Franklin Dean
Mormon wedding dresses are modest and cover the bride's shoulders, with no cleavage showing. The dress must also cover the temple garment, a set of undershorts and a shirt worn by members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (LDS). The dress must be long, with a hemline no shorter than a couple of inches above the knee. The colour is typically white, although some brides choose ivory or beige. Veils can be any length but are usually one-tier or two-tier.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Modesty | Key |
| Dress Code | Not strictly enforced, but guidelines include covering shoulders, no short hemlines, no strapless, no low-cut, no sleeveless, no high slits, no tight clothing |
| Colour | White |
| Neckline | High-neck with no cleavage showing |
Explore related products
$49.99 $55.99
$129.99
What You'll Learn
Modest wedding dresses
LDS brides usually opt for dresses with skirts that are knee-length or longer, with slits that do not go higher than the knee. Dresses should have sleeves that cover the shoulders, and necklines should not be too low, showing no cleavage. The back of the dress should not fall below the shoulder blades. Dresses should also not be too tight. LDS couples usually do not do the traditional "garter toss" at their wedding reception.
Brides who live in areas with a large concentration of Latter-day Saints, such as Utah, usually have an easier time finding dresses that meet their modesty requirements. Specialty LDS wedding retailers cater to Mormon brides who want to maintain their modesty standards.
There are modest wedding dress options that can be both stylish and elegant. For example, dresses can feature lace detailing, long sleeves, and A-line skirts. Accessories like delicate pearls can also be added to bring out the bride's natural beauty.
The Cost of Designer Wedding Dresses: How Much?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
LDS standards of modesty
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints outlines standards of modesty for wedding dresses in their official guidelines, "For the Strength of Youth". LDS brides are expected to follow these rules:
- Skirts should be knee-length or longer.
- Slits in the skirt should not go higher than the knee.
- Wedding dress sleeves should cover the shoulder.
- Necklines should not be too low, meaning no cleavage should be showing.
- The back of the dress should not fall below the shoulder blades.
LDS brides may also wear a temple garment underneath their wedding dress, which should not be visible. This is part of the reason why LDS wedding dresses are modest in style.
LDS brides who live in areas with a large concentration of Latter-day Saints usually have an easier time finding dresses that suit them for their Mormon wedding. Specialty LDS weddings retailers cater solely to Mormon brides who don’t want to bend their standards of modesty for their wedding day. Even if a bride does not live in an area with a large LDS community, there are LDS specialty stores with an online presence everywhere in the world.
LDS brides can also shop at non-LDS formalwear or bridal stores and look for dresses that can be altered for modesty by adding sleeves or a chemise underneath.
Finding the Perfect Fit: Testing Your Corset Wedding Dress
You may want to see also
Explore related products
$45.99 $49.99
$29.98 $39.98
Temple wedding attire
For members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (LDS), weddings are a sacred occasion held in a temple, a building dedicated to the worship of their faith.
Guests attending a temple wedding ceremony should wear clothing similar to what they would wear to a sacrament meeting. It is advised to avoid wearing clothing that can be considered short or low-cut, sleeveless dresses, and strapless dresses. Women should avoid wearing pants in the temple. Guests should not wear flowers during the marriage or sealing ceremony.
Brides should wear a white, modest dress with long or three-quarter sleeves and a modest neckline. The dress should be free of elaborate ornamentation and cover the temple garment. Grooms wear their normal temple clothing during the ceremony.
After the ceremony, the couple changes into their wedding attire before exiting the temple. The groom typically changes into a suit, while the bride may change into a different dress.
Temple Wedding Dress: What to Wear?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
$33.29 $36.99
Wedding veil selection
For brides who are members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (LDS), wedding veils are an important accessory to the wedding gown. LDS wedding veils come in a variety of lengths, trims, and attachment styles. Here are some tips for selecting the perfect veil:
Veil Length
LDS wedding veils typically come in standard lengths, each suited to a particular style of wedding dress:
- Elbow-length veils that reach the bride's elbows complement almost any style of wedding dress.
- Fingertip-length veils that fall to the bride's fingertips pair well with floor-length or formal wedding gowns.
- Cathedral-length veils drape like a train and are most suitable for elaborate and elegant dresses.
Veil Trim
LDS wedding veils can be trimmed with beads, lace, ribbon, rhinestones, pearls, or other decorative edging. Plain veils with no trim are also an option. The choice of trim is a matter of personal preference, but it's ideal to echo the beading and decorative accents of the wedding dress in the veil.
Veil Attachment
The placement of the veil on the head will determine the attachment method and the overall look. Veils attached at the top of the head with a decorative headband or tiara create an angelic, surreal appearance, flowing down over the shoulders to frame the bride's face. Veils attached nearer the back of the head stay behind the shoulders and trail down the back. These veils can be secured with a decorative comb over the bun or pinned directly into the hair underneath the bun to showcase the hairstyle. Brides who want to showcase their dress or silhouette may opt for attaching the veil at the back or forgoing the veil entirely in favour of a hat or birdcage veil.
Modesty
In keeping with LDS modesty standards, wedding attire for women typically includes dresses that cover the shoulders, with modest necklines, and hemlines no shorter than a few inches above the knee. Wedding veils can be chosen to complement the dress while adhering to these guidelines.
Mini Dresses: Wedding Wear or Not?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
$36.71 $45.89
Wedding reception dress code
While dress codes are not strictly enforced at Mormon wedding receptions, modesty is key. If you're unsure what to wear, there are a few guidelines to follow to ensure your outfit is appropriate.
For women, it's best to avoid clothing that is short, low-cut, sleeveless, or strapless. A modest neckline is recommended, so deep-cut tops and dresses are discouraged. Skirts and dresses should fall no shorter than a couple of inches above the knee, and high slits should be avoided. Women are also advised to refrain from wearing pants in the temple. However, outside the temple, pants are acceptable.
For men, it's important to avoid tight-fitting clothing.
If you are a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (LDS) and attending the temple sealing, you are expected to wear your 'garments'. These are a set of undershorts and a shirt worn beneath your clothes as a symbol of your commitment to God.
While there is no specific dress code for most Mormon wedding receptions, adhering to these guidelines will help ensure your outfit is respectful of the couple's religious traditions.
Shoulder-Saving Hacks for Wedding Dress Comfort
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Mormon wedding dresses are modest and cover the bride's shoulders, with no cleavage showing. The dress must also cover the "temple garment", a set of undershorts and a shirt worn by members of the LDS faith.
The dress should not be short or low-cut, and skirts should not have high slits. The dress should also not be strapless or have thin straps.
The dress should be white, although some temples allow ivory.
Specialty LDS wedding retailers cater solely to Mormon brides. These stores are usually located in Utah and Idaho, but many have an online presence.
Yes, Mormon brides often wear veils, which can be any length and come in one-tier or two-tier varieties.
