To attempt my own wedding dress repairs?

[AngeloMysterioso]

I got married a while ago but it threw it down with rain on the day, so our lovely photographer has offered to come down on a sunny day to re-take some pictures for us.

The thing is, my dress is a bit of a wreck. I had it professionally cleaned but there are a few marks they couldn't get rid of, although I'm hoping those can just be airbrushed. However, the beadwork at the top of the dress is in a bit of a sorry state and a few of the buttons/press studs have come off.

I'm by no means a seamstress but I don't really have the time/money to get it done professionally- should I risk trying to do it myself?

Not if you're not any good at sewing
Do you know someone who can help you?

Pinterest and YouTube are your friends here.
Buy small embroidery needles and make sure your thread matches the thread already there. And use sharp pins to pin it first.

You can do this, but don't rush it. Take your time

Get a different dress and dye your hair. That'll make 'em think.

I don't know anyone who would be able to do something like this. I've extra beads that came with the dress, should be able to find some thread easily enough. Also got to negotiate steaming it as it's been in a box for quite some time!

Beading isn’t difficult to do if you aren’t worried about stitches on the inside which if you are only wearing for a photo shoot I expect you won’t be.

Buttons/press studs are also pretty easily fixable. Just allow plenty of time and practice a little on some non precious fabric first

If you aren't great at sewing I really wouldn't. Any local dressmaker where I live really wouldn't charge the earth for small stuff like that (a wedding dress shop alterations service would though).