bridal clothes

How long should you preserve your wedding dress for?

The big day is done, and you're left with the most costly dress you've ever purchased hanging in your wardrobe. After this, what should be done? Even though you will only be wearing your gown for one special occasion, we are confident that you will not be discarding it immediately thereafter.

Preserving Your Wedding Gown

Wedding dress preservation and wedding dress washing are two techniques to ensure that no traces of the big day's spills or the fading effects of time will mar the beauty of your gown for years to come. But what exactly is the distinction between preservation and cleaning, and should you perform both?

white ball gown dresses

Preserving Attire

When you say "Gown preservation," what do you mean?

After a wedding dress has been worn for the ceremony and reception, it must be cleaned and stored properly to ensure that it remains in pristine condition for future brides. In addition to examining and cleaning the gown for obvious and invisible stains, the standard procedure also involves a "preservation" process that safeguards the garment while it ages in the restoration chest and in the event that it is worn again. For a long time, this was done with standard cleaning agents and dry cleaning equipment; but, recent developments in the dry cleaning business have led to the creation of specialised solutions and processes that can remove anything from grass stains to the most stubborn cooking grease.

Why Should I Have My Dress Preserved?

Don't forget about the big events on the wedding day. Pictures can be taken, usually in interesting settings like a park or a scenic outdoor area. Many miles are logged on dusty streets, dancing floors, and banquet hall carpets. There will be people to hug, food to eat, beverages to drink, etc. No matter how careful you are on your special day, dirt around the hemline, sweat stains beneath the arms, and food and beverage stains are inevitable consequences of the dress's exposure to the elements and the festivities. The minor (and big) stains and smudges that appear on your wedding dress throughout the day can be entirely removed by having it cleaned and preserved professionally.

Age-related yellowing is another major factor to consider when deciding to have your gown preserved. Your wedding gown is likely to fade to a dull brown or yellow over time if it is constructed from untreated natural fabrics. By having your wedding dress professionally treated, you may avoid this discoloration and keep it looking as beautiful as the day you bought it.

Should You Clean or Store Your Wedding Dress?

Cleaning the wedding dress is a must. Protecting the past is not mandatory.

According to Jeff Schwegmann, president and owner of Happily Ever After and the official gown preservation partner of Wedding Dress Conservation by The Knot, "all wedding dresses should be cleaned by a professional after usage to prevent soiling." After the party, your dress will almost certainly have at least one stain, whether it's champagne, dirt, or a scrape of frosting. Stains from sugar, sweat, or other oils, for example, may not be noticeable at first but develop with time.

Preserving your dress for future generations is a must if you want to keep it in pristine condition.

Schwegmann defines wedding gown preservation as the act of putting a dress into archival boxes and preserving it using standard techniques and materials. Only clean wedding dresses should be kept in storage.

Both processes are necessary if you want to keep your dress in pristine condition.

white bridal gown Vogue Ballroom

What Should I Choose?

There are a few scenarios in which having your wedding dress professionally cleaned is the best option. One is if you plan on wearing the dress again soon, such as if you're a bride attending two weddings or if you purchased a shorter or less conventional dress that can be worn to both weddings and parties.

If you plan on donating or selling your dress, you should have it cleaned first. "Effective websites are helping to facilitate the sales of dresses," Schwegmann explains. We heartily endorse Nearly Newlywed if you decide to go this path.

Having your dress preserved is a must if you want its beauty to stay and you won't be wearing it any time soon. Not well stored dresses might turn yellow. Even if you don't plan on giving the gown to a family member, there are likely other ways you can put it to good use. It's not uncommon for a bride to recycle her wedding dress by turning it into a blanket for her newborn child or even a christening dress for her child.

Schwegmann explains that to preserve a wedding dress, it must be carefully packaged in archival boxes using standard preservation techniques and materials for safekeeping. Only clean wedding dresses should be kept in storage. Both processes are necessary if you want to keep your dress in pristine condition.

How Much Does It Usually Cost To Clean And Preserve A Wedding Dress?

Depending on its fabric, embellishment, ornamentation, and degree of stain damage, the cost of preserving a gown might vary. Conant warns against ever trusting your designer gown to someone advertising a low price since "your lavishly decorated silk ball gown will cost more than a basic polyester gown you wore on the beach." It's not worth risking your wedding dress to save a few dollars. Prices range from about $250 to $700, with some gowns going for as much as $1,000. Prices are typically greater in major cities than in less populated places.

