The difficulty of where to preserve the wedding dress till the big day is growing increasingly typical in this age of wedding postponements due to the coronavirus.
Consider the following: you've just gotten your wedding dress, but the big day has been pushed out anywhere between 3 months to a year. In this article, you will learn everything you need to know to properly care for your wedding gown before the big day.
How to Safely Keep Your Wedding Gown Before the Big Day
If you're planning on storing your wedding dress by yourself, it's advisable to follow the guidelines given to you by the bridal boutique or bridal salon. These experts will provide you with in-depth guidance on how to handle any event in your chosen gown.
However, there are a few universal truths that must always be remembered.
Gowns should be kept in a dry, cool, and dark location. Instead of plastic, gowns should be stored in fabric bags that allow air circulation.
If you have to keep your wedding dress in a closet, the best way to do it is by using the hanger straps.
It's not ideal to have your bodice stretched in an uncontrolled manner without the help of hanger straps.
Finally, experts recommend switching out the plastic bag with a cotton or permeable fabric storage bag so the gown may breathe while it's stored. Not storing anything in plastic is crucial, especially in the warmer months.
Wetness trapped inside a sealed plastic bag can produce a pungent odour. Instead of keeping clothing in plastic for an extended period of time, it is preferable to simply fold and store the item in a closet.
If your gown is particularly heavy due to features like sequins or a lot of lace, it may not be accepted at all salons.
Keep reading for further storage advice for your lace or beaded gown until the big day.
Transporting the Dress
Before venturing outdoors, give your gown the TLC it deserves by giving it a proper home in a box or by wrapping it in plastic.
Instead of cramming the gown into the trunk, you should lay it flat in the backseat.
Less folding will be required if you have more room to stretch it out. If the dress gets wrinkled on the way there, you'll have to press it again when you get there.
Designate a quiet, out-of-the-way spot to keep your bridal attire. Never take it out of the bag until absolutely essential. If it is packaged in plastic, however, you should transfer it to a cloth bag.
The usage of plastic results in permanent stains and prevents the fabric from breathing.
If your wedding dress is arriving early, you should probably refrain from doing this.
Keep in mind that you will need to bring your wedding dress with you if your wedding is at a remote location.
In that case, don't check it; instead, bring it along in your carry-on.
Get in touch with your airline ahead of time to have them store it for you. When possible, transport it inside a box so it is handled as little as possible during transport.
If you want to protect your dress from wrinkles and snags while travelling, it's best to pick a simple style.
Pressing and Steaming
Getting rid of the majority of the creases in your clothing is as easy as hanging it up high.
Another great place to hang it is over a steaming shower in the bathroom. Any creases will be smoothed out by this method.
Take care, though, that the clothing doesn't get ruined in the process.
If you see any remaining creases, have them professionally removed. You shouldn't try this on your own.
Make sure the company you hire can accomplish this without causing any damages to your wedding dress.
As the wedding day approaches, it is important that your dress is professionally cleaned and pressed.
Look for a reliable dry cleaner and give them a call a few months in advance to be sure they can take care of your dress.
As soon as that's over and you have your dress back, put it up in a secure location so it stays wrinkle-free until the big day.
But on the day of the wedding, be sure to have a steamer in case any wrinkles or creases appear.
Taking proper care of your wedding dress should be a top concern once you have it in your hands; you'll be glad you did when you're able to slip into it before saying your vows.
Dress Storage Before the Big Day
Dresses should be kept out of the sun and extreme temperatures (both of which can cause bleaching) and stored in a cool, dark place.
A dark corner of a wardrobe or some other out-of-the-way place is ideal.
It is recommended that you store your gown in a long, breathable cotton garment bag that will let the dress hang in a standard height closet without creasing at the hem.
If you've already had adjustments made to your gown, the seamstress or tailor probably steamed it.
You can keep it wrinkle-free and prepared for the wedding day by keeping it in a method that prevents it from re-wrinkling or sitting wrinkled for a long time.
Putting the gown in a cloth bag will protect it from dust and snagging on other clothes while it's hanging in your wardrobe.
The Best Homemade Wedding Dress Storage
There's no need to panic if you do not have a garment bag. You can defend yourself from it in your own home with ease.
Here's a neat trick you can use right now: take a large sheet, like a queen-size flat sheet.
Make sure the gown is completely covered by the sheet before hanging by cutting a hole in the centre.
