You don't have to signal a social conscience by looking like a frump. Lace knickers won't hasten the holocaust, you can ban the bomb in a feather boa just as well as without, and a mild interest in the length of hemlines doesn't necessarily disqualify you from reading Das Kapital and agreeing with every word. --Elizabeth Bibesco

Sunday, October 9, 2011

A Modest Wedding?

Eee! So excited! So I proposed to my Woman and she accepted. The wedding won't take place for at least a year and a half yet, so we have time, but I'm already looking around for a modest wedding dress-- and that's hard!

Everything is strapless-this and spaghetti-straps-that. Ugh. And don't get me wrong-- I know I'm being high maintenance: I'm not just looking for any modest wedding dress-- I want THE ONE. I know-- the makings of a bridezilla. :) Anyway... let me list my requirements... and feel free to send suggestions.

Modesty requirements:
  • Sleeves. As an example: I went to church today in a dress that had 2-inch thick straps. I'd brought a scarf to put over my shoulders, but it was so hot, I didn't wear it at all at first. Then, as we're getting up to go to Communion, I realize I won't feel right without my shawl. I threw it on and was fine, but it does mean I want my shoulders covered at least.
  • Floor length. I'm with the Mormons on this one: modesty is relative, but most gowns are floor-length, so I want one that is at least floor length.
  • Headcovering. Obviously, in the form of a veil.
Bridezilla requirements:
  • Lace! I love lace and, like any good six-year-old, I think my dress should have as much of it as possible! Long lace sleeves, in particular, would be lovely.
  • White-- my Woman wants a white dress and to have one bride walk down the aisle in white and the other walk down in a "Champagne" gown would just be awkward.
Practical requirements:
  • Does not cost an arm, a leg and my first-born child. I'm not looking to hemorrhage money any more than necessary.
  • Can be bought nearby so I don't have to do that crazy shipping back and forth thing.

Now that doesn't seem too difficult. Except it is.

What have I found? Well, surprisingly, the Mormons and I get along rather well on this front too.

www.beautifullymodest.com (shown above) has some wonderful things, but nothing local.

David's Bridal actually has something wonderful... and maybe I should just go for it. I just want to say, though, that I was into modest wedding dresses before the Duchess of Cambridge made it cool! Check out David's Bridal's copy of Kate's fabulous dress.
Oh! The lace sleeves! The gown is a little intense for me, but maybe I can't be too picky...

These are my thoughts so far, but I'm also only 1 day into being an engaged woman, so I'm sure I'll have more opinions soon. Thoughts, anybody? Suggestions?

5 comments:

Susanne said...

Congratulations! Those are beautiful dresses. I am sure you'll find something nice. Can't wait to see it! :)

Anonymous said...

Have you tried looking at vintage stores? I feel like the sleveless trend is relatively modern, so you might score if you look there, but it depends if you'd want it to be completely new. Also, congratulations!

-Ali K.

Amber said...

Congratulations!

And I second the suggestion of vintage stores. My friend got married in a dress that sounds a lot like something you would like and it was her husbands grandmothers dress with just a few alterations because apparently the grandmother had no rib cage or something. She was tiny!

Alternately, if you can't find something with the sleeves you want, you could add one of those little jackets (if it works with the dress), or have sleeves added (again, if it works with the dress).

twistedapple said...

Congrats, Allie! I second the shrug/jacket idea; that's what my MO friends do.

Mary Harvest Kitchen said...

OK, thought of you when I saw this vintage picture of a beautiful and modest wedding dress: http://wedinator.icanhascheezburger.com/2011/12/02/funny-wedding-photos-peeking-nana-keeps-an-eye-on-you-youngins/

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