Julia’s Wedding Dress Preservation in North Carolina

Julia got married in a stunningly gorgeous Vera Wang wedding gown on a beautiful summer day down South.  Although she had her wedding in Alabama, she sent her wedding gown to Association member Shores Fine Dry Cleaning all the way in Winston-Salem, North Carolina (where she used to live) to get cleaned and preserved.  Read more about her wedding in our Q&A below!

Where was your wedding and where did it take place?

Thomas and I got married on July 14, 2012 and had the ceremony at St.Mary’s-on-the-Highlands Episcopal Church, while the reception was held at The Country Club of Birmingham.  Both are located in Birmingham, Alabama.

When did you know that your wedding gown was “the one”?
I purchased my Vera Wang wedding dress at Ivory & White Boutique in Birmingham and it was love at first sight–it was actually the first and only wedding dress I tried on!

What is your absolute favorite memory from your wedding day?
The whole day was fabulous, but our ceremony was my absolute favorite part. It was very spiritual, intimate and so personal. Thomas and I spent time together before with our clergy and took Eucharist…it was so special and a memory I will cherish forever.

Why did you want to get your wedding gown cleaned and preserved?
I would love for my sister-in-law to use some part of it in some way–or maybe save it for a future daughter.  On the other hand, I am also open to the idea of dying it and wearing it again.  The gown is simply too gorgeous to never be worn again!

Why did you decide to get your wedding gown cleaned by a member of the Association of Wedding Gown Specialists?
Good dry cleaners are hard to find, so I’m lucky to have found Shores Fine Dry Cleaning.  I would send any important garment to Shores for cleaning.  He did all of my dry cleaning when I lived in Winston-Salem and I even used to mail my clothes to him when I moved to Charlotte, because they would always do such an excellent job!  When I got married I knew they had to be the one to preserve my dress.

Photographer credit: Arden Photography