Properly Storing Your Dress Before & After the Wedding
A lot of thought goes into planning a wedding. You have to decide on a theme, pick out decorations, and choose the perfect dress, and that’s just the beginning. Once you find that stunning gown, the next step is figuring out how to keep it looking perfect for the big day. After all, this isn’t just a gown; it’s your wedding dress, and it symbolizes one of the most important commitments of your life. Let’s delve into how to properly store your dress before and after the wedding so it stays pristine.
Before the Wedding
In the weeks leading up to your wedding, keeping your dress looking perfect is a top priority. Proper storage ensures that the gown looks stunning for your walk down the aisle.
Choose the Perfect Place
Proper storage begins with selecting an appropriate location for your dress. Direct sunlight, excessive heat, and humidity can degrade delicate fabrics such as lace or satin, leading to discoloration and weakening of the fibers.
As you search for the right closet, avoid basements, attics, or other areas prone to temperature fluctuations. Likewise, avoid storing it near water heaters or pipes, as a leak could ruin the material. Dampness can also cause mold or mildew to grow, which could ruin your wedding dress even if the material feels dry.
Ideally, you should choose a closet in a dark and dry location. If you live with your fiancé and want to wait until the wedding for them to see the dress, you may also want to consider a place away from home.
Keep It Flat
When hanging your dress, make sure it’s not squished between other pieces of apparel. Shoving your gown into a packed closet increases the risk of wrinkles, which can be hard to remove with a steamer.
Give your dress 2 to 3 inches of buffer on all sides to prevent the gown from bunching up or rubbing against other fabrics. If possible, hang it in a dedicated section of the closet with nothing around it so it has plenty of breathing room.
Keep It in a Garment Bag
When you buy your dress, ask the consultant at the bridal salon if it comes with a garment bag or if they sell any. If you cannot get a garment bag with your dress, ask them for recommendations, or go to a garment bag supplier.
For ultimate protection, your gown should remain in a garment bag made with a breathable fabric, such as muslin or another nonwoven material. This will keep dust, dirt, and moisture away while allowing the fabric to “breathe.”
Bridal Tip
The garment bag should be slightly longer than your wedding dress to avoid wrinkling the hemline.
Handle With Care
If you try your dress on before the wedding or must touch it, wash your hands beforehand to remove any oils, dirt, or residue that could transfer to the fabric. It’s important to handle your wedding dress with care every time you try it on.
Be cautious when trying on the dress or moving it from one place to another. Delicate fabrics are highly susceptible to snags, tears, or other imperfections. Ensure the area is clean and free of sharp objects or rough surfaces that could damage the material. Limiting unnecessary handling until your wedding day will keep the dress in impeccable condition.
After the Wedding
Protecting your wedding dress doesn’t end when the reception does, especially if you want to keep your gown beautiful for generations. Use the following tips to protect your gown after the big day.
Get It Preserved
Many brides get their dresses professionally preserved by their bridal salon or a specialty cleaner. During this process, the professional will remove stains from sweat, makeup, or those little champagne spills and inspect the fabric for damage, such as tears or snags.
After mending and cleaning the dress, they will carefully fold and seal it in acid-free tissue paper and place it inside a protective, acid-free box. This process will protect your dress from light, dust, and other environmental damage.
Once you receive the box in the mail or pick it up from the cleaner, keep it in a dry location. While preservation prevents yellowing, moisture or excessive exposure to heat or sunlight can still damage the dress.
Inspect It Periodically
Just because you have preserved your dress does not mean you can forget about it for years. Checking on your dress every few years ensures that it remains as beautiful as the day you preserved it.
If you notice any issues, it is best to act immediately and consult a preservation specialist to address the problem. By catching issues early on, you can prevent further damage and maintain the integrity of your dress for future generations.
Why Proper Storage Matters
Knowing how to properly store your wedding dress before and after the wedding keeps your gown looking beautiful for as long as possible. This is one of the most sentimental pieces of clothing you’ll ever buy, and it’s worth protecting.
Proper Storage Protects It
Proper wedding dress storage is essential to preserve the quality and beauty of such a treasured garment. When stored incorrectly, gowns are vulnerable to yellowing, fading, or irreversible fabric damage, diminishing their aesthetic and sentimental value. This can be upsetting, especially if you plan to alter it as an anniversary dress or pass it down to a loved one someday.
It Could Become an Heirloom
It’s not uncommon for a mother or grandmother to pass down her dress to another bride-to-be in the family. While each generation may alter the dress to fit their preferences, it will remain a beautiful piece of family history. By properly caring for the gown after your wedding, you can ensure it remains in good condition for future generations.
Preserving Memories
Most importantly, this is your dress, and preserving it before and after the big day helps create and hold memories. Properly storing your dress in the weeks leading up to your wedding keeps it beautiful so you feel confident in it as you walk down the aisle. Similarly, caring for your gown after the wedding turns it into a memento that holds sentimental value and reminds you of your wedding.
Find Your Wedding Dress
Your wedding dress is a symbol of one of the most memorable days of your life. Preserving your wedding dress ensures the memories are as beautiful as the gown itself.
Justin Alexander’s sincerity bridal gown collection includes stunning gowns for every bride. Explore our collection, and locate your nearest bridal salon to see it in person. Find the perfect wedding dress to feel confident and beautiful.
