How to Care for Your Bridal Gown After the Wedding

The very first step in caring for your wedding gown is to have it professionally dry cleaned. It is best to do this as soon after the wedding as is practical. Do your research on dry cleaners before the wedding. Many regular cleaners do not know how to properly clean and press a bridal gown. Look for a dry cleaner who specializes in bridal and formal wear. That goes double if your gown has beading, buttons, lace, or is made of silk. Depending on where you live, you may well have to ship your gown off to a specialist to get this service, but it is worth it to know that your precious gown is in good hands.

Once your gown is clean, it is time to pack it away. Leaving the gown hanging up is not the best long term solution, as the weight of the fabric will invariably cause the dress to stretch out. A flat box is the proper way to store a bridal gown. And not just any box will do; it should be an archival acid free box especially designed for long-term garment preservation and storage. Your dry cleaner or bridal shop may offer an archival boxing service, or you may obtain the supplies from an archival catalog geared towards museum preservationists. The gown should be placed over an acid free bust form to maintain the shape of the bodice, and then loosely folded with acid free tissue between the folds and wrapped around the dress.

Never seal the box or use plastic, as this can cause dry rot and fabric deterioration. Take your wedding gown out of the box to refold it (and to admire it, of course!) annually. It is ideal to wear a pair of white cotton gloves to handle the gown so that the natural oils in your hands do not get on the fabric of your clean bridal gown. Brides often wonder if they should store their bridal jewelry, veil, headpiece, and shoes in the same box as their gown. If you wish to store your veil in the box, take extra care to wrap the metal comb of the veil with tissue and to place it away from the gown; otherwise the metal comb can make rust marks on your dress.

Shoes are too dirty to store in the same box as your pristine gown, and your bridal jewelry is too precious to pack away and not use. The best advice is to dye the shoes black if possible and to wear your bridal jewelry as often as you can. That way you will get the best use out of those special wedding accessories. Then slide the box with your carefully packaged bridal gown flat under a bed (better than a hot attic or a damp basement), and rest assured that your beautiful wedding gown will be preserved for your future daughter to wear one day.

Wedding Gown Alterations FAQs

Is It Easier to Take a Gown In or Let One Out? It is almost always easier for a seamstress to take in a bridal gown which is too large, rather than trying to let out one which is too tight. This is particularly true for any bridal gown which has embroidery on the bodice, because if the side seams are let out, you might be exposing a section of interior fabric which was not embroidered. This is why bridal salons always recommend ordering your gown in a size which is fits your largest measurement, even if it may come in a bit large.

Can a Gown With Straps Be Converted to Strapless? Sometimes. If you are thinking about ordering a gown which has straps with the idea that you will have it altered to become strapless, always consult with the store’s head of wedding gown alterations first. Gowns which already have a lot of structure and boning often can be made strapless, but very soft gowns made from flowing fabrics may not lend themselves to the conversion.

Do I Need to Bring Someone to My Gown Fittings? Yes! Definitely plan on having your mother or maid of honor present for at least your final fitting. The person at your final fitting serves two purposes. The first is to look over your bridal ensemble from all angles, at the wedding gown, the veil, the bridal jewelry and other accessories to make sure that everything looks fantastic together. The second reason to bring a friend or your mom to your final fitting is so that she can get a lesson in how to dress you on the morning of the wedding and how to do your bustle after the ceremony.

How Much Should I Expect to Pay for Bridal Gown Alterations? This depends considerably. The factors are where you are having them done, how much the gown needs to be changed, how full the skirt is, and any special considerations like a lace hem or a beaded bodice (they are more time consuming to alter). If your wedding gown arrives fitting like a glove (which is rare), you might spend $200 having the gown hemmed and bustled, whereas if you need extensive alterations the final bill could run $750 or more. The bridal salon should be able to give you a general idea of their alterations price range when you purchase your wedding gown.

Prepare Your Wedding Jewelry for the Big Day

On your wedding day, everyone will want to admire your diamond ring. Every bride should have her engagement ring professionally cleaned a day or two before her ceremony so that it shines brilliantly.  Nothing will cut the shine of a diamond worse than hand lotion, so if you get a manicure after the cleaning, remove your ring. And when you go to put it back on, avoid touching the gem with your fingers, which will make it smudgy.

If you are wearing fabulous crystal and silver bridal jewelry, you will want to make sure that shines to its best advantage as well. Gently wipe your crystal wedding jewelry with a soft damp cloth to remove any dust or fingerprints. Then run a special polishing cloth over the sterling silver parts to give them a beautiful gleam. Wedding jewelry which is made of sterling silver without any gems can be dipped in a special silver cleaner if it has tarnished. Silver dip can ruin many gems, especially pearls, so use it only for jewelry which is all silver.

