Your wedding dress represents one of the most memorable moments of your life. After the big day, preserving your gown becomes a priority to ensure it remains as beautiful as the day you wore it. Whether you want to keep it for sentimental reasons or hope to pass it down to a future generation, preserving your wedding dress requires care and attention.
While professional preservation services are available, some brides may wonder if they can preserve their dresses. This guide will provide insights into cleaning, preserving, and storing your gown, with advice on when to seek professional help.
Summary
You can preserve your wedding dress, but it requires careful handling and attention. DIY cleaning is possible by checking the fabric label, using mild detergents, avoiding bleach, and air drying the dress on padded hangers. Common mistakes to avoid include:
- Storing the dress in plastic bags.
- Using standard hangers.
- Neglecting to use acid-free tissue paper when folding.
Accessories like veils can also be cleaned but require extra care. Proper storage is important, as is using an acid-free box and storing the gown in a cool, dark, climate-controlled area away from sunlight. While DIY preservation is an option, professional services are recommended for delicate fabrics or gowns with intricate detailing, as they offer guaranteed results. Professional preservation typically depends on the type of gown. If you skip preservation, your dress may turn yellow, develop permanent creases, or suffer from mildew.
DIY Wedding Dress Cleaning And Preservation
DIY wedding dress cleaning is possible under certain conditions for brides who prefer a more hands-on approach or work with a tighter budget. However, it’s important to be aware of the potential risks and follow the correct procedures to avoid damaging the gown.
Steps For DIY Wedding Dress Cleaning
- Check the Fabric and Labels: Read the care label on your dress before cleaning. Certain materials, like silk and taffeta, require delicate handling and may not be suitable for DIY cleaning.
- First, spot-test a small, hidden area of your dress with water or detergent to ensure it doesn’t react negatively.
- Use Soft Brushes: Opt for extremely soft-bristled brushes to avoid damaging delicate fabrics.
- Avoid Bleach: Bleach is too harsh for most wedding gowns and can cause irreversible damage. Stick to mild, pH-neutral detergents.
- Dry Carefully: Hang your dress on a padded hanger to air dry in a cool, shaded space.
Common DIY Preservation Mistakes To Avoid
- Storing in Plastic Bags: Plastic can trap moisture, leading to mould and mildew growth.
- Using Standard Hangers: Dresses can stretch out of shape on regular wire or wooden hangers. Always use padded hangers.
- Skipping Acid-Free Paper: Use acid-free tissue paper to prevent fabric deterioration and creasing when folding your dress.
Should You Clean Your Wedding Veil And Accessories?
If you wear a veil, shoes, or other accessories on your big day, you can preserve them alongside your gown. Cleaning and preserving these items is similar to gown preservation but often requires additional care, especially for delicate fabrics like lace or tulle.
How To Clean A Wedding Veil
- Check for Fragile Areas: Inspect your veil for dry or delicate spots before cleaning. If you notice damage, it’s best to have it cleaned professionally.
- Hand Wash Delicately: If washing at home, use a mild detergent and submerge the veil in warm water. Avoid soaking it for longer than necessary to prevent fabric damage.
How To Store A Wedding Dress After Preservation
Proper storage is key to preserving the integrity of your wedding gown. Whether you choose professional preservation or DIY, follow these tips to ensure your dress stays safe:
Choose An Acid-Free Preservation Box
An acid-free box is essential for long-term storage. Acid-free boxes prevent the breakdown of delicate materials and maintain the gown’s colour over time. Ensure the box is airtight and stored in a cool, dry place.
- Use Acid-Free Tissue Paper: To prevent creasing, place layers of acid-free tissue paper between the folds of the dress. You can also stuff the bodice and sleeves with tissue paper to help the dress retain its shape.
- Refrain from Opening the Box: While some boxes come with a viewing window, it’s best to avoid opening the box unless necessary. If you open it, wear white cotton gloves to handle the gown.
Store In A Climate-Controlled Area
Your dress should be stored in a cool, dark, and dry environment. Avoid places like attics or basements, where temperature fluctuations and humidity can damage them.
- Avoid Sunlight: Direct sunlight can cause fabrics to turn yellow. Ensure your dress is stored away from any windows or light sources.
- Maintain Constant Conditions: Temperature and humidity should remain stable. Areas like under the bed or in a closet are often suitable as long as they are not exposed to extreme conditions.
Budget For Wedding Dress Preservation
When planning your wedding, remember to budget for dress preservation. The cost of professional cleaning and preservation services depends on the gown’s fabric and the level of detail. More intricate gowns, especially those with heavy beading or delicate lace, will generally cost more.
- Include Preservation Costs: Factor preservation into your overall wedding budget and plan to have the dress cleaned and preserved as soon as possible after the wedding.
Risks Of Skipping Wedding Dress Preservation
If you decide not to preserve your gown, it could lead to several problems down the road:
- Yellowing of Fabric: Stains, especially invisible ones like sweat and sugar, will cause yellowing over time.
- Permanent Creasing: Improper storage may make creasing impossible to remove.
- Mildew and Mould Growth: Storing your gown in the wrong environment, especially in a humid basement or attic, could lead to mildew or mould.
Options For Cleaning And Preserving Your Wedding Dress
There are several ways to clean and store your wedding gown, each with pros and cons. The most common options include:
- Professional Cleaning and Preservation: Specialists clean and preserve the dress for long-term storage.
- Do-It-Yourself Cleaning: For those on a budget or wanting more hands-on control.
- Dry Cleaning at a Local Shop: Find a local dry cleaner to handle the process.
Before choosing a method, it’s important to weigh each option carefully and consider your dress’s fabric, stains, and detailing.
Conclusion
In conclusion, preserving your wedding dress is possible but requires great care, attention to detail, and the right materials. By following proper cleaning procedures, such as using pH-neutral detergents, avoiding bleach, and taking necessary precautions during storage—like using acid-free tissue paper and a climate-controlled environment—you can maintain your gown’s beauty over time. However, DIY preservation comes with risks, particularly for delicate fabrics or dresses with intricate detailing. Professional preservation services offer peace of mind and long-term protection in such cases. Whether you opt for DIY or professional preservation, the goal is safeguarding your wedding dress as a cherished keepsake for years.
FAQs About Wedding Dress
What Is The Ideal Length For A Wedding Gown?
The front of your wedding dress should only touch the tip of your shoes, and according to most tailors, that’s about an inch off the ground. The dress’s back hemline must be floor length.
When Should A Wedding Dress Be Fitted?
Not too loose, not too tight; just right. You should avoid dresses that are too loose or too tight because of these potential problems. When donning a strapless dress, one must take particular care to ensure that the bodice is well supported.
Is It Possible To Re-Use Your Wedding Gown?
Your wedding dress can be worn again and again for countless occasions. Since no two brides are the same, it’s important to find a way to personalise and enjoy your wedding gown. Preserving your outfit is a prerequisite for many of the aforementioned choices; Memories is here to help you do just that.
How Many Dresses Do Brides Try On Before Making A Decision?
Even our experts disagree on the magic number of dresses a bride should try on before making a final decision. Silver suggests trying on little more than ten to fifteen different dresses, while Dieujuste suggests choosing your best three and moving from there.
What Do You Wear Under A Wedding Dress?
On your wedding day, it’s best to wear seamless underwear. In comparison to pants with elastic waists and side seams, they tend to be looser and less constricting around the hips. Wearing a seamless thong will help ensure that no one notices your underwear, which is especially important if your wedding dress is form-fitting.
