Wedding dresses in modest styles are still popular choices. While many bridal gown designs are provocative, there are plenty of options for less revealing ones.
Shopping for a Modest Dress
You can find a modest dress in almost any wedding shop, but a few stand out.
Alta Moda Bridal Boutique
Alta Moda Bridal Boutique has a whole category for modest wedding dresses. This is a Utah-based store that's been around since 2005. This company prides itself on the fact that their dresses can be customized just for you. If you want any part of your dress redesigned, they will do it for you whether you want a neckline raised, the sleeves lengthened, or some other alteration. You'll need an appointment to try on dresses, and the prices range from $1800 to $8000.
Style examples available from Alta Moda include:
- The Tiered Modest Wedding Dress has elbow sleeves and a tiered skirt.
- The Slim and Silky Modest Wedding Dress is fitted all the way down without being too revealing.
- The Silk Satin Ball Gown has a retro feel with elbow-length sleeves and a row of tiny buttons up the back.
David's Bridal
David's Bridal probably comes to mind for most brides, at least in passing even if they don't have one locally and never make it to a store. There's a selection of modest dress styles on the David's Bridal website, like the Short Sleeve Satin A-line, with its high, square neckline and the Short Sleeve Satin Gown with Beaded Lace Style that's very similar, but with beaded lace appliques.
You can order from David's Bridal online or shop in one of the stores across the country.
Latter Day Bride & Prom
Latter Day Bride & Prom has a wide selection of modest, beautiful dresses designed with LDS brides in mind. All types of styles are available, like:
- The Lorenzo, with the feminine lace and high scalloped neckline
- The beautiful ball gown with an understated V-neckline, called the Pietra
- The more fitted Bonfilia, with its tiered mermaid-style skirt, short sleeves, and romantic vibe
Pricing is only available via phone for some styles. The store is located in Salt Lake City, Utah, but you can place an order online or by calling.
Modest Dress Features
What defines a modest wedding dress may vary slightly from bride to bride. However, there are several features of a wedding gown that are typically considered less modest than others. Plunging, deep V-neck, and halter style dresses are generally considered more provocative. Backless, strapless, and off-the-shoulder-gowns are also often placed this category. Length is another consideration -- with the increase in informal, summer, and beach weddings, shorter gowns are seen more and more.
Avoiding the more provacative style choices, however, still leaves many options for brides. If opting for a modest wedding dress, you may want to consider the following features of your gown: neckline, sleeve style, length, back design, and cut.
Necklines
The jewel neckline is a very modest neckline. Versatile and popular, the jewel neckline is also very elegant. The bateau, or boat neck, is another modest neckline choice, fitting across the chest slightly below the collarbone. Square, sweetheart and scoop necklines are slightly lower cuts than jewels and bateaus, but are still modest and beautiful neckline choices.
Sleeve Length
If a strapless or spaghetti strap gown is not what you're looking for, three-quarter length, short, and long sleeves come in many styles for a lovely modest wedding dress. Romantic puffed or poet sleeves, elegant tapered or fitted sleeves, dainty tulip or cap sleeves -- these are just a few choices in sleeve styles that can be alluring without showing too much skin.
Back Design
Full back coverage is used in many wedding dress styles, often in conjunction with jewel or high-necked gowns. Keyhole and scoop back designs are also considerations that are stylish and yet still modest.
Length
While recent times have seen a rise in informal and often shorter wedding dress styles, the bride seeking a longer dress can rest assured that such styles still prevail. Lengths varying from floor length to tea length are still extremely popular.
The Right Fit
If you are looking for a modest wedding gown, you don't have to necessarily dismiss the idea of a fitted gown. Many fitted gowns are elegant and tasteful. If a more free flowing gown is your choice, however, you can choose a fitted bodice with a ball-gown, ballerina, A-line or other skirt style. For a whimsical and romantic look, an empire waist with flowing skirt is a popular choice.
Modest Vintage Gowns
For a chic flashback from the past, vintage wedding dresses are a prime choice for a modest gown. Vintage clothing stores may offer the perfect dress, and perhaps at a fraction of the cost. Some bridal shops even specialize in vintage looks from previous eras, like the 1940s or 1950s. If you can't find the exact style you want at a vintage clothing store, many dressmakers are willing to recreate vintage style gowns to your specifications.
Choosing Your Dress
Choosing the perfect dress can be difficult. The perfect modest wedding dress should showcase you and all your bridal beauty. If you are having your dress made for you, be honest with the dressmaker about exactly what you are looking for in a modest gown. Similarly, be upfront with the salespersons at bridal shops with your dress desires; they are there to help you.
