Junior Rasmussen
Steaming a wedding dress can be a daunting task, especially on the day of the wedding. It is important to be aware of the type of fabric your dress is made of, as certain silks, such as taffeta and silk faille, should be ironed instead of steamed as they tend to get bubbly. If your dress has multiple layers, it is best to steam each layer individually, working from the inside out. While you can hire a professional gown steaming company, it is also possible to steam your dress yourself with a portable steamer. However, it is recommended to test the steamer on a similar fabric beforehand to avoid any damage. Steaming your dress the day before or a few days before the wedding is advisable to allow wrinkles to soften with gravity.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Fabrics to steam | Synthetic fabric or synthetic blends |
| Fabrics to iron | Certain silks such as taffeta and silk faille |
| Equipment | Any portable steamer will work, but smaller steamers will require more refills |
| Steaming technique | Work in a quick circular motion, avoiding applying too much heat to one area |
| Cost | $30-$250 |
| Timing | 1-3 hours, ideally the day before or the morning of the wedding |
| Other tips | Steam each layer of a skirt individually, working from the inside out |
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What You'll Learn
Fabrics to avoid steaming
Steaming is a great way to remove wrinkles from your wedding dress, but it's important to be cautious when using this method on certain fabrics. Here are some fabrics that you should generally avoid steaming:
Silk
Silk is a delicate fabric with a sensitive protein structure derived from the silkworm. While light steaming may be acceptable, too much steam can weaken and damage the fibres. Silk also tends to develop water spots, so direct contact with moisture should be avoided. Certain types of silk, such as taffeta and silk faille, are more prone to becoming bubbly when steamed and are better suited for ironing.
Soft Pleated Skirts
If your wedding dress features soft pleats, it's best to avoid steaming as it can cause the pleats to relax and lose their shape, especially if it's made of silk.
Crinoline
Crinoline is a crunchy, heavy fabric with holes in it, often used as a shaping layer in skirts. Steaming crinoline is not effective, as the steam doesn't penetrate the fabric. Instead, use your hands to manipulate the crinoline into its fullest shape.
Tulle
Tulle is a delicate fabric that can be easily damaged by steam. It is important to be cautious when working with tulle to avoid accidentally melting or damaging the fabric. Always test on a similar piece of fabric first to ensure you don't ruin your wedding dress.
Structured Fabrics
Some structured fabrics like silk faille, satins, and taffetas have a natural wrinkle to them that may never completely disappear. However, this can be mitigated by the current airy photography style, which softens any wrinkles in photographs.
It is always important to be cautious when steaming any fabric, especially delicate wedding dresses. If possible, consult a professional gown steaming company or a seamstress for advice.
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Steamer options
If you're looking to steam your wedding dress yourself, you can use a portable steamer that you already own or purchase a new one. Handheld steamers are ideal for convenience and portability, especially if you're travelling with your dress. They range in price from $20 to $60. If you're looking to invest in a steamer for beyond your wedding day, Jiffy Steamers are a popular option.
If you're travelling to a destination wedding, you'll need to ensure your steamer supports the voltage of your destination country. A compact steamer is lightweight and easy to pack, but you'll need to refill it multiple times when steaming your dress.
If you're steaming your dress before the wedding day, you can also use a steam shower to relax the fabric.
If you're unsure about steaming your dress yourself, you can hire a professional gown steaming company for peace of mind. A professional will be familiar with different types of fabrics and designers and will be an expert in prepping the dress. Prices for this service range from $175 to $250.
If you're on a budget, you can ask a friend to help you steam your dress. It's a good idea to bring them along to your final wedding dress alterations fitting so they can discuss how to steam the dress with the seamstress.
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Steaming techniques
- If possible, 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 are steaming your own dress, be careful as some materials will damage under too much heat. Test out the steamer on a similar material beforehand so you know how far away to hold it.
- Use distilled water in the steamer to avoid yellowing of the fabric.
- When you arrive at your destination, immediately take the gown out of its protective bag and hang it from a high hook. This will allow wrinkles to begin to soften with gravity.
- When steaming the dress, work in a quick circular motion. For stubborn wrinkles, leave and come back so that one area does not receive too much heat.
