What to do when your wedding dress arrives late and is damaged

Your wedding dress is the ultimate representation of your bridal style at bellasdress , whether you favor beautiful bohemianism or elegant minimalism. However, finding the perfect dress doesn't always lead to a happy ending. The lengthy process of ordering, manufacturing, and shipping a bridal gown can, albeit rarely, result in a flawed reproduction of the gown you fell head over heels for in the salon. So what is a bride to do when her dream dress isn't quite so dreamy after all? Our etiquette experts weigh in on dealing with a damaged gown just before your big day.

Before taking further action, formally communicate your complaints to the company responsible for your wedding gown. The damage and delay should incumbent on the wedding gown designer or bridal boutique to fix, and therefore the company should foot the bill for any errors.

Next, consider your options for the big day. If you still adore the style of your gown despite the damage, work with the designer, an experienced dry cleaner, or an expert tailor to find if there is any way to salvage the dress. Many alterations companies and dry cleaners can remedy simple errors in a timely fashion if properly compensated.

If recovering your gown isn't an option, you need to think about your backup options. Unfortunately, custom or made-to-order gowns are not an option on short notice, but an off-the-rack alternative may be your best option for the celebration. Many department stores offer in-house tailoring for formalwear and bridal attire. Your favorite local vintage boutique may also offer a selection of great gown just waiting to be discovered.

Finally, think about asking a parent or family member to volunteer their gown for your use on the big day. With the right tailoring and a quick trip to the dry cleaner, a loved one's dress can easily become your perfect bridal attire with the added benefit of sentimental attachment.