bridal gown online

When it comes to marriage ceremonies, perhaps one of the most iconic symbols of the event is the traditional white wedding gown. Settling on a particular gown is often a major milestone and expense in preparing for the big day. Finding your wedding dress can be a group activity involving the participation (and opinions) of loved ones. There may even be an expectation that you will wear an heirloom garment that has been passed down in your family. However, the reality is that not everyone is into the classic white dress. Here are some other ideas to consider when you’re not feeling the idea of a white gown.

Change Color

Not everyone is into white as a color (or absence of color) for their nuptials. Consider wearing a gown in another color altogether. Is there a favorite shade that complements your skin tone or the color of your hair and eyes? Make that the basis of your color story for your wedding attire. You can find a dress that has the same silhouette of a gown, but in a hue that is more in line with your personal taste. Remember that it’s your special day. You can do whatever you want.

Ditch the gown and Suit Up

Perhaps color isn’t the issue and it’s more about the silhouette for you. Consider wearing a pantsuit. You’re in control, and the right pantsuit conveys a sense of power, letting people know that you’re the boss (or one of the bosses) on your big day. You might even take things a step further out of the ordinary by wearing a white suit or tuxedo. A power suit has been a go-to for many celebrity weddings, to the point that you may be able to shop for such an outfit at the same place you’d find a dress. Get your suit tailored for a perfect, flattering fit.

Jump to It

A jumpsuit provides an alternative that sits between a wedding dress and a full suit. Jumpsuits come in various colors, styles and fabric weights, making them an especially nice choice for both outdoor and indoor occasions at any time of the year. You can keep things light and breezy for a summery soiree, or go for something elegant with lacy details, merging gown sensibilities with the practicality of a jumpsuit.

Serve a Two-Piece Meal

Wedding gowns can be stuffy and restrictive. A two-piece outfit gives you options to maximize flexibility and versatility. You can mix and match different colors, textures, styles and designers to suit your sartorial mood. Two-piece combinations can be customized for the weather demands of a certain season or destination. Your top could be a sweater, a blouse or a crop top, while your bottom is a skirt, pants or even shorts. For additional dimension, you can also play with layering.

Go Shorter

It could be that you’re willing to say yes to a different type of dress. A cocktail dress can be a fun, cheeky alternative to the typical gown. This particular choice has the benefit of being dressy while also being less fussy, restrictive and expensive. Cocktail dresses come in a variety of lengths, giving you the choice to decide how much leg to show on your special day. An added bonus is that these outfits can be comfortably worn for the wedding, the reception and for honeymoon travel. Go with your favorite designer’s ready-to-wear outfit or choose a bespoke option that reflects your personality and unique sense of style.

Even if you’re someone who tends to lean traditional when it comes to tying the knot, you’re free to do your own thing for the wedding outfit. It’s your big day, and you should feel both comfortable and beautiful, whatever you decide to wear. If a traditional white gown is going to increase your stress on the big day, just say no!

Ontario Woman Uses Facebook to Find Lost Bridal Gown

Wedding dresses are the most expensive articles of clothing some women ever wear. Many brides want to hold on to these garments for sentimental reasons, and also because they forked over a substantial amount of cash to buy them. In order to keep their dresses in optimal condition, many brides use the services of a professional dry cleaner experienced with handling bridal gowns. After the cleaning is done, dry cleaners will often put them in special tissue lined boxes for storage to keep them preserved. Brockville, Ontario resident Melissa Hoogenraad took her dress to be cleaned and boxed after her 2003 nuptials. When she opened it in 2015, someone else’s dress was inside!

The Hunt for the Missing Dress

Mrs. Hoogenraad does not know what inspired her to open the box over a decade after her wedding, and was certainly not expecting the shock of realizing it contained someone else’s dress. She hopes to reunite the gown with its true owner in addition to finding her own. In an effort to locate the owner and find her dress, Hoogenraad has posted several pictures of the gown in the box and the one she wore on her wedding day on Facebook.

Louise Severson, the proprietor of the dry cleaning store, said this is the first time a mix-up like this has occurred in her shop’s 24 year history. She is assisting the Hoogenraads with their search. Severson has put ads online and in print, and requested names from 2003 marriage licenses from city hall. A local photographer who took pictures at 12 weddings around the same time as the Hoogenraads has also been contacted. The hope is he can spot the owner of mystery dress in his photos.

How to Preserve Your Wedding Dress

Get It Cleaned

Having your dress professionally cleaned is one of the best ways to maintain the integrity of wedding gowns. All stains must be removed for optimal preservation. The more time passes, the harder it is to remove stains. Sugar stains may initially be invisible, but will eventually turn brown. Wine stains should be dealt with quickly, because they become increasingly difficult to remove.

Wrap It Up

The right wrapping materials are essential in order to best preserve wedding gowns. Clean, acid-free paper and muslin are some of the most popular options. The correct box is also essential. Ones that are acid-free or pH-neutral are the top alternatives; dresses can breathe and adapt to fluctuating temperatures.

To Seal or Not to Seal

There are two schools of thought on the necessity of sealing wedding gowns in boxes. Some companies feel it is not essential if dresses are correctly packaged. The other viewpoint thinks that sealing the box keeps insects and other pests out.

Additional Tips

There are a fewer other things to keep in mind when it comes to safeguarding wedding dresses. One is to not wrap gowns in plastic before they are sent to the cleaners. This can trap moisture and increase the likelihood of mold and mildew growing. Avoid hanging these special dresses on regular wire or wood hangers. Doing so may stretch the fabric. Padded or plastic hangers are better choices. Let a professional clean the stains, don’t try to do it yourself, or they may set in the fabric. Once you get the boxed dress back from the dry cleaners, store it in a cool, dark, dry location. Heat, light and high humidity can be highly destructive to wedding gowns so it is advisable to keep them out of attics and basements. Dry closets and under beds are good storage spots.