Deborah Chan
Hanging a wedding dress at home is an important step in the wedding planning process. It is crucial to hang and store the dress properly to maintain its shape and prevent damage before the wedding day. There are several factors to consider when hanging a wedding dress at home, such as the type of dress, the use of hangers and straps, and the storage location. Proper hanging and storage techniques will ensure that the dress remains clean, damage-free, and well-preserved until the big day.
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What You'll Learn
Use the designated hanging loops or inner straps
If your wedding dress has designated hanging loops or inner straps, it is best to use them to hang the dress. Hanging the dress by these loops or inner straps will ensure that the weight of the dress is distributed evenly. This is especially important for dresses with a train, as the loops will prevent the train from bunching up.
The inner straps will typically be attached to the bodice of the dress, somewhere in the underarm area. However, they may be located further down the dress, almost at the waistline. If your dress has boning and the straps are attached at the waist, it is recommended to ask your seamstress to tack the straps to the armpit area as well, to prevent the bodice from becoming misshapen.
For dresses with sleeves or straps, it is important to avoid hanging the dress by these parts, as it can cause them to stretch out or become damaged. Hanging the dress by the inner straps will also ensure that any alterations made to the sleeves or straps are not undone.
It is also recommended to store your wedding dress in a dark, dry place, such as a spare room or bedroom, where the temperature and humidity will not fluctuate and the dress can remain out of direct sunlight. Basements and attics are typically not ideal for storage due to damp and musty air.
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Avoid hanging by sleeves, straps or shoulders
Wedding dresses are often very heavy, so hanging them by the sleeves, straps, or shoulders will cause the fabric to stretch out. If your dress has sleeves or straps, they have likely been adjusted to fit your body during alterations. Hanging the dress by these sleeves or straps will undo this work, and they may not fit you properly on your wedding day.
If your dress has an illusion neckline, where there is delicate tulle across the top to make it look like skin, you should not hang the dress by the sleeves or straps, as this delicate fabric can be damaged easily. Similarly, if your dress has off-the-shoulder straps, hanging it by these straps can stretch them out. In this case, it is recommended to use the inner straps at the armpit area to hang the dress and let the top portion hang down.
If your dress has inner straps connected at the waistline, be cautious if the dress also has boning. The boning, which is a plastic-like material used to manipulate the structure of the gown, may not be able to support the weight of the dress. In this case, you should ask your seamstress to tack the straps to the armpit area during alterations.
If you have cut or thrown away the inner straps, do not try to hang the dress. Instead, put it back in its garment bag and lay it down flat.
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Store in a dark, dry place
Storing your wedding dress in a dark, dry place is essential for preserving it. Avoid attics and basements, as these areas are often damp and musty, which can damage the dress. Instead, opt for a spare room or bedroom where the temperature and humidity are stable and the dress is protected from direct sunlight.
Keep the dress in a closet or a guest room, ensuring it is stored away from heat sources, excessive moisture, and direct sunlight. Extreme temperatures can cause damage and discolouration, turning the gown yellow over time. It is also crucial to keep the dress away from cooking or smoking odours, as these can permeate the fabric.
Use a sturdy box made of heavy-duty material with a fitted lid to protect the dress from insects and dust. The box should be acid-free to prevent damage to the dress and contain no plastic, as plastic emits fumes and does not allow the fabric to breathe. Tissue paper can be used for buffering folds to prevent hard creases, but only use acid-free tissue paper to avoid discolouration.
Regularly check on your dress to ensure it remains in good condition. Unpack and repack it at least once a year to prevent creases from becoming permanent. Additionally, consider using a portable steamer to remove any folds or creases that may form over time, but avoid ironing the dress, as this can damage the fabric.
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Avoid plastic, use cloth garment bags
Plastic bags are not ideal for storing wedding dresses because they can trap moisture and lead to mould growth. They also do not allow fabrics to breathe and have the potential to cause staining, as chemicals break down and gases are emitted.
Therefore, it is best to use a cloth garment bag or plain cotton sheets to wrap your gown. These bags shield the dress from dust and light, preventing potential discolouration and damage. They are also breathable and allow air circulation, which helps prevent moisture build-up that can lead to fabric damage.
If you do not have a cloth storage bag, you can use a queen-sized flat bedsheet. Cut a hole in the centre of the bedsheet and feed the head of the hanger through the hole. This creates a breathable cotton storage covering for your gown, which is much safer than plastic.
Additionally, when storing your wedding dress, it is best to keep it in a cool, dry, and dark place to protect it from discolouration. Basements and attics are typically not ideal for storage, as the air may be damp and musty. Instead, try to store your dress in a spare room or bedroom where the temperature and humidity will not fluctuate, and the dress can remain out of direct sunlight.
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Use a portable steamer to remove creases
To remove creases from your wedding dress, a portable steamer is your best option. It is much more effective than hanging the dress in a steam-filled bathroom. You can use a handheld steamer with filtered water, and cover the steamer head with a piece of fabric, such as a cotton cloth or a handkerchief, secured with a hairband. This will absorb any water droplets, preventing water spots on the dress.
Hold the steamer about 15-30 cm away from the dress to avoid direct contact and gently move it back and forth, allowing the steam to relax the fibres and remove wrinkles. Work in sections, starting from the top and slowly gliding downwards to ensure even steaming. This method is suitable for most common wedding dress fabrics, including satin, silk, chiffon, polyester, and tulle.
If you don't have access to a steamer, you can use the bathroom to create a similar effect. Run a hot shower with the door closed, and hang the dress on a coat hanger or the shower rail, ensuring it is away from the showerhead and won't get wet. Leave it for around 20 minutes, then allow the dress to air dry for about 10 minutes before wearing it.
It is important to note that you should never iron your wedding dress as it can damage the fabric. If you are unsure about using a steamer, you can always ask a local seamstress or dry cleaner for help.
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Frequently asked questions
If your dress has inner straps, use these to hang your dress. This will ensure the weight is distributed evenly and will help to maintain the shape of the dress. If your dress has boning and the inner straps are at the waistline, you may want to ask your seamstress to add a tack at the armpit seam to prevent the weight from pulling on the boning. If your dress has sleeves or straps, avoid hanging the dress by these parts as they may stretch.
If your dress does not have inner straps, it may have a loop at the bottom of the train. This is intended to go over the hanger to prevent the train from bunching up. If your dress does not have a loop, you can purchase a hanger with ribbon or cloth straps to hang your dress.
Basements and attics are not ideal for storing your wedding dress as the air may be damp and musty. Instead, store your dress in a spare room or bedroom where the temperature and humidity are stable and the dress can be kept out of direct sunlight.
If your dress has wrinkles, hang it somewhere high a few days before the wedding so they can drop out. If there are still wrinkles the day before, hang the dress in the bathroom while running a hot shower. Be careful not to let the dress get wet.
After the wedding, it is best to have your dress cleaned and preserved by a professional. You can also store your dress in a box, either plastic or cardboard, wrapped in a sealed bag. Make sure the box is acid-free to avoid damage to the dress.
