Angelique's

After months of careful planning, most couples have addressed any wedding day scenario.

What if dark clouds start to loom over the reception? You’ve rented a tent. What if the ring bearer drops his satin pillow? No worries, the best man will have the rings in his pocket.

We’d also like to help you plan for potential wardrobe malfunctions. Avoid snags on your big day (pun intended) by having a backup plan for these 5 common dress disasters:

1. The Dress Doesn’t Fit

It’s finally the morning of your wedding day! After getting dolled up, you put on your gorgeous dress and it…doesn’t fit right?! Don’t panic! Instead:

• Step out of the gown and put it on again. Because bridal gowns are constructed differently than normal clothes, they’re not always easy to just slip on! Sometimes, wearing your gown pulled up too high can make the bust fall forward like it’s too loose. Wearing your dress lower than you should may also feel uncomfortable. Don’t be afraid to pull your dress down a tad, or shimmy it up if you feel you need to. Pay close attention to where the bust and waist should sit on your body and adjust accordingly.
• It’s normal for a wedding gown to feel a little tight. Sometimes, simply moving around while wearing your dress resolves this issue because it will settle as the day goes on!

1. A Button/Strap/Etc Falls Off

Many bridal gowns have little details sewn on: buttons, lace appliques, and straps can sometimes come loose and fall off. Here’s how you can prepare:

• Ask a friend or family member who can sew to bring a small sewing kit. Or, keep one in your purse. This way, you’ll have the right tools to fix a button or tighten a strap. Make sure you have a needle, thread, scissors + a safety pin ready in case you need them.

Angelique’s Bridal Sewing Kit ($6.95)

1. A Bustle Breaks

Many brides will have bustles put into their dress during alterations. Bustles are hooks or buttons that prevent the train from dragging on the ground during the reception. But what if you or your bridesmaids forget how to fasten them? Or worse, what if one breaks?

• During one of your final fitting appointments, you may want to bring someone who can take a video of how to do your bustle (save it to your phone)! That way, you’ll have a reminder of how to secure the bustles.
• Our biggest tip for bustling is to start from the middle and work to one side.  After you’ve matched every hook to an eye, you can sometimes squeeze the bustles to keep them from coming undone as you walk or dance.
• If you notice a hook is loose or missing, then your trusty sewing kit will once again save the day! Be sure to stock up on extra hooks and eyes so you can sew on a replacement. Or, if you’re desperate, a safety pin can act as an emergency bustle.

1. Your Zipper Breaks

Every bride’s biggest fear: a broken zipper. Whether it’s on a mother’s, flower girl, or bridesmaids dress, they can happen!

• In an emergency, you may have to sew the zipper closed. Just be sure to stock your sewing kit with thread that matches your wedding dress and bridesmaid gowns.
• Safety pins are another tool for fixing almost any zipper issue. The zipper pull breaks off? Use a safety pin as a replacement. Notice fabric splitting right beneath your zipper? A safety pin will close that back up in no time. Make sure someone on your team is prepared with 3-4 different size safety pins.
• There are a few other problems you may encounter with zippers. If the teeth split after your zipper is closed, then you should unzip and start over. You may have to manually straighten the teeth if you notice they’re crooked. If a zipper gets stuck, you can sometimes lubricate the teeth with a bar of soap or clear chap-stick. Just don’t smear anything on your dress!

1. A Spill or Stain

You’re going to eat and drink on your wedding day. It’s a party, after all! But what if some red wine or gravy leaves a mark on your ivory dress?

• Wedding dresses can be made out of many different materials, and this makes stains tricky. Your instinct may be to attack the spot with water right away, but if your dress is made of natural silk or a similar fabric you may be left with a huge water stain instead.
• First things first: check the care label. This will tell you what fabric your dress is made out of, and how you should proceed. Generally, it’s best to blot with a clean white cloth (a napkin will do if you don’t have one). But do not rub! That can make the stain worse!
• Distilled water is best for spot cleaning because all the minerals that might leave a ring have been removed. If the stain is severe, you can try using detergent (like a Tide stain stick) but be careful with chemicals! They might not always be the best solution.
• You should test whatever you plan to use for spot removal on a different part of your dress. Pick a place on the gown that’s hard to see. This way if you are left with a water stain or a bleached mark, you won’t be totally heartbroken. After you’ve removed the stain, you can use a hair dryer to finish up. This can also help prevent unsightly water marks.

You and your bridal party can now take precautions to be prepared for the five most common dress disasters! If your dress doesn’t fit, take it off and put it on again. Pay special attention to how high or low it’s sitting on your body. Bring a sewing kit and a few safety pins; identify who can sew and make sure they’re prepared to solve any possible issue. If you want to tidy up a stain, start with distilled water and a white cloth.

We wish you 10,000 blessings and zero mishaps on your special day!