If you’re like most people getting married, you select your wedding day attire with care. Missing accessories, accidental stains, or wardrobe malfunctions can be minor annoyances or turn into major setbacks threatening to ruin your day. Nevertheless, you’re not without solutions if you keep some important advice in mind and take steps to prepare for potential problems with your apparel.
Absent Apparel and Accessories
Most wedding guides recommend laying out all your day-of essentials the night before. However, it’s easy to forget smaller items such as a bowtie or a pair of earrings in the pre-ceremony rush. In a June 2017 InStyle article, writer Glynis Costin suggests that nearlyweds make a list of apparel items and check it twice as they pack or get ready for the main event. It’s also a good idea to entrust a friend to make emergency runs to a nearby department store should you forget an important accessory. Costin points out that in a pinch, you may need to simply work around the missing item either by donning a replacement or going without it. After all, what seems to be a momentary inconvenience can become great fodder for humorous tales and fond memories.
Wacky Wardrobe Malfunctions
On the other hand, wardrobe malfunctions such as fallen hems, stuck suppers, missing buttons, ripped seams, or broken bustles bring your festivities to a screeching halt. Martha Stewart Weddings recommends keeping supplies on hand for fast fixes. Your sewing kit should contain several different sized needles, thread in colors that closely match your apparel, small scissors, a few buttons, and a needle threader to help speed up repairs. Be sure to pack a few additional basics in your emergency wedding day kit:
- Large safety pins
- A clear wax stick to unstick stubborn zippers
- A stain blotting pen or stain removal cloths
- Colored chalk that matches your attire
- Double-sided fabric tape or gaffer’s tape
- An iron and/or a garment steamer
Try These No-Sweat Solutions
Whether from overheating or keyed-up nerves, you could end up sweating profusely on the big day. Formal attire and excess perspiration are not a good combination, since they can result in unpleasant body odor and fabric stains. Bridal Guide writer Kristen Finello recommends donning a strong antiperspirant or seeking out a prescription formula from your physician if you need a more robust formula. Additionally, a light dusting of absorbent body powder can wick away excess moisture. The Knot’s Libby McCarthy offers even more tips for staying sweat-free during warm-weather weddings:
- Schedule your event outside of peak sun hours.
- Seek shaded areas for outdoor nuptials.
- Opt for lighter breathable fabrics and sweatproof undergarments.
- Have absorbent perspiration pads sewn into the underarms of your jacket, dress shirt, or frock.
Contending With Vendor Mistakes
Dealing with our own clothing mishaps is one thing, but what if a vendor’s at fault for a no-show accessory or botched attire? To avoid last-minute disasters, OffBeat Bride contributor Shannon Davis advises against dry cleaning or pressing wedding dresses before the big day. You should also allow enough time in advance for alterations or cleaning and check your garments as soon as you’ve received them. For shoes and accessories such as jewelry or cufflinks, inspect your purchases immediately upon receipt and contact your vendor right away if something isn’t right. Finally, InStyle’s Dobrina Zhekova recommends ordering a couple of extra boutonnieres to avoid getting shorted on the big day.
Be Flexible and Stay Prepared
Your wedding apparel blends with your décor, venues, and the style and theme of your event to form a unified aesthetic whole. Last-minute attire issues can certainly present minor snags or turn into major difficulties that can ruin your ideal wedding-day vision. Nevertheless, a flexible approach and preparing for problems can help you avert disaster before you walk down the aisle.
Add Your Comment