Putting away the wedding dress after the big day is essential if you want to keep it looking and feeling like new for years to come. If taken care of properly, a wedding dress can be passed down through the generations or maintained as a treasured keepsake long after the big day has passed.
After the big day, how do you put away the wedding dress? We’ve got you covered with some helpful suggestions and advice right here.
We will assist you in every step of the process, from cleaning and packing to determining the best place for long-term storage, to guarantee that your treasured wedding gown is preserved for years to come in beautiful shape.
Whether you intend to pass down your wedding dress to future generations or simply wish to maintain its timeless beauty, the following tips from the pros will help you do just that. Keep reading to pick up some tips on how to preserve and keep your wedding gown in pristine condition.
How Do You Store A Wedding Dress After Use?
The beauty and quality of a wedding dress can be maintained over time by storing it correctly after usage. To preserve your wedding gown, follow these steps on how to store wedding dress:
- Clean Your Dress: Before storing your wedding dress, it’s crucial to have it professionally cleaned. Even if it appears clean, there may be hidden stains or oils from your skin that can damage the fabric over time. Choose a reputable wedding dress cleaner who specializes in preserving delicate fabrics. Make sure to discuss any stains or concerns you have with them.
- Inspect for Damage: After cleaning, inspect your dress for any damage or loose seams, beads, or buttons. Ensure that everything is repaired before storing the dress.
- Choose the Right Storage Location: Select a storage location that is cool, dark, dry, and free from humidity. Extreme temperature fluctuations can cause the fabric to deteriorate, so avoid attics and basements if possible. A closet with consistent conditions is ideal.
- Use a Breathable Garment Bag: Purchase a high-quality, breathable garment bag to protect your dress from dust and light. Avoid using plastic bags, as they can trap moisture and cause mildew.
- Fold It Properly: If your dress has a lot of heavy embellishments, it may be better to hang it to prevent stretching. However, if you need to fold it, use acid-free tissue paper to cushion the folds and minimize creases. Avoid using coloured tissue paper, as it may transfer dye onto the fabric.
- Avoid Wire Hangers: If you decide to hang your dress, use a padded hanger made of sturdy wood or plastic. Wire hangers can leave indentations on the fabric.
- Protect It from Light: Store your dress away from natural and artificial light sources, light can cause the fabric to yellow or fade over time.
- Check on It Periodically: Even if your dress is stored away, take it out and inspect it every six months to a year. This allows you to catch any issues early and ensure the preservation process is working effectively.
- Keep It Elevated: Store your dress off the floor to prevent it from picking up dirt and dust. Place it on a shelf, rack, or another elevated surface within the garment bag.
- Avoid Long-Term Display: While it’s tempting to display your dress, constant exposure to light and air can lead to deterioration. It’s best to limit the duration of any display to special occasions.
- Consider Preservation Services: If you want to ensure the long-term preservation of your dress, consider professional wedding dress preservation services. These experts will clean, repair, and package your dress in an acid-free box with proper padding to protect it for decades.
If you take care of your wedding dress the right way, it will look beautiful for your big day and retain its sentimental importance for years to come.
What Is The Best Thing To Store A Wedding Dress In?
Preserving a bridal gown requires special care, therefore it’s preferable to keep it in a box designed specifically for that reason. Just consider these reasons:
- Protection: Wedding dress preservation boxes are specifically designed to protect your dress from dust, light, moisture, and other potential sources of damage. They typically have airtight seals to keep out contaminants.
- Acid-Free Material: These boxes are made from acid-free materials, which are essential for preserving delicate fabrics like those used in wedding dresses. Acid-free boxes prevent yellowing and deterioration over time.
- Cushioning: Preservation boxes usually come with acid-free tissue paper or padding to cushion the dress and prevent creases or wrinkles.
- Safe Handling: The box is designed to make it easy to safely handle and store your dress without having to remove it frequently, reducing the risk of damage.
- Visibility: Many preservation boxes have a clear viewing window, so you can see your dress without opening the box, allowing you to admire it while keeping it protected.
- Labelling: You can label the box with information about the dress, like your name, wedding date, and a brief description. This makes it easy to identify and keeps your dress for years to come.
Be certain that the wedding dress preservation box you purchase is designed specifically for the storage of wedding dresses and that it meets all of the requirements for such boxes.
These containers are available for purchase at dry cleaners that also offer preservation services, wedding dress preservation companies, and bridal supply stores both in-person and online.
It is a smart idea to invest in a quality preservation box for your wedding dress if you want it to maintain its flawless condition and continue to retain sentimental value for future generations.
Conclusion
Keeping your wedding dress preserved after the big day is an important way to protect its aesthetic value and the memories associated with wearing it. Your dress will continue to be a cherished heirloom for years and possibly generations to come if it is properly stored.
This involves having it professionally cleaned, handling it with care, and using a preservation box that does not contain any acid. If you follow these instructions, you will not only be able to keep your wedding dress safe from the effects of time,
but you will also be able to relive all of the wonderful moments and feelings that were a part of your special day every time you try on your wonderfully preserved wedding dress.
The act of keeping your wedding dress involves more than merely protecting an article of clothing; rather, it involves preserving the memories and feelings that are woven into the fabric of the garment.
The magic of your wedding day, the love that was shared between the two of you, and the hope for a bright and happy future are all carried with your wedding dress. The clothing will eventually create a tangible connection to those memories as more time passes.
Take the time and care to properly maintain it so that it can continue to be a symbol of your love story, an heirloom in your family, or a treasured souvenir that you can revisit and share with future generations.
Your wedding dress has the potential to continue to bring you delight and bring back fond memories, which is why it should be a treasured part of your personal history.