How do you store a wedding dress in a box?

Nowadays, the bride has many alternatives for what to do with her wedding dress after the ceremony is over. Some women choose to sell or give their dress. Still others "trash it" in a color-bombed image or transform their bridal gown into intimate or cocktail clothing. However, many brides wish to save the dress they wore on their wedding day since it holds such special meaning.

Make the effort to clean and maintain your wedding dress correctly if you intend to keep or resell it. Here are some easy-to-follow instructions for maintaining the condition of your wedding gown between now and the big day.

Because of this, keeping wedding gowns in good condition is crucial. The intricacy of the pattern and the fragility of the fabric mean that a wedding dress cannot be treated like any other garment when it comes to cleaning. If you want your wedding dress to endure a lifetime, it must be cleaned and preserved properly.

If you know how to properly store your wedding dress, it will remain in pristine shape for years to come. When you take the time to learn the proper methods, your dress will last for years without losing its lustre.

Vogue Ballroom has proven itself to be an iconic wedding venue and function centre in Melbourne. Book today so you don’t miss out.

Suggestions for Safely Storing Your Wedding Gown

Cleaning the Dress

If you want your wedding dress to last a lifetime, it's important to get it dry cleaned as soon as possible after the big day so that any stains or markings may be removed before the fabric becomes irreversibly damaged. If you need to get it dry cleaned before you go on your honeymoon, but won't have time before the ceremony, have a friend or relative do it for you.

But if you can't have it cleaned right away, put it in a bag made of 100% cotton (NOT plastic) so that it can breathe. Place the garment bag on a silk hanger with padding. Dresses should not be hung from metal, wooden, or painted hangers because of the residue they may leave behind.

Go Get Your Dress Washed After the Wedding

Before leaving on your honeymoon, have a bridesmaid or family member bring your wedding dress to a dry cleaner so that it may be professionally cleaned before any stains set in. It is recommended that you store your clothing in an acid-free, conservation-grade box. Long-term hanging on a hanger can cause the cloth to expand, therefore it's better to avoid doing so. The dress can be kept in the best condition if it is kept out of the sunlight and stored either under a bed or in a spare closet.

For the big day, your beautiful wedding dress will be in pristine condition, free from stains and wrinkles. If calamity does strike, though, Markel event insurance can be a lifesaver. Damage to, or loss of, your wedding gown before or during the ceremony may be covered by Markel's wedding cancellation coverage. And if anything goes wrong, like a vendor not showing up or the wedding venue going bankrupt or bad weather, you're covered with Markel's wedding cancellation insurance!

How to Properly Store a Wedding Gown

A wedding gown should be stored in acid-free packaging. That includes the container it comes in as well. Pick a sturdy cardboard box with a well-fitting cover to keep out dust, insects, and light while storing the gown. Get an acetate screen instead of a plastic one if you want a dress box with a window.

Keep clean hands at all times when handling the clothing. To prevent the dress from creasing, fold it carefully and loosely. White, acid-free tissue paper should be used as a layer beneath the dress as it is folded to avoid the beads from becoming caught on the cloth. When wrapping a dress, it's best to use white or off-white tissue paper so that the dress's original colour isn't ruined by the paper's dye.

After folding the skirt up over the bodice, tuck the sleeves in beneath the bodice. To finish, wrap the dress in unbleached muslin before packing it up in a box.

If you're packing your wedding dress and veil together, use tissue paper to keep the dress from becoming damaged. Keep your shoes and other accessories in a separate box.

We have compiled a list of the Top Wedding Dress Shops in Melbourne to help you select your perfect gown.

Where to Keep Your Wedding Gown Before the Big Day

You might simply need to get dressed for a few hours or a few days before the big day. It's tempting to keep it on display in a prominent location so you may enjoy it whenever you choose. You may try to conceal it from your future hubby by putting it in the attic, far from the prying eyes of your children and pets. What a fantastic idea to keep it locked up where the kids can't get to it! It's not something you want to store in the attic.