- If the skirt of your dress has multiple layers, steam each layer individually, working from the inside out.
- If your skirt is made of a soft pleated fabric, especially silk, do not steam it as this will cause the pleats to come out.
- If your dress includes a layer of shaping crinoline, do not steam it. Instead, manipulate the fabric with your hands to achieve its fullest shape.
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When to steam
The best time to steam a wedding dress is the day before or the morning of the wedding. This is because the dress can get wrinkled during travel, and steaming the dress beforehand may not be enough to keep it wrinkle-free. It is also recommended to steam each layer of the dress individually, working from the inside out, to ensure the skirt falls as it should. This process can take anywhere from 30 minutes to 2 hours, depending on the complexity of the gown. Therefore, it is best to do it when you have enough time, which is usually the day before or the morning of the wedding.
If you are travelling with your wedding dress, it is important to pack it in a way that prevents wrinkles. Hang the dress as soon as you arrive at your destination and steam it before the wedding to ensure it looks its best.
It is also important to consider the fabric of the dress when deciding when to steam it. Some fabrics, such as synthetic fabrics or synthetic blends, steam beautifully. However, certain silks, such as taffeta and silk faille, should be ironed instead of steamed as they tend to get bubbly. Additionally, be cautious when steaming delicate fabrics such as tulle, as they can be easily damaged by too much heat. It is recommended to test the steamer on a similar fabric beforehand to ensure you don't ruin your dress.
If you are unsure about steaming your dress yourself, it is best to consult a professional bridal stylist or have your gown professionally steamed. This will give you peace of mind and ensure your dress looks perfect on your wedding day.
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Professional steaming services
Steaming a wedding dress can be a stressful task, especially on the day of the wedding. To avoid the hassle, many opt for professional steaming services. These services are provided by professionals who are well-versed in handling different types of fabrics and dresses. They employ expert techniques to delicately steam a variety of fabrics, ensuring your dress looks its absolute best.
One such professional steaming service is provided by The Wedding Steamer, which offers onsite wedding dress steaming services in hotel suites in New Orleans, Las Vegas, Scottsdale, San Diego, Miami, Chicago, and the Florida Panhandle. They specialize in providing a mobile steaming service that caters to destination brides right in the comfort of their bridal suites. With their extensive knowledge of fabrics and years of experience, they ensure that your dress is handled with the utmost care.
Another option is to reach out to professional gown steaming companies in your area. These companies usually charge around $175-$250 for steaming the wedding dress and bridal veil. Hiring a professional gives you peace of mind and allows you and your loved ones to relax and enjoy the wedding festivities.
While some may choose to steam their dresses themselves or with the help of friends, it is important to note that certain fabrics require specific steaming techniques. For example, soft pleated skirts and silk fabrics should not be steamed as they can lose their pleats or become bubbly. Additionally, some materials can be damaged by too much heat, so it is crucial to test the steamer on similar fabric beforehand.
Overall, professional steaming services offer a convenient and stress-free option for brides-to-be, ensuring that their dresses look flawless on their special day.
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Frequently asked questions
Steaming a wedding dress is not a complicated process, but it can be time-consuming. First, unpack and hang your dress as soon as you arrive at your destination—even if it's a few days before the wedding—so that wrinkles can begin to soften with gravity. Then, fill the steamer's tank with fresh water to prevent any musty smells from transferring to your dress. Finally, steam the dress in a quick circular motion, working from the inside out and leaving stubborn wrinkles to come back to later.
Handheld steamers are ideal for convenience and portability, especially for destination weddings. If you're travelling with your dress, you'll need to make sure the product supports different voltages. However, the downside of a compact steamer is that it will have a smaller water tank, so you'll need to refill it multiple times. If you think you might use a steamer in your everyday life, a full-size stand-up model might be worth investing in.
It is recommended that you hire a professional gown steaming company to steam your wedding dress, as they are familiar with different types of fabrics and designers. However, this is not always possible, so the next best thing is to ask a friend to help. If you do decide to steam the dress yourself, be careful—some materials will damage under too much heat, so test out the steamer on a similar fabric beforehand.
