How to Make Your Wedding Dress Modest

Once you’ve found your dream gown, it’s hard to let go of it, even if you know you’ll need to make your wedding dress more modest than it has been designed. There are many reasons you may need to customize your wedding dress for modesty. Whether you need your style to pass strict guidelines for a traditional ceremony or you personally feel more comfortable and happier in modest clothing, it’s possible to make a less-than-modest wedding dress into a more modest style. The two ways to approach such a change is to either figure out how to alter your wedding dress to be more modest or to figure out what you can wear with your wedding dress to make it more modest. Let’s take a look at four of the most common types of wedding dresses that concern some brides and explore several ways to either customize the wedding dresses or accessorize them with modesty in mind. 

#1 How to Make a Sheer Wedding Dress Modest

One of the hottest bridal trends this season is sheer details. Everything from sheer backs and sheer corsets to sheer plunging necklines are trending. So how do you make a sheer wedding dress modest if you prefer more coverage or your venue requires more traditional coverage? Here are a few ways to make a sheer style work for you:

• Wear a Fitted Corset or Bodysuit: Planning for a special underlayer of extra support and coverage is a great way to make a sheer wedding dress more modest. Do your best to match the hue so it invisibly blends with your gown’s peek-a-boo panels.
• Request Bodice Linings: Worried about that sheer inset along the plunging v-neckline or cut-out sides? Sometimes it’s possible to have a lining in opaque fabric stitched in beneath those sheer panels. Did you know Avery Austin offers lining additions as a customization service for our bridal gowns? Just contact one of our bridal stylists to see if the Avery Austin wedding dress you’re considering is eligible!
• Change or Layer the Sheer Fabric: Ask if those sheer panels on your wedding dress can be swapped out for a more opaque fabric that matches the rest of the gown. It also might be possible to thicken the layers of sheer mesh so that they are less see-through but still offer the same stylish flair.

#2 How to Make an Open-Back Wedding Dress Modest

Whether the thought of a backless wedding dress makes you uncomfortable or you know you’ll need some extra coverage for warmth or supportive bra coverage, it’s quite common for brides to request modesty adjustments for this bridal style. Here are a few things you can look into to make an open-back wedding dress more modest:

• Raise the Back of the Bodice: It may be possible to have the back of your chosen wedding dress style raised or covered entirely. Check with a seamstress before ordering, or, if you’ve got your eye on an Avery Austin wedding dress, contact one of our bridal stylists to see if your style can be customized just for you!
• Request Modesty Panels for Lace-Up Backs: Lace-up backs are such a great way to ensure a snug and comfortable fit, but have you ever noticed how sometimes there’s nothing behind the lacing? Some brides prefer this open-back effect, but if that’s not for you, a modesty panel that slips in behind the lacing might be just what you need! Ask if the wedding dress has a modesty panel or if one can be added.
• Wear Suitable Coverage: Think about what kind of extra layer would suit your wedding dress for both modesty and style. You might prefer a simple shawl, wrap, or sweater, or you could go more warmth with a bolero or other fancy jacket style. Even more dramatic layers include capes and cloaks. Only need back coverage for a traditional church ceremony? Consider a long veil that can easily be removed before your reception. You can find Avery Austin’s collection of veils here.

#3 How to Make the Wedding Dress Neckline Modest

Too much cleavage is a real concern for many brides! Figuring out how to make a plunging deep v-neck wedding dress modest without losing the integrity of the design is absolutely possible! From changing the neckline entirely to making minor adjustments, the alterations that can be applied are dependent upon the fabric, style, and bride’s personal preference. Here are a few ways to go about making a low v-neck wedding dress more modest:

• Adjust the Neckline: Whether you want to completely close the plunge effect on your wedding dress for modesty or adjust the length of the plunge, it may be possible to make that low dip a little (or a lot) less dramatic. Ask in advance to ensure there’s enough fabric for your seamstress to work with or contact an Avery Austin bridal stylist if it’s one of our gorgeous styles since neckline customizations are a service we offer to our brides!
• Add Embellished Sheer Details: If you’d prefer not to show off your décolletage in an off-the-shoulder or plunging neckline dress, consider creating a sheer neckline covered by beautiful embellishments, such as glitter tulle, embroidery, or beaded designs. The additional coverage is not only classy and sophisticated but also on-trend and stylish. The sheer details could go all the way up to a collared high-neck design or form straps with a scoop-neck shape.
• Request Modesty Panels: Similar to the ones used for lace-up backs, coordinating panels can be stitched in for coverage and support on deep v-neck wedding dresses for a more modest and bra-approved design.

Not sure which neckline style is right for you? Learn more from Avery Austin’s Neckline Style Guide so you know what you want to strive for when customizing your wedding dress for modesty.

#4 How to Make a Strapless Wedding Dress Modest

Let’s face it: Most busty brides would not be able to pull off a “strapless wedding dress is modest” vibe, even with very supportive corset boning in the design. If you want to make sure you won’t have any wardrobe malfunctions in the bust department on your big day, you might need to make some adjustments to feel comfortable in a strapless style.

• Add Sleeves or Straps: Ask if straps or sleeves can be added to make your chosen strapless wedding dress more modest and supportive. Anything from thin spaghetti straps and off-the-shoulder bands to cap sleeves and long sleeves are within the realm of possibility for many styles. Prefer to find a style that already has sleeves? Check out Avery Austin’s collection of long-sleeve wedding dresses.
• Raise the Neckline: Similar to how you can create a sheer high neckline for what was once an off-the-shoulder or plunging style, you can create similar coverage and support for a strapless bridal gown too. If your chosen bridal shop offers customizations (like Avery Austin), then you may be able to have the neckline raised and adjusted in style or shape with the same material used for the rest of the bodice, which is especially helpful if sheer is just not your vibe.
• Apply Layers: Just as you can use layers to cover a backless style, you can make your strapless wedding dress more modest with the arm and shoulder coverage provided by a stylish wrap, bolero, or similar layer. Think about which style of shawl or jacket might best suit your bridal theme, then see how it pairs with your (now modest) strapless wedding dress.

If you think adding sleeves or straps or raising the neckline might be the way you want to go for the Avery Austin style you’re considering, don’t hesitate to check in with one of our bridal specialists to explore the possibilities and pricing estimates. You’re but a call away from creating your dream custom wedding dress!

Final Thoughts: Customizing Wedding Dresses for Modesty

There are so many ways you can alter your wedding dress to be more modest, just as there are additional things you can wear to make your dress more modest. Ultimately, the way you choose to alter or style your bridal gown is up to your own personal comfort and style preferences. For example, if you’re planning a gorgeous white winter wedding, you’ll likely be incorporating lots of layers into your bridal outfit anyway, but you may need to customize your wedding dress to include sleeves or extra layers. Should you wish to explore alterations possibilities for your dream custom wedding dress, keep in mind that not all styles allow for every type of alteration. It truly depends on the design, fabric, and seamstress abilities. To get a better idea of what’s possible with Avery Austin styles, check out this article about customizing Avery Austin wedding dresses. With this guide, you’ll have a better idea of the types of customizations available for making your wedding dress more modest, as well as the price range you could expect for a custom wedding dress from Avery Austin. Knowing that you can create custom wedding dresses at Avery Austin, it’s time to shop all the stunning bridal gowns to find one you love (with or without a little personalization on your part!).