wedding dress Archives - Treasured Garment Restoration

January 13, 2021 In Wedding Attire, Wedding Dresses, Wedding Trends

The Top Wedding Dress Trends of 2021

The 2020 year was rough for most people, for many reasons, and, Brides were no exception. Planning a wedding is no small undertaking. Some couples take anywhere from 10 months to 2 years constructing and finalizing all the details for the big day, so, undoubtedly, forced cancellation and postponement was heartbreaking.

A recent survey by The Knot among U.S. couples who originally planned their weddings for March through August 2020 found that 52% pushed their celebrations to a later date in the year, while 33% rescheduled to 2021 and 14% are still unsure of a new wedding date.

But guess what!? We made it! The much-anticipated year of 2021 has finally arrived! From weddings that were rescheduled to 2021 and ones originally planned for 2021 to the brand new Brides that are just beginning to plan – it’s starting to get back on track and not a moment too soon!

So, let’s dive in and help you get those creative juices flowing as we reveal the most talked about wedding fashion for 2021!

Brave & Bold

This year is all about bolder wedding fashion. Brides are feeling braver than ever with their choices and free to really express themselves on their wedding day. Many are making their statement with ball gowns, exaggerated sleeves, layers of textures, romantic ruffles, edgy jumpsuits and capes!

Top 10 Wedding Dress Trends

Short Dresses
Cape Veils
Romantic Ruffles
Crepe Dresses
Bishop Sleeves
Subtle Sparkle
Wedding Jumpsuit
Square Neckline
Slip Dress
Layered Skirts

READ THE FULL ARTICLE: The Knot

Kathryn Wen told Fashionista.com, “Brides are expressing themselves through more adventurous, seize-the-day approaches: “We have a lot more interest in color. Still the light blue, gray and blush ranges, but we’ve had people who’ve done mustard or burgundy. A little bit ‘out there’ colors.”

Personal Style & Versatility

Lace, bows, feathers, beading, sequins, pleats, rhinestones, and pearls – OH MY!
Embellishments are dominating this year and should not be overlooked!
Here’s a couple reasons why –

It’s the small details that will take a wedding dress you love to the next level and transform it into something that’s unique and personal to you.
Don’t stop at the dress… Embellishments can be added to veils, capes and shawls, matching couples’ jackets, and on the newly-trending hair accessory: barrettes and combs.
Brides want the option to switch up their looks – overskirts, capes and embellished top layers are more popular than ever.

In an effort to have a more sustainable dress, we are seeing Brides even design their own wedding gown or transforming an old one into the dress of their dreams! The possibilities are truly endless.

In fact, Treasured Garment Restoration specializes in bringing Vintage Wedding Gowns back to life. We clean and restore vintage wedding gowns, and work with you to add your own modern twist and match the dress to your unique style!

Check out this video: Twin Cities Live interviews Monica Zaun, one of our Alterations Specialists and features THREE of her most recent wedding gown rebuilds.

CONTACT US TODAY BY EMAIL OR CALL 651-351-3951
We can’t wait to talk with you about the ways we can make your big day that much more special!

Treasured Garment Restoration is nationally recognized for Wedding Gown Cleaning & Preservation, has an Award-Winning Bridal Alterations staff with 3 different locations around the Twin Cities’ metro area, and, is your Minneapolis-St Paul ‘go-to’ source for Wedding inspiration!

July 10, 2019 In Cleaning, Wedding Dresses, Weddings

TGR Original: Angela’s Wedding Gown Journey

They say rain on your wedding day means good luck in your marriage, and Angela certainly had that. Her sparkly gown was going to shine no matter what! With rain outside and dancing the night away, Angela needed to clean her gorgeous dress after her Arkansas wedding and make it look brand new again. See why she chose Treasured Garment Restoration to clean her Cinderella gown!

When was your wedding and where did it take place?

