Lyla Dejesus
There are many considerations to make when it comes to storing your wedding dress. Some bridal salons will store your dress for alterations, but it is not the norm for them to hold onto it for longer than a few weeks. If you're storing your dress at home, it's important to consider the weight of the fabric and whether it needs to be hung up or laid flat. You should also be cautious of heat sources and pets, and avoid long-term storage on a hanger as this can stretch the fabric. If you're keeping your dress as a memento, there are services that clean and store your gown safely.
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What You'll Learn
Bridal salons typically don't store dresses
In some cases, bridal salons may offer gown storage as an additional package or service for an extra fee. This can include storage until alterations are needed, usually until the final fitting. However, it's not common for salons to store dresses for an extended period, especially if they are not conducting the alterations themselves.
If a bridal salon requests that you pick up your dress for storage, it's likely due to limited storage space, especially if they are experiencing a high volume of postponed weddings. In such cases, you may need to make alternative arrangements for storing your dress until alterations or the wedding day. This could include asking a friend or family member with more storage space to hold onto the dress for you, especially if they live nearby.
While it's understandable to expect bridal salons to store your dress, it's not always feasible for them to do so. Their storage capacity may vary, and they may be balancing the needs of multiple customers. As such, it's essential to be understanding of their situation and explore alternative options for dress storage.
Ultimately, it's essential to communicate openly with your bridal salon about your specific situation and see if they can make exceptions or offer alternatives. If not, you may need to get creative with your dress storage solutions, ensuring that your dress remains safe and in excellent condition until your wedding day.
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Seamstresses may store until final fitting
Seamstresses are often part of a bridal salon's tailoring team, and they may be able to store your wedding dress until the final fitting. This is a convenient option if you have limited storage space at home. However, it's important to note that bridal salons typically don't have much storage space either, and they may not be able to accommodate your request, especially if your wedding has been postponed.
If you decide to store your dress with the seamstress, it's essential to communicate your expectations clearly. Discuss the timeline for alterations and confirm that they have the capacity to store your dress until the final fitting. Keep in mind that seamstresses usually require multiple fittings to ensure a perfect fit, and they may need to make last-minute adjustments.
During the fittings, don't hesitate to speak up about your preferences and comfort level. Be direct about how you envision your dress looking and feeling. For example, if you prefer a looser or tighter fit in certain areas, let your seamstress know. They are experienced in making these adjustments, and your feedback will help them create your dream dress.
Additionally, consider bringing a friend or family member to the fittings. They can learn the "mechanics" of your dress, such as how to zip it up, attach/detach sleeves, and bustle the gown. This ensures that someone else understands the intricacies of your dress, and they can assist you on your wedding day.
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Store flat in a breathable bag or cotton sheet
If you're storing your wedding dress as a memento, it's important to take good care of it. One way to do this is to store your dress flat in a breathable bag or wrapped in a cotton sheet.
Firstly, it's important to remove your dress from any plastic covering. Plastic does not allow fabrics to breathe and can cause staining over time as chemicals break down and gases are emitted. Instead, opt for a cloth or fabric garment bag made from breathable cotton. These bags are designed to allow your dress to breathe and are hands-down safer for your wedding dress than plastic. If you don't have a cotton storage bag, you can use a cotton sheet. Machine wash a queen-sized flat bedsheet and dry it without fabric softener. Cut a hole in the middle of the bedsheet and feed the head of the hanger through the hole. Now you have a breathable cotton storage covering for your gown.
When storing your dress, choose a room or space that isn't a "high-traffic area" in your house, such as the top shelf of a spare closet. Be cautious of heat sources and pets, as these could damage your dress. Keep your dress in a comfortable temperature and environment, avoiding extreme heat or cold.
Once your gown is stored away, try to resist the temptation to try it on or remove it from the bag, as your chances of staining and potential oil marks increase each time your dress is handled. Makeup and deodorant are some of the biggest culprits for staining when trying on your dress. If you must try on your gown, be sure to remove your makeup and deodorant first and consider wearing white cotton gloves to protect the fabric.
Finally, it's important to keep your dress clean, especially if you plan to store it for a long time. Have your dress professionally cleaned as soon as possible after wearing it, and consider sending it to a professional wedding dress cleaning service if you notice any yellowing or stains.
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Avoid hanging to prevent stretching fabric
It is important to take good care of your wedding dress, especially if you are holding onto it as a memento. While hanging up your wedding dress may seem like a logical thing to do, it is best avoided, as this can lead to stretching the fabric over time.
If your dress has multiple layers of fabric, heavy beading, or is made from a stretch fabric such as lycra, it is best to store your dress flat, inside a breathable garment bag or wrapped in a cotton sheet. Place it on a shelf in a spare closet, ensuring that it is not in a high-traffic area.
For heavier dresses, the weight of the fabric can cause the hanger to bend, leading to wrinkles or even causing the dress to fall off the hanger. Additionally, if the hanger is too large or too small, the top of the dress can stretch out of shape.
If you do choose to hang your dress, ensure that you use the correct hanger. The hanger should replicate a person's shoulders so that the dress maintains its natural shape. Padded hangers are ideal for delicate fabrics, while wooden hangers are long-lasting and ideal for maintaining the shape of jackets or clothing with special features.
To prevent wrinkles, a few days before your wedding, carefully remove your dress from storage and hang it somewhere high so that any creases can drop out.
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Clean and preserve before stains set in
It is important to clean and preserve your wedding dress as soon as possible after your wedding day. Even if your wedding gown seems to be in good condition, there may be invisible stains that will set in, oxidize, and darken in the months to come. These invisible stains, such as perfume, white wine, or perspiration, often go unnoticed for weeks or months before they are visible, and by then, it is often too late to fully remove them.
Before preserving a gown, a professional preservationist will shine ultraviolet light across the wedding dress to identify any invisible stains. They will then develop a tailored treatment plan for every type of stain. It is important to note that "surface" stains can be misleading. Most stains have a liquid component that can penetrate deep into the fibers of the dress, making them difficult to remove.
If you are unable to send your dress to a preservationist immediately after your wedding, there are some steps you can take to ensure it is stored safely. Firstly, do not store your dress in a plastic bag, as plastic does not allow fabrics to breathe and has the potential for staining as chemicals break down and gases are emitted. Instead, wrap your dress in a cotton sheet and store it flat in a breathable garment bag. Store your dress in a cool, dark place away from humidity, such as a closet or under your bed. Avoid placing it in the attic or basement, as these areas are prone to temperature fluctuations, air and water leaks, and vermin damage. Keep your wedding dress out of contact with other clothing items to avoid acid transfer, friction, and staining.
Once your gown is properly stored, try to resist the temptation to try it on or remove it from the bag, as your chances of staining and potential oil marks increase each time your dress is handled. If you must try on your gown, be sure to remove your makeup and deodorant first, as these are some of the biggest culprits for staining.
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Frequently asked questions
It is recommended that you buy your wedding dress between 8 and 10 months before the wedding. Dresses can take up to 5 months to arrive and alterations can take another 1-2 months.
This is completely up to you. You can store, sell or repurpose your dress. If you decide to store your dress, it is best to get it cleaned and preserved before stains set in.
It is best to store your dress flat, inside a breathable garment bag or wrapped in a cotton sheet, in a room or space that isn’t a “high-traffic area” in your house such as on the top shelf of a spare closet.
