Brides USA

ASK US ANYTHING

What should

I do with my

gown after

the wedd i ng?

Take it to a cleaner

who specializes

in bridal gowns,

says John Mahdes-

sian of Madame

Paulette, New York

City’s top gown-

preservation salon.

A regular dry

cleaner can handle

anything that’s

unadorned, but

embellishments will

need to be hand

cleaned. Store your

dress in a climate-

controlled room in

a box lined with

acid-free paper to

prevent yellowing.

I’m so excited he proposed,

but the ring really isn’t

my style. What should I do?

First, sleep on it for a few days, says etiquette

expert Anna Post; it might grow on you.

If not, be honest. Tell him you love what the

ring represents, but you’d really go nuts

for, say, a pavé band or a princess-cut stone.

Then ask if you can pick out a new one

together—within his price range.

I love the idea of a custom

address stamp for my thank-you

notes. Where can I find one?

This personalized stamp from Paperfinger

($55; paperfinger.com) is on our wish

list. Your new (or hyphenated, or staying-

the-same) last name will look prettier

than ever in hand-lettered calligraphy.

I have six best

friends and a tight

budget. What’s a

great affordable

bridesmaids’ gift?

One word: jewelry. These

stunning drop earrings

from Elizabeth Bower

(us.elizabethbower.com)

are only $55, and other

styles start at $22. They

come in six colors, so

you can pick a pair that

matches your palette

and they can wear them

to the wedding!

BRIDES.COM

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: DEVON JARVIS PHOTOGRAPHY; AUDRA WRISLEY PHOTOGRAPHY; COURTESY OF ELIZABETH BOWER (10); GORMAN STUDIO

112 FEBRUARY/MARCH 2015

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