Contributed
by: lindylu@home.com
Margaret Richards,
"Temple Bridal Dress Guidelines,"
Ensign, June 1997, 72
On a high shelf in my linen closet is a large box labeled
"wedding dress." I opened it one day and was disappointed to
see how extensively my beautiful bridal dress had yellowed.
When I made the dress 53 years ago, the lovely brocaded satin
was a dazzling white, and it qualified in every way for temple
use. But when I saw what time had done to the color, out went
my sentimental dream of having a granddaughter wear my
beautiful dress. As a temple matron, I had become aware of
guidelines for bridal attire, and I knew my yellowed gown
would no longer be acceptable for temple use. Realizing that
other members might benefit from this knowledge, I mention the
following guidelines (adapted from "Brides' Dresses for Temple
Marriages," Bulletin, 1992, no. 1, p. 2).
* Each dress should be white. Many things in the temple are
symbolic, and white brings to mind purity, virtue, and
cleanliness of body, mind, and heart. Some fabrics may look
white until you put them next to a sheet of typing paper. If
you are in doubt about a fabric for your dress, try the paper
test or take a swatch of the fabric you plan to use to the
temple for appraisal before buying or making your dress.
* Brides should wear dresses that are modest, with a high
neckline and long skirt. Temple workers will ask a bride to
wear a dickey, or fabric insert, if her dress shows the
shoulder or collarbone.
* Long sleeves are required. Because some current styles of
gowns have short sleeves, special sleeve extensions are
available at temples throughout the world. However, you may
wish to add your own extension from fabric that would look
good with your dress.
* Sheer fabrics must be lined. Camisoles and sleeve liners may
be worn under a dress that has sheer areas or see-through lace
panels. Brides who wish to use their dresses later for temple
sessions, however, must have a permanent lining put in.
* A train must be removable or designed in such a way that it
can be fastened into a bustle during the temple ceremonies.
* New styles of wedding dresses with long, slim skirts have
recently been brought to the temple. These often have a long
slit up the side or back of the skirt, extending above the
knee. Because such a style is not appropriate for temple use,
workers will provide the bride with a long slip or back apron
to fill the gap. A bride may wish to furnish her own modest
filler instead.
* Dresses should be free of elaborate ornamentation and kept
in harmony with the simple and sacred nature of the temple
ceremony. Also, each temple has a selection of lovely wedding
dresses that a bride may use for the temple portion of the
day's events.-
Margaret Richards, former matron,
Jordan River Temple
Contributed by:
Julianne in AL
JRLowman@aol.com
As a seamstress, among other
things, I have given the YW in my ward a challenge to strive
to not only uphold the standards of the church, but to take a
stand against the "fashion guru's" of the world and create
their own designs for prom (or other wardrobe). If they will
design it, and if it falls under the standard of the church,
I'll make it for them.
Try this for a fun activity...provide each YW with 5 or 6
sheets of large paper, newsprint is always inexpensive. Give
the girls colored pencils, charcoal, or pastels and let them
go at it! Require them to remain within church standards then
let the ideas fly! There's always at least one person in the
ward that can sew and can discus the kinds of fabrics
available for prom dresses and can talk about do's and don'ts
of designing a formal gown.
It's a great opportunity to allow your girls the freedom to
express themselves and to create a MASTERPIECE of their very
own!
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