You may keep it in the spare bedroom and take as many fittings as you like leading up to the big day. In any case, this isn't the wisest course of action. The worst-case scenario for any bride is to accidentally ruin her dress while putting it in and taking it out of the dress bag. Similarly, it's not a good idea to keep it crammed into the very back of a closet, where it'll be constantly pushed and jostled by other clothes. Who knows what it might catch on? Is the attic a viable storage option? An emphatic negative to the idea! One, the dust; two, the rodents; three, the unregulated heat and humidity. Absolutely no further explanation is required.

Hang it up in a clean, dry place using a breathable dress bag (no plastic! – read why). This is the ideal way to store your wedding dress in the days leading up to the big day. It's also important to keep your outfit out of the sun and out of places where the temperature or humidity will fluctuate too much. Keep away from draughty areas such as doors, windows, chimneys, etc. A lot of individuals use their spare bedrooms because they are quiet and offer a sense of security. If you don't have a suitable area in your house, though, you can always look into renting a storage container. Storing your clothing in a climate-controlled unit will ensure that it retains its pristine condition and stunning appearance for years to come.

How to Safely Keep Your Wedding Gown Once the Big Day Is Over

The morning after your wedding, you probably aren't giving much thought to where you will keep your wedding dress. Whether it's because of a foggy brain or the fact that you're jetting off to the Maldives immediately thereafter, your stunning gown has taken a backseat. We'll overlook that misstep and move on.

However, we trust that it will be safely stored in its dress bag until your return. That being said, I hope you enjoy your honeymoon and get some much-needed downtime. And here you are, back again! You've got the perfect tan and the most amazing husband, so it's time to retire your wedding dress for good.

Keep your bridal gown in a dry, insect-free, and climate-controlled location. Keep your garment out of direct sunlight to avoid the fabric from fading over time. Store your garment in its original packaging to protect the fabric from wear and tear caused by being thrown in with other clothes. When storing the dress, it is recommended to check on its condition every six months and repack it once a year to avoid permanent wrinkles.

With these guidelines, one day you'll be able to show off your wedding dress to your own children or even grandkids!

So How Do You Get Your Dress Ready to Be Kept for Decades?

Start with sending it out for a dry cleaning right away. Even if you don't think it's stained, a dropped crumb of cheesecake or a glass of red wine might leave a mark that will get worse with time. If you want to remove all trace of dirt from your wedding dress, dry cleaning is the way to go.

Additionally, please dispose of any plastic wrap or containers that you still have lying around. Fabrics that are easily damaged should not be stored in plastic for extended periods of time. Check out our article: Saying "I'll see you later" instead of "goodbye" Learning More About Long-Term Clothes Storage. You can continue storing it wherever you did before to the wedding. You should find a warm, dry, and draft-free place to hand it over. However, a better recommendation is available. Get a pretty box for your bridal gown.

Locate a box that is roomy, secure, and just as stunning as the dress. In order to have a worry-free day putting things away, remember to have a box that is:

  • Open and well-ventilated
  • Secure and sturdy
  • The right proportions for your dress
  • pH neutral (acid-free)

Be sure to just use acid-free tissue in between each layer of your folded dress before storing it in your new wedding dress box to avoid fading. This time, keep the box out of direct sunshine and extreme temperatures. Consider a basement, attic, or personal storage unit as potential hiding spots for your belongings. Furthermore, remember to periodically inspect it. This serves two purposes: it reassures you that it is secure, and it keeps wrinkles at bay. Who needs an excuse to stop and admire its splendour every once in a while, anyway?

Check out our list of 15+ Wedding Dress Cleaning, Storage & Box Preservation in Australia [2020].

Box It or Bag It?

Self-storage is a convenient way to keep your wedding dress out of the way, but you shouldn't just throw it in there without protecting it first. Wedding gowns are particularly vulnerable to the long-term effects of dust, which can accumulate in storage facilities over time. You may protect your dress from dust and dirt by storing it in a box or a bag.