Different materials and stains require specific treatment, so be wary of companies who give estimates over the phone. You run the danger of being charged more afterwards or having them not give your outfit the care it deserves.

Having said that, there are credible services available that charge a set rate. The Knot's Wedding Dress Preservation Service takes care of every last detail of your dress and still keeps our prices low. Wedding dress cleaning only is $230, while the cleaning and preservation option costs $285. All shipping costs, as well as minor alterations, steaming, and pressing, are covered.

The overall time required for preservation might range from six weeks to eight weeks during peak preservation seasons. The months of July through October are often our busiest, however larger orders may require a little bit more time. Every dress is handled with the utmost care from the moment it is received and checked in at the preservation facility until it is tenderly packed in the preservation chest and transported back to you, which is why the process takes anywhere from six to eight weeks. 

We can declare with absolute certainty that shipping your wedding dress away to be preserved is just as safe, if not safer, than taking it to your neighbourhood dry cleaner. Despite their claims to the contrary, nearly all dry cleaners that specialise in wedding gowns transfer their customers' dresses to a specialised company like the Wedding Gown Preservation Company for preservation. The reason for this is that most establishments lack the resources to provide cleaning systems like SYSTEM K4, which we employ to provide the level of care that modern brides want. Since we first began providing this service to brides, we can confidently report that we have never had an order go missing while being shipped. Each kit includes with a predetermined amount of insurance to cover your gown while in transit, so you can be assured that it will arrive safely to its destination.

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Preserving Your Wedding Gown Tips

If preservation services were undertaken, the item will arrive in a sealed container to maintain its pristine condition. It's mostly just a matter of making sure it's stored properly.

Clean and preserved wedding gowns need to be kept in a cool, dark place, preferably with air conditioning. For instance, Schwegmann suggests looking in a cupboard or under the bed. "There will be no musty basements or dingy attics. Choose a place where the climate stays the same throughout the year, without drastic swings in temperature or humidity.

Resist the impulse to try it on when you're feeling nostalgic; opening the box will necessitate skilled repackaging to ensure its preservation. The boxes from Wedding Dress Preservation by The Knot are transparent, so you can check on your gown whenever you wish.

You can find companies that specialise in preservation that will guarantee their work forever. In the right conditions, your bridal gown can retain its beauty for decades.

Is It Cost Effective to Preserve Wedding Gowns?

There's a common line of enquiry we get about whether or not it's worthwhile to invest in wedding dress preservation. Maybe you've had your dress hanging in the closet for quite some time, or maybe you just bought it a few months ago in preparation for your wedding. The problem is not whether you should have your gown preserved, but whether you should risk having it yellow and fray if you don't. The time and money spent preserving a bridal gown is well spent, so let's get right into it.

Wedding dresses are quite fragile.

We all know that wedding gowns aren't exactly durable. The delicate fabrics used to make most dresses (lace, taffeta, silk) make it crucial that they be stored safely for the foreseeable future. One of the worst things you can do to your dress is to let it sitting in the closet for years at a time. As the dress is brushed against and moved around, the fabric is prone to fraying and stretching at the edges. You may prevent the delicate fabrics from deteriorating over time by preserving your garment in a preservation box and sitting it on a bust to maintain its shape.

Make a piece of clothing that will be passed down down the generations

It's common for wedding dress styles to become unpopular after a few years. Plunging necklines, sleeves, and bustles have all made a comeback at some point or another in recent history. The wedding dress you wore would be perfect for your daughter's or granddaughter's special day if it were to make a comeback. They might pay tribute to you in style by donning your wedding dress on their own special day. The only way to guarantee your gown will look as stunning on their big day as it did on yours is to have it professionally cleaned and preserved.

Garments don't turn yellow from exposure to air; stains do.

Untreated stains are a leading cause of the yellowing that can occur in wedding dresses after they have been preserved for a long period. Sugar is the most destructive staining substance for a wedding garment. Your clothing will eventually look "yellowed" because the sugar's components break down the fibres in it. In addition to perspiration, grass, and oil stains from food, there are a variety of additional stains that can cause yellowing. It doesn't matter how carefully you pack up your outfit for the long haul, it won't survive the years without a thorough cleaning first.

