The Ultimate Wedding Gown Guide by Linda's Bridal and Formal

Phone: (866) 947-2346
Fax: (937) 836-6074

Visit Linda's Bridal & Formal for exquisite wedding gowns.

Over 300 Bridal Gowns in stock to choose from and

over 300 Maids in stock to try on.

Linda has been a seamstress and purveyor of fine bridal garments and accessories for 40 years. From her beginnings at an underwear factory in Piqua, Ohio, to an independent seamstress specializing in high school uniforms and handmade formal wear to her own business in locating and outfitting the most excellent bridal wear and accessories, she has maintained the highest standards in serving her customers. Stop by Linda's Bridal & Formal, LLC, in Union, Ohio, today.

Additional Seamstress Services Available: On-Site Furrier and Leather Alterations

Rental Services Available:
Tuxedos
Wedding Gown
Brides Maids
Slips
Rent 5 Tuxedos, Get 1 Free & Receive the Ring Bearer Tuxedo at Half Price! Go to www.jimsformalwear.com and build a tux

Here are some tips and tricks for keeping your gown in top shape when you are preparing for the special day. Preserving your gown after the big event is also a good idea. Start with a reputable bridal shop, the care for your wedding gown begins there.

Many bridal shops will allow you to store your dress at their location until the wedding. If you have not purchased your gown yet, ask the bridal shop when you purchase your dress if this option is available. Ask whether the boutique does alterations on site. You want your gown transported as little as possible, so look for a bridal shop that does alterations on site if you can locate one. Have major alterations done as soon as possible, minor alterations can wait until a few weeks before the wedding.

If you do have to store your dress at home, find a room away from heavy traffic. A storage room, spare bedroom, or walk in closet work the best. Hang it as high as possible, and drape the train over a chair so it is not touching the ground. If you have to spread the train on the floor, lay a sheet down first. Keep your dress in a room away from pets, and children. Even if you have well behaved children or pets, accidents do happen.

Try on your wedding gown a couple weeks before the wedding. Even if the gown fit perfectly the last time you tried it on. Brides have a tendency to gain, or lose weight right before the wedding. Sometimes the weight loss may be planned, but nervous brides also get so busy they forget to eat. Some brides are nervous eaters, and may gain a few pounds, or your weight may shift. If your dress needs a nip or a tuck, schedule it with a reputable seamstress.

If you store your gown at home, schedule your appointment to have it steamed a day or two before the wedding. If possible when you pick up the gown from being pressed, take it directly to the wedding location, and hang it in a spare room, as high as possible. If you can, drape the train so it is not touching the ground. Don't forget the veil! It is a good idea to have the veil steamed when you have your dress pressed. You can keep the veil with you after it is steamed, especially if it needs to be worked into your hair prior to the ceremony.

When you are transporting your wedding gown to the church, find the vehicle with the largest interior possible, such as a van or SUV. Make sure the interior is clean, and swept out. Spread sheets to cover the interior of the vehicle where the gown will go. Wrap the dress lightly in sheets to get it to the vehicle without getting it dirty. Hang the dress on the garment hook, and spread the train out as much as possible. Keep the dress covered lightly with the sheet. Do not stuff any part of the dress into a garment bag, even if it is only a short ride to your destination, or your dress will wrinkle!

Plan ahead of time the person who will flip, or position your train during the ceremony. During rehearsal you will want to go over potential times you will need help with your dress or train.

Take the person who will be responsible for bustling your dress with you to the final wedding gown fitting. The seamstress can show her how to bustle the gown properly. The night of the wedding is not a good time to find out no one can bustle your dress, or the bustles do not work properly. Some dresses have a detachable train, if this is the case make sure a friend knows how to detach the train before the big day.

If you are having a destination wedding, have your gown fitted a few weeks before you are leaving, for any last minute alterations. Schedule with your destination hotel for a final pressing, and possible storage until your wedding. Your dress will get wrinkled during transport to your wedding location, since it will probably need to be packed in some type of garment bag for transport. Check with your hotel ahead of time, and if they do not offer this service, ask them for the name of a local dry cleaner that can handle your request.

After your wedding you can have your dress cleaned and preserved. There are several companies out there who do this. Check with the bridal shop where you purchased the dress, or a local dry cleaner. If they do not clean and preserve, they will be able to give you the name of someone who does. Do this as soon as possible, if you leave soil and dirt on your dress it can set in and become a stain that will not come out.

Relax and have fun on your big day. Chances are if your dress does get a wrinkle or two, or a small spot, no one will notice but you. Everyone else will notice the beautiful bride on her wedding day. Enjoy the spotlight, don't sweat the small stuff, and have a great day.