wedding dresses

By Roman Bienkiewicz, Banquet Manager, The Manor

The unthinkable has happened – no, your groom didn’t get cold feet. But you think this is almost as bad. You – or a now mortified guest – has spilled something on your wedding dress. The first rule of spills: Don’t panic. Making a scene won’t help. But there are a few simple steps that can. First of all, realize that you probably won’t get the stain out during the reception, but you can treat it so that it won’t set permanently. Chalk is great for covering stains on a wedding dress. For example, the bride traditionally takes photos outside, and sometimes nature leaves its mark on her dress. That’s the kind of fabric blemish simple white chalk can fix. Make sure you or one of your bride’s maids has some ready just in case. Red wine, lipstick and ink can also end up on a wedding dress. Here’s how to deal with each:

Red Wine: The chances of a red wine stain happening are quite high, so remember these basic steps. Dab the stain with a clean cloth. Club soda (or water in a pinch) can be poured generously on the stain. Dab again, but don’t rub vigorously.

Lipstick: Kissing is common at weddings. And some mothers-in-law wear more lipstick than others. If for some reason you get lipstick on your dress, ask the maitre d’ or your bridal assistant to get some baking soda from the kitchen. Apply it generously to cover the stain. It will mask the stain until your dry cleaner can carefully get it out.

Ink Stain: Though less likely than the lipstick or red wine stains, ink stains are possible nonetheless. Good news – the solution should be readily available in the bathroom! Hairspray does the trick. First test the hairspray on a nondescript part of your dress to make sure it doesn’t stain (some hairsprays don’t work well with certain fabrics). Then put a clean cloth behind the fabric where the stain is and spray the ink stain carefully. Wait a few minutes then dab gently with a damp cloth.

Thanks!

Roman

By Laura Madden, Senior Sales Manager, Pleasantdale Château
Bill Idol was right – it is a nice day for a white wedding. But the solid white wedding gown is seeing some competition these days. In an effort to challenge conventional wisdom – and longstanding tradition – some brides are adding a splash of color in their gown’s sash. It doesn’t mean the bride is rebellious or out to topple the establishment. It’s just a simple way to express a little individuality. I’ve seen more of this trend at the Pleasantdale Château, and from talking to my colleagues at our other Knowles restaurants – The Manor and Highlawn Pavilion in West Orange, New Jersey and the Ram’s Head Inn in Galloway , just west of Atlantic City, I know they are noticing this, too.

We like the idea of the colored sash and think it’s perfectly acceptable – as long as you pay attention to a couple of caveats. First, make sure the color is appropriate for the season – for example, reds, oranges and yellows in fall, and greens and lavenders in the spring. And keep the colors muted, not glaringly obvious. A little bit of color goes a long way against the background of a white wedding dress. And it’s a fine way to add a fresh tone to a bridal wardrobe.

Have a great day!

Laura