Dress preservation has never been more reasonably priced.

Wedding dress conservation was once the exclusive domain of the wealthy, as it necessitated the use of specialised equipment that most dry cleaners simply did not have available 20 years ago. This service was once only available to the wealthy, but with the rise of the internet and mail-in wedding dress preservation, it has become accessible to all at a very reasonable cost. Preserving items by mail is secure, insured, and guaranteed for more than a century. Savings of $100 or more over having your gown preserved locally is still possible when you utilise a mail-in service, as many local dry cleaners pay a premium to employ the same service as online providers.

Why Do You Hesitate? Today is the day to save!

Did you know that the moment you take your dress out of the bridal shop, it starts to turn yellow? Did you know that the stains on your wedding dress will become more permanent the longer you wait to get them out? By sending in your outfit right now, you will be creating a treasured heirloom for future generations to enjoy.

Conclusion

Wedding dress preservation and wedding dress washing are two techniques to ensure that no traces of the big day's spills or the fading effects of time will mar the beauty of your gown. The process involves examining and cleaning the gown for obvious and invisible stains, and also involves a "preservation" process. Cleaning and preserving your wedding dress are two must-have processes if you want to keep it in pristine condition. Only clean wedding dresses should be kept in storage. Age-related yellowing is another major factor to consider when deciding to have your gown preserved.

There are a few scenarios in which having your wedding dress professionally cleaned is the best option. If you plan on donating or selling your dress, you should have it cleaned first. Prices range from about $250 to $700, with some gowns going for as much as $1,000. The Knot's Wedding Dress Preservation Service takes care of every last detail of your dress. The overall time required for preservation might range from six weeks to eight weeks.

Each kit includes with a predetermined amount of insurance to cover your gown while in transit, so you can be assured it will arrive safely. Wedding Gowns need to be kept in a cool, dark place, preferably with air conditioning. As the dress is brushed against and moved around, the fabric is prone to fraying and stretching. You may prevent the delicate fabrics from deteriorating by preserving your garment in a preservation box.

Content Summary: 

