You’ve probably planned this date for months, maybe even years in advance. You may have shed a few tears, spent more money than you budgeted and hopefully enjoyed a beautiful wedding day! Now that the wedding is over, what do you do with that one-of-a-kind wedding gown? As someone who is currently shopping for her perfect wedding gown, I’ve been doing my research and here are four easy steps to keep that gown looking brand new long after your big day!
Step 1: Get it cleaned
Before storing your gown, be sure to get it professionally cleaned. Although it is more expensive and may take some research, if you want your gown to look good as new for years to come having it cleaned is an important step. Prices for cleaning average $200-$700, but can be more than $1,000 depending on the fabric and complexity of the gown. If that’s not in the budget you can store your dress yourself but be warned that stains may appear if the gown is stored without proper cleaning. Even unseen stains like sugar or champagne may turn yellow over time!
Step 2: Fold carefully
Fold your gown loosely to prevent creases. Place acid-free tissue paper between folds of the dress to help prevent creases. If your gown has lots of embellishments, be sure to place tissue between those as well to prevent the rest of your dress from snagging on the embellishments. Once your gown is folded, wrap it entirely in the acid-free paper or unbleached muslin: this will prevent dust from coating your gown.
Step 3: Box it up
Although some women prefer to hang their gown, storing it in a box is actually better for long-term storage and protection. This is especially true if your dress has lots of embellishments as the weight of those will alter your dress shape over time. Make sure your box is big enough to minimize the number of folds to your dress. These wardrobe boxes are perfect for storing a more voluminous gown.
Step 4: Store it
Your dress has been worn, cleaned, folded and boxed, now it is time to store it. Find a cool, dark place that has as little light as possible, such as a closet or under the bed. Heat and light are the most damaging to fabric, as they tend to cause fading and discoloration. If you want to opt for even more protection with climate controlled storage. Find a climate controlled storage unit in your area!
If you ever wish to revisit your wedding gown and relive your special day, carefully remove it from the box and unwrap it from the tissue. When you decide to store it again, fold the gown in different places and wrap with new acid-free tissue paper.
Have you stored your wedding dress? Let us know your tips in the comments below.