The best way to store a wedding dress is in a box, as this allows the garment to sit flat and the folds to be protected by acid-free tissue paper. There are two options for the bride: boxing the dress at home or hiring a professional. A gown stored in a box must be taken out and refolded before use.

Bagging and hanging the outfit is an alternative to boxing. No matter what kind of bag your dress comes home in, plastic bags should never be utilised for long-term storage. Dresses stored in plastic bags run the risk of having chemicals from the plastic seep into the fabric and discolour it over time. Choose a cotton garment bag with a sturdy hanger instead.

Every young girl envisions herself in a picture-perfect wedding gown on her big day. How successful your wedding is may depend on the dress you choose. You go to great lengths to find "the one," trying on a plethora of variations in several stores before giving up. But until your wedding several months from now, what should you do with it? How will you guarantee the security of your dress? (We mean secure from harm, not from the prying eyes of your accountant.) Take these simple precautions to avoid any mishaps with your wedding gown on the way to the big day!

Toss the Wrapper

A conservator will tell you to remove the dress from the plastic as soon as possible if it will be kept for more than several days. Stains and a lack of breathability are two side effects of chemical breakdown and gas emission from plastic. Use a garment bag or a few sheets made of cotton to protect your dress.

Hanging or Not Hanging?

Brides should store their wedding gowns in a safe place after the big day. You should consider the bulk of your dress before grabbing the next coat rack, though. To what extent is it beaded, how many layers of fabric are there, or is it just one solid piece of satin? Unless your dress has only a few light layers, it is best to store it flat, wrapped in a cotton sheet, in a room or space that isn't a "high traffic area" in your home, like beneath the bed or in the top shelf of the a spare closet (think satin or silk). Whenever you put away your clothing, remember to keep it out of the reach of canines and heaters. To prolong the life of your dress, avoid exposing it to direct sunlight or leaving it where pets can reach it.

Maintain a Steady Temperature

Your gown should be kept in an environment that makes you feel relaxed (no, this does not mean that it should come to Las Vegas with you for someone bachelorette party!). Basements as well as attics are not good places to keep things because of the damp and musty air. Keep your dress in a dark, cool, and dry place (a spare bedroom or closet works well) out of direct sunlight.

Out of Sight, Out of Mind

You shouldn't even think about taking your gown out of its storage bag once you've put it away. The more times you touch your dress, the more likely it is that you will leave a mark on it, such as an oil stain. When trying on a dress, it can be frustrating to see makeup and deodorant stains. You should not try on the dress for loved ones while wearing makeup or deodorant.

Remove Those Creases

Make sure to air out your wedding dress in the days leading up to the big day. Hanging the silk item from the ceiling on a padded hanger is the best way to remove wrinkles. If you hang the dress in the bathroom a day or two before the event, the steam from the shower may help smooth out any wrinkles that remain. It should go without saying that you should not hang the dress in the shower to prevent getting it wet. If the wrinkles won't go away, you should take it to a local tailor or dry cleaner. If you have to travel out of town for your wedding, many hotels and reception halls offer steamers that you can use right before the ceremony.

Maintaining a Wedding Gown by Hanging or Bagging It

This modern approach to preserving bridal gowns is actually quite old. It's very similar to the systems museums have used for decades to preserve historic dresses and other garments. This is a great solution because it will prevent dust and light from damaging the dress. The possibility of permanent creases in the gown is minimised because it is not folded.

With its superior airflow, the cotton storage bag for wedding dresses helps maintain a consistent humidity level around the garment. This aids in preventing mildew and mould from forming on the gown. When compared to the boxed approach, which necessitates periodic refolding for inspection, the bagged method is the most convenient.

Dresses with no straps, such as spaghetti-strap dresses, or that are particularly heavy should have twill tape suspenders added to ensure that they hang straight and stay in place. Additionally, if the gown includes sleeves, a padded hanger is required for long-term storage.

