Dress alterations and cleaning

Hi everyone! This place is a goldmine, I'm shocked I never knew about these forums before!

I bought my dress from David's and took it home months ago. Here is the link to the dress:

http://www.davidsbridal.com/bridal_gowns_detail.jsp?stid=2284&prodgroup=10

I may not need alterations because the dress was a little tight when I tried it on but I've lost about 10-15 pounds since then. And I think the length will be good with my shoes.

But if I do need alterations, can anyone recommend someone reputable? I live in Long Beach and will travel as far east as Holbrook if I must.

I definitely need a reputable dry cleaner that has done wedding dresses before and has not ruined them! I saw some of the other threads about dresses being ruined and I'm worried. I don't want to go to just anyone, I want someone who specializes, especially if someone here has used them before with good results.

Lastly, how exactly do they 'clean' or 'press' the gown? I haven't worn it yet so it's clean but the gown definitely will need to have some wrinkles taken care of.

Will they ask me what to do or is it just a steaming or something?

Sorry for the silly questions!

Thanks!!!

Re: Dress alterations and cleaning

i can't rec. any cleaners as i just don't know much about anyone on LI (i moved up from NC) but i did work for 2 years in a dry cleaners....this is what i know...
rarely, unless it's a silk gown WITH NO BEADWORK, is a dress actually dry cleaned, regardless of the instructions because the beads can melt...so they will wash it in an ENORMOUS washer alone and allow it to air dry....to press it, they will use their pressing machines on dresses that accomodate it...if not, hand pressing ensues and simple steaming for tulle.......due to the risk involved in cleaning in general, i personally don't recommend cleaning until after the wedding anyway....and they tend to be done at the end of the day so that attention is paid to them. we always loved watching them press them and then we'd box them up.

HTH

Re: Dress alterations and cleaning

THANK YOU! The cleaning thing is clear to me now, all I need is a press. My dress is satin with beadwork on the bodice and the skirt so it would require hand-pressing right?

That picture doesn't do the dress justice, the beadwork and embroidery is extensive and colorful.

Re: Dress alterations and cleaning

i didn't even look at the dress! very pretty. they will most likely hand press that....and to be honest, as much as you will be charged, you deserve just that. request it even.

Re: Dress alterations and cleaning

Sorry, I didn't even realize that I hadn't made that a URL to click on.

Here are some other pictures of the embroidery with little sequins:



Here's the full dress on a hanger:



And here's the embroidery on the skirt:




So I guess I'm definitely going to ask for hand-pressing, considering the sequins and little beads.

OH I FORGOT! I wonder if they can do the bustle for me too? I haven't looked at the dress in a while, I don't know if there are buttons or snaps or something for the bustle. I wonder if I should go back to David's then for that...[

Re: Dress alterations and cleaning

You'll have to get the bustle done, they don't come with the buttons, snaps or strings i think b/c there are different 'styles'
Usually, the 'tailor' at a dry cleaners won't touch a wedding dress.....the liability is too great...if they hemmed it 3 inches instead of 2 they now have to buy you a whole new dress kind of thing....

i am getting my bustle done at david's....i was quoted $85 tops....let's hope so....i don't want to spend a ton on this. (unless i find somewhere else....i just don't know where to look though, although i bet i could ask some brides.....)

you're right, you can't see the colors on the website. very cute.

Re: Dress alterations and cleaning

Thanks for the feedback. I got a recommendation for a dry cleaner in Wantagh I can check out. And I'm going to keep reading your thread on your bustle, hoping I can glean some good info too!