Disaster Control: Dress Edition
Rips, stains, spills - here's what to do when the gown is in danger
By being aware of your surroundings - for instance, holding colored flowers away from the dress so they don't rub off - you can prevent a lot of potential wedding-day dress disasters. But if something disastrous does happen to the dress, there are few ways to recover.
Christine Stone, co-owner of Tying the Knot, Hinsdale, Ill., says to first appoint someone in the bridal party or another close friend for an extra set of eyes to spot developing dress disasters beginning even before the big day. If spots and stains show up from transport, Stone says a major thing is to avoid dry cleaning, which can result in big wrinkles. "Most of time it's better to do things like smaller spot removal or handling ironing by hand," Stone says.
Rather than messing with stains or dirt from walking through doorways, Stone says to leave it alone or use dry knee-high nylons to rub the dress. "They're not an abrasion that will cause any problems, and sometimes they will rub off the surface dirt," she says.
Avoiding using water, which will leave a larger and more obvious stain than the original mark. "In most cases things will dry down," Stone says.
Also be sure to carry tape, scissors, safety pins and sewing materials. Safety pins can fix broken bustles, while clear nylon thread is strong and can match anything. "I had to sew a couple of brides into dresses when the zipper was broken," she says. "That thread is the only thing that will work in a pinch."
And remember, mishaps happen. "There are always things you can't prepare for," Stone says. "When those things happen just have to roll with the punches and continue to have a good day despite them."
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