Keep in mind that you shouldn't return a freshly cleaned dress to its plastic garment bag or the dry cleaner's plastic wrapping. Keep in mind that most plastics can ruin your favourite clothes. The cotton in a bridal dress bag will prevent any acid damage. Keep the bagged gown in a temperature-controlled space at all times. Most built-in closets make this a breeze to accomplish.

Make a decision as to whether you will have the gown professionally packaged or hung, or if you will do it yourself. To preserve this family treasure, take these expert steps.

Go with a preservationist that specialises in bridal attire to have the dress carefully packaged. It's likely that they'll utilise a wedding box that has been specially designed to prevent the breakdown of acidic materials, as opposed to relying on a merely acid-free coating. The bodice and pleats need to be padded with acid-free tissue. Use unbuffered tissue with natural fabrics like silk and buffered tissue with synthetics like rayon or polyester. Don't have the box with the dress sealed if you plan on shipping it. To keep the folds from creasing and ruining a dress, you should take it out and reorganise it once a year. Storing your dress in a non-airtight container has the extra bonus of allowing you to occasionally pull it out, try it on, and enjoy it.

Avoiding creases and future maintenance hassles is easier with the help of a professional wedding dress preservation business. Because it won't be folded, the dress won't get wrinkles and won't need to be taken out of storage every couple of years to be rearranged. A thickly padded hanger and a dye-free cotton bag are recommended for storing the dress. Dresses with thin straps, or none at all, need to be bolstered to prevent tearing. Acid-free tissue could be used to fill the bodice and keep it in place.

You should have the outfit inspected annually for damage. Even if a drink spill dries without being noticeable, the area where it occurred may eventually turn brown due to oxidation. Insist on prompt cleaning of such messes. Once they've settled in for a while, they can be more challenging to remove. After the wedding, they often visit within the first year.

Wearing plain white cotton gloves will protect the dress from being soiled or stained by perspiration or dirt when you take it out of storage, even if just for a short time. Potential for future staining. Another potential downside to sweating in clothing is that it might make the material fragile.

Following cleaning and preservation, the bridal gown should be stored in a cool, dry place. Keep the lights down as low as possible. Prolonged exposure to ultraviolet rays can deteriorate fabrics. You can try using a dehumidifier, or you can rent a self-storage unit with climate control features that will allow you to keep the temperature low and the air dry to protect better all your stored clothing, but especially this one-of-a-kind symbol of your family's beginning that, if preserved, may bring happiness to generations to come.

Save the Dress

If you take good care of your wedding dress, you can wear it again on your anniversary, pass it on to your daughter, or just keep it as a keepsake to remember your big day. The investment in your garment and the memories it represents are both worth protecting. The honeymoon may be gone, but after you've put away your wedding gown, don't forget these storage hacks.

Conclusion

A wedding dress is unlike any other garment in that it requires special care when being cleaned due to its intricate design and delicate fabric. If you take the time to learn how to properly store your wedding dress, it will look as good as the day you got married even years from now. If your wedding dress gets damaged or stolen before or during the ceremony, Markel's wedding cancellation coverage might help pay for the costs. The best places to store the dress are either under a bed or in a spare closet, out of direct sunlight. Where to put your wedding dress after the reception.

The best way to store a dress is to hang it up in a clean, dry place inside a dress bag that allows air to circulate. It will remain in mint condition for years to come if stored in a climate-controlled facility. In the year that you have your wedding dress stored, you should check on its condition every six months and repack it. If you want to extend the life of your garment, you should keep it out of the sun. Your wedding dress will be completely clean after being dry cleaned.

Wedding dresses should be stored in a box with acid-free tissue paper to protect the folds and keep the dress from wrinkling. Keeping dresses in plastic bags increases the likelihood that chemicals will seep into the fabric and eventually discolour the garment. After the wedding, the bride should put her dress away in a secure location. To prevent your dress from getting ruined, use a garment bag or fold it up in a few cotton sheets. Preserve the condition of your dress by keeping it out of direct sunlight and out of the reach of pets.

