I want to sell my wedding dress & wedding ring set, how should i do it?

i have a nice wedding dresses embroidered with beads & pearls, very pretty, and also a set of rings (man's, petit engagement, and wedding band, all with small diamonds in the band) but the women's wedding band was cut off my finger by the paramedics. i want to sell them all, as i have been divorced, but not sure what the best course of action would be. i'm sure i should get the dress cleaned (but it's not stained or anything), but should i get the ring repaired or sell 'as is'? and where would be the best place to sell them each?

How close to my actual wedding day should I take my dress in for bustle, spot clean and final press?

I want my dress to be as fresh and ready to go as possible. I heard that is should be like 2-3 weeks before, why is that? Does it even matter. Would a month out be too far? Need advice from those who have experienced, thanks.

Has anyone had any experience they can share buying a preowned wedding dress?

My wife to be is shopping for wedding dresses, and we are considering buying a preowned wedding dress. However, we are a little uncertain about it. Some of the sellers do not show the actual picture of the dress on the auctions. On other sites, some of the sellers are unwilling to meet with us to let us see the dress before deciding to buy. In one of the cases, a seller mentioned that the dress was never cleaned but on after we asked. Has anyone had any positive experiences or words of advice they could share regarding the purchase of a preowned wedding dress?

How should I store my wedding dress?

I've been married for a couple years now and I looked at my wedding dress and it has 2 small stains from some of the wedding cake that dripped onto my dressSo Im getting it dry cleaned like it says on the label. How should I store it once its clean? I have those vacuum space bags that vacuum the air out, should I use that or just leave it in the garment bag it came with?

Wedding Dress Stains HELP?

I have got a blob of wedding dresses make up on my wedding dress.Any suggestions on how I can remove it. I don't want to spend £150 on getting the dress dry cleaned.

I had my wedding dress cleaned but there is still a stain?

Shortly after my wedding two years ago I brought my dress to a bridal shop and had it cleaned and preserved. They put it in a special box and I have been storing it in my closet ever since. I recently decided to sell it and when I opened it up today the first thing I saw was a yellow spot on the bodice (not there when I gave it to them) and deodorant marks in the armpit area on one side. Additionally, there were still some grass stains under the train and dried grass floating around the box. Does this sound right?my wedding dresses I understand not all stains come out but shouldn't they have told me if the deodorant stains were unable to be removed? And isn't preserving it supposed to prevent the yellow marks? Should I bring it back to the store and complain? I don't feel I can sell it in this condition and I'm really upset.

Can you hand wash a wedding dress?

My wedding dresses is all sweaty from my wearing it in 95 degree weather. I took it to the cleaners, and they said it can suffer damages AND it'll cost $150-200 for dry cleaning. Personally, I'd rather just store the dress for the rest of it's life all sweaty, but I'm supposed to wear it at our coming home wedding reception on Saturday. Is it possible to hand wash my dress? Any tips for cleaning otherwise? It's made of taffeta, with a lace up bodice. Thanks!

How to get dirt, sweat marks off wedding dress?

How to get dirt, sweat marks off wedding dress?
Hi,I've got a white "wedding" dress. It's stored away at the moment so I can't say what the material is but it's made from the same sort of material as the formal/prom dresses are made from. It has dirt marks around the bottom of it (don't ask how it got like that) and sweat marks on it. How to get it off without harming the dress? And once its clean how do i store it to keep it from deteriorating with age?

Wedding dress cleaning?

I spilled white grape juice on my wedding dresses,designer wedding dresses,bridesmaid dresses wholesale, back on July 30 2006 but couldn't afford to get it professionally cleaned. When I pulled it out of its garment bag today, it had yellow stains on it. I sprayed water on it and used a washcloth to wipe it away. Is there anything else I should do?My dress is 100% polyester.lining: 100% acetateNetting: 100% nylonProfessional spot clean only.No direct heat or steampictures of my dress below by clicking on the links:

Clean a dirty wedding dress?

