PREVENTION IS BETTER THAN CURE

• Put your outfit on at the last possible minute to minimise the risk of creasing or spills. Handle the lengha or saree carefully to avoid treading on the hem or pulling the trim.
• Be sure to cover your blouse and chunni/chhero with a towel or cloth if you refresh your make-up just in case something spills. A tissue over your lips will protect the inside of your blouse from lipstick when you dress.
• Ask your maid of honour, favourite chachi or wedding coordinator to bring a handful of safety pins to the ceremony and reception. Rips have been known to happen and a few safety pins will safely rescue you from catastrophe!
• Real bridal bouquets sometimes contain flowers, which can seriously stain fabric. Ask your florist to remove any dangerous blossoms or stamens.
• Forgo confetti if it is raining. Damp confetti can leave stains which can only be removed by bleaching and not all fabrics respond well to this.
• Don't reach for a coloured serviette if you spill food or drink on your outfit, instead lightly dab with a damp white cloth. Don't try to dilute a stain or silk with water or you might end up with a disfiguring watermark
• Know the fabric of your outfit. The shop where you buy your outfit from should be able to advise you on fibre content and what to do in case of a spill. When you spill something on artificial fibre, it is much easier to get rid of the stain than if you spill something on a natural fibre such as silk. Natural fibres are hollow and absorb the spill.

AFTER THE WEDDING

• Take your outfit to a reputable dry cleaner as soon as possible so that stains do not have a chance to set in. Make arrangements prior to the big day for a friend, family member or someone from the wedding party to drop off the outfit for you while you're on your honeymoon.
• Alert the dry cleaner to any stains and delicate parts such as embroidery or sequins and get his assurance that a cleaning process will be used that does not damage these.
• Always ask to inspect your outfit personally after dry cleaning before it is put into the container, which should be a pH neutral or acid-free box lined with fabric or acid-free tissue.
• Always...avoid storing your outfit in the attic or basement where there are extreme changes in temperature or humidity.
• Do not sore your wedding outfit in plastic covering as this will prevent the fabric from breathing and will eventually cause dulling of the fabric's colour.

We at the London Dry Cleaning Company pride ourselves on the care and attention we can offer during the cleaning and finishing of your gown. We have evolved our processing over years of handling some of the most valuable couture designs and can offer a complete after care service for your cherished wedding saree or lengha. From carefully cleaning and finishing through to our unique heirloom storage process, you can rest assured that your outfit will be in good hands. Remember your wedding outfit is worth all the care and attention you can give it, during and after the wedding.

Plan the Asian Wedding of your dreams with some of UK's finest Asian wedding service providers, listed in our Asian Wedding Directory.