Fast fashion fixes

No matter how hard you try to have a flawless wedding, little "incidences" always colour the day. To make sure your dress does not become a casualty, here are a few quick tips to help fix any minor spills, tears or drops.

Be prepared though - wedding dresses are often made from the most delicate material (i.e. silk, chiffon, English lace), so trying to remove marks or stains needs to be done with the utmost delicacy.

Every dress is different, so make sure you check with your designer or the boutique owner from which you bought the dress to ensure these remedies will work with the fabric. Oftentimes, these tips will not erase the stain, but rather dull them enough to go unnoticed until you can get it properly cleaned after the wedding.

Ripped Bustle

This happened to Erin, but thanks to a resourceful wedding coordinator and patient bridesmaids, it was fixed in an instant! It's quite common, as one quick step on the train can unloosen the often-delicate loop. However, an oversized safety pin under the dress will fix it so you can head back out to your guests and the dance floor!

Makeup Smudge

First things first - if you're having your makeup done before the dress goes on, make sure you step into the dress instead of putting it over your head! Then there's Aunt Martha and Grandma Florence, who will most likely smother you with kisses... and foundation! Definitely don't rub the mark, as it will just make it harder to get out. Pour soda water onto a white towel and dab the area. Then sprinkle a bit of salt onto the mark. Wait until it dries and then brush off with the dry part of the towel. Mark still there? Try a little talc or white chalk to cover up the smudge.

Drop of Blood

A cut cuticle or a mishap with the tweezers could result in a spot of red somewhere on your gown. Although it sounds funny, wet a cotton bud with some of your own saliva and lightly dab the spot of blood. Make sure you're quick though, as this remedy works best when the blood is still fresh.

Oil Mark

It's been seen before - a flying piece of lettuce or a runaway cherry tomato - no doubt smothered in extra virgin olive oil. The key is to absorb the oil from the fabric. Simply apply cornstarch or talcum powder to the spot using a cotton bud. Once the oil has been absorbed, brush off the powder with a white towel.

Ink Spot

Drop the pen while signing the registry? Wish your Cousin Jemma hadn't given the kids pens with no caps to draw with? Simply spray a cotton bud with hairspray and brush lightly over the mark.

Water Droplets

As mentioned, wedding dresses are not normally made of cotton, so water stains don't just fade as they dry - they can stain! Dab the wet spot with a clean towel as soon as you discover it and then run a steamer over the mark to lift out the stain. Be wary of hairdryers as well, as they could potentially spread the mark!