I just got a wedding dress from a family friend who wanted to pass it down to me. She wore it when she got married and it is stained. It has been in the closet for years. This is the only dress I want to wear. There is a brown spot under the see through lace. It has also yellowed. It still looks beautiful. wedding dresses,designer wedding dresses,bridesmaid dresses wholesale,The veil also is yellowed but it is long and the dress has a long train and the veil is long with flowers on it that I want to keep. The head dress part, is bent. I plan to replace it. How can I clean it at home? Any suggestions? I am getting married March 8 2008. There is so much to do in so little time.

On average how much does it cost to get a wedding dress cleaned?

The lady you spoke with cant give you any cost estimates without seeing the dress. If you are able to get a "flat rate fee" then you are going to get "flat rate" cleaning service as well... There are many factors that go into the cost of having the dress cleaned/preserved. Among them are fabric type, beading, detail, stains/dirt, size/style (a plus size gown with a cathedral train isnt going to be as inexpensive as a petite dress with a sweep train), also any repairs that may need to be made... wedding dresses,designer wedding dresses,bridesmaid dresses wholesale,If you want to know what it will cost take your dress to the dry cleaner you plan to use and have her look it over, if she cant give you an estimate then dont use that cleaner.If you would like to have your dress cleaned / preserved without the worries of voiding your warrantee I recommend one of these...

Can I clean my satin wedding dress myself?

I got married in July and am looking into getting my dress cleaned. The quotes I am receiving are min £130 which I've been told will probably rise to £200. I can't justify spending that amount on something I'll never (I hope!) wear again. Can I clean it myself? It is made from satin and is heavily beaded with sequins,pearls etc on the bodice. It only has a small amount of tan/make up around the top edge (it's strapless) and wedding dresses,designer wedding dresses,bridesmaid dresses wholesale some black marks on the train. Thought about trying vanish. Someone else told me to put it in a pillowcase and put it in the washing machine! Has anyone else tried it? Help! I need some suggestions to save myself a fortune

congrats on the wedding!! yeah i washed mine in a duvet cover (pillow case maybe small lol) and it came out fine, i did it on a low heat - 40 - and it removed all the watermelon breezer my godson spilt down it, and only 3 sequins fell off, but saving £200 more than compensated

Is there a home remedy for cleaning a yellowed wedding dress made of tafeta and chiffon overlay?

Sorry No; it's safer to have it professionally cleaned. The process is too hard to perform at home & dry cleaning is involved.* wedding dresses,designer wedding dresses,bridesmaid dresses wholesale Oxygen in the air has oxidized optical brightener on garment, giving a yellow appearance.* Suggest having the dress vacuum sealed and boxed after your daughter's wedding.Good luck!

Keeping a wedding dress clean?

Keep it in a Tupperware tub and don't open the tub in the house where it's smelly. Not only will smoke make it smell but it yellows the dress as well. wedding dresses,designer wedding ,bridesmaid dresses wholesale Get a dryer sheet and tape it to the lid so that it smells nice but does NOT touch the fabric of the dress. If you have the money I would take it to the local dry cleaners and have it boxed until your wedding day. Good luck on your wedding day!

What is a good price to get a wedding dress cleaned and altered?

If you choose something lacey with a lot of beading, the alterations are going to be a lot more. My alterations were $500 because it was beaded and had a lace overlay. All the beads had to be removed and replaced in order to alter it which is what made it so expensive. Just something to consider when trying to save a little.

How do I find a good wedding dress cleaner and preserver?

Preserving a gown is a bad idea. Many gown preserving operations are little more that frauds -- they make you pay a lot of money, they rarely clean the dress well, the often put gobbs of chemicals on the dress, and then they put the dress in a box which is easily eaten by bugs.Think if you really want to keep the dress for the rest of your life. You'll never use it again, and chances are your daugther won't either. Many charities would love to have your gown. That way a bride that couldn't normally afford such a beautiful dress could walk down the asile with pride. If you really want to keep the dress, get it dry cleaned and put it in a garment bag along with some ceder.

Dry cleaning a wedding dress?

