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Your New Wedding Gown.
Chances are your gown will be the most personal choice
of all the wedding decisions you make. Are you a
romantic ,or a fashion maven? Are you an undiscovered
movie star, or have you always been a princess? The
gown you choose reflects the essential you, but keep
an open mind as you look. You may be surprised to
find a style you thought was not for you is your
best choice.
Also, did you know there are many, many different
shades of white and that some shades may not be flattering
to you? Try on one or more shades or ask your designer
to drape you with swatches of different fabrics.
If you are a blonde or a redhead, you may actually
look much prettier in an off-white gown.
And beware the unserviceable gown!
For the most part, custom designers use materials
of the highest quality, but manufacturers--even
some with famous names-- can be very casual about
the serviceability of beads, sequins, crystals,
or other decorative trims. Glued decorations never
hold up as well as those that are sewn although
sewing can also be done so carelessly that beads
start falling on your way down the aisle.
Your Family Gown. For the bride who values tradition
and sentiment, a family bridal gown may be just right.
Whether it belongs to your mother, your grandmother,
your favorite aunt or even a close family friend,
always make the decision to wear a family bridal
gown based on the meaning the gown has for you and
whether the style suits you--not on the way it fits
or its condition. A specialist can restore even a
yellowed, badly stained gown to the true color, and
a talented dressmaker can reshape almost any gown
to your size.
You can also update a gown by changing the neckline
or the shape of the skirt or even removing sleeves.
Some brides add lace or beading, but brides more
often choose to wear a family gown because they like
the simplicity of the cut and the beauty of the fabric.
Simply cut, unembellished vintage wedding gowns can
look just as elegant as gowns by some of today’s
best known designers. And if you wear an heirloom
gown, remember to save a special place at the reception,
perhaps next to your guest book, for displaying a
portrait of the original bride.
Your Perfect Day. For short-term storage before
the wedding, be sure to hang your gown by loops inside
the gown attached to the side seams. Protect your
gown from exposure to air and light by wrapping it
in a clean sheet or freshly-laundered unbleached
muslin. Never keep your gown in a plastic bag for
any length of time. Plastic emits fumes than can
yellow fabric, and a metal zipper can accelerate
the damaging chemical reaction of gases trapped inside
the bag. Keep your gown away from extreme heat or
humidity; never store your gown in the attic or the
basement.
But no matter how careful you are, accidents can
happen. Would you believe--true story--the cat may
decide your gown is the only place for her kittens?
More likely, on your wedding day someone’s
kiss or a greasy car door or even a glass of red
wine will soil your gown. There is a kit on the market
containing chemicals and sewing supplies for emergency
gown care, but in a pinch baking soda, talcum powder,
or even the “white-out” used in offices
will do. You can also dab spills with clear water
or club soda, which actually does contain an enzyme
that makes it slightly more effective than plain
water. Caution: even clear water can leave a permanent
stain on such water sensitive fabrics as English
satin, matte silk satin, or silk organza.
Your Choice. What should you do with your gown after
the wedding? (Your mother says you have to get it
out of the guest room today!) You may be a bride
who knew even before you selected your your gown
that you wanted to preserve it and turn the memory
of your special day into a family heirloom. If so,
you have already done your research and know exactly
where you are taking your gown to be cleaned.
If you are like most brides, however, you have not
even thought about your gown’s “happily
ever after.” Choosing a gown cleaner is not
a fun thing--more like cleaning house after the party--and
very few wedding planners discuss the problem. Note:
it is almost never true that you did not spill anything
so if you just hang your gown in the closet you will
almost certainly find it covered with stains the
next time you look at it. And if you decide to sell
your gown, the consignment shop will not accept a
gown that has not been cleaned.
Your Questions. If you want to keep your gown in
the family, choose your gown preservation service
carefully. As a general rule, avoid a service that
promotes “vacuum-packaging” because the
plastic in which the gown is sealed can trap moisture
and emit fumes that yellow the gown. One cleaner
uses pretty much the same chemicals and solvent as
another, but very few cleaners actually do their
own work and clean wedding gowns on site. Some do
not know that shoulder pads, bust pads, and underarm
shields should be removed because they are made of
materials that can bond to the fabric of your gown
and destroy fibers. Others have no idea gowns need
special packaging, and some offer no guarantee.
You
should ask lots of questions before you make a
final decision:
- Is the work done locally so you can personally
inspect your gown after it is cleaned?
- What special
precautions are taken to protect delicate
trims and decorations?
- How does the service guard
against latent stains caused by alcohol and other
sugar-based stains that
do not dissolve during ordinary drycleaning and
will eventually caramelize into dark brown spots?
- Does
the service provide an environmentally-safe,
acid-free container that will not discolor or damage
the fabric?
- As the gown is folded, are the folds
buffered with tissue?
- Is the tissue and/or the
bust form used to stuff the gown acid free? (Colored
tissue is never acid-free
and can also stain the gown, especially if the
box is soaked and the paper gets wet.)
- Does the
service seal the box itself or leave it open?
Ask why or why not and whether the preservation
or the guarantee--there is a difference--depends
upon an unbroken seal.
- Does the service guarantee
the dress will not be stained or discolored when
the next bride in your
family is ready to wear the gown? Today or twenty-five
years from today, who will honor the guarantee?
Be sure you are comfortable with the answers to
all of your questions. After all, your wedding gown
is the perfect gown for you. You want to give your
beautiful gown the care that will keep it perfect
for the next bride in your family!
A former museum professional, Sally Lorensen Conant
is president of Orange Restoration Labs, the largest
gown preservation service in New England. Recognized
by the Association of Bridal Consultants as an Accredited
Wedding Vendor, Sally also serves as administrative
coordinator of the Wedding Gown Specialists Association,
a group of cleaning specialists represented in more
than 500 cities around the world. The Association
originated For Your Perfect Day: Emergency Care Plus
For Your Special Gown, a kit with supplies for wedding
day emergencies distributed exclusively by The Beverly
Clark Collection.
Sally Lorensen Conant, Ph.D.
www.weddinggownspecialists.com
Copyright © 1999 Wedding Gown
Specialists™ Association. All rights reserved.
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