In the days leading up to the big day, make sure to hang your wedding dress outside to air out. Using a padded hanger to suspend the silk from the ceiling is the most effective method for avoiding wrinkles. There are many hotels with steam rooms that you can use right before the ceremony if you have to stay away from town. An acid-free tissue stuffing is required for the bodice and pleats. Do not ship the dress with the box sealed.

At least once a year, you should take the dress out of its storage and reorganise the folds to prevent it from becoming creased and unwearable. Taking the dress out of storage without soiling or staining it could be a disaster, but if you wear a pair of plain white cotton gloves, you won't have to worry. Bridal gowns need to be kept in a cool, dry place after they have been cleaned and preserved. Fabrics can rot from the inside out if they are exposed to sunlight for too long.

Content Summary

  • Make the effort to clean and maintain your wedding dress correctly if you intend to keep or resell it.
  • Because of this, keeping wedding gowns in good condition is crucial.
  • It is recommended that you store your clothing in an acid-free, conservation-grade box.
  • Damage to, or loss of, your wedding gown before or during the ceremony may be covered by Markel's wedding cancellation coverage.
  • It's not something you want to store in the attic.
  • Keep your bridal gown in a dry, insect-free, and climate-controlled location.
  • If you want to remove all trace of dirt from your wedding dress, dry cleaning is the way to go.
  • You may protect your dress from dust and dirt by storing it in a box or a bag.
  • How will you guarantee the security of your dress? (
  • A conservator will tell you to remove the dress from the plastic as soon as possible if it will be kept for more than several days.
  • Use a garment bag or a few sheets made of cotton to protect your dress.
  • Keep your dress in a dark, cool, and dry place (a spare bedroom or closet works well) out of direct sunlight.
  • Make sure to air out your wedding dress in the days leading up to the big day.
  • Keep the bagged gown in a temperature-controlled space at all times.
  • Go with a preservationist that specialises in bridal attire to have the dress carefully packaged.
  • Don't have the box with the dress sealed if you plan on shipping it.
  • Storing your dress in a non-airtight container has the extra bonus of allowing you to occasionally pull it out, try it on, and enjoy it.
  • Avoiding creases and future maintenance hassles is easier with the help of a professional wedding dress preservation business.
  • Following cleaning and preservation, the bridal gown should be stored in a cool, dry place.
  • Save the DressIf you take good care of your wedding dress, you can wear it again on your anniversary, pass it on to your daughter, or just keep it as a keepsake to remember your big day.
  • The honeymoon may be gone, but after you've put away your wedding gown, don't forget these storage hacks.

FAQs About Wedding Dress Care

The while it is usually never too late to clean and preserve your wedding dress, the absolute best time to have your gown cleaned is the day after your wedding. The earlier you have your dress cleaned and preserved, the less of a chance stains will have to really set in.

Place the dress in an acid-free container and store it in an area that is safe from harsh light or temperatures (think under a bed). You should also add silica desiccant packets inside the box for humidity control. Alternatively, you can use an acid-free plastic garment bag to hang the dress in a cool, dry closet.

Dry cleaning a wedding gown should take somewhere from a few days to a month depending on how many layers are on your gown and how busy the dry cleaning shop is. If you're fortunate enough and the shop isn't busy, a fantastic dry cleaning for a wedding gown must take two to three days.

Professional dry cleaners will steam or press wedding dresses, but brides can also purchase a handheld steamer for their own use at home.

If your wedding dress is not properly cleaned, cared for, and stored after the big day, the delicate textiles will start to yellow in as little as six months.

About The Author

Google Rating
4.6
Based on 484 reviews
js_loader
Google Rating
4.6
Based on 484 reviews
js_loader
Scroll to Top