Getting dressed in your wedding gown can be stressful on your wedding day. Here are some tips on what to do once you take your bridal gown home and how to prepare for your big day BEFORE the big day arrives!

1. Once you get your bridal gown home, take your train out of the garment bag (it’s ok to leave the bodice of your gown covered by the garment bag). Hang your bridal gown where it will be safe from children or pets, it’s best to keep your gown in a closet or dark room to protect it from light and dust. Another helpful tip is to put a white sheet on the floor to protect the hem of your gown.

2. Make a list of everything you will need the day of the wedding–including things for emergencies. If you are dressing in your wedding gown away from home, double-check your list before you leave the house.

3. Several days before the wedding, look over your wedding gown and wedding accessories and make sure everything is ready to wear. Hang your veil near the shower to smooth any wrinkles or let a Specialist at A Bride Beautiful help you.

4. Wear your shoes around the house so you will be comfortable the day of the wedding. You might even rub the soles against a sidewalk or other rough surface to make them less slippery.

5. Arrange for someone (two “someones” are even better) without a fresh manicure or dark polish to help you dress in your wedding gown. Or hire a professional dresser who will take responsibility for your bridal gown all day and make sure you are dressed perfectly in a bridal gown that is not creased or wrinkled and is bustled properly.

6. Make sure you know how to bustle your wedding gown and show whoever is helping you dress how to do it, too. Pin five or six safety pins to the underside of your wedding gown. They will not show, and you will be glad they are handy if your bustle loops break.

7. Allow plenty of time to get dressed in your wedding gown. Allow even more time if it is raining.

7. Worth repeating–allow plenty of time to get dressed in your wedding gown. Allow even more time if it is raining.

8. Most important, remember to relax and enjoy every minute of your special day because your wedding day will go buy all too quickly!