A Wedding Dress Story

Heritage Garment Preservation provides professional wedding dress restoration for heirloom wedding gowns. This is a service that is always exciting and sentimental. Each wedding gown we restore has it’s own story and is a cherished family memento. This wedding dress may soon be worn for the third time.

The first time it was worn was in 1952 by Amy’s mother in Emporia, KS. She does not recall where the dress was purchased, but remembered it was from a shop in the Kansas City, Missouri, area that is no longer in business. Amy’s mother also recalled that the dress had been worn in a fashion show prior to her purchase, and it was cleaned once along the hemline prior to her wedding.

Amy wore the gown herself in 1982. And now, Amy’s future daughter-in-law may soon wear the gown a third time. After the wedding dress restoration by our staff, the new bride will determine if the wedding gown can be restyled to her satisfaction. If so, she will pose for a photo in her gown to be added to this duo…

Amy's parents at their wedding eating wedding cake.

Amy’s parents at their wedding eating wedding cake.

The bride grooms parents at their wedding eating wedding cake. Wedding dress restoration may make it possible for a third wedding for this gown.

Amy and her husband at their wedding cutting their wedding cake.

Expert wedding dress restoration may make it possible for a third wedding for this gown.

The Third Wedding

Amy’s son is planning to be married in the Basilica of the Sacred Heart at the University of Notre Dame in South Bend, Indiana on June 22, 1919. It is a magnificent venue and a vintage, restored wedding gown will look amazing there.

Weber Wedding Dress Restoration

When we received Amy’s heirloom satin wedding dress, we found that it had yellowed and aged evenly. There were only a few small dark brown spots of oxidation on the dress and a few black marks on the skirt. One of the bustle buttons at the waist was missing and broken off. There was some chaffing and snags in the satin. The lace yoke was in good condition but had aged darker in color.

Amy’s Priscilla of Boston wedding cap and attached chapel length veil was in good condition with even yellowing.

We determined to remove the buttons from the gown before treatment and replace them afterward to prevent rusting. We gave Amy’s wedding dress a hot chemical treatment to whiten the color and remove the oxidized stains. We removed the veil and wire from the headpiece to prevent rusting before treatment. We replaced the buttons on the back of the dress, using the originals.

Amy’s heirloom wedding gown is now a lovely off white instead of yellow and ready to be restyled for the new bride.

Click on photos to enlarge

Amy's heirloom gown before wedding dress restoration.

Amy’s heirloom gown before wedding dress restoration.

Amy's heirloom gown AFTER wedding dress restoration.

Amy’s heirloom gown AFTER wedding dress restoration.

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