Rhiannon Hendricks
Wedding dress preservation is a specialised process that involves cleaning and treating a bridal gown to ensure it looks pristine for years to come. While it is recommended to begin the preservation process as soon as possible after the wedding, it is never too late to preserve your wedding dress. Professional preservationists can improve the appearance of yellowed and stained gowns, allowing you to pass down the dress or repurpose it in the future. The cost of wedding dress preservation varies depending on the gown's fabric and the level of work required, typically ranging from $250 to $1,000.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Best time to preserve | As soon as possible after the wedding |
| How soon does the dress start to yellow? | In some cases, as soon as six months after the wedding |
| Cost | $250 to $1,000 |
| Preservation process | Surveying the gown, creating a unique treatment plan, cleaning, repairing, and storing in an acid-free box |
| Stains | Some stains may not be visible right away but can show up later |
| DIY preservation | Not recommended |
| Storage location | Cool, dark place away from humidity, such as a closet or under the bed |
| Storage materials | Acid-free archive box, acid-free tissue paper |
| Storage precautions | Avoid plastic bags, attics, cellars, and contact with other clothing items |
| Benefits | Maintain the integrity of the dress, fight discoloration, pass down the dress, repurpose it |
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What You'll Learn
It's never too late to preserve your wedding dress
Wedding dress preservation is a specialised cleaning and treatment plan. A professional preservationist will survey your gown—the materials, embellishments, and various stains—and formulate a unique treatment plan according to your dress fabric, stitching, and details. Preservation involves using highly specialised materials that are typically acid-free, such as an acid-free box and lofting tissues to support all folds and portions of the dress.
The cost of wedding dress preservation varies depending on your location and the level of work your gown requires, but you can expect to pay anywhere from $250 to $1,000 for this service. While this can be expensive, preservation will ensure that your wedding dress will look the same as it did on your wedding day and will help maintain the integrity of the dress, fighting against discolouration of the fabrics. This will allow you to pass down the dress or repurpose it for 'something borrowed' in the future.
If you haven't had your gown treated for preservation, do not store your gown in a plastic bag or cardboard box, as this can lead to further damage from moisture, bugs, oxidation, and inadequate packing materials. Instead, store your wedding gown box in a cool, dark place away from humidity, such as your closet or under your bed.
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Wedding dress preservation methods
Wedding dresses are delicate and intricate garments, and over time they are prone to yellowing, oxidation, and other forms of damage, especially if not treated and stored properly right after the wedding. It is recommended to get your wedding dress cleaned and sent to a preservation specialist within a week of the wedding. However, if months or even years have passed, don't stress! It is never too late to preserve your wedding dress.
Professional Preservationist:
- Professional cleaning and preservation are recommended for wedding dresses. A professional preservationist will survey your gown, including the materials, embellishments, and stains, and then formulate a specialised cleaning procedure.
- Preservation involves using highly specialised materials that are typically acid-free. Once a dress has been properly cleaned and restored, it should be housed in an acid-free box and folded using special lofting tissues to support all folds and portions of the dress.
- Some providers also include the veil, train, shoes, and ring pillow as part of the preservation package. Others may offer repairs as part of the preservation process.
- The cost of wedding dress preservation varies depending on location and the level of work required, ranging from $250 to $1,000.
Dry Cleaning:
- Dry cleaning is a more affordable option for wedding dress cleaning and preservation. However, it is important to choose a dry cleaner that uses a gentle and pure solvent to avoid leaving an odd smell on your dress.
- Some dry cleaners also offer specialised wedding dress cleaning, but it is important to vet their process first by asking questions about their methods.
- Dry cleaning may not include the same level of specialised treatment as a professional preservationist, so it is important to consider the level of care required for your dress.
Home Storage:
- If you plan to store your wedding dress at home, it is important to take precautions to avoid damage. Do not store your gown in a plastic bag, as this can lead to moisture, bugs, and oxidation over time.
- Avoid storing your dress in the attic or cellar, as these areas are prone to temperature fluctuations, leaks, and vermin damage.
