Junior Rasmussen
Wedding dress preservation is a service that helps maintain the integrity of the dress and prevents discolouration of the fabric. It can cost anywhere from $200 to $1000, depending on the gown and location. The process typically takes four to six weeks, and it's recommended to research providers to find one that suits your needs. Some brides opt for preservation to maintain the dress for sentimental reasons, while others may repurpose the dress later. If you're unsure about preservation, you can opt for professional cleaning, which costs less and ensures stain removal. However, if you want your wedding dress to remain in pristine condition for years or decades, preservation is the best option.
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What You'll Learn
Cleaning and preservation
Wedding dress preservation is a special cleaning and packaging process that ensures your gown retains its beauty and quality for years to come. This process should be undertaken by a professional cleaner and preservationist, who will be trained to spot and treat all types of stains, from invisible marks to visible spills.
Professional cleaning is the first step in wedding dress preservation. The sooner you can get the dress to a preservationist or dry cleaner, the better. The preservationist will survey your gown, including its materials, embellishments, and stains, and then formulate a specialised cleaning procedure.
The cleaning process will involve techniques specifically designed for delicate fabrics and intricate details. Once cleaned, the dress will be packaged in a way that safeguards it from yellowing, fading, and deterioration. This might include placing the dress in an acid-free, museum-quality chest, which is designed to protect it for generations.
The cost of wedding dress preservation varies depending on several factors, including the fabric of the gown, the length and silhouette, any ornamentations and embellishments, the degree of staining, your location, and how quickly you need the gown preserved. Generally, you can expect to pay between $250 to $700, but prices can go as high as $1,000.
It's important to note that wedding dress preservation is different from standard dry cleaning. Dry cleaning may not involve an analysis of specific stains or repairs, and the dress may be stored in a cardboard box with acidic paper. With preservation, you can expect a unique treatment plan tailored to your dress's fabric, stitching, and details.
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Reselling
If you're planning to resell your wedding dress, it's important to get it professionally cleaned to ensure it's in pristine condition. This will help you retain its maximum value. Dry cleaning your dress can cost anywhere from $250 to $800, depending on the material, embellishments, and soil level of the gown.
It's worth noting that there is a significant difference between standard dry cleaning and wedding dress preservation. Dry cleaning may not address specific stains on your gown or make necessary repairs. Wedding dress preservation, on the other hand, involves an experienced specialist assessing your dress and creating a unique treatment plan based on its fabric, stitching, and details. Preservation techniques include special cleaning and packaging methods to ensure your gown retains its beauty and integrity for years to come.
If you're planning to store your wedding dress before reselling it, avoid using plastic dress covers or regular cardboard boxes, as they can trap moisture and bacteria, leading to mould or mildew growth. Instead, opt for acid-free tissue paper or a cloth garment bag. You can also use an acid-free, lignin-free wedding dress storage box designed specifically for preserving wedding dresses. Store your dress in a cool, dry, and dark place, such as a closet or a guest room, to prevent damage and discolouration.
Additionally, consider donating your wedding dress to various charities if you don't plan on reselling it. Some organisations make burial gowns for infants, while others create baptismal garments.
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Donating
Reasons to Donate Your Wedding Dress
- Free up closet space: A wedding dress can take up a lot of space, especially if it has a large train or puffy sleeves. Donating it will free up valuable storage space in your home.
- Tax deduction: In some countries, donating your wedding dress to a charitable organization may qualify you for a tax deduction. Be sure to check with your local tax regulations and the specific requirements for donating items.
- Help others: Donating your dress can help someone in need. There are organizations that resell donated wedding dresses at discounted prices or give them to brides who cannot afford them. Your dress can bring joy and happiness to another bride while also supporting a good cause.
- Environmental benefits: Donating your dress promotes reuse and recycling, reducing waste and the environmental impact of producing new garments.
Organizations to Consider for Wedding Dress Donations
- Brides for a Cause: This nonprofit organization collects and resells wedding dresses to raise funds for women-focused charities. They accept new and once-worn dresses and have showrooms in Portland, Tacoma, Seattle, and Sacramento.
