Some Wedding tips

Help Section
The white stuff

Having gone to so much trouble to choose the perfect wedding gown, you'd probably like to keep it perfect throughout your wedding day. Unfortunately, wedding gowns are not magically protected from the little hazards of life, so if you want that perfect look to last, you'll have to take extra care. However, remember that wearing your wedding gown should be a pleasure, not a source of constant worry. Do be careful, but enjoy yourself, too!

Here, some tips for staying pristine on your wedding day.

• You'll probably find that the excitement of the wedding will cause you to perspire more than usual. Make sure your deodorant is also an antiperspirant; you may even consider having shields sewn into the underarms of the dress.
• Some flowers have strong-colored stamens that can stain clothes, a point to remember when choosing your bouquet. If you have your heart set on such a blossom, the stamens can probably be removed. Ask your florist. Also, if you're allergic to any type of flower, let your florist know.
• You'll want to touch up your makeup at some point during the day. If you think the excitement may make you clumsier than usual, consider having whoever carries your makeup for you also carry a small towel or piece of cloth to drape over your shoulders and bodice while you're applying your makeup. (A towel will also come in handy if you spill something on your dress; see below.)
• Getting from house to wedding site pristine and uncrumpled is not that difficult. Advance planning is the key. First, know the condition of the vehicle you plan to arrive in. Professional limousine drivers assure clean transportation, but if you plan to ride in a friend's car, for instance, delegate someone to ensure the area where you will be sitting is spotless, and perhaps to spread a clean white sheet over the seat and floor prior to your embarkation.
• Especially in winter climates and in wet weather, be extra careful when getting in and out of cars. (You may wish to cover the floor of the car with a sheet.) When going outside, take the moment you need to gather up your long skirt to keep the hem off the ground. Be cautious as you walk up stairs or enter doorways, and don't be embarrassed to ask for assistance.
• If you're concerned that your train is going to wrinkle a lot en route to the ceremony, have someone from the wedding party bring along a travel iron or steamer (depending on the fabric of your gown) and an extension cord. Your helper can quickly smooth out any skirt and/or train wrinkles on the spot.
• The best of all possible options is to change into your gown at the wedding site. Should you go this route, keep these tips in mind: if you must pull the gown over your head, cover your face with a tissue to avoid getting makeup on the neckline/collar; static electricity can instantly cover the train of a gown in dust and carpet fibers, so spread a clean bedsheet on the floor of your dressing area.
• The reception, of course, is where accidents are most likely to occur. Be aware of the obvious dangers; don't, for example, lean so far over the buffet table that your dress dips into the gravy.
• No matter how cautious you are, you probably can't avoid every possible mishap, so be prepared for spills. Be sure to inquire when you buy your dress about the best way to spot-clean it should an accident occur. It is often best to leave it alone (although sometimes you can minimize the appearance of a spot by blotting – not rubbing – the fabric) and advise the cleaner afterwards so that it can be properly treated. Wine or champagne spills, though, should be looked after immediately: put a towel under the fabric and blot the top with a damp cloth wrung out in a solution of white vinegar or detergent and water, then blot dry to prevent a ring.
• When you change into your going-away outfit at the reception, you'll need something to put your wedding gown in. Whoever brings your clothes for you should also bring a bag for the gown – a large garment bag, perhaps, or the bag it was in when you got it from the salon. If you plan to wear your gown to your hotel, pack the garment bag with your overnight things.
• Kauai weddings