I had mine done by Imperial Gown ... the same company that works on dresses for the Smithsonian and has been featured on Oprah. They have a guarantee and it is not voided if you open the box, like most others.My gown was a couture gown, so I really wanted it to be preserved as well as it could be. It ran about $300, but I consider it money well spent. Every so often I do open the box to look at my beautiful dress.The Imperial Gown company's website is gown.com. If you want to be sure that your gown is perfectly preserved, I can't recommend them highly enough.Good luck and congratulations!

How to clean your own wedding dress

Hi there, I used to work in a wedding dress shop and to clean small marks off satin wedding shoes we advised to get a cotton wool ball (like the type you remove make-up from) and run it under warm water. Wring it out so it's not too wet and rub gently over the marks. This should work for small marks on a wedding gown too. If this dress is precious to you and you are going to hand it down through your family or even just keep it, I would advise to get it professionally dry cleaned as the material will rot. It may seem expensive but it is worth it. Hope this helps. x

How to clean my wedding dress before the wedding?

This is your wedding gown. It's an important, delicate thing! You're doing the right thing by having it tailored, but you should be very careful with the cleaning as well. Many dry cleaning shops also offer tailoring and alterations. Seeing as how the dress will already be there getting tailored, they may clean it for you for a discounted price or even for free. If this is not something they offer, speak to your tailor (or a professional at the shop where you purchased your dress -- assuming it was a department, dress, or bridal shop and not a regular clothing store) and ask for safe, effective cleaning methods for the fabric your dress is made of. Satins, silks, and other fabrics bridal gowns are often made from are very fragile and do not respond well to many harsh cleaning products. Best to leave it in the hands of a professional. A few extra dollars for the cleaning will save you alot in the long run, considering you could easily ruin your dress by attempting to spot clean it on your own.

How can I clean my wedding dress before the wedding?

Love, this is your wedding dress. Your. Wedding. Dress. You're wearing this when you walk down the aisle. Do not, do not, do not put in your own washing machine! You need to take it to a dry cleaners. More importantly, they need to know what they're doing with wedding dresses. If you can, find someone in the area that specializes in cleaning wedding dresses. Many places do terrible things to them. I was a bridesmaid in a wedding where they actually burnt a lot of the sequins of the bodice of her dress.... not good. Once the dress is clean, be sure you're keeping it either in a plastic hanging protector or, better yet, wrapped in a white bed sheet. All you need to do is cut a hole at the top so the hanger can come through the top. The white sheet keeps the dress from going yellow; some of the chemicals in the plastic protectors can cause the dress to discolor quickly.Do not put the dress on any floor before first covering it with a clean, white bed sheet- whether you're trying it on at home, in for alterations, getting dressed for the big day, etc. One your wedding day, try to hike the dress up off the floor as much as you can until your altar return photos are finished. You don't want grey and brown splotches on the hem of your dress visible! Best wishes and Congratulations!

Where can I clean my wedding dress that will be reworn in 5 years?

Many dry cleaner have a "Wedding Dress Preservation Service". Basically, they clean the dress and then vacuum seal it in a bag and put the whole thing in a box with a window in the front so you can still see most of the dress.Be prepared though, it ain't cheap. Maybe $200.00.

How to dry clean a wedding dress made of satin?

Take it to the dry cleaner. They will know what to do with it. They clean all wedding gowns regardless of their fabric or detail and offer proper storage for them as well. If your present cleaners can't figure it out, take it to another.

Steps for selecting a wedding dress

On average, a bride will try on about 18 or 19 gowns before finding the perfect dress,so most people believe that buying a wedding dress can be an arduous process.. Start the process at least six months before the wedding if you are having the dress custom made.

Step 1
Get the pictures from bridal and fashion magazines, shop online and look at old family photos to zero in on your preferred style.Then ask friends and family for references on dressmakers and designers if you are having the dress custom made.

Step 2
Take a friend whose opinion you trust to shops with you at bridal stores. Include your mother if appropriate.Meanwhile,you should also bring shoes with the same size heel you expect to wear on the wedding.
.
Step 4
Try on a variety of dresses,and before that,you can look through gowns on the rack and attend trunk shows. It helps to save you a lot of money.