Pearls are the ultimate symbol of bridal elegance; they are also fairly fragile, so be sure to baby them. They can be wiped with a soft dry cloth if need be, but that is about it. The best way to make sure that your pearls are in tip-top shape for your wedding is to keep them from getting dirty in the first place. Always put on pearl wedding jewelry after your hair and makeup are done. Hairspray is the sworn enemy of pearls, as it will dull their luster. Spritz on perfume before donning your wedding pearls for the same reason. Never get the silk thread of a pearl strand wet, as it may be prone to stretching and breaking.

If your groom is planning to wear any wedding jewelry, take care to make sure that his accessories look as good as yours. Silver cufflinks can be polished with a silver polishing cloth to restore them to a brand new luster. If they are pure sterling silver and in need of major shining up, cufflinks can also be dipped in a silver cleaner. The chances are that his wedding band is in perfect condition, but inspect it to see if it might benefit from a fresh polish by the jeweler. If your groom has expressed interest in a matte finish ring instead of the traditional high polish, ask the jeweler to brush it on the wheel to make it matte. It takes just a minute to do and will give the band a modern look.

Second Time Bride / First Time Groom

Let’s face it, the groom is second fiddle at a wedding. Most of the etiquette, traditions, and so on are geared towards brides. When it is the bride’s first wedding and the groom’s second, very little changes at all. However, if it is the bride’s second trip down the aisle, then all the rules about second time weddings apply, even if the groom has never before been wed. Fair or unfair, it’s just the way it is in our society. The good news is that getting remarried is no longer stigmatized like it once was for women. What that means is that it is now considered perfectly acceptable to have a large celebration for a second wedding.

Much of the etiquette about second weddings is focused on attire. Formal clothing for men is pretty much the same no matter what, so whether it is the groom’s first marriage or his fifth, he would still wear the appropriate attire for the formality of the wedding (tuxedo, suit, etc.). For second time brides, however, there are some matters of etiquette to keep in mind when selecting a gown and accessories like bridal jewelry. A long train and a poufy princess style wedding gown are best left to women who have never before tied the knot, so look for a  more slender and sophisticated silhouette. As for the veil, it simply is not appropriate for a second time bride.

There are some changes in the wording of the wedding invitation when the bride has been previously married. For a second time bride, her parents do not “give her away”, either on the invitation or during the marriage ceremony. Therefore, the wedding invitation is properly issued by the bride and groom in the third person like this: The pleasure of your company (or “The honour of your presence” for a church wedding) / is requested at the marriage of / Caroline Woods Smith / to Robert Hunter Finley / etc… If the bride had legally adopted her first husband’s name, it is written: first, maiden, married surname.

The only other thing of note is that second time brides should not have bridal showers. Beyond that, a second wedding is really not much different than a first wedding, even if it is her second and his first. The couple can feel free to hold as large or small, lavish or simple, wedding as they wish.

Find Great Deals on Wedding Gowns

Tip number one is to find out when bridal salons in your area have their sample sales. At least twice a year, most stores will sell off some of their designer samples to make way for new arrivals. Get sale dates early, so that you can snag the first appointment on the first day of the sale. That will give you the best shot at finding your dream gown for 50% off. Come prepared with pictures of the styles that interest you, but be open minded, because you are unlikely to find the exact gown from a current magazine ad in the clearance samples. Also come prepared to buy, because if you walk away from a great deal on a beautiful designer bridal gown, it will probably be snapped up by another bride while you are thinking it over.

Girls who are up for a big adventure can consider searching for a great deal on a wedding gown at the Filene’s Basement wedding gown sale, also known as the Running of the Brides. Definitely not for the faint of heart, the shy, or the bride who wants personal assistance, the event can nonetheless be a great opportunity to score a once-in-a-lifetime deal on a top designer gown. Brides make an event of the Filene’s Basement sale, bringing along a gaggle of assistants, wear their bridal jewelry, signs to hold up stating the style and size they seek, and even their own mirrors. For those who survive the mayhem, this can be the least expensive way to get a high dollar wedding gown at bargain basement prices.

If you want the hottest look off the runway at a discount, your best bet is a bridal trunk show. You will not get the deep discounts found at sample sales at trunk shows, but there is often a small incentive for purchasing during the event. The salon might offer 10% off on trunk show orders (which can be hundreds of dollars for some designer gowns), discounts on coordinating veils, or no-cost customization. The bride will get a deal on a brand new look, which none of her friends are likely to have.