Importantly, it should not be packaged in plastic. A permeable container is prefered. If you don't have access to a permeable bag, a sheet will do just well.
If you plan on hanging your sheet-wrapped gown, you should still utilise the hanger straps.
How to Store a Heavy Lace or Beaded Wedding Dress Before the Wedding
If your dress calls for more substantial materials, such exquisite embroidery or structured lace, some salons may also supply you with precise measurements for those.
Beads should not be used to suspend anything from the ceiling.
Take it from the hanger and spread it out on a flat surface (like a bed sheet).
You can flatten it out by folding it in half or in quarters.
Hanging heavier clothing, like a dress that has been custom made to match your body, might be a bit of a challenge.
Cloth that has been beaded tends to grow over time, which might distort the garment's dimensions. In a same spirit, the regulations for what the bride's mother and bridesmaids should wear are the same.
Storing a Bridesmaid or Special Occasion Dress
Not to mention, the bridesmaids' dresses should be stored in the same way as the bride's garment before the wedding.
Hartman, whose shop specialised in formal gowns, recommends a trial run of the dress every month up to the big day. "The human body is constantly evolving.
If you know the dress won't fit right and that you'll have to wait months or even a year to wear it, it's best to alter it now rather than later.
If your dress has been altered in the past, this is especially vital information to have. If you want to retry an outfit before wearing it, don't delay until the day of the occasion.
Is the Storage Method Determined by the Material of the Dress?
The fabric of the wedding dress is an important factor to consider when deciding how to keep it, especially if you plan to hang it.
Most dresses have hidden hanger loops on the inside for easy storage.
However, you might want to skip hanging it for a long period before the wedding if the dress is cut on the bias, like a satin dress from the 1930s or one with a lot of embroidery on a light fabric like chiffon or tulle, as these garments tend to stretch out more than others.
Wedding gowns and other dresses made of particularly delicate fabrics should not be hung, since doing so places unnecessary stress on the seams and can cause the garment to lose its original shape over time.
It is possible that laying the dress inside a box will be the best option for these materials.
Silk and organza are two examples of such fragile textiles. In addition, you should be cautious when storing a beaded dress.
It's not a good idea for tulle or chiffon to come into contact with any gown that has prong-set stones.
Because of their incompatibility, these materials can easily grip one other, causing significant problems.
If this is the case, keep the stones concealed under a piece of tissue.
To prevent the layers from being tangled and the beads from getting pulled or knotted, don't roll or fold them on top of one another.
Where Should You Keep a Wedding Dress?
If your seamstress prefers to store your wedding dress in a box instead of a garment bag, you will need to bring a box with you when you pick it up after modifications.
Unless you have a separate container that has been designed to protect your gown's delicate textiles, you should keep the dress in this box or bag.
Additionally, it needs to be stored separately from other articles of clothing.
Your wedding dress's delicate fabric can be ruined if you store it near a dirty laundry hamper, a stained dresser, a stained luggage, or any other item that has been dyed.
Don't store your wedding dress with other objects, and make sure it stays acid-free.
The dress should be stored in a garment bag that is large enough to accommodate the entire thing, including the train.
She suggests a simple hack of creating a hole in a lightweight blanket or sheet to use as a garment bag if you don't have one long enough.
The most important thing is to maintain your gown intact and free of wrinkles.
It's important to keep the dress away from moisture and light, so choose a location with these conditions in mind.
A deep, well-ventilated closet is ideal so that the dress is just not damaged by being stuffed.
She recommends keeping it at a relative's house and requesting them to put it in a closet or other inconspicuous location if you want to keep it hidden from your fiancé.
How Do You Hang a Wedding Dress Before the Big Day?
Even if you know for sure that the wedding dress can withstand the rigours of a closet, there are some precautions you should take.
To begin, you'll want to choose a hanger that's both robust and well-padded. The next step is to suspend the dress by its internal loops rather than on its straps.
You shouldn't let the dress's weight rest entirely on its straps or your shoulders.
It's not uncommon for these parts to stretch and even tear, especially when compared to the rest of the gown's heft.
Particularly so if your dress features illusion tulle, spaghetti straps, or lace on the shoulder area. For this purpose, we included hanger loops.
Worrying too much about the train is unnecessary.
Our experts assure us that your clothing will be safe as long as it remains in the garment bag.
When packing your wedding dress, many brides stress over what to do with the long train. However, placing the length at the bottom of the garment bag is quite acceptable. It's easy enough to remove with some steam.