Step 5
Once you choose your dress.Discuss alteration charges with the salon.

Step 6
If the dress is being made for you,then it costs six months for dressmaking,

Step 7
You may also be ready to pay about 50% of the cost of the dress as a deposit.

Step 8 Choose the right fabric swatch to match with your shoes, veil and accessories.

How to remove stains from a wedding dress?

If your beautiful wedding dress has some stains on it,then they are hard to address.First,we need to know what type of fabric the gown is.Most bridal fabrics(silks,satins,taffetas and chiffons) will water spot with anything that is put on the stain.In the bridal factory,we would work carefully with our fabric steamer.iron and woolite detergent to work out the stain. We would put a very small amount of Woolite on a clean white wash cloth with a bit of cold distilled water and work that into the stain. After working the detergent into the spot, we would take a fabric steamer and iron to the dress to steam and press out the water spot until the dress was dry. If the Woolite left a bit of a residue spot, we would work the distilled water into the spot and take the steamer and iron to it to work it out. This may not work for the type of dress that you have, so I might suggest to you to try these techniques on the hem of the dress where a water spot may not be as noticable. To be safe, take the dress to a professional dry cleaner, although there are no guarantees that dry cleaning will take the stains out either.

guide of wedding dress style

A-Line or Princess Line dress
Perfect fit
This is a fitted bodice shape with an A-line skirt. It hugs the waist, so it flatters slim waistlines while making the most of the bust. If you have wider hips, the A-Line will cover them up effectively

What to avoid
If you have a fuller figure, you may choose not to have a dress which hugs the form quite so closely. The tighter bodice will tend to draw attention to a smaller bust.

Full Skirt or Ballgown
Perfect fit
If you have a slim-hipped figure and a full bust, the Full Skirt shape will balance top and bottom perfectly, giving you that "fairytale bride" look. This style or Princess are generally thought of as the most romantic shapes.

What to avoid
Avoid the Full Skirt if you are not full busted, as it will make your bust look smaller. If you are petite, avoid this option because you will disappear into the dress! If you have wide hips, avoid the Full Skirt because it will over emphasize them.

Bias Cut dress
Perfect fit
If you are slim and want to look very chic, the bias cut is for you. This is the dress for the bride with the perfect figure. The bias cut flatters tall girls, but is also complimentary for a petite figure. The cloth of the bias cut is diagonal, giving a different fit to the Column, described below.

What to avoid
A bias-cut dress hugs the hips, so if you are fuller in the hip, avoid this style. It will show off a perfect curvy figure, but if there are curves where you don't want them, they'll show too!

Empire Line dress
Perfect fit
This is another fairytale look. Starting the waistline beneath the bust works well for smaller busts, and the long line makes petite brides look taller. For the ultimate romantic style, this one won't let you down. The Empire line with an A-line skirt will also do a marvellous job at concealing wider hips. An Empire Line with a column skirt adds height and balances a smaller bust.

What to avoid
The long line makes tall brides look taller. If you have a marvellous figure and want to show it off, a figure-hugging dress might be preferable, but it is difficult to find too much wrong with the Princess style, which is probably why it is so popular.

Asymmetric dress
Perfect fit
The asymmetric design is an unusual look which on the right figure can be particularly striking. Beautiful shoulders and arms will look their best in this style, while the flaring skirt is good for hiding fuller hips.

What to avoid
Beautiful asymmetric strap designs will distract from square shoulders, but there is a danger that bringing the eye to the unusual diagonal look will emphasize the shoulders too.

Column dress
Perfect fit
Like the bias cut but with a straight weft and vertical seams, the Column dress hugs the figure and looks great on tall, willowy women. This is the one to give you that catwalk look! The unbroken line will also work well for a more petite figure.

What to avoid
The Column shape sits quite close to the body, so if you have fuller hips, this will tend to emphasize them.