My wedding took place at Thorncrown Chapel. It’s located in a tiny historic town in the Ozark mountains called Eureka Springs, Arkansas.

When did you know that your wedding dress was “the one?”

I knew that my wedding dress was “the one” after going to a few shops without any excitement. It was the 4th shop and the second to last dress I put on. The style of the dress has wider straps and a beautiful cut on top. I chose this style because it looked antique to me and would fit the venue perfectly. It also was shimmering with sparkly sequins. I felt like Cinderella! I absolutely love sparkly things and the dress was so easy and comfortable to move around in and I could twirl and dance around the shop with ease! It was definitely unique from the other dresses I tried on. To top it off I got half off the price because it was the only one on the rack and it happened to be my size! So it was meant to be!

What is your absolute favorite memory from your wedding day?

My favorite memory from my wedding was taking all of my guests on a ghost tour of the Crescent Hotel “America’s most haunted hotel” where our reception took place. Everyone had so much fun and learned a lot of history behind the historic town and hotel. Our reception was very memorable as well because we had so much uninhibited fun dancing the night away at a club in downtown Eureka Springs called Eureka Live.

Why did you decide to get your wedding dress cleaned?

I decided to get my wedding dress cleaned and repaired because I want it to look like it did when I first put it on, in the hopes of giving it to another bride to be or maybe keeping it for a special someone someday- maybe my daughter!

Why did you bring your wedding dress to Treasured Garment Restoration?

I brought my wedding dress to Treasured Garment Restoration because it was recommended to me by the staff at St. Croix Cleaners. I saw amazing reviews online and knew I wanted to take it to the best! The employees I encountered were all so helpful and they had impeccable customer service!

Treasured Garment Restoration is a nationally recognized member of the Association of Wedding Gown Specialists. This means we clean each bridal gown individually with care. Learn more about wedding gown cleaning and preservation options at www.TreasuredGarmentRestoration.com.

*Photos by Ashley Kimbrough Photography

October 12, 2018 In Cleaning, Wedding Dresses, Wedding Gown Preservation, Weddings

TGR Original: Devan’s Wedding Gown Preservation Journey

Red wine stains and dirty bar floors couldn’t keep this bride’s dress down. Bride Devan and her new husband Sam had their special day this past summer in Iowa, that included a memorable wedding dress cleaning immediately after. As you’ll see in this Q&A with Devan and her dress, a mother’s wedding contribution cannot be understated. Enjoy the journey Devan’s gown took from the dance floor to wedding dress cleaning and preservation.

When was your wedding and where did it take place?

Our wedding was on July 6, 2018, in Des Moines, Iowa. The ceremony and reception both took place outside at Salisbury House and Gardens.

When did you know that your wedding dress was “the one?”

My wedding dress is a fit-and-flare with a lot of tulle on the bottom. I always knew I wanted a fitted bridal gown. I tried on lots of different styles, but I came back to one of the first dresses I tried on.

What is your absolute favorite memory from your wedding day?

My favorite memory from our wedding day was seeing my friends and family all in one place at the same time. It was such an awesome experience. I felt so loved and could not believe all of those people came to see us! I also loved getting ready in the morning with my mom, mother-in-law, and bridesmaids. It was a super relaxing morning and I loved getting pampered!

Why did you decide to get your wedding dress cleaned?

My mom took my wedding dress to the cleaner without me knowing. I’m super glad she did. We went to a bar after the wedding and my dress got super dirty on the bottom, so it needed a wedding gown preservation! I had also spilled red wine all down the front of the wedding dress, so it needed to be cleaned!

Why did you bring your wedding dress to Treasured Garment Restoration?

I am not sure why my mom chose Treasured Garment Restoration for the wedding dress cleaning. I am sure it was a close location to her house!

