These Expert Tips Can Help You Avoid a Wedding Wardrobe Malfunction

Murphy's law states that anything that can go wrong in a given situation will go wrong. We're willing to bet that Murphy was probably getting ready for a wedding when this idea first came to mind. We're kidding. . .well, mostly. In all seriousness, everyone wants their wedding day to be perfect, but the reality is that perfection doesn't exist. Wedding wardrobe malfunctions happen more often than you'd think, whether it's a makeup mark on a white dress, a faulty zipper or even a rogue bra strap. The good news, however, is that there's no need to panic. There are plenty of ways to prepare beforehand so that you can be ready in the event of a fashion faux pas. We chatted with bridal stylist and CEO of My Wedding Wardrobe, Katie Hubbard, to get her advice on how to avoid a wedding day wardrobe malfunction and we're breaking down her top tips here. Get your pencils out because you'll want to take notes!

In this article…

• Preparing to Avoid Any Wedding Wardrobe Malfunction
• How to Remove a Dress Stain
• How to Remove a Makeup Mark
• How to Remove Deodorant Marks
• How to Fix a Fallen Hem
• How to Conceal Bra Straps
• How to Fix a Stubborn Zipper
• How to Fix a Broken Bustle
• Should I Hire a Day-Of Wedding Stylist?

Infographic by Falak Khoja for The Knot

Preparing to Avoid Any Wedding Wardrobe Malfunction

Wardrobe malfunctions happen, and while you certainly can't predict them, you can be prepared. According to stylists, some wardrobe mishaps happen more often than others, and these are the ones you'll want to anticipate. It should come as no surprise, but, "the most common issues day-of stylists deal with are stains and fabric tears," according to Hubbard. "We always suggest having an emergency kit with stain removing wipes, fashion tape, scissors, and a mini sewing kit on hand." If you plan on hiring a day-of wedding stylist, they'll come prepared with all this and more, so you won't have to worry about it. However, if a bridal stylist can't be there to help, Hubbard suggests designating someone other than the bride or groom to be in charge of packing these essentials. We're looking at you, wedding party.

Of course, when it comes to attire mishaps, stains and tears are only the beginning. Keep scrolling for a case-by-case breakdown of some of the more specific scenarios you may encounter, and learn how you can prepare for each.

How to Remove a Dress Stain

The Mishap: You were picking up your bouquet getting ready to walk down the aisle when—ouch!—you got pricked by a thorn. The second of pain that it caused is nothing compared to the feeling you get when you look down and realized that your pricked thumb got droplets of blood on your white dress.

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The Hack: Our biggest piece of advice? Don't panic. A dark red stain on a bright while dress might seem the worst-case scenario, but there are plenty of ways to tackle it. "One of the most common stains we deal with is blood on the dress because the bouquet isn't properly trimmed," Hubbard says. If this happens to you, you can use your own saliva to get it out!" Strange as it may sound, the enzymes of your saliva can actually work to break down proteins in the blood. The caveat, however, is that it has to be your own saliva in order for it to work properly—weird right? When it comes to other common stains, like red wine, for instance, there are special products you can keep on hand to help tackle them. Wine Away Red Wine Liquid Stain Remover is one of the leading products on the market today that can remove wine stains without the need for bleach. Miss Mouth's Messy Eater Stain Treater is another cult favorite known for its ability to tackle a variety of stubborn stains quickly. Oh, and Hubbard's secret to getting water stains off of silk dresses and ties? Baby powder.

How to Remove a Makeup Mark

The Mishap: You're changing into your wedding dress and trying your hardest not to get makeup on your look, but somehow you still find a spot—how does that always happen?

The Hack: The good news is that even though they are annoying, makeup marks can be removed. The not-so-great news, however, is that they can be stubborn, so you'll need to enlist the help of a stain remover, since water alone likely won't do the trick. Silk and Clean Stain Remover Wipes are a tried-and-true option for removing a myriad of stains, whether it be makeup, oil or dirt. We love that they're safe to use on most materials, including silk. On The Spot Stain Remover Wipes are a great option for grooms, since they're designed specifically for use on cotton and wool. If you're having trouble removing the makeup mark, and are running short on time, you can try to cover it up instead. White chalk is often used by day-of wedding stylists to quickly cover up small makeup marks on a wedding gown. Who knew?

How to Remove Deodorant Marks

The Mishap: You want to smell fresh on your wedding day, of course, but you realize you got a little more than you bargained for when you look down and notice deodorant marks all over your outfit.

