Rhiannon Hendricks
Wedding dresses are often made from delicate materials such as lace, taffeta, and silk, and are prone to accumulating dirt, sweat, and food and drink stains. Even if a wedding dress appears to be in good condition, invisible stains can set in, oxidize, and darken over time. Therefore, it is recommended to send your wedding dress to a preservation specialist as soon as possible after your wedding day. Preservationists will be able to deal with any stains and create a unique treatment plan according to your dress's fabric, stitching, and details. The entire process can take anywhere from 4 to 10 weeks and can cost between $250 to $800, depending on the material, embellishment, and soil level of the gown.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Time to get wedding dress preserved | As soon as possible after the wedding |
| Who to get it done by | A wedding dress specialist or preservationist |
| Where to store it | A cool, dark place within your primary living quarters, such as the top shelf of your everyday closet |
| How to store it | In an acid-free archive box, not an airtight box |
| How long does it take | 4 to 10 weeks |
| Cost | $250 to $800 depending on material, embellishment, and soil level |
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What You'll Learn
Immediately after the wedding
Wedding dresses are often subjected to a lot of wear and tear on the big day, from dirt and grass stains around the hemline to sweat stains under the arms, and food and beverage stains. Even if your wedding gown seems to be in good condition, there may be invisible stains that will set in, oxidize, and darken in the months to come. The sooner you clean and preserve your dress, the closer the end result will be to the gown's original condition.
Preservation begins with an experienced specialist's assessment. The specialist creates a unique treatment plan according to your dress fabric, stitching, and details. Professional cleaners and preservationists are trained to spot the unseen and will be able to deal with any stains on your wedding dress, from the invisible to the visible. Sugar is the most damaging compound, causing the fibres in the dress to break down and the fabric to turn yellow over time. Other stains that can cause yellowing include sweat, grass, and food-related stains such as oil.
After your wedding, you should take your dress off as soon as the reception is over and make sure it gets to your wedding dress preservationist as soon as possible. If you're going on a honeymoon, arrange for a bridesmaid or your mother to take it for you. The entire process can take anywhere from 4 to 10 weeks. Once you receive your wedding dress back from your preservation specialist, be sure to store it in the appropriate place in your home. A cool, dark place within your primary living quarters is best. Avoid the attic or basement, and instead, choose somewhere with moderate temperature and humidity, such as the top shelf of your everyday closet.
It's important to note that your preserved wedding dress should not be stored in an airtight box. While many people recommend that you never break the seal of the box, according to experts in clothing conservation, this is a red flag. Instead, choose a preservation method that allows you to examine the dress and the work of the specialist.
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Choosing a specialist
Wedding dress preservation is a great way to ensure that your gown stays in pristine condition for years to come. It is important to choose a specialist who can provide the best care for your dress. Here are some factors to consider when selecting a wedding dress preservation specialist:
- Experience and Expertise: Look for a company or specialist with extensive experience in wedding dress preservation. They should have a deep understanding of different fabrics, stitching, and dress details to create a customised treatment plan for your gown. Ask about their training, the number of dresses they handle annually, and the types of dresses they have preserved.
- Individualised Treatment: Avoid dry cleaners that follow a one-size-fits-all approach. Instead, choose a specialist who assesses your dress individually and creates a unique treatment plan based on its specific fabric, stains, and features. Enquire about their cleaning process and ensure they use gentle and pure solvents suitable for delicate gowns.
- Reputation and Reviews: Research the reputation of the preservation specialist. Read online reviews, check their ratings on reputable wedding websites, and look for testimonials from previous customers. Websites like The Knot and WeddingWire offer valuable insights into the quality of their services.
- Guarantees and Warranties: Choose a specialist who offers guarantees for their work. Some companies provide lifetime guarantees or up to 100-year guarantees against yellowing and staining. Ask if they warranty their services and if they can provide references from designers or stores that can vouch for their credentials.
- Packing and Storage: Proper packing and storage are crucial for the long-term preservation of your wedding dress. Ensure the specialist uses acid-free, water-resistant, and mildew-resistant boxes for storage. They should carefully fold the dress to avoid creasing and use protective tissue and gloves when handling the gown.
- Communication and Customer Service: Select a specialist who prioritises communication and customer satisfaction. They should be responsive, provide clear instructions, and keep you updated throughout the preservation process. Excellent communication ensures that you are comfortable with the process and confident in their services.
