It’s the biggest day of your life and you want to look your best! This also means that your wedding dress needs to be looking its best. We all hope that our wedding day will go completely perfectly, but things happen. In case anything dirties your dream dress, we’ve put together a few tips to help keep you and your gown looking clean.

Prepare. What is your venue like? What kind of food will you be eating? Think about these things ahead of time. Plot potential dangers and see if there’s anything you can do now to prevent them from actually happening. If your venue is outside and you might get rained on, grab an umbrella or poncho to try and stay dry. If you’re having a delicious spaghetti dinner, it might not be the worst idea to throw on a small jacket or find a white-colored bib to protect your dress.
Show your gown some TLC. Keep your gown hung up and off of the floor. You don’t want it to get stepped on or have something spilled on it. Keep it in its garment bag until it’s ready to be worn. If you have any children or pets, it might also be best to keep it out of reach, like in a closet or on a high shelf, until the big day. Wait to put on your dress until after your makeup, hair and nails are all done.
Avoid the big dangers. If at all possible, avoid being around things that are known to stain easily. For example, be cautious over what lipstick you decide to wear. It might be a safer idea to get a lip stain or matte color versus a heavy lipstick or gloss. Avoid lipstick and other makeup that can easily smear and stain. If you want to enjoy a drink at the reception, choose a white wine versus red, or sip on another light colored or clear drink. Avoid makeup, moisturizers or perfumes with oils that could stain your dress.
Wash your hands. It might seem simple enough, but washing your hands often can help keep your dress clean. You definitely shake hands and give hugs to more people on your wedding day than most other days, so it’s always a good idea to wash your hands or grab a wet-wipe to keep from getting anything on your beautiful gown.
Dab away a stain. If something does happen to get on your dress, the best thing to do is use a clean, white towel and dab away the stain. Don’t rub or wipe as this will smear whatever is on your dress. Most common stains can be mostly removed when they happen with water and a little bit of dish soap. It might also be a good idea to carry a stain removal wipe or pen to attack a spot as soon as you see it.

*Remember, different materials need different care, so ask your bridal stylist what you should or should not do to your dress before trying any home remedies.

If any big messes do happen, it’s sometimes best to leave it to the professionals. Taking your dress to a specialty cleaner after your wedding is one of the best ways to remove tough stains and preserve your gown.

We want you to look your best on your big day. Keeping these tips in mind will help preserve your beauty, and keep you and your gown looking clean!