- Keep your wedding dress away from other clothing items to prevent acid transfer, friction, and staining.
- Store your dress in a cool, dark place, such as a closet or under your bed.
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How to store your wedding dress at home
It is never too late to preserve your wedding dress, even if it has been hanging in your closet for years. Wedding dress preservation is a specialised cleaning and treatment plan to ensure your gown looks as pristine as possible for years to come. Here are some tips for storing your wedding dress at home:
Avoid plastic bags
Do not store your gown in a plastic bag, as this can lead to further damage from moisture, bugs, and oxidation long-term.
Avoid attics and cellars
Do not store your wedding dress or preservation box in your attic or cellar. These areas are prone to temperature fluctuations, air and water leaks, and vermin damage.
Keep away from other clothing
Keep your wedding dress away from other clothing items to avoid acid transfer, friction, and staining.
Store in a cool, dark place
Keep your preservation box in a cool, dark place away from humidity. Your closet or under your bed are good options.
Use acid-free tissue paper
When folding your dress, use acid-free tissue paper to support all folds and portions of the dress, like the skirt, sleeves, and bust. This will prevent creases from forming.
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How to choose a wedding dress preservationist
It is never too late to preserve your wedding dress. Even if years have passed since your wedding day, preservation specialists can restore your dress to its former glory.
- Ensure the preservationist is a professional with experience in wedding dress preservation. This task requires specialised knowledge and skills, so it is important to choose someone who is qualified and trained in this area.
- Ask a lot of questions about their process. A good preservationist will be able to explain their methods and techniques clearly and transparently. Find out how they assess and treat different fabrics, stains, and dress details.
- Find out what materials they use for cleaning and preservation. Preservation should involve using highly specialised, acid-free materials to ensure the long-term stability of the fabric. This includes acid-free tissue paper and archival boxes for storage.
- Check their reviews and reputation. Look for preservationists who have a good track record and positive testimonials from past clients. You can also ask for references or before and after" photos to see the results of their work.
- Inquire about their storage recommendations. A preservationist should be able to guide you on how to store your dress properly at home. This includes advice on the storage location, temperature, and humidity levels, and how to avoid common issues like yellowing, oxidation, and pest damage.
- Discuss costs and guarantees. Wedding dress preservation can vary in price, so get a clear understanding of the costs involved. Some companies offer guarantees, such as a promise that your dress won't yellow or fade over time.
Remember, the key to successful wedding dress preservation is finding a skilled and reputable specialist who uses appropriate materials and techniques to ensure the longevity of your dress.
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The cost of wedding dress preservation
Wedding dress preservation is a specialised process that ensures your gown looks pristine for years to come. It is a process that should be undertaken by a professional, and it is not too late to preserve your wedding dress, even if it has been hanging in your closet for years.
A simple wedding dress cleaning service can range from $200 to $300, while a full preservation service can cost anywhere from $250 to over $1000. The higher end of this range is typically for high-end boutiques in expensive cities, which may outsource the preservation to a third party.
It is important to remember that wedding dress preservation is an investment and that bargain basement services may not provide the same level of protection for your gown. It is also worth noting that dry cleaning and preservation are two different services, and dry cleaning alone may not be sufficient to protect your dress from yellowing and discolouration over time.
To ensure the best outcome for your dress, it is recommended to research and choose a reputable preservation company that uses specialised materials and techniques to protect your gown.
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Frequently asked questions
No, it's not too late. Wedding dress preservation specialists can treat and restore older dresses. However, it's best to get your dress to a specialist as soon as possible after your wedding, as some stains may appear over time.
Wedding dress preservation is a specialist process, so it's important to find a dry cleaner with experience in cleaning gowns. Ask a lot of questions about their process, and make sure they use a gentle solvent. Check reviews on sites like The Knot and WeddingWire.
The cost varies depending on the fabric of your gown, the amount of work required, and your location. Expect to pay anywhere from USD 250 to 1,000.
Keep your wedding dress box in a cool, dark place away from humidity, such as a closet or under your bed. Avoid attics or cellars, as these areas are prone to temperature fluctuations and water leaks.
