Lyla Dejesus
Wedding dresses are often one of the most expensive items of clothing a woman will ever own, yet many gowns are stored haphazardly after the big day. If you're planning to keep or sell your wedding dress, it's important to store it properly. This involves cleaning, packaging, and folding the dress carefully to avoid creasing and damage. The dress should then be placed in a box or bag that is the right size to protect the dress and minimise shipping costs.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Box | Choose a heavy-duty cardboard box with a tight-fitting lid. The box should be just big enough to fit the dress without damaging it. |
| Tissue Paper | Use acid-free tissue paper to wrap the dress and place between the layers of the dress as you fold it. This prevents discolouration and yellowing. |
| Folding | Fold the dress carefully and loosely to avoid creasing. Wrap the sleeves under the bodice and then fold the skirt over the bodice. |
| Plastic Covering | Cover the dress in plastic (e.g. a duvet cover or recycling bag) to protect it in case the box gets wet or damaged during transit. |
| Sealing | Seal the box with thick adhesive tape. |
| Labelling | Label the box with "WEDDING GOWN" and include a note if desired. |
| Storage | Store the box in a safe, clean, and dry room, away from temperature extremes and direct sunlight. |
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What You'll Learn
Choose a box that's big enough to fit the dress without damaging it
When choosing a box for your wedding dress, it is important to select one that is just big enough to fit the dress without causing any damage. Opt for a sturdy corrugated cardboard box with a tight-fitting lid, which will help protect the gown from dust, insects, and light. You can typically find suitable boxes at stationery stores, postal stores, or moving supply stores for under $10. Alternatively, reach out to your local bridal salons to see if they have any spare boxes.
While a larger box may provide more space, it will also increase shipping costs due to cubic weight calculations. It is recommended to measure the dress itself, as sizes and weights can vary significantly. As a reference, a typical wedding dress should fit comfortably in a box with dimensions of 43 x 30 x 14 cm or 18 x 16 x 9 inches. However, always ensure that the box is not too small, as this can lead to crushing or damage to fine details.
When preparing the dress for the box, it is crucial to fold it carefully and loosely to avoid creasing. Use acid-free tissue paper or unbleached muslin between the layers to prevent any beads or embellishments from snagging on the fabric. Additionally, consider folding the dress inside out as a last line of defence in case the box gets damaged or wet during shipping. This will protect the outer detailed layers of the dress.
By choosing the right size box and taking care when folding and packaging your wedding dress, you can ensure its safety and preservation during storage or transportation.
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Prepare the dress by laying it flat and using tissue paper
Preparing your wedding dress for storage or travel is an important task, especially given the sentimental value and expense of these gowns. To prepare your dress to be folded into a box, you should first lay it flat on a sheet of tissue paper. It is important to use acid-free tissue paper, as the acid in ordinary tissue paper can damage the dress over time, causing discolouration. White tissue paper is also recommended to avoid any dye transfer onto the dress.
Before laying the dress down, you should inspect the gown for any blemishes, marks or stains, and have it dry-cleaned if necessary. If you are preparing the dress for travel, you may wish to pack a wrinkle-release spray to help the dress regain its shape after the journey.
When laying the dress flat, you can use tissue paper to mould the paper to the shape of the dress, filling out structured sections like the bust area. This will help to protect the shape of the dress during travel or storage.
Once the dress is laid flat, you can begin to fold it. Place tissue paper between each fold to protect embellishments or beading from snagging on other parts of the dress. If you are preparing the dress for travel, you may wish to fold the dress inside out as a last line of defence in case the box becomes damaged or wet during shipping.
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Fold the dress carefully and loosely, layer by layer
To fold a wedding dress carefully and loosely, layer by layer, you should begin by laying the dress flat on a sheet of acid-free tissue paper. White, unbleached muslin or acid-free tissue paper are ideal for packaging a wedding dress. This is because ordinary tissue paper contains acid which can damage the dress. Coloured tissue paper should also be avoided as the dye could transfer onto the dress.
Next, carefully turn the dress inside out and fold the bodice to the hem. This will help the dress fit inside the box. As you fold, place tissue paper or muslin cloth between each layer of the dress. This will prevent embellishments, beading or other details from snagging on the fabric.
When folding, wrap the sleeves under the bodice, and then fold the skirt up and over the bodice. This will ensure the dress is folded loosely and carefully, minimising creasing and avoiding damage.
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Wrap the dress in plastic to protect it from water damage
Wrapping your wedding dress in plastic before placing it in a box is a good way to protect it from water damage during transit. However, plastic is not recommended for long-term preservation.
When using plastic, ensure that it is acid-free. Ordinary tissue paper contains acid, which can damage the dress. White acid-free tissue paper or unbleached muslin are ideal packaging materials. You can also use the plastic cover from a duvet or a new, clear, large-sized recycling bag.
Before placing the dress in the plastic, fold it carefully and loosely, to avoid creasing. As you fold, layer the dress with acid-free tissue paper to prevent any beads or embellishments from snagging on the fabric. Always use colourless tissue paper for wrapping – the dye in coloured paper could transfer onto the dress. When folding, wrap the sleeves under the bodice, and then fold the skirt up over the bodice.
Finally, seal the box with thick adhesive tape, going over the opening several times.
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Seal the box with strong adhesive tape and label it
Once you've carefully folded your wedding dress, it's time to seal the box securely. Use strong adhesive tape to seal the flaps and seams of the box. Go over the openings several times to ensure a tight seal. If you're shipping the dress, use a minimum tape width of two inches. Cover the entire box with tape for added protection during transit.
Before taping, it's essential to place the folded dress inside a clear plastic bag and fold down the opening. This simple step safeguards your dress in case the box gets wet or damaged during shipping. While plastic isn't ideal for long-term preservation, it's safe for shipping purposes.
Now, seal the box with strong adhesive tape. If you have a shipping label, carefully tape it to the box, avoiding any seams. Ensure the label is flat and secure, and avoid placing it over any openings or closures. Cover the entire label with tape to protect it from wear and tear during transit.
Finally, mark the box with the words "Wedding Gown" or "Fragile" to alert handlers to treat it with extra care. You can also include a short note inside the box for the recipient, wishing them a special day or thanking them for their purchase.
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Frequently asked questions
First, lay the dress flat on a sheet of acid-free tissue paper. Then, fold the dress carefully and loosely, placing tissue paper between each layer to prevent any embellishments or beading from snagging on the fabric. Wrap any delicate details with tissue paper. Finally, fold the dress bodice to hem and wrap the folded dress in unbleached muslin before placing it in the box.
Choose a heavy-duty cardboard box with a tight-fitting lid to protect the gown from dust, insects and light. If you've picked a box with a window, choose an acetate screen over a plastic one. Make sure the box is just big enough to fit the dress without damaging any fine details.
If possible, ask the salon, retailer or designer to prepare the dress for travel. If you're doing it yourself, lay the dress flat and use tissue paper to mould it in a way that fills in the bust area and other structured sections. Then, place the dress in a sturdy, waterproof travel garment bag. Hang the dress inside the bag with a hanger heavy enough to support its weight. If necessary, fold the train once at the bottom so it fits inside the bag.
