Not All Dry Cleaners Are Created Equal

Hello Fab DBLA Brides!

I happen to get a lot of dry cleaning questions. This is an important post-wedding 'to do' item that brides start to ponder once the dust has settled and the honeymoon tan starts fading. That's ok! There is no serious rush to clean your gown. If you're eating wedding cake because it's your first anniversary, that's a little late. It's best to clean your gown within three months of your event. That way you'll address any imperfections in a timely manner. Even the most careful bride will discover stains or tears...after all, it is a party!

Not to worry. Most imperfections can be remedied by a great dry cleaner. Unless your crazy Uncle Larry bumped into you with a glass of Merlot, you should be good to go. The trick is to find the right dry cleaner for the job.

First, referrals are always great. Check with your girlfriends who have had gowns cleaned in the past. Second, ask your dry cleaner how many high-end cocktail or wedding gowns they clean. If they look at you with a fuzzy vacant stare, go elsewhere. Third, for brides living in larger cities, call the salons of designers and ask who they use to clean their runway gowns. The right cleaner will ensure the gown can be shared with future generations or another fabulous bride.

On that note, we are often asked 'to preserve or not to preserve'? For brides who wish to pass their gown down the family tree, cleaning and preservation are a must. This will ensure the gown doesn't yellow or the fibers weaken. Many cleaners will offer this up front, but keep in mind this will be unnecessary if you plan to sell your gown to another bride.

Brides who decide to sell their gown should clean their gown prior to sale. It's like buying a used car - a detail goes a long way in making it feel brand new. In addition to cleaning, go over the gown with a fine toothed comb and look for imperfections. Did the zipper come loose? Did some beads come unstrung? Did the hem come apart, or maybe the bustle? These types of repairs are totally minor and inexpensive. Girls are reluctant to purchase a gown with caveats, and addressing these repairs will mean a quicker sales process. Ask yourself, 'If I bought this gown, would I be excited about what I've purchased?' Making repairs will mean your gown will sell faster and your karma will stay in check.

With that, there should only be a few other wedding related decisions after the music fades. Now it's time to get another party started - married life!