Planning > Wearing Mom's Dress
Wearing Mom's Dress  
Photo by Christopher Wakeen
You want to wear your mother's wedding gown on your wedding day for sentimental reasons but you're just not crazy about how it looks on you. Here are a few suggestions on how you can still wear your mother's dress and feel like a princess:
  • If the dress is too large, it can easily be taken in to make it smaller.
  • If the dress is too small, it can sometimes be made bigger. However, it's always easier to take a dress in than to take it out.
  • If the dress is too long, it can be taken up to your desired length.
  • You're not crazy about the sleeves? They can be removed. Or if there aren't any sleeves, add them. You can also lengthen or shorten sleeves to your desired taste.
  • If the skirt of the dress is just not you, have the bodice of your mother's gown attached to a different skirt.
  • If the neckline is too high, it can be converted to a low scoop, v-neck or sweetheart neckline.
Before you have the dress professionally cleaned, take the dress to a dressmaker to be sure that the dress can be altered the way you want. Then ask the dressmaker if you should have it professionally cleaned before or after the alterations - sometimes it depends upon the condition of the dress.
Here are a few questions you should ask about restoring or altering your mother's gown:
  • How much will it cost?
  • What color will the dress be? Sometimes they will take a swatch and restore it so you can see the color if will be after it's been restored.
  • How long will it take? Normally, it will take six to eight weeks. This does not include any repairs or alterations.
Find a Massachusetts bridal shop.
Find a Massachusetts seamstress for your wedding dress alterations.
Find a Massachusetts wedding veil specialists.
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