Two-Piece dress
Perfect fit
A Two-Piece dress, as in this picture, should normally be indistinguishable from a complete dress, i.e. the corset and skirt shouldn't part company at the waist. A better fit can be achieved with separates, especially if you are not stock size. If you would like to show a bare midriff, this will look better if it is well-toned.

Separates help break up lines if you use two different colours or patterns, which is ideal for tall brides who want to look shorter. A corset works well at tapering the bodice in to the waist, and is effective if you want to emphasize your bust.

What to avoid
Separates tend to emphasize the hips because of the corseting, while a gap draws attention to the waistline, so if these are not your best features, separates may not be for you.

Shape Styles Sleeve Styles Neckline Styles Stylomatic
Long or Three-Quarter Sleeves
Perfect fit
Use long sleeves to draw attention to your upper body, for example if you have fuller hips. Long sleeves will also conceal larger arms, and cover square shoulders. A pretty design will distract the eye from any imperfections. Long sleeves will also save you from getting goose bumps if you have a winter wedding.

What to avoid
If you have well-toned arms, flaunt them! It would be a shame to cover them up with long sleeves, however pretty the material might be. Don't use long sleeves if you have a petite figure, because they will make your arms look longer and out of scale with the rest of you.

Spaghetti Straps
Perfect fit
Show off well-toned arms and beautiful shoulders and neck by choosing spaghetti straps. These have a young and modern look and are very attractive on the right girl.so, you can choose a wedding dress with capsleeves

What to avoid
Use a strapless bra with spaghetti straps so that there are no distractions. Keep angular shoulders or large arms covered up. Spaghetti straps also emphasize the neck, so be sure it looks good if you choose them. You can also use a necklace effectively to compliment the straps.

Short sleeves
Perfect fit
Use wedding dress short sleeves to show off well-toned arms. They will help balance small shoulders, too. Short sleeves help break up the line, so if you are tall, short sleeves together with a suitable dress shape will make you look shorter.

What to avoid
Keep larger arms covered up by choosing a wedding dress with long sleeves, preferably with a looser fit. If you have broad shoulders, this style will emphasize them.

Shape Styles Sleeve Styles Neckline Styles Stylomatic
Strapless Neckline
Perfect fit
This is a particularly elegant look if you have a long neck, good shoulders and well-toned arms. A strapless dress is a fine opportunity for beautiful jewellery. Strapless looks good with a medium bust.

What to avoid
Don't leave everything uncovered unless it looks great - there are plenty of other styles to hide shorter necks, square shoulders or full arms. If you have a very full bust, strapless is unlikely to be able to give you the support you will need throughout the day.

Halter Neckline
Perfect fit
Halterneck tops expose beautiful shoulders and well-toned arms, while the continuity of line makes you look taller if you are petite. The halterneck top echoes the lower half of the dress, so if you have slim hips the halterneck will be an excellent counterpoint. There are many different variations on the halterneck style; collar with straps, single strap wrapping round the back of the neck, covered or exposed V to the bust. A halterneck style can also hide that little underarm "pouch" that we are sometimes prone to!

What to avoid
A halterneck top may over-emphasize your upper body if you have a larger bust, though it will provide good support. It will also emphasize your hips in counterpoint - so if you have larger hips, avoid this style.

V Neckline
Perfect fit
The V-Line style plunges to the bust and is particularly complimentary if you have a larger bust and would like a little cleavage. The angle of the V-Line varies and may be on or off the shoulder, so expose beautiful shoulders but cover them up if they are angular.

What to avoid
Avoid the V-line if you are small busted, as it will tend to draw attention to this.

Sweetheart Neckline
Perfect fit
This is a pretty and romantic neckline, forming a natural heart shape and giving you a sweet and innocent look. It also works with larger busts as a sexier style, showing a hint of cleavage.

What to avoid
The Sweetheart style exposes a central panel of neck, so if this is not your best feature, you may want to look at alternatives such as a halterneck. Alternatively, a Sweetheart can lend you the romantic look you seek, with a pretty item of jewellery as an accessory to improve the look of your neck.

