Lyla Dejesus
Wedding dresses are often large and made from delicate fabrics, so they can easily crease or wrinkle. Many brides want their dress to look perfect, so steaming is a great way to ensure it looks smooth and photo-ready. While some dresses may need to be ironed, many can be steamed, and it is often a quick and easy process. However, it is important to know how to steam correctly, as some materials can be damaged by too much heat, and water droplets can leave spots.
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What You'll Learn
When to steam your wedding dress
Steaming your wedding dress is an important step in ensuring it looks perfect on your big day. Wedding dresses can be made from a variety of fabrics, and some hold up well during transport, while others do not. To avoid any wrinkles or creases, it is recommended to steam your dress before the wedding day.
If you are travelling to your wedding destination, it is best to steam your dress once you arrive. This could be the day before or the morning of your wedding. Steaming the dress beforehand and then transporting it can cause wrinkles to reappear. If you are driving to your wedding, keep the dress hung up in the car to prevent wrinkles from forming. If flying, pack the dress loosely in a suitcase and unpack it as soon as you arrive.
On the day of the wedding, you will be busy with photos, hair, makeup, and socialising. Therefore, it is best to delegate the task of steaming to a friend or family member. They can also learn how to bustle the dress from your seamstress. If you are staying in a hotel, your friend can use the hotel shower to create a steam room for the dress. Run a hot shower, cover the bathroom floor with towels, and hang the dress on the bathroom door. Then, use a dry, white towel to smooth out any remaining wrinkles.
If you want to hire a professional, steaming companies can provide this service. They are familiar with different types of fabrics and designers and can ensure your dress is prepped and ready for your wedding. However, this option can be costly, ranging from $175 to $250. Alternatively, you can purchase a new steamer for $30 to $40. Be sure to use bottled or distilled water to avoid any discolouration of the fabric.
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How to steam your wedding dress
Steaming your wedding dress is a great way to make it look perfect for your big day. Wedding fashion expert Beth Chapman says, "A fresh steam on the wedding day will make [your dress] picture-perfect." However, certain fabrics, such as taffeta, dupioni, shantung, and silk faille, should be ironed instead of steamed, as they tend to get bubbly when steamed. If your dress is made of a synthetic fabric or a synthetic blend, it will likely steam beautifully. Satin is another fabric that is safe to steam and is also fairly crease-resistant.
If you want to steam your wedding dress, it is recommended that you hire a professional gown steaming company. They are experts in prepping dresses for weddings and are familiar with different types of fabrics and designers. If hiring a professional is not possible, you can ask a friend to help you, or steam the dress yourself.
If you decide to steam the dress yourself, there are a few things you should keep in mind. Firstly, never steam a garment while it is being worn. Secondly, always use bottled or distilled water in your steamer, as tap water may cause yellowing of the fabric. Thirdly, be careful not to apply steam directly to your dress, as water droplets can leave spots. Instead, steam through a clean white cloth or towel. Finally, if your dress has multiple layers, be sure to steam each layer individually, working from the inside out, to ensure the skirt falls as it should.
If you are dealing with minor wrinkles, you can try hanging your dress in the bathroom while running a hot shower, creating your own steam room. Just be sure not to close the door, or the dress may get overly damp. Then, wrap your arm in a dry, white towel and run it down the length of the gown, smoothing out any wrinkles.
With these tips, you can effectively steam your wedding dress and ensure it looks its best for your special day.
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What type of water to use
To steam your wedding dress, it is recommended to use distilled water or bottled water instead of tap water. This is to prevent any discolouration or musty smells from transferring to the dress.
If you are using a steamer, fill the tank with fresh distilled or bottled water. Before steaming your dress, run a test by holding the steamer about 8-10 inches away. This is important to do as the first few droplets of water from the steamer may be discoloured and can stain your dress. Let these initial droplets evaporate and flick off any additional liquid before aiming the steamer at your dress.
If you are steaming your dress in a steamy shower, be careful not to close the door, or the dress may get overly damp. Instead, run a very hot shower and allow the room to fill with steam. Cover the bathroom floor with towels and hang the dress on the bathroom door or a high hook, away from the walls.
If you are using an iron, use a dry iron on medium to low heat and a clean white press cloth, such as a thin weave or a new dish towel.
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How to steam different fabrics
Wedding dresses are usually made from fabrics like tulle, silk, polyester, and satin, all of which can be steamed to smooth out wrinkles and creases. However, different fabrics require different steaming techniques.
For lighter materials like tulle, chiffon, lace, or organza, use less steam. Direct the steamer in small circles rather than long strokes, and hold the device about 6 inches away from the fabric for a couple of minutes. Work in sections, starting from the top or sleeves and moving downwards.
For heavier fabrics, use more steam. Start from the innermost layer and work outwards, steaming each layer individually. This is especially important for soft and flowy skirts to ensure they fall as they should.
Some fabrics, such as taffeta, dupioni, shantung, and silk faille, are more prone to creasing or bubbling when steamed and are best ironed instead. If you must steam these fabrics, do not apply steam directly to the dress. Instead, cover the steamer head with a piece of fabric or a towel to prevent water droplets from leaving spots.
If you are unsure about steaming your dress, it is best to hire a professional gown steaming company or delegate the task to a friend.
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Whether to steam or iron
Steaming is a popular choice for wedding dresses, as it can help to remove any wrinkles or creases, and give the dress a fresh, picture-perfect look. However, certain fabrics, such as synthetic fabrics or synthetic blends, steam better than others. Silks, particularly taffeta and silk faille, tend to get bubbly when steamed and are better ironed. If you are unsure about whether to steam or iron your dress, it is best to consult a professional or the shop you bought the dress from. They will be able to advise you on the best method for your specific dress.
If you choose to steam your wedding dress, there are a few things to keep in mind. First, it is recommended to use bottled or distilled water in your steamer to avoid any yellowing of the fabric. Second, be careful not to apply steam directly to the dress, as water droplets can leave spots. Instead, use a circular motion and work on one area at a time, returning to stubborn wrinkles later. This will help to avoid putting too much heat on one particular part of the dress. Additionally, if your dress has multiple layers, steam each layer individually, working from the inside out, to ensure the skirt falls as it should.
If you prefer to iron your wedding dress, it is important to be cautious as an iron can create a sheen on the fabric, especially if you are not a professional. Be sure to use the proper setting for the fabric you are pressing, and follow any guidelines provided on the iron dial. For certain fabrics, such as taffeta, dupioni, and shantung, it is recommended to hand-press with a dry iron.
Ultimately, the decision to steam or iron your wedding dress comes down to the fabric of the dress and your personal preference. If you are unsure, consulting a professional or the dress shop is always a good idea.
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Frequently asked questions
It is not necessary, but it is recommended to get rid of any wrinkles or creases.
It is best to steam your wedding dress the day or night before your wedding. This will make your wedding day stress-free.
Steaming a wedding dress can take 1-3 hours, depending on how long the train is.
If you can afford it, 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. If you cannot hire a professional, ask a friend to help you steam your dress.