Treasured Garment Restoration is a nationally recognized member of the Association of Wedding Gown Specialists. This means we clean each wedding dress individually, with anti-sugar stain treatment, MuseumCare™ Preservation process to guarantee the wedding dress will not yellow over the course of a lifetime. This is the best way to ensure your wedding dress is protected for generations to come. Learn more about wedding dress cleaning and preservation at www.TreasuredGarmentRestoration.com.

June 6, 2018 In Wedding Trends

Royal Wedding Dresses Inspire The Masses

Styles of wedding dresses come and go with the times. From the puffy shoulders of the ‘80s to the newer bohemian style 2-piece dresses, there’s always a new trend around the corner. With the royal wedding only a few weeks ago, the new Duchess of Sussex is already paving the way for the next wedding gown fashion trend.

Meghan Markle’s dress, designed by Clare Waight Keller for Givenchy Couture, highlights elegance and minimalism with a bateau neckline as the focal point of the silk cady dress. Glamour Magazine even has an article showcasing “12 Meghan Markle-Inspired Wedding Dresses You Can Buy Right Now” that was posted just hours after the wedding ceremony. That’s how fast a trend can begin!

While Markle’s dress trend is just starting to boom, Kate Middleton’s long sleeve, lace dress sparked a princess-worthy fever 7 years ago. The Knot even listed some celebrities, like Nicky Hilton, who wore a dress admittedly inspired by the Duchess of Cambridge.

Middleton’s Alexander McQueen dress style doesn’t solely belong to celebrities. H&M made headlines for offering a replica of her dress for $299. Now you don’t have to spend the $434,000 on a royal gown to look like a princess.

If you want to incorporate a royal element into your wedding without caving on your personal style (or budget) you can wear a tiara. Both Middleton and Markle rocked the royal tradition and you can too. Whether you want to jump on the royal bandwagon or hold true to your style (despite the developing trends) find what makes you feel beautiful on your wedding day.

Regardless of what style you choose for your big day, don’t forget to have your dress cleaned and preserved after your wedding. Not only will your dress come back looking clean and fresh, but we also use an anti-sugar stain treatment that removes stains you might not even see that can show up years later on your dress. Being members of the Association of Wedding Gown Specialists, we guarantee your gown won’t yellow and those “unseen” stains won’t show up for a lifetime. Give your dress the royal treatment by cleaning and preserving your gown at Treasured Garment Restoration.

December 19, 2016 In Vintage Restoration, Wedding Dresses, Wedding Gown Preservation

TGR Original: 116 Year Old Heirloom Restored

Customer Heather MacLeod remembers seeing this dress for the first time when she was just a little girl. Pulling it from its box, she was immediately attached to its history and sentimental value to her family. It’s typical for garments over 100 years old to be in less than ideal storage conditions, which can sometimes make cleaning/restoring much more difficult. This heirloom, dating back to 1899 was clearly in more favorable storage conditions making it easier to restore. The before and after pictures speak for themselves:

What is the background story of the woman in the dress? Mary Ella McIntosh grew up in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. On December 27, 1899 at age 27, she married British-born James Paris Scott (age 33). They settled in James’ home in Massachusetts, and later had one child – a daughter, Elaine, born in August 1914.

When was the first time you saw the dress? I remember my grandmother – Mary Ella’s daughter, Elaine – showing me the dress when I was a young child; I was probably about six years old the first time I saw it. After that, she was willing to show it to me any time I asked (at least a few times a year). When she passed away in 1992, the dress was passed to me.

Why did you decide to get your great grandmothers wedding attire cleaned? The dress had been in the attic for many years, and fortunately remained in very good condition. But I realized that a dress that was 116 years old needed proper cleaning and packaging in order to prevent degradation.

Why did you bring your great grandmothers wedding attire to a member of the Association of Wedding Gown Specialists? It was important to find someone who could be trusted to clean an antique dress without doing any damage. Treasured Garment Restoration did a fantastic job of cleaning the dress, and packing it appropriately so that it will last for many years to come.