Conclusion
Maintaining gowns in these conditions will ensure their longevity.
In the warmer months, it is especially important to avoid storing any items in plastic.
Certain salons may not accept your gown if it is excessively bulky due to embellishments like sequins or lace.
Find a calm, out-of-the-way place to store your wedding attire. You shouldn't take it out of the bag unless you have to.
It's best to ship it in a box to reduce the amount of handling required.
Contact your airline in advance to see if they can hold your luggage.
Dresses should be stored in a cool, dark place away from the sun and extreme temperatures (which can cause bleaching).
If you want to prevent the gown from getting dirty or getting caught on other items of clothing while it is hanging in your closet, put it in a cloth bag.
Before the wedding, bridesmaids' dresses should be kept in the same location as the bride's dress.
The hanger loops that come standard inside most dresses make them a breeze to store.
The dress's material should be one of several considerations when deciding how to store it.
Dresses made of delicate fabrics, such as wedding gowns, should not be hung. Materials like silk and organza, which are extremely delicate, are good examples.
Tuiles and chiffons should be kept away from gowns that feature prong-set jewels.
Content Summary
- In this article, you will learn everything you need to know to properly care for your wedding gown before the big day.
- If you're planning on storing your wedding dress by yourself, it's advisable to follow the guidelines given to you by the bridal boutique or bridal salon.
- Gowns should be kept in a dry, cool, and dark location.
- If you have to keep your wedding dress in a closet, the best way to do it is by using the hanger straps.
- Keep reading for further storage advice for your lace or beaded gown until the big day.
- Designate a quiet, out-of-the-way spot to keep your bridal attire.
- Never take it out of the bag until absolutely essential.
- Keep in mind that you will need to bring your wedding dress with you if your wedding is at a remote location.
- Getting rid of the majority of the creases in your clothing is as easy as hanging it up high.
- As the wedding day approaches, it is important that your dress is professionally cleaned and pressed.
- But on the day of the wedding, be sure to have a steamer in case any wrinkles or creases appear.
- It is recommended that you store your gown in a long, breathable cotton garment bag that will let the dress hang in a standard height closet without creasing at the hem.
- Putting the gown in a cloth bag will protect it from dust and snagging on other clothes while it's hanging in your wardrobe.
- There's no need to panic if you do not have a garment bag.
- You can defend yourself from it in your own home with ease.
- If you don't have access to a permeable bag, a sheet will do just well.
- Take it from the hanger and spread it out on a flat surface (like a bed sheet).
- Hanging heavier clothing, like a dress that has been custom made to match your body, might be a bit of a challenge.
- In the same spirit, the regulations for what the bride's mother and bridesmaids should wear are the same.
- Not to mention, the bridesmaids' dresses should be stored in the same way as the bride's garment before the wedding.
- If your dress has been altered in the past, this is especially vital information to have.
- If you want to retry an outfit before wearing it, don't delay until the day of the occasion.
- The fabric of the wedding dress is an important factor to consider when deciding how to keep it, especially if you plan to hang it.
- Most dresses have hidden hanger loops on the inside for easy storage.
- It is possible that laying the dress inside a box will be the best option for these materials.
- If this is the case, keep the stones concealed under a piece of tissue.
FAQs About Wedding Gown Preservation
Can you wear a wedding gown after it's preserved?
Yes. One of the most common reasons a bride chooses to have her dress preserved after the wedding is so that a future family member can wear it in honour of her.
What is the point of preserving a wedding dress?
Wedding dress preservation is convenient because it allows for easier long-term storage of your dress. Preserving a wedding gown is an option that is good for the environment, the dress, as it stops any future fading or stretching and protects it from stains and the elements.
How long can you wait to preserve my wedding dress?
Your wedding dress can technically be stored away for months, if not years. However, your wedding gown should be professionally cleaned and preserved as soon as possible, preferably right after the big day.
Can you take your wedding dress out of the preservation box?
Because the preservation container will be airtight and sealed for safety, opening it could cause discoloration. Don't open it until you're ready to give it away or use it for something else, or unless you're willing to have it sealed and preserved again.
Should you preserve or sell your wedding dress?
You can always decide to donate or sell your gown in the future if you keep it, but once it's sold, it's gone for good. Keeping your dress will buy you time to think things over, find a good cause to donate to, or sell it if you ever find yourself in a bind.