Franklin Dean
Wedding dresses are often a significant financial investment, so it's understandable that brides want their dress to look perfect on their big day. One way to achieve this is by steaming the dress to remove any wrinkles or creases. This can be done by a professional steaming company or by the bride or a friend with a handheld steamer. It's important to check the fabric of the dress first, as some fabrics such as taffeta, dupioni, and shantung may become more wrinkled after steaming and are best ironed with a dry iron and a pressing cloth. When steaming the dress, it's best to work slowly and in sections, holding the steamer a few inches away from the fabric.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cost of a professional steaming service | $175 - $250 |
| Cost of a steamer | $30 - $40 |
| Average cost of a wedding dress | $2,439 (in 2020) |
| Time taken to steam a wedding dress | 1-3 hours |
| Fabrics that steam well | Synthetic fabric or a synthetic blend |
| Fabrics that should be ironed | Taffeta, silk faille, satins, shantung, dupioni, and silk |
| Fabrics that may wrinkle with steaming | Shantung, dupioni, and taffeta |
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What You'll Learn
Use a professional service
Wedding dresses are often a serious financial commitment, and with all the eyes on you and the photographs that will be taken, it is only natural that you want your wedding dress to be perfect and wrinkle-free. While it is possible to steam your wedding dress yourself, the best way to go is to hire a professional gown steaming company.
Professional steaming will produce the best results, and you will have peace of mind that your dress is in good hands. Bridal gown steaming professionals are familiar with different types of fabrics and designers and are experts in prepping the dress for your wedding day. They will know the best way to steam your dress, whether it is made of synthetic fabric or a synthetic blend, or whether it is made of silk, satin, or taffeta, which should be ironed instead as they tend to get bubbly when steamed. They will also know how to work with a dress with multiple layers, steaming each layer individually, working from the inside out, to ensure the skirt falls as it should.
Professional steaming services can cost around $175 to $250, and they normally include the wedding dress and the bridal veil in their pricing. While this is an additional cost, it is one less thing for you to worry about on your wedding day.
If you are unable to hire a professional steaming company, you can ask a friend to help you steam your wedding dress. It is a good idea to bring this friend with you to your last wedding dress alterations fitting so they can discuss how to steam your wedding dress with the seamstress and bridal boutique.
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Steam each layer individually
Steaming a wedding dress is a great way to ensure it looks perfect for your big day. It is a simple process but can take up to three hours, so make sure you set aside enough time. It is also important to check your fabric to ensure it is suitable for steaming. Some fabrics, such as silk, taffeta, and silk faille, should be ironed instead as they can become bubbly when steamed. If your dress has a soft pleated skirt, do not steam it as this will cause the pleats to come out.
If your dress has multiple layers, it is best to steam each layer individually, working from the inside out. This will ensure the skirt falls as it should. Hold the steamer two to three inches away from the fabric and use an up-and-down motion. For stubborn wrinkles, move the steamer in a circular motion, but do not apply too much heat to one area for too long.
If you are nervous about steaming your dress, it is a good idea to enlist the help of a friend or family member. You can also hire a professional gown steaming company to do it for you, which will give you peace of mind.
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Use bottled water
While it is recommended to hire a professional gown steaming company to steam your wedding dress, you can use bottled water to steam your wedding dress yourself.
Firstly, ensure that you have a clean steamer, a coat hanger, and some time and patience. If you don't already own a steamer, you can purchase one for around \$30-\$40. It is not recommended to rely on a resort or hotel to provide a steamer, as you can't guarantee its cleanliness or that it hasn't been used on dark clothing.
When preparing your steamer, fill the tank with bottled water to prevent any musty smells from transferring to your dress. Before steaming, always spray the steam away from your dress to release any residual water. You should do this until the machine stops sputtering.
When steaming your dress, hold the steamer two to three inches away from the fabric and work in an up-and-down motion. For stubborn wrinkles, work in a circular motion, but be careful not to apply too much heat to one area for too long. If your dress has multiple layers, work from the inside out.
If your steamer leaves a water ring on your dress, dab it with a washcloth to get it as dry as possible, then steam over the spot to dissipate any remaining moisture.
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Cover the steamer head
While some sources suggest covering the steamer head with a lightweight fabric, such as cheesecloth, to prevent water droplets from coming into contact with the dress, others advise against this approach. If you do choose to cover the steamer head, it is recommended to use a cotton cloth or a handkerchief, secured with a hairband, to absorb any water droplets. This method can provide an extra layer of protection and help ensure that your wedding dress remains spotless.
When using a steamer, it is important to be cautious and avoid applying steam directly to the dress, as water droplets can leave spots and stains. Instead, glide the steamer slowly over the creases of the gown, maintaining a distance of about two to three inches. This will allow the steam to gently remove wrinkles without risking water stains.
If you are concerned about water droplets or stains, an alternative method is to use the steam from a hot shower. Hang the dress on the bathroom door and run a very hot shower, allowing the steam to fill the room. Then, wrap your arm in a dry, white towel and gently smooth out any wrinkles. This indirect steaming method reduces the risk of water spots or stains.
Another option is to use a hairdryer on its lowest warm setting to dry any spots that may occur during steaming. By following these careful steaming techniques and considering the use of a fabric cover, you can help ensure that your wedding dress remains pristine and ready for your special day.
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Steam in a circular motion
Wedding dresses are often a serious financial commitment, so it is understandable that you want your wedding dress to look perfect. Wrinkles and creases can be removed, and a fresh steam on the wedding day will make the dress look picture-perfect.
If you can, it is recommended to hire a professional gown steaming company. They are familiar with different types of fabrics and designers and are experts in prepping the dress for your wedding day. However, if hiring a professional is not possible, you can steam the wedding dress yourself or ask a friend to help.
When steaming a wedding dress, it is important to do it in a circular motion. Hold the steamer two to three inches away from the fabric and work in a quick circular motion. For stubborn wrinkles, leave them and come back to avoid applying too much heat to one particular part of the dress.
If your wedding dress has multiple layers, steam each layer individually, working from the inside out, to ensure the skirt falls as it should. If your dress is made of taffeta, dupioni, or shantung, be cautious as these fabrics may wrinkle more with steaming. Instead, hand-press these fabrics with a dry iron or steam them through a clean white cloth to avoid water spots.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, it is possible to steam a wedding dress in general. However, it is important to check the fabric of the dress before steaming, as certain fabrics such as taffeta, dupioni, and shantung may become more wrinkled after steaming.
To steam the top of a wedding dress, you can use a handheld steamer with filtered water. It is recommended to cover the steamer head with a piece of fabric, such as a cotton cloth, to prevent water droplets from coming into contact with the dress. Hold the steamer 2-3 inches away from the fabric and work in a circular motion, focusing on the creases.
Steaming the top of a wedding dress can take anywhere from a few minutes to a few hours, depending on the fabric, the length of the dress, and the number of layers. On average, it can take up to 3 hours to steam a wedding dress with a long train.
It is recommended to steam your wedding dress on the morning of your wedding. However, it is important to allow enough time for the fabric to cool down and for any remaining moisture to evaporate before wearing the dress.