- Brides Against Breast Cancer: This organization resells gently used wedding gowns to raise funds for breast cancer awareness and early detection. Since its founding in 1997, it has sold over 50,000 donated wedding dresses.
- The Brides Project: Based in Michigan, this organization raises money for programs and services at the Cancer Support Community of Greater Ann Arbor. They accept gently used and new wedding dresses.
- Brides Across America: This nonprofit organization provides free wedding dresses to military and first responder brides at Operation Wedding Gown events held twice a year. They accept dresses that are less than four years old and in wearable condition.
- NICU Helping Hands Angel Gown Program: This program accepts wedding dresses and transforms them into burial gowns for infants. The gowns are offered to hospitals, birthing centers, funeral homes, and grieving families at no charge.
- Cherie Sustainable Bridal: Located in Maryland, Cherie Sustainable Bridal accepts donated wedding gowns and supports Success in Style, a nonprofit that assists clients in crisis by providing professional clothing and interview skills training.
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Repurposing
If you're looking to repurpose your wedding dress, there are several options to consider. Firstly, you could transform it into a christening gown for your baby, following in the footsteps of Nikki, who had her mother-in-law's wedding dress repurposed for her new baby. Alternatively, you could create a new holiday tradition, like Pauline, who turned her wedding dress into a Christmas tree skirt and angel tree topper. If you're feeling crafty, you could even make ornaments or a tree topper from your dress, like the woman on Reddit who considered making a tree skirt and tree topper.
Another option is to repurpose your wedding dress into a robe or similar item, which you can keep for yourself or pass down to your children, giving them the option to repurpose it further if they wish. You could also transform your wedding dress into a ring bearer pillow, a special item that can be kept and cherished forever. If you're looking for a more wearable option, consider dyeing and refashioning your wedding dress into a blue formal dress or a tulle skirt, made from material from a long wedding dress.
If you're feeling generous, you could donate your wedding dress to a local charity that works with underprivileged brides or organisations that make burial gowns for infants. You could even repurpose your dress into a getting-ready robe for your wedding party, or create headbands, bracelets, bags, and other accessories. For a truly unique keepsake, consider making a miniature replica of your wedding dress or turning parts of it into a photo mat to beautifully display your wedding photos.
Lastly, if you're feeling creative, companies like Unbox the Dress can help transform your wedding dress into bespoke keepsakes, or you can explore their existing designs to repurpose your gown into something new.
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Storage
If you want to preserve your wedding dress, it is important to store it properly to avoid any environmental damage. The box your dress is sealed in should be placed in a temperature-controlled room, with air conditioning being the best option. Keep the box out of direct sunlight and away from dampness or humidity.
It is also important to note that your preserved wedding dress should not be stored in an airtight box. Contrary to popular belief, breaking the seal of the box is not an issue. Expert clothing conservationists recommend using a box that can be opened and should be opened at least yearly.
If you are planning to resell your wedding dress, ensuring it is in pristine condition can help retain its value. Dry cleaning or preserving your dress can cost between $200 to $300, with the full preservation package costing between $250 to $700. Prices can go as high as $1,000 depending on the gown and location.
If you are not ready to commit to preserving your wedding dress, there are some short-term precautions you can take to protect your dress. Cloth or Tyvek bags can offer temporary protection, but your gown should not hang for long periods. A wedding chest provides more protection from sharp objects, smoke, and fire.
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Frequently asked questions
Preserving your wedding dress will ensure that it maintains its integrity and stays in good condition for years to come. This can be especially important if you want to pass it down to a loved one or repurpose it in the future.
The cost of preserving a wedding dress can vary depending on the provider and location, but it generally ranges from $200 to $700. Some providers may charge additional fees for add-on services.
No, wedding dress preservation should only be undertaken by a professional. They will be able to properly treat any stains and package your gown in a way that ensures its long-term protection.