When choosing a wedding dress preservation specialist, it is essential to consider your specific needs and priorities. Research multiple options, ask detailed questions, and trust your instincts to find the right specialist to care for your cherished gown.
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Cleaning and preservation
Wedding dress preservation is a special cleaning and packaging process that ensures the garment retains its quality for years to come. This process should be undertaken by a professional and begins with an experienced specialist's assessment. The specialist creates a unique treatment plan according to the dress fabric, stitching, and details.
Professional cleaners and preservationists are trained to spot the unseen and deal with any stains on your wedding dress, from invisible to visible. There are very few "surface stains", as most stains have a liquid component that pushes acids, alcohol, or sugars into the yarns and deep into the fibers of the dress. Sugar is the most damaging compound, causing the fibers in the dress to break down and the fabric to appear yellowed over time. Other stains that cause yellowing include sweat, grass, and food-related stains such as oil.
The entire preservation process can take anywhere from 4 to 10 weeks. Once you receive your wedding dress back from the preservation specialist, be sure to store it in a cool, dark place within your primary living quarters. Somewhere with moderate temperature and humidity is best.
There are online wedding dress preservation services available, which are fully insured to keep your dress safe. These services use advanced wedding dress cleaning and preservation technology, delicate fabric cleaning technology, and commercial-grade packing and shipping materials.
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Storage
Storing your wedding dress in the right conditions is essential to ensure its preservation. It is best to store your dress in a cool, dark place within your primary living quarters, such as the top shelf of your closet or under your bed. Basements and attics are not ideal due to unpredictable temperatures and humidity levels, which can cause discolouration and mildew.
It is recommended to keep your dress in a clean, temperature-controlled area, protected from sunlight, humidity, and fingertip oils, which can cause fading, mildew, and staining. Store your gown flat and facing up, and ensure it is level when relocating it.
Your wedding dress should not be stored in an airtight box. While some sources recommend keeping the box sealed, experts advise against this, stating that it goes against standard practices in textile conservation. Instead, choose an acid-free archive box, and consider using tissue paper between the layers of your dress to prevent creasing.
It is also important to note that you should inspect your dress regularly. When handling the gown, ensure your hands are thoroughly washed and dried to prevent oils from your skin from damaging the delicate fabric.
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Repurpose the dress
If you're not interested in preserving your wedding dress, you can repurpose it! Here are some ideas:
Pass it down
You could pass down your wedding dress to your children or grandchildren, either for them to wear at their own weddings or to be transformed into something new. One idea is to create a robe for the bride to wear while getting ready on their big day, wrapped in the love of their mother or grandmother.
Transform it
Transform your wedding dress into a completely new item. You could turn it into a christening gown for a baby, a tree skirt, a tree topper, a wreath, a pendant necklace, or a photo mat for displaying wedding photos. You could even make it into a lampshade! If you're crafty, you could cut up the dress to make headbands, bracelets, bags, and other accessories for your wedding party.
Donate it
Donating your wedding dress is a great option if you're not interested in keeping it. There are organizations that will take donated wedding dresses and transform them into burial gowns for infants. You could also donate your dress to a charity that repurposes them into gowns for babies who have passed away.
Sell it
If you're not interested in keeping your wedding dress, you could sell it. You could post it on a marketplace or consignment shop, or sell it back to a bridal boutique. This is a good option if you're not too sentimental and want to recoup some of the costs of the wedding.
Repurposing your wedding dress is a great way to give it a second life and create something new and meaningful. Whether you pass it down, transform it, donate it, or sell it, your dress can continue to bring joy to you or someone else.
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Frequently asked questions
It is best to send your wedding dress for preservation as soon as possible after your wedding day. Even if your wedding gown seems to be in good condition, there may be invisible stains that will set in, oxidize, and darken in the months to come.
The entire process can take anywhere from 4 to 10 weeks.
Professional wedding dress cleaning and preservation costs anywhere from $250 to $800 depending on the material, embellishment, and soil level of your gown.
Store your wedding dress in a cool, dark place within your primary living quarters. Avoid storing it in an attic or basement due to unpredictable temperatures. Also, avoid storing it in an airtight box.
Wedding dress preservation helps to prevent yellowing, browning, creasing, mould, or mildew. It also helps to maintain the original condition of the dress, making it a beautiful heirloom or keepsake.
