Deborah Chan
Wedding dresses are often preserved to maintain their beauty and integrity for future use, whether that's for sentimental reasons, to pass down to future generations, or to resell. Professional preservation services involve fabric experts who assess, clean, repair, press, and package the dress using acid-free materials. While some companies seal the dress in a box, others recommend storing it in a cool, dry, and dark place, like a closet, to prevent discolouration and damage. Before preservation, it's important to clean the dress to remove any stains, dirt, or oils that can break down the fabric over time. There are also creative ways to repurpose a wedding dress, such as altering it into a new garment or donating it to organisations that accept wedding dress donations.
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Choose a professional wedding dress preservation service
Wedding dress preservation is intended to keep your wedding gown in excellent condition for decades. It is not a DIY job, and it should be undertaken by a professional cleaner and preservationist. They are trained to spot and deal with any stains on your wedding dress, from the invisible to the visible.
If you opt for a preservation company that seals your gown in a box, this typically means you can’t unseal it without breaking the guarantee. In this scenario, if your daughter or someone close to you decides to wear or upcycle your dress for her wedding, she’ll need to repeat the process to preserve and guarantee it again.
Most wedding dress preservation companies offer a lifetime guarantee of at least, and often up to a 75- or 100-year guarantee for their services. The important thing to understand about a “guarantee” is that it does not necessarily insure against stains or damage. It is simply the length of time that a company will allow for a retreatment. This generally means that if you notice new stains or yellowing appearing on your preserved wedding gown during the guaranteed time, you can send it in for a new service, free of charge.
There are several professional wedding dress preservation services to choose from, including:
- Trusted Wedding Gown Preservation: The self-proclaimed "#1 bridal dress cleaning and preservation company", Trusted Wedding Gown Preservation has been trusted by 3,000,000 brides since 1913. They offer various wedding dress preservation kits made to keep your gown's beauty and shine intact. Their kits include gown tracking and free 2-way insured shipping.
- Affordable Preservation: Affordable Preservation offers bridal gown preservation packages with complimentary shipping kits and free shipping and insurance. They use gentle, eco-friendly solvents and then place the dress in a preservation box for easy storage.
- Elegance Preserved: Elegance Preserved is the leading wedding dress cleaning and preservation firm in the nation, providing pickup and delivery services. They offer excellent communication and a hassle-free experience.
Redesigning Wedding Dresses: Cost and Creative Control
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Store in a cool, dry, dark place
To preserve your wedding dress, it is important to store it in a cool, dry, and dark place. Avoid attics, basements, and other places that are prone to leaks, dampness, and insects. Choose a place in your primary living quarters, such as the top shelf of your everyday closet, which is typically cooler and drier than other areas of the house.
It is also important to keep your wedding dress away from cooking or smoking odours, as these can permeate the fabric over time. Additionally, avoid hanging the dress on a hanger for long periods, as this can cause stress on the seams and shape. Instead, carefully fold the dress and place it in a sturdy box or container that is designed for wedding dress storage.
When choosing a storage container, opt for a pH-neutral medium, such as an acid-free, lignin-free box. Lignin is an organic substance found in wood pulp that can damage the fabric of your gown over time. Acid-free tissue paper can also be used to protect the fabric and prevent creases, but avoid coloured tissue paper, as the dye can transfer to the dress.
It is recommended to check on your dress regularly, about every six months, to inspect for any signs of damage or pests. If necessary, refold the dress along different lines to prevent permanent creases. Regular check-ups will allow you to detect any issues early on and take the necessary steps to address them, ensuring your dress remains in excellent condition.
By storing your wedding dress in a cool, dry, and dark place, you can help preserve its beauty and integrity for years to come.
The Magic of Zipper Hooks for Wedding Dresses
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Avoid plastic, cardboard, and coloured tissue paper
When it comes to storing wedding dresses, it is best to avoid plastic dress covers, plastic bags, or cardboard boxes. These materials can trap moisture and bacteria, leading to mould or mildew growth and fabric discolouration. Regular cardboard, for instance, can cause yellowing and fabric deterioration over time.
Plastic is detrimental to the fabric of the wedding dress. It is also not breathable and can cause moisture build-up. The same goes for plastic garment bags or plastic coverings.