Boat or Bateau Neckline
Perfect fit
The wide-necked shape of the Boat or Bateau style follows the line of the collarbone, so if you have well-defined collarbones and a beautiful neck, the Boat design will show them off to best effect. Boat is also good for narrow shoulders. This style was made popular by Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffany's.

What to avoid
If your neck is not your best feature, the Boat may not show you in best light. If your shoulders are broad, keep away from Boat as it will draw attention to them. If your bust is large, the Boat neckline will make it look bigger.

How to Stay Calm the Night Before the Wedding

Relax with loved ones, but don't forget to take some time out for yourself - you've planned the perfect wedding and you owe it to yourself to indulge yourself before the big day.

Step 1. Pamper yourself with a manicure or massage.

Step 2. Take time at your rehearsal dinner to delight in the company of family and friends.

Step 3. Come home, light some candles, put on some relaxing music and draw up a warm, luxurious bath. For an
extra indulgence, soothe your senses with aromatherapy.

Step 4. Have a glass of warm milk or hot herbal tea to calm those nerves.

Step 5. Follow your usual nighttime routine before going to bed.

Step 6. Get a good night's rest - even if you can't sleep, just resting will help.

How to Walk in a Wedding Dress

With a little practice - and the right shoes - you can glide down the aisle with grace and elegance.

Step 1. Buy a dress that fits you well.

Step 2. Shop for comfortable pumps, stacked heels, flats or slippers. Avoid high heels.

Step 3. Scuff the soles of those slippery new shoes using sandpaper or a kitchen knife.

Step 4. Maintain good posture - head high and shoulders back! This way, the dress hangs on you correctly instead of getting in your way.

Step 5. Grasp the sides of your dress and pull them up a bit when climbing stairs.

Step 6. Bustle the train with hooks, snaps or buttons - if you don't have a detachable train - so that you can move around at the reception.

Step 7. Slip on that dress and shoes, and practice walking and dancing at home. Get a feel for how the dress fits and moves.

How to Choose a Headpiece for Your Wedding Dress

The headpiece you choose will depend a great deal on whether your hair will be short or long, up or down. Style your hair in a fashion similar to the way you'll wear it for the wedding, then shop around for the perfect addition to your bridal ensemble.

Step 1. Slip on a decorated headband, which you can also have designed to closely match the fabric of your dress. Choose a narrow and delicately jeweled band if your hair is short; for long hair, choose from a wider silk or satin band.
Step 2. Adorn your hair with a decorated comb. These are best for shoulder-length or longer hair.

Step 3. Choose a floral wreath if you're wearing a semiformal dress; wear a more elegant wreath of pearls and flowers for a formal dress.

Step 4. Accessorize with a tiara - a fashionable, contemporary choice good for any length hair, worn up or down.

Step 5. Wear a hat if you've got a sassy short haircut - anything from a subtle pillbox to a wide-brimmed Southern-style hat, depending on the style of your dress.

Step 6. Clip long hair back in a satin, beaded or lace barrette. For shorter hair, try a smaller jeweled version to hold back your bangs.

Step 7. Use your face shape as an additional guide: Oval-faced women can generally choose from all styles; those with round faces can charm in tiaras; floral wreaths and headbands flatter women with longer faces.

How to Get a Wedding Dress Fitted

Most brides are on an automatic weight loss plan due to nerves and excitement. Be sure to have your dress altered accordingly.

Step 1.Discuss alteration costs when you purchase the dress.

Step 2.Follow the salon's suggestions for fittings. Most will have you in for at least two before the wedding.

Step 3.Discuss with the seamstress the length and style you want before anything is cut or altered.

Step 4.Show up for your fittings relaxed and somewhat put together.

Step 5.Bring your wedding (or comparable) shoes every time so you have a realistic measurement of length.

Step 6.Avoid wearing makeup that might end up on your wedding dress during the fitting.

How to Choose a Wedding Dress

Buying a wedding dress can be an arduous process. On average, a bride will try on about 16 or 17 gowns before finding the perfect dress. Start the process at least seven months prior to the wedding if you are having the dress made.