  • The big day is done, and you're left with the most costly dress you've ever purchased hanging in your wardrobe.
  • After this, what should be done?
  • Even though you will only be wearing your gown for one special occasion, we are confident that you will not be discarding it immediately thereafter.
  • Wedding dress preservation and wedding dress washing are two techniques to ensure that no traces of the big day's spills or the fading effects of time will mar the beauty of your gown for years to come.
  • But what exactly is the distinction between preservation and cleaning, and should you perform both?
  • Preserving Attire  When you say "Gown preservation," what do you mean?
  • After a wedding dress has been worn for the ceremony and reception, it must be cleaned and stored properly to ensure that it remains in pristine condition for future brides.
  • In addition to examining and cleaning the gown for obvious and invisible stains, the standard procedure also involves a "preservation" process that safeguards the garment while it ages in the restoration chest and in the event that it is worn again.
  • Why Should I Have My Dress Preserved?
  • Don't forget about the big events on the wedding day.
  • No matter how careful you are on your special day, dirt around the hemline, sweat stains beneath the arms, and food and beverage stains are inevitable consequences of the dress's exposure to the elements and the festivities.
  • The minor (and big) stains and smudges that appear on your wedding dress throughout the day can be entirely removed by having it cleaned and preserved professionally.
  • Age-related yellowing is another major factor to consider when deciding to have your gown preserved.
  • Your wedding gown is likely to fade to a dull brown or yellow over time if it is constructed from untreated natural fabrics.
  • By having your wedding dress professionally treated, you may avoid this discoloration and keep it looking as beautiful as the day you bought it.
  • Should You Clean or Store Your Wedding Dress?
  • Cleaning the wedding dress is a must.
  • Protecting the past is not mandatory.
  • According to Jeff Schwegmann, president and owner of Happily Ever After and the official gown preservation partner of Wedding Dress Conservation by The Knot, "all wedding dresses should be cleaned by a professional after usage to prevent soiling."
  • After the party, your dress will almost certainly have at least one stain, whether it's champagne, dirt, or a scrape of frosting.
  • Preserving your dress for future generations is a must if you want to keep it in pristine condition.
  • Schwegmann defines wedding gown preservation as the act of putting a dress into archival boxes and preserving it using standard techniques and materials.
  • Only clean wedding dresses should be kept in storage.
  • Both processes are necessary if you want to keep your dress in pristine condition.
  • What should I choose?
  • There are a few scenarios in which having your wedding dress professionally cleaned is the best option.
  • One is if you plan on wearing the dress again soon, such as if you're a bride attending two weddings or if you purchased a shorter or less conventional dress that can be worn to both weddings and parties.
  • If you plan on donating or selling your dress, you should have it cleaned first. "
  • Having your dress preserved is a must if you want its beauty to stay and you won't be wearing it any time soon.
  • Even if you don't plan on giving the gown to a family member, there are likely other ways you can put it to good use.
  • Schwegmann explains that to preserve a wedding dress, it must be carefully packaged in archival boxes using standard preservation techniques and materials for safekeeping.
  • Only clean wedding dresses should be kept in storage.
  • Both processes are necessary if you want to keep your dress in pristine condition.
  • How Much Does It Usually Cost To Clean And Preserve A Wedding Dress?
  • Depending on its fabric, embellishment, ornamentation, and degree of stain damage, the cost of preserving a gown might vary.
  • It's not worth risking your wedding dress to save a few dollars.
  • The Knot's Wedding Dress Preservation Service takes care of every last detail of your dress and still keeps our prices low.
  • Wedding dress cleaning only is $230, while the cleaning and preservation option costs $285.
  • All shipping costs, as well as minor alterations, steaming, and pressing, are covered.
  • The overall time required for preservation might range from six weeks to eight weeks during peak preservation seasons.
  • The months of July through October are often our busiest, however larger orders may require a little bit more time.
  • Every dress is handled with the utmost care from the moment it is received and checked in at the preservation facility until it is tenderly packed in the preservation chest and transported back to you, which is why the process takes anywhere from six to eight weeks.
  • We can declare with absolute certainty that shipping your wedding dress away to be preserved is just as safe, if not safer, than taking it to your neighbourhood dry cleaner.
  • Despite their claims to the contrary, nearly all dry cleaners that specialise in wedding gowns transfer their customers' dresses to a specialised company like the Wedding Gown Preservation Company for preservation.
  • Since we first began providing this service to brides, we can confidently report that we have never had an order go missing while being shipped.
  • Each kit includes with a predetermined amount of insurance to cover your gown while in transit, so you can be assured that it will arrive safely to its destination.
  • If preservation services were undertaken, the item will arrive in a sealed container to maintain its pristine condition.
  • It's mostly just a matter of making sure it's stored properly.
  • Clean and preserved wedding gowns need to be kept in a cool, dark place, preferably with air conditioning.
  • Choose a place where the climate stays the same throughout the year, without drastic swings in temperature or humidity.
  • The boxes from Wedding Dress Preservation by The Knot are transparent, so you can check on your gown whenever you wish.
  • You can find companies that specialise in preservation that will guarantee their work forever.
  • In the right conditions, your bridal gown can retain its beauty for decades.
  • Is It Cost Effective to Preserve Wedding Gowns?
  • There's a common line of enquiry we get about whether or not it's worthwhile to invest in wedding dress preservation.
  • Maybe you've had your dress hanging in the closet for quite some time, or maybe you just bought it a few months ago in preparation for your wedding.
  • The problem is not whether you should have your gown preserved, but whether you should risk having it yellow and fray if you don't.
  • The time and money spent preserving a bridal gown is well spent, so let's get right into it.
  • Wedding dresses are quite fragile.
  • We all know that wedding gowns aren't exactly durable.
  • One of the worst things you can do to your dress is to let it sitting in the closet for years at a time.
  • You may prevent the delicate fabrics from deteriorating over time by preserving your garment in a preservation box and sitting it on a bust to maintain its shape.
About the Editors - Suzie & Eugene

vogue couple and website editors

Suzie & Eugene got married at Vogue Ballroom in 2017 and had the best day of their lives! Ever since they have worked closely with Vogue Ballroom & Vines of the Yarra Valley. For queries please contact via [email protected]

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