Coloured tissue paper should also be avoided when storing a wedding dress. Coloured tissue paper contains dye, which will affect the dress. Instead, use acid-free tissue paper to wrap your dress. This will help to cushion and protect the dress during storage, preventing any beads, sequins, or embroidery from snagging or scratching the fabric. Acid-free tissue paper will also help protect the fabric of your wedding dress and prevent creases.
Store your wedding dress in a cool, dry, and dark place, such as a closet or a guest room, to keep it safe. Humidity control is essential, so avoid storing it near heat sources, excessive moisture, or direct sunlight, as extreme temperatures can cause damage and discolouration.
The Cost of Tailoring Your Dream Wedding Dress
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Donate, sell, or repurpose your dress
If you don't plan on keeping your wedding dress, there are several options to consider, including donating, selling, or repurposing it. Here are some detailed suggestions for each option:
Donate
There are many organizations that accept wedding dress donations. For example, Brides Across America provides wedding dresses to military brides in need, while Every Girl's Dream in Michigan accepts wedding gowns and evening wear for brides facing financial difficulties. Operation Prom and Cinderella's Closet accept wedding dresses and bridesmaid dresses to help dress low-income students for their prom. Brides for a Cause will accept your donation and resell your dress, using the proceeds to support various causes. Angel Gowns or Baby Gowns for Eternity are organizations that turn wedding dresses into gowns for stillborn infants. Donating your wedding dress is a meaningful way to support those in need and give your dress a new purpose.
Sell
If you're considering selling your wedding dress, it's important to act quickly while your dress is still fashionable. Having your dress professionally cleaned and preserved can help retain its value. You can sell your dress locally through platforms like Facebook Marketplace or consignment shops. Keep in mind that selling your dress within six months to a year is generally recommended to find a buyer seeking a fashionable dress.
Repurpose
Repurposing your wedding dress allows you to give it a new life and incorporate it into your daily life or home décor. You can work with a tailor or seamstress to alter your dress into a more wearable garment, such as a charming mini dress or a two-piece set. Surprise your partner by wearing it on a special occasion, such as your first anniversary. Another idea is to turn your dress into robes, allowing you to enjoy a piece of your wedding day every morning and night. Additionally, you can frame your wedding dress and display it as a stunning art piece and a sentimental reminder of your special day.
Simone Carvalli Wedding Dresses: How Much Do They Cost?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Get it framed as a sentimental reminder
If you want to keep your wedding dress as a sentimental reminder, you can get it framed and displayed in your home. This way, you can preserve the memory of your special day and turn your wedding dress into a stunning piece of art.
Framing companies such as The Beautiful Frame Company and Outrageous Framing offer dress framing services. You can decide whether you want your dress displayed on a mannequin or just on mountboard in the frame. The cost of framing your wedding dress may be lower than expected, as it can become a prominent piece of artwork in your house. The Beautiful Frame Company, for example, offers dress framing services starting at £900.
Before framing, you should get your dress professionally cleaned and preserved. Wedding dress preservation is intended to keep your wedding gown in excellent condition for decades. Most preservation companies offer a lifetime guarantee or a 75- to 100-year guarantee for their services. When choosing a preservation company, avoid those that seal your gown in an airtight box, as this is contrary to the recommendations of expert clothing conservationists. Instead, choose a company that uses acid-free materials to package your dress and stores it in a cool, dark place within your home.
After preservation, you can expect the framing process to take 4-6 weeks. You will work closely with the framing company to decide on the type, size, and depth of the frame, as well as the perfect angle for your dress.
How to Enhance Your Wedding Dress with Fabric
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Store your wedding dress in a cool, dry, and dark place, such as a closet or a guest room. Avoid storing it near heat sources, excessive moisture, or direct sunlight, as extreme temperatures can cause damage and discolouration.
Use acid-free tissue paper, a cloth garment bag, or an acid-free, lignin-free wedding dress storage box. Avoid plastic dress covers or regular cardboard boxes, as they can trap moisture and bacteria in the dress and lead to mould or mildew growth.
Yes, there are many organisations that accept wedding dress donations, such as Brides Across America, which gives wedding dresses to military brides in need, and Angel Gowns, which turns wedding dresses into gowns for stillborn infants.
Yes, you can sell your wedding dress. To get the maximum value, make sure it is in pristine condition by having it professionally cleaned and preserved.
Yes, you can get creative and repurpose your wedding dress. You can turn it into a more wearable garment, such as a charming mini dress or a two-piece set, or create robes from the fabric. You can also frame your wedding dress and hang it on your wall as a sentimental art piece.
