Dec. 2006) and could write a book (or at least a pamphlet) about my search for a modest wedding gown. Happily, I found by a chance a website called "KathleensBridal" and was able to get my gown there. I was thrilled with my dress, as were my husband and guests. I agree, it looks jarring to see a bride, the traditional symbol of purity and innocence, wearing a strapless dress with a plunging neckline. Besides, these kinds of wedding gowns rarely look becoming. I knew beforehand that I just would not feel comfortable in a "typical" wedding gown, which is ironic because it seems common nowadays to associate immodest clothing with comfort and modest clothing with discomfort. The people at Kathleens were really helpful and friendly - I might add I reside outside the US, so the gown was selected and ordered without me ever seeing it or even trying it on before purchase. nevertheless, it turned out great. If there is a bride to be out therer considering a modest wedding gown, I would strongly urge her to hold on to what she believes in and don't compromise. There are actually some really nice and modest (not to mention very affordable) wedding gowns out there. Considering that your attire will be on display in your wedding photos for the rest of your life (and probably longer), why not wear something you will be proud of now and into the future?

[MiKell]

Hi this is MiKell and I work at LatterDayBride. Just to clarify for everyone, this is a Temple Dress. Girls that are already married return to the Temple on a regular basis and there are many times that these girls are pregnant. Here we have provided a Temple Dress that allows those girls to continue to go to the Temple while they are pregnant. Please feel free to look at our website if you are interested, latterdaybride.com!

[Helen]

I have also been reading this blog for a while, but this is my first contribution.

I am getting married in a few months and have looked everywhere for a modest dress. I'm in Australia, and I can tell you that there is absolutely nothing in the stores or bridal magazines in this part of the world. I have been looking for a few years (in anticipation of my engagement!), and have come across a number of modest wedding/prom dress sites in that time. But they are all based in the US, which naturally poses the problem of not being able to be fitted!

I finally decided to get my Mum to make the dress, and FINALLY found a modest pattern - an out of date yet very stylish and classic Vogue dress with boat neck and sleeves. Mum is in the process of making it at the moment and it's looking fantastic...proof you don't have to wear a potato sack in order to be modest. (Having it made also means you can spend more money on material.)

My other problem has been trying to find modest outfits for my bridesmaids. Same problem - it is rare to find any suitable evening attire here. Again, I've resorted to having them made (including altering the necklines).

I think the bridal and evening industries are hoodwinking us women - charging through the nose while skimping on material. Or perhaps most modern dressmakers simply don't know how to make and attach sleeves!

Great blog, ladies. Keep up the good work!

[K Lee]

I have found some really nice modest dresses on a site called totallymodest.com
They have many dresses at really reasonable prices.
Latterday bride has some nice dresses but their prices were a bit high for me.
It's nice to have some choices thats for sure.

[Summer]

Eliza is a modest fashion magazine, includes fashion spreads, uplifting articles and good entertainment reviews, etc.

[Sheena]

In the wedding the bride is imoportant that she looks great because for a girl this occations comes only one time in her life and she have to wear that dress in which she looks great and she have to wear a expensive dress so she want that dress in which she looks beautiful and when every one saw her they give the great comments to her and on that time she is so happy that no one can think.
http://flowergirldressforless.com/

[leah]

I love the maternity temple dress, but It sounds like you cannot order it online. Am I right or am I just missing something?

[Margaret]

Several years ago my daughter was married in a lovely gown which she RENTED from Charlotte's Bridal in Portland, OR. The gown was altered, packed for travel after the wedding to a distant point for a reception there, returned to Charlotte's by mail, etc. It was a most convenient way to go, extremely affordable and no dress to clean and find room to store after the wedding. While the website shows off-the-shoulder gowns it also states they have over 500 gowns and rentals aren't mentioned but I'm hopeful she still has them.

[Scott]

how lovely!!!

[Chris]

Regarding the Modest Maternity Wedding Gown.. not all LDS ladies are lucky enough to be sealed in the temple from the get go.. and there are convert couples too.. both situations the couples are married civally, and so it is possible for the lady to be pregnant at the time of FINALLY getting sealed to her husband. So I think it's nice that Latterday Brides provides modest maternity gowns for situations like that. I know I had a friend a year ago who needed just that for when she and her husband (who just got back into activity) were being sealed.. only 2 months before their son was born.

So there are situations like that. Not everyone has the perfect LDS Life.

[Jen Ostrom]

I would like to comment about the maternity dress. I am coming up on my year mark as a member of the church. I was married 2 days before I became a member of the church and I am going to give birth about a week after my year make. I pray everyday that I am able to make it to the temple to be sealed to my husband before the baby comes so that she has the privlage that I didn't of being born under the covenet. I am honored to go to the temple and hope that this helps people understand that EVERYONE'S situation is different and we are not here to juge anyone. Is that not what Heavenly Father teaches us?

[Jakki]

Prefer to shop at Jessica London....

[Jennifer Bott]

I just got married this past October(2007) in the Washington DC Temple. My mother and I went to David's Bridal, where we found a cute wedding gown, it was strapless, so we bought a bolero jacket to match. I was than able to wear my dress during our sealing. I was so glad that I was able to wear my gown during the sealing because in this way my mother was a part of the ceremony. (My mother and father aren't members of the church, so my getting married was a hard day for them, they had always dreamed of some big ceremony and reception). It is possible to find a modest dress at a store that's not LDS, and to not have to spend a small fortune on it. I spend $99 dollars on my dress and an other $50 dollars on the bolero jacket.

[Jennifer]

I am getting ready to become married and sealed to my Husband to be in Nauvoo and found that latterdaybride.com and other sites help. The dresses are simple so that we are able to conform to the serenity that is displayed within the sacred place.
Also confirming, the dress is a temple dress, and can be worn even before becoming pregnant, I have that same dress and it just allows for extra room to save you money so that you do not have to purchase another dress to go to the temple in.

[morgan]

I love searching through pictures and trying to find the perfect wedding dress. but every single dress I found was immodest. Finally it dawned on me to look up modest wedding dresses and there are so many beautiful dresses. I can't wait to get married and where the perfect dress.

[jenny]

I haven't seen this posted yet, but another option for modesty outside of Utah is sewing your own gown. I know I wouldn't attempt that myself, but you can find professional seamstresses who can create any wedding dress you can dream up. If you're from California I can recommend a lady who specializes in LDS wedding and temple dresses: Modest wedding dresses in California -- as well as attire for bridesmaids and the rest of the bridal party.

[Sophia Finney]

We are a store in Northern California providing over 65 modest dresses in-stock for try-on, 300 for purchase and our stock is growing every week. We have served modest customers for 2 1/2 years. Our new website, www.themodestcollection.com, will feature modest dresses for everyone. There will be exclusive designs, too. All of our dresses are offered at very affordable prices.

[Modest Wedding Dresses]

You can just have a wedding dress made for your size. This site DressAndTux.com makes them from your measurements. If you can't find a dress you like then just send them some pictures of style and things you like. Maybe I should get married again. :)

[Sheila]

You should check out Abigail Wright Designs-- they have gorgeous modest wedding dresses that are so much more unique than the other styles that are out there-- both reception dresses and temple ready dresses. www.abigailwrightdesigns.com

[lyle]

it's great to see a modest wedding gown company. i really admire women a lot more when they wear modest clothing. it seems a lot more respectful to me.