Instructions

Step 1.Cut out pictures from bridal and fashion magazines, shop online and look at old family photos to zero in on your preferred style.

Step 2.Ask friends and family for references on dressmakers and designers if you are having the dress made

Step 3.Bring a friend whose opinion you trust to shop with you at bridal stores. Include your mother if appropriate.

Step 4.Bring shoes with the same size heel you expect to wear at the wedding.

Step 5.Look through gowns on the rack and attend trunk shows. You could save a lot of money.

Step 6.Try on a variety of dresses

Step 7.Discuss alteration charges with the salon, once you choose your dress.

Step 8.Allow six months for dressmaking, if the dress is being made for you.

Step 9.Be ready to pay about 50 percent of the cost of the dress as a deposit.

Step 10.Take home a fabric swatch to match with your shoes, veil and accessories.

How to choose the wedding dress color?

White has long been accepted as the traditional color of the wedding dress, but wedding gowns were not always white. The marriage of Queen Victoria to her cousin Albert of Saxe- Coburg in 1840 has had more influence on weddings than any other. Queen Victoria put the wheels in motion by marrying in white. Though brides continued to wed in gowns of different colors, white was now set as the color of choice for weddings and has continued ever since. In Godey’s Lady’s Book, 1849, this statement was printed: “ Custom has decided, from the earliest ages, that white is the most fitting hue, whatever may be the material. It is an emblem of the purity and innocence of girlhood, and the unsullied heart she now yields to the chosen one.”

There is an old poem about how the color of your wedding dress will influence your future: “Married in white, you will have chosen all right. Married in grey , you will go far away. Married in black, you will wish yourself back. Married in red, you’ll wish yourself dead. Married in blue, you will always be true. Married in pearl, you’ll live in a whirl. Married in green, ashamed to be seen, Married in yellow, ashamed of the fellow. Married in brown, you’ll live out of town. Married in pink, your spirits will sink.”

The Industrial Revolution also brought about change. By the 1890’s and the arrival of the department store, almost every woman could realize her dream of being married in a “new” wedding dress. The white dress was gaining popularity and in 1890, Ladies Home Journal wrote: “That from times immemorial the bride’s gown has been white”. Although this statement was not true, it shows how deeply accepted it was that a wedding gown be white. Although white was popular, some brides, especially the frontier brides, wore dresses that were more practical and could be worn after the wedding. As wedding dresses closely resembled the fashions of the time, only a little alteration was needed for the dress to be perfect to wear again.

Edwardian brides took the traditions of their Victorian ancestors to new extremes. Fashions became more extravagant as the decade progressed, but came to a screeching halt with the outbreak of WWI. Styles became simpler, and also reflected the changing role of women in society with hems getting shorter and the disposing of tightly laced corsets. Coco Chanel was a powerful force behind the change in women's’ fashions, and was the one who officially introduced the short wedding dress in the 1920’s. It was a white knee length dress worn with a long train. This cemented white as the universal color of the wedding dress.

When the Depression hit, brides made do with their “best” dress for the wedding. My great grandmother, who was married in 1928 had a new white wedding dress, but after the wedding she dyed it navy, keeping only the collar and cuffs white—a common practice at that time. During WWII, women considered it their duty to give up the traditional wedding , although most brides might be engaged only for a few weeks or even days before the wedding took place. This did not leave enough time to find a wedding dress so the best suit had to do. If the bride was set on having a white dress, one could be borrowed or rented for the ceremony. If both the bride and groom were in the military they were married in their respective uniforms.

After the war, prosperity made it possible for the large dream weddings inspired by the Victorian era to become a reality. Grace Kelly’s marriage to Prince Monaco garnered much publicity because of its grand fairy tale wedding. She wore a white silk and lace gown. The focus of wedding dresses has shifted since the 1950”s. The emphasis now is on the individuality of the bride. So whatever color you choose to be married in, you now know a bit more behind the tradition of the white wedding dress.

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