 One of the benefits to hiring a wedding coordinator is
that she will come prepared with a very well-stocked emergency kit to deal with
any potential issue that could arise. My
kit contains everything from extension cords to extra black socks to duct tape
– and I’ve used all of it! But the part
of my kit that I use at almost every wedding is the stain-removal items. It seems inevitable that someone will
accidentally drop a lipstick or have wine spilled on them at some point during
the day or evening! If you aren’t lucky
enough to have a coordinator for your wedding, consider adding the following
items to your emergency kit:
First and foremost, I like to follow the old adage that
“an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure”. It’s vitally important for your wedding party
to have food in their stomachs during photos and the ceremony – if not, you’ll
have fainting bridesmaids and headachy groomsmen! However, if the wedding party will be eating
while in their formal wear, provide them with light-coloured, non-drippy foods
wherever possible. Cheese and crackers,
green grapes and banana bread are great examples. Water to drink might not be much fun, but
it’s safer than cola or wine! If, however, despite your best efforts, a spill happens,
the first thing to do is not to panic.
Determine whether the stain can be hidden with a sash or shawl (or your flowers), or if
it’s in an unnoticeable place. In this
case, you may wish to leave the stain untreated, as sometimes the treatment can
make it worse. Or, if the stain happens
after the ceremony and photos are done, decide whether you MUST try to remove
the stain, or if you can leave it to the professionals after the wedding.  For stains that happen prior to the ceremony or photos
and can’t be hidden, follow the tips given below. They’re meant to be used on a white bridal
gown, but can be used on coloured maid’s dresses too – just don’t use hydrogen
peroxide or cover the stain with chalk!If a stain is wet, first DAB with a dry, white cloth to
absorb the excess moisture. NEVER rub;
it may damage the fabric. Place another
white cloth behind the stain to prevent the liquid from spreading further. If a stain is oily, immediately saturate the
area with baby powder, talcum powder or baking soda to absorb the excess
oil. If a stain is solid (lipstick or
makeup), scrape off the excess prior to treating the remaining stain. Whatever you do, always spot-treat. Use the minimum amount of water or stain
remover possible, and avoid completely saturating the dress. Always test the stain remover on a hidden
area (such as the underside of the hem) first to ensure that it won’t further
damage or discolour the fabric. Following are some specific stains that you may
encounter, and how to deal with each:
For
any remaining stains, you can try diluted hydrogen peroxide, but be very
careful, as it may further bleach or discolour the fabric. Likewise, you can try Wine Out on any
non-greasy stain, and may have luck removing the colour from the stain. Also, Dryel may work on any number of stains:
take the stain removing liquid from the package, apply it to the front of the
stain, and use the absorbent pad on the back of the stain. Vinegar also works wonders; if you have it,
dab a little on remaining stains to remove greasy residue or colour. Once you've removed the stain, you can use a hairdryer to dry the spot on the dress, just make sure to use the warm setting, and hold it back from the fabric so as not to scorch it or melt the trim or embellishments. Other dress issues I
always carry a sewing kit with me to repair fallen hems and missing
hook-and-eyes on dresses, but if you have a rip in your dress or veil and don’t
have time to sew (or if sewing would make the rip MORE noticeable), use double
or single-sided tape from the underside to hold the tear together. If you have lots of time before the wedding,
and have extra beads or appliqués that match your dress, you can always cover a
rip or stain with extra embellishments.
In the case of sticky zippers, rub the teeth with bar soap or a white
candle to lubricate them and allow the zipper to close easily. No
matter the incident that befalls your beloved wedding dress, try to keep things
in perspective. You will notice the
stain or rip far more than your guests, and these days, a good photographer can
disguise a stain with a clever pose or a good photoshop job. Ultimately, the day is about you making a
commitment to the love of your life, and that commitment is no less binding if
you have a tiny little lipstick stain on your dress. Remember to smile, and your guests will focus
on your beaming face, not the “oops” on your dress. |
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