Shopping around for a great deal on a bridal gown takes a little extra work, but it is totally worth it. With all the money you save, you can get yourself a fabulous set of bridal jewelry, upgrade your honeymoon, or maybe just afford a spectacular dress that would have been unaffordable at full price. Being persistent and open-minded just might help you find the designer wedding gown deal of the year!

Wedding Planning for Beginners

So you have just become engaged – congratulations! Now it is time to start planning your wedding. It is a big job, but can also be a lot of fun if you know what you are doing. Get off to a great start with this guide to wedding planning for beginners.

Step one is to set a date for your wedding. You cannot do anything else until you know when you wish to tie the knot. Once your wedding date is official, you can move on to finding the vendors who will put your wedding together. If you want a wedding coordinator, pick one right away. After that, the caterer (if not provided by the reception venue), the florist, and the photographer should be your first priorities.  Expect to put down deposits and sign contracts with all wedding vendors along they way; this is as much for your protection as theirs.

The next batch of wedding professionals to seek are the baker, musicians, stationer, and transportation. The reason you can wait a little longer on these is that bakeries and stationers can handle more jobs simultaneously than the other vendors can, and there are lots of great musicians available. Nonetheless, once you get through booking the first wave of wedding professionals, there is no reason to delay on the next batch. The earlier you look, the more choices you will have.

Choosing the attire for the wedding is often one of the most fun parts of the planning process. As soon as you have signed with your venue, you can start shopping for your wedding gown and accessories. A year in advance is not too early, and anything less than six months in advance is actually cutting it a little close, believe it or not. Some bridal gowns can take five or more months just to arrive at the salon after being ordered, and then you need time for alterations as well. Also, not every bride finds her dream gown her first time out shopping, so that can add some time to the process as well. When it comes to the bridesmaid dresses, ordering them at least six months in advance is ideal, although you can probably get away with a shorter time frame if you are willing to buy off the rack or pay rush fees. The smaller accessories like the bridesmaid gifts (jewelry tends to be the most popular bridesmaid gifts), veil, bridal jewelry, and shoes can wait longer than the bridal gown and bridesmaid dresses. Don’t forget to pick out attire for the men in the wedding too!

Wedding R.s.v.p. Options

Every bride knows that getting an accurate headcount is absolutely mandatory for a wedding reception. Why is it then, that some guests do not seem to understand the importance of responding promptly to a wedding invitation? Over the years, couples have tried all different sorts of ideas for getting their potential guests to R.s.v.p. to their weddings; this is a look at the pros and cons of the various options.

The most traditional way to request a response to an invitation  is to state it on the wedding invitation. In the lower left hand of the invitation, place the notation “A favour of a reply is requested” (the British spelling of favour is used to be consistent with invitation wording requesting the “honour of your presence”) or R.s.v.p. Sometimes a date by which replies are needed is also included. When this method is used, it is up to the guests to write a note indicating whether they will accept or decline the invitation. Believe it or not, it usually works pretty well, and it is the most elegant approach, perfect for the bride whose taste runs to the classics like roses, Vivaldi, and pearl bridal jewelry.

Not trusting their family and friends to write a letter, most couples these days include a separate reply card with the wedding invitation. It may be a small card with a self-addressed stamped envelope or a stamped postcard to cut down on costs. Most reply cards will have a deadline on them (after all, if you don’t trust people to write a note, they can’t be trusted to mail back a card in a timely fashion). There are various forms in which the reply cards may be made out, but typically they will have a space for the guest to fill in their names, note whether they are accepting or declining, and a space to write in the number of people from their party attending. Some reply cards also have a space to mark a box indicating the preferred dinner selection.

In modern times, brides and grooms have become comfortable doing a lot of their wedding planning online. The rise in popularity of personalized wedding websites has also given rise to a new high-tech form of R.s.v.p., which is the online response. While this can be very efficient and cost effective, you also run the risk of confusing less computer savvy guests, especially from the older generation. For that reason, an entirely electronic R.s.v.p. format is not advisable. If you choose to request that people reply to your wedding website, also include a telephone number on the invitation so guests have another option to respond to your invitation.

