Modest wedding gowns are few and far between, especially if
you live in an area where there aren't many modest wedding gown retailers that
cater to Latter-day Saints. One option, often selected by LDS brides with no
other choice, is to buy a dress that comes close to being modest and having it
altered by a seamstress. Doing this is trickier than it sounds, so make sure
that you follow some general wedding dress alteration guidelines.
NOT ALL WEDDING DRESSES CAN BECOME MODEST
If you buy a dress planning to add sleeves or otherwise
modify it for modesty, you need to be
very careful. Certain types of wedding gowns lend themselves well to such
modifications, while others don’t. You can’t just buy any old dress you like
and expect a tailor to be able to add sleeves that look like they were always
part of the dress.
When you choose a wedding dress, your deposit is generally
non-refundable. Having to pass up the dress and lose your deposit, or even
returning a dress after you've paid in full, can be pretty painful on top of
all the other expenses of a wedding.
Photo Courtesy: SilayStudios
BRING THE SEAMTRESS WEDDING DRESS SHOPPING
The best way to avoid unpleasant surprises is to bring the
tailor with you when you go dress shopping. They will be able to tell you at a
glance which dresses can be modified and which ones can’t. They will examine seams and hems to tell you
exactly what they can and can’t do with the dress.
Even in cases where sleeves and other coverage can’t be
added, there are other solutions like adding a shawl, wrap, or stylish short
jacket to foster modest wedding gown standards. Don’t discount the
possibilities for no-sew solutions as they apply to modest wedding dresses.
HIRING A LDS WEDDING DRESS TAILOR
Since they only get one shot at creating the perfect wedding
dress for you, the selection of your tailor is crucial. Compile a list of
potential seamstresses and ask one:
- Do you charge by the hour or by the type of modification being done?
- How much is the deposit and how much do I owe upon completion of the dress?
- How long will it take to alter my dress?
- Do you have previous experience in tailoring modest wedding gowns?
Avoid a seamstress that charges 100% of the fee up-front,
because you’ll lose everything if you’re not satisfied with her work in the
end. It’s also best to bring in a sketch or pictures of the types of
modifications you want, since verbal descriptions can sometimes lead to
misunderstandings.
If you understand basic rules of wedding dress modification,
you are in a good position to alter your way to the wedding gown of your
dreams.
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