Duane, the former Treasured Garment Specialist who worked on this dress, says “With older dresses that have oxidized so much over time, it’s sometimes a mystery what color the dress truly was, but with this dress we were able to really brighten it up and restore it. [You can see that this dress was constructed using 2 very different fabrics—1) cotton linen, which restored all the way back to its original color, and 2) silk (the trim) which will brighten a bit, but usually will not restore completely back to its original color.) ] Since this dress is over 100 years old we had to be careful to make sure we didn’t distort any of the fibers in the process. We carefully test all fabrics to make sure we’re using the right process with them. This is especially important to ensure the longevity of the dress for years to come.”

It’s truly an honor for our team at Treasured Garment Restoration to restore garments such as this dress.
We find joy in taking items that mean so much to our customers and restoring them to their original beauty. Our goal is to preserve garments so they last for years to come and can be passed down for generations.

If you have a wedding dress or other vintage garment you’d like us to take a look at– contact us!

June 30, 2014 In Clothing Tips, General, Short and Sweet, Wedding Dresses, Wedding Gown Preservation, Weddings

Buying a Used Wedding Dress

Weddings can be very expensive. A great way to cut some of the cost is to consider buying a used wedding dress.
Considering the dress is only worn once, you can often find great
deals on beautiful, gently used gowns.
Their are numerous sites and shops you can visit that buy and sell dresses.

However because they are used, be sure to be extra cautious
when ordering a used gown.
We have found some of these tips to be helpful with
brides shopping for a pre owned dress.

Be sure to get thorough pictures or check the gown out yourself before committing. Stains or stags can often go unnoticed at the right angle. Make sure the images you’re looking at are of the owners album and not the model pictures you can find online. So when chatting with a seller, be sure you know what your buying.

Make sure you’re buying at the right price. A little internet research can go a long way. If you’re nervous about buying online, at least make sure you’re paying a fair price. Especially considering this dress has been worn before.

The dress you buy doesn’t need to be in your exact size. We’ve mentioned in previous blogs what when buying you’re dress its better to go to big than too small. We can always take a dress in but adding fabric is much more difficult. We have a exceptional team that can work with you and your dress to make sure it fits you perfectly.

Be aware of the sellers return policy. Ask the seller exactly what the return policy is. That way if you get it and its in way worse condition than they led on, you can send it back.

May 2, 2014 In General, Short and Sweet, Wedding Dresses, Weddings

Choosing the Right Style Wedding Dress

When the time approaches to go wedding dress shopping its important to do your homework. Wedding dress lingo can often be confusing. That’s why we’re here to give you a few of the basics you need to know going into the store. Here’s our tips:

First, we have the Trumpet silhouette. This is a form fitting bodice that hugs the hips and begins to flare out about mid thigh. This is a very common trend that is fabulous for women with straight figures. The trumpet will help dramatize the curves of your silhouette. It is also very similar to the Mermaid with the only major difference being where the flare starts. With the mermaid the flare begins right at the knee so it is a bit more drastic.

Mermaid Trumpet

The A-line, also sometimes called princess, is one of the more universal styles for brides. This style looks good on almost all body types which is why it is so popular. This style starts with a fitting bodice that begins to flare are the waist. One of the major benefits of this style is the level of comfort you have with the dress not being as constricting after it flares.

A-line

The Ball Gown Silhouette is very similar to the a-line. However, with the ball gown style we have a much larger skirt. Both the ball gown and a-line styles define the waist more than the other styles. This style can be really fun because it leaves room for layers or a dramatic design.

Ball Gown

Another style we see is the Empire. This style is almost completely defined by the waist line. The dress drapes the body in a way that makes the bride look taller. This style is also thought of to be one of the most comfortable styles to go with and looks good on all body types.

Empire

Another, more sleek and form fitting version of the empire would be a Sheath dress. Sometimes you might hear this one refereed to as the column dress as well. The sheath dress hugs the curves and is often made of lighter fabrics.