Engagement Rings On To Wedding Jewelry

This is for both the soon to be bride and groom. First, for the groom, engagement ring shopping can be a daunting task and overwhelming. Don’t go shopping for a ring without a bit of background information beforehand. Sometimes its easier for guys to know what they want before they enter a jewelry store. That is why surfing the internet for that perfect ring is a great idea. There isn’t any salesmen to pressure you into buying a particular ring that you don’t even like. Make sure you do a little research on the different types of diamonds, the different types of settings, and the different types of metals as well.

Wedding jewelry is very important for the wedding party to wear. Bridal and bridesmaid jewelry add a touch of beauty to a wedding that is indeed important. There has been a recent trend in a butterfly theme when brides select their bridesmaid jewelry. Swarovski crystal butterflies in particular are very affordable and elegant and will create a sparkle to your bridesmaid’s attire.

For more about different kinds of popular wedding jewelry and engagement rings, please visit:

• Selecting A Diamond Engagement Ring
• Summer Wedding Jewelry Trends
• Surprising Wedding Trends – Butterflies

Your Practical Wedding Day Questions Answered

If you have been wondering about things like what to do with your bouquet during the ring exchange or how you will use the restroom in your bridal gown, you will find the answers to your practical wedding day questions right here…

What Do I Do With My Bouquet During The Ring Exchange? The answer is your maid of honor will hold it. You can practice the hand off during the wedding rehearsal. Some brides hold their bouquets until right before the exchange of rings, but many will pass the bouquet to their maid of honor upon arrival at the altar. She will return the bouquet to you at the conclusion of the ceremony before the recessional.

How Do I Use The Restroom While Wearing My Wedding Gown? Every bride has this question, but you are not likely to find the answer in Emily Post or Miss Manners! The answer is with help from your bridesmaids and a sense of humor. If your gown is very full, you will need one bridesmaid on each side of you to hold it up while you use the facilities. When the restroom has stalls, sometimes the bridesmaids each have to stand in a stall on either side of the bride’s! A good rule of thumb is to drink only as much as you need to stay hydrated so you do not have to attempt this maneuver too many times. Stay away from coffee and tea to minimize your trips to the loo.

What Should I Do With Cash Gifts Received At The Reception? This is a good problem to have! If you are lucky, lots of little envelopes with cash or checks will be slipped to you at your wedding reception. Alternatively, some couples set out a box for envelopes. You want to make sure that all of that cash is secure, of course, so it is important to have a plan. If setting out a box, be sure that it is something decorative, but locking (and heavy, so it cannot simply be carried off). Place the box inside the reception room, not in an entryway. A great idea is for the bride and groom to give one of their parents a deposit slip for their bank account before the wedding. At the end of the reception, simply hand the checks and cash over to that person, and they can deposit them for you while you head off on your honeymoon. Keep a little of all that cash with you to have fun on your vacation!

Should You Wear Your Mother’s Wedding Gown?

When you become engaged, don’t be surprised to see your mom pulling a big box down from the attic. Inside that box is her wedding gown, saved all these years in the hopes that her daughter would one day wear it down the aisle. Some brides have always shared that same dream since childhood, while for others, nothing could be less appealing than wearing their mom’s gown. These are some things to consider while trying to decide if you should wear your mother’s wedding gown.

The style of your mother’s gown may well be the first thing that gets considered. However, do not put too much stock into the current version of the bridal gown. If your mom is willing and you can find someone who specializes in vintage restoration, an antique gown can often be remade to suit the taste of the next generation of bride. A good quality gown may pass through several generations, with each bride adapting it slightly to fit the style of her era.  Updated accessories like a beaded veil and beautiful bridal jewelry can also help to give a vintage gown a fresh new look. Of course, if your mom cannot bear to see her gown changed and you cannot bear to wear it as is, then it may be time to start shopping for a new bridal gown.

Most brides today are larger than their mothers. They are stronger, more muscular, and taller, which can make the mom’s old gown appear impossibly small. Happily, it is the rare gown which cannot be sized up at least a few inches to accommodate a modern frame. So if you are at all interested in wearing your mother’s wedding dress, it is worth taking it to a vintage specialist to see what the possibilities may be. Brides should be aware that if extensive resizing is needed, at some point restoring the family gown might get almost as expensive as purchasing a new dress.

One more factor to take into consideration is the wishes of both the bride and her mom. If it would mean the world to the mother of the bride to see her daughter wear her bridal gown, and she is willing to allow it to be refashioned to suit her daughter’s figure and taste, the bride should definitely think about wearing it. On the other hand, the daughter might feel strongly about getting a brand new gown. In the end, the bride has to feel good about whatever gown she wears on her wedding day, whether it is a family heirloom or a brand new wedding dress.