Anna Cord, Bride-to-be

I had a wonderful visit this week with Debbie Welcher, owner and manager of Chatfield’s Boutique, specializing in modest bridal and formal gowns. Tim Townsend reported on her shop a year ago — click here. And I blogged about it: click here.

Mary Pedersen - interfaith relations coordinator for my church - and I had an appointment with Debbie to discuss her upcoming anniversary celebration on July 23rd at 11 a.m.  Debbie planned to meet us when the shop was closed last Monday, but a bride-to-be from Sullivan Missouri showed up. Debbie couldn’t turn her away having driven all that distance – the shop is located on Manchester, near to Sam’s Club and Hwy 270.

We were delighted to watch Anna Cord, Sullivan Missouri Bride, try on gowns. Anna said other stores in St. Louis offered nothing to her that was not strapless or spaghetti straps and plunging necklines.

I took photos with Anna’s permission.

Debbie Welcher (left) and Anna Cord (right)

Debbie, who attends St. Louis Family Church in Chesterfield, Missouri, is on a personal mission to support women like Anna Cord who is Christian, but also women of all faiths, or no faith, who are given few choices at traditional retailers.

In Debbie’s open letter inviting clergy to the anniversary, she writes:

“I opened Chatfield’s Bridal Boutique with the foundation of my church motto: Honor God, Help People. I own an all-modest bridal store to serve women and girls who have been ignored in their quest for modesty. The one-year anniversary ribbon-cutting ceremony is a celebration of women of many faiths who choose modesty.”

Many faiths indeed. Debbie sees Muslim, Christian and Jewish brides. She knows the special needs of each. For instance, in my faith, she understands that brides who attend our Temple must be dressed all in white, so she offers to alter dresses with silver beads and replace for white beads. 

Debbie and Anna discuss choices for modest gowns.

I asked Debbie if different faiths define modesty in different ways.  She said, “those who choose modesty choose the same”. They get it, in other words, perhaps intuitively. Debbie explained that women who choose modesty opt for sleeves – at minimum the capped variety – and necklines that are at least four fingers-width from the bottom of the collar bone and skirt lengths not shorter than just above the knee cap.

Debbie hopes, and I do too, that clergy will use the event as an interfaith exchange to share their efforts to promote modesty. We can learn from each success.  Debbie will have a table where clergy can display pamphlets or other communication material they use in this effort and she will ask the clergy to share experiences with each other.

I would ask all readers of this blog who feel passionate about modesty to please spread the word about this anniversary to like-minded people and clergy. 

Anna Cord tries on gown in Chatfield

For more information, please contact Debbie Welcher at 314-965-6565.

Anniversary Celebrating Modesty and Chatfield’s Boutique One Year Anniversary.

Date: July 23rd.

Time: 11a.m.

Place:2149 Barrett Station Rd., Des Peres, MO 63131