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As a child, I loved looking at my parents' wedding photos. Mom looked so beautiful in her wedding dress, to me~ just like Elizabeth Taylor. I so wanted that dress.Mom didn't keep her dress but I'm sure an excellent seamstress could have altered and modernized it for me if needed~ changing the neckline, hemline, etc. to make it fit. If you're the type that wants to keep her dress and pass it down as an heirloom, consider preserving it.
I had the pleasure of talking with Karen Boehne, a certified wedding gown care specialist from the Association of Wedding Gown Specialists, here in the Twin Cities. Karen explained how a wedding gown specialist (not the same as a dry cleaners) will pay special attention and care to the fine fabrics, beading, buttons, zippers, laces. ...How they hand-wash bridal gowns and accessories with special chemicals that are safe for all fabrics and remove hidden stains like perspiration and sugar. Karen offered these recommendations:
Caring For Your Dress Before the Wedding
Immediately take it out of the plastic. Karen said that discoloration can begin after only a few short weeks (plastic traps moisture and emits fumes that cause yellowing). Hang your dress by the loops inside the gown! Avoid hanging your dress in places where there are pets, people, smoke, temperature fluctuations, light. If possible, hang it up high i.e. from a ceiling hook to avoid additional wrinkling. The train should be perfect. Obviously, you want to avoid getting stains and wrinkles before the wedding but at the wedding, Karen suggests~ HAVE FUN! Don't worry about your dress.
Treating Stains That Happen at the Wedding:
Emergency Kit Must Haves:
Shout wipes, white towels. Bottled water. White powder (to conceal a stain). Always blot a stain. Never use blue tissue paper to blot a stain. It actually releases gases and burns the gown. Ask a professional about additional questions you may have regarding your special dress.
Caring For Your Gown After Preservation
Your preservationist should give you instructions on how and where to store your dress (should be enclosed not sealedin an acid free box with acid free tissue). Karen suggests under the bed or the interior closet of a 2nd or 3rd level bedroom room~ never store your dress in the attic or the basement as the temperature fluctuations are too great. You can inspect your gown every 2,3-5 years, wearing white goves. Inspecting the gown is more about re-positioning it~ to avoid sharp creases. If stored properly, a preserved dress can last hundreds of years. How cool is that?
If you're considering preservation, here are some questions you can ask of the professional:
1. Do they seal the gown? (Red flag if they do as you want to be able to inspect your dress every so often).
2. Do they guarantee their work? They should.
3. Are you required to sign a release or disclaimer saying they are not responsible for damage to your gown? Red flag.
4. Do they include all accessories, i.e. veil, gloves, etc.? Any additional charges?
5. Inquire about their training and experience with wedding gowns.
6. Ask about their preservation boxes. Does the box fit the dress? Acid free?
7. Ask about price as this should vary depending on the dress, accessories and level of care needed. Every dress is different.
8. Do they send the dress out or hand-wash in house?
9. Will they inspect the dress with you both before and after cleaning?
Do you plan on preserving your gown?