The Hack: If you're a bride wearing white, you're probably in the clear on this one, but grooms, bridesmaids and groomsmen may not be so lucky—especially if they're sporting a darker color. Luckily, deodorant marks, unlike other stains, are fairly easy to remove. Braza Wipe Out deodorant erasers are a stylists' secret weapon. However, if you're in a pinch and need to work with what you already have, you can also try rubbing the residue away with a clean, dry piece of cloth. We've found that denim typically works best for this, since it's a fairly coarse material and can tackle tougher marks.

How to Fix a Fallen Hem

The Mishap: You're tearing up the dance floor at your wedding reception when all of the sudden you start stepping on excess fabric from your dress. Uh oh—looks like the hem has come undone!

The Hack: Your wedding attire will get a workout, which means someone may end up with a fallen hem during the wedding reception. Whether it's the hem of a dress or pants, you can easily fix it by applying clear double-stick fabric tape strips to get it to stay in place. We suggest adding this Temporary Hem Tape from Hollywood Fashion Secrets to your wedding day tool kit—it requires no ironing or sewing and can be removed after the event. If you don't have any on hand, you could always secure the hem with safety pins. Sure, it's not a perfect fix, but trust us when we say that no one will notice.

How to Conceal Bra Straps

The Mishap: A panicked bridesmaid is frantically searching the bridal suite when suddenly she's hit with the realization that she left her strapless bra at home. Now she'll have to figure out how to conceal her bra straps under her halter neck gown.

The Hack: There are handy, affordable products that you can add to your getting-ready bag ahead of time to solve these issues, so no one is panicking on the day of the wedding. For bra straps that aren't staying hidden, have a set of clear Bra Converting Clips on hand to convert a bra to a cross-back style. You can also use fashion tape to prevent bra straps from slipping and keep fabric in place, like on a low-cut neckline. If you're not sure that you want to wear a bra at all—or you can't wear one due to the design of your wedding ensemble—consider picking up a pair of nipple concealers to avoid any slips. We're fond of these Hollywood Fashion Secrets Silicone Coverups, which are smooth, hypoallergenic, reusable and come in several shades to match various skin tones.

How to Fix a Stubborn Zipper

The Mishap: You've just finished with hair and makeup and you're about to slip into your dress before the wedding ceremony only to discover that your zipper has decided to quit on you.

The Hack: If your zipper is stuck, first check to see that it's completely aligned and that no fabric is tucked into it. Also be sure that the hook and eye or hanging snap at the top of the zipper is hooked (this can help better align the zipper). If you're still not getting any movement, you can try a lubricant. We recommend this one from Amazon, but if your resources are limited to what's available in the bridal suite, a bar of soap, or even lip balm, will often do the trick. Lubricate both sides of the zipper, then slowly start to zip it up. If it's still stuck, or it appears to be completely broken, it's time to break out that sewing kit we mentioned earlier and sew the dress shut.

How to Fix a Broken Bustle

The Mishap: The ceremony is over and it's time to hit the dance floor at your reception, but there's one problem: Your wedding dress bustle has become broken, and you can't comfortably show off your moves with a floor-sweeping train.

The Hack: Once again, it's time to reach for that handy dandy sewing kit. Your day-of stylist, or a helpful member of your wedding party, should be able to fix the bustle with a few simple seams. However, for added security, you might also want to add a few safety pins. Pro tip: Keep white safety pins on hand for the day of the wedding, that way they'll blend in with your dress and any potential wardrobe malfunction will go totally unnoticed by your guests.

Photo: Amy Arrington Photography

Should I Hire a Day-Of Wedding Stylist?

So, we just shared with you our top tips for dealing with a wedding day wardrobe malfunction. Seems like a lot to remember, right? Well, fortunately you don't have to. When you hire a day-of bridal stylist, it's their job to make sure everything goes smoothly. "Our biggest responsibility as a day-of stylist is to assist the bride and wedding party in all wardrobe needs once they arrive to get ready on the morning of the wedding," says Hubbard. "We steam and prep all of the dresses for the bride, bridal party, and any family getting ready with the bride." Having a professional around to handle wardrobe prep is not only convenient, but it also helps ensure that a fashion faux pas won't occur along the way. Of course, if something does go wrong, they've got the expert knowledge to help fix it (plus they come prepared with all the tools you probably didn't think to pack). In our books, the biggest perk of hiring a day-of wedding stylist is the peace of mind you'll gain in knowing that they have your back. For that reason alone, we think they're totally worth it!