Women start looking for the perfect wedding dress long before they have found the perfect man. Little girls dream of their wedding day and a very large part of that dream is the dress. Brides want to look their very best for the man they are about to join themselves to. This is the fairy tale beginning and the dress has to be perfect.

Sadly, many bridal boutiques are filled to the rafters with dresses more suitable for clubbing than wearing to a religious wedding. When attending a church, temple, synagogue, tabernacle or mosque a modest woman would never think of showing cleavage or the skin of her thigh; yet many wedding dresses leave a bride looking as if she is advertising for her next husband instead of celebrating her marriage to her soul mate.

Over the years the worldly view of what is considered to be acceptable wedding attire has deteriorated. What once was a celebration of love and commitment before God and family has become a vulgar display. A great many wedding dresses would not be considered modest enough to be worn in places of religious worship.

What Is a Modest Wedding Dress?

Many temples, churches and synagogues have guidelines for how modest a dress must be in order to be worn in a religious ceremony. Different religions have different standards and requirements but some common guidelines are:

• All dresses must have sleeves; shoulders must be covered.
• Dresses must not be backless.
• Bodice cannot be low cut and show cleavage.
• Gowns must be floor length.
• Trains must be detachable or able to pull up into a bustle.
• Fabric cannot be shear and show skin.
• No overly ornate beading or embroidery, more simple styles.
• Dress must be white or off-white, no colors.

Who Wears a Modest Wedding Dress?

There are many different religions around the world that not only advocate modesty, but place a high regard and value on a modest woman. It is these women who want to wear a beautiful and modest wedding dress that is suitable for a ceremony in religious sanctities.

Many people automatically think of the LDS Church when considering modest clothing in general. The truth is that many religions require modesty in clothing styles. This is by no means an all inclusive list, but a few other religions that value modesty are:

• Apostolic
• United Pentecostal Church
• Four Square
• Church of God
• Islam
• Judaism
• Catholicism
• Russian Orthodox

Why Wear a Modest Wedding Dress?

Many women wear modest wedding dresses in order to show respect; respect for themselves, their groom, their family and their religious beliefs. A virtuous woman has no desire or need to show off her assets to everyone around her. Very revealing and tight dresses have no place in a respectful and tasteful religious wedding ceremony held in a place of worship.

Modesty is not synonymous with ugly. A beautiful and modest wedding dress will leave a lasting impression of the bride who wore the dress, not the dress itself.