Purchasing your dream wedding dress is an exciting milestone in your wedding journey. However, ensuring the gown stays pristine before the big day requires careful planning.
With delicate fabrics, intricate embellishments, and multiple layers, a wedding dress can easily become vulnerable to damage.
Proper storage or handling can spoil a wedding dress’s appearance, from wrinkles to stains. This guide will help you protect your wedding dress and keep it flawless so it looks perfect when you walk down the aisle.
Let’s get straight to the point
To keep your wedding dress pristine before the big day, hang lightweight dresses using sturdy hangers and garment bags, or store heavier gowns in acid-free boxes with tissue paper to prevent wrinkles.
Avoid excessive handling to protect the fabric from stains, and safely transport the dress by laying it flat or carrying it on a plane for destination weddings.
To remove wrinkles, use steam or low-heat ironing. After the wedding, clean and preserve the gown with a professional dry cleaner for long-term storage. Proper care ensures your dress remains flawless for the big day and beyond.
1. Hang Your Wedding Dress Properly
For lightweight dresses made from fabrics like chiffon, organza, or tulle, hanging is the best option to keep the gown safe.
Properly hanging your wedding dress helps avoid wrinkles, creases, and damage to delicate details.
How To Hang Your Dress
- Use the right hanger: Choose a sturdy hanger capable of supporting the weight of your gown without bending or breaking. Look for hangers with notches or hooks to attach the hanger loops sewn into the dress.
- Support with loops: Most wedding dresses have loops sewn inside to help distribute the weight. Instead of relying on delicate straps or sleeves, which can stretch and tear, use these loops to hang the gown.
- Cover the gown: Once hung, cover the dress in a fabric garment bag or a king-sized bed sheet. This shields the dress from dust, dirt, and potential damage caused by sunlight or moisture.
Additional Tips For Hanging
- To prevent snagging, wrinkling, or soiling, suspend the dress in a place away from the ground or furniture.
- If your gown has a long train, drape the train over a chair to minimise creases.
- Avoid hanging the dress in rooms with open windows to protect it from dust and humidity, which can cause the fabric to warp or develop mildew.
- For heavy gowns, it might be better to lay the dress flat in a garment bag instead of hanging it. Hanging a heavy dress can stretch out the fabric over time.
2. Store The Dress In A Box For Heavier Gowns
For medium to heavy fabrics, such as satin, lace, or mikado, storing the dress in a box is often a safer choice than hanging it.
Storing your gown properly can prevent unnecessary stress on the fabric and ensure it stays wrinkle-free.
How To Store Your Dress In A Box
- Prepare the box: Choose a sturdy box large enough for the dress and line it with acid-free tissue paper to prevent the fabric from yellowing or developing creases.
- Fold the gown: Gently fold the dress, placing layers of acid-free tissue paper between each fold to prevent sharp creases and maintain the fabric’s shape.
- Carefully place the dress: Start folding from the hem of the gown and fold it lengthwise. Be sure to add more tissue between the layers, then tuck the bodice into the box, filling it with tissue to help it hold its shape.
- Seal the box: Close the box securely once the dress is inside. Avoid using plastic wrap, which can trap moisture and lead to mould or mildew growth.
Benefits Of Storing In A Box
- It’s a great solution for heavier gowns, as the fabric won’t stretch or warp.
- Protects against dust, light, and moisture, keeping the gown safe until your big day.
- Ideal for long-term storage, especially if you plan to pass down your wedding dress to future generations.
3. Proper Transportation Of Your Wedding Dress
When picking up your dress from the bridal shop or travelling to your venue, transporting the gown with care is essential to avoid wrinkles and damage.
Tips For Transporting Your Dress
- Lay it flat: Lay your dress flat on the backseat of your car, rather than the trunk, to avoid it getting crushed.
- Minimise movement: Secure the dress so it won’t shift during the drive, and ensure it remains smooth and wrinkle-free.
4. Resist The Temptation To Touch The Dress
It can be tempting to admire or handle your wedding dress often, but doing so can lead to unwanted damage. Excessive handling of the gown increases the risk of transferring oils from your skin onto the fabric, which can cause stains or discolouration over time.
How To Avoid Damage
- Limit contact: Resist the temptation to touch your dress often. If you need to try it on for fittings or alterations, wash your hands thoroughly beforehand.
- Avoid makeup and deodorant: During try-ons, avoid wearing makeup, deodorant, or any other products that could stain the fabric.
5. Removing Wrinkles From Your Wedding Dress
Even with careful storage, wrinkles may develop in your wedding gown. Here are safe ways to remove wrinkles before your wedding day:
Options For Removing Wrinkles
- Hang the dress: A few days before the wedding, hang your gown in a safe, dry place to let the fabric relax naturally.
- Use a steamer: A steamer can effectively remove stubborn wrinkles. Alternatively, you can hang the dress in a bathroom while running a hot shower to create steam, which helps loosen creases.
- Iron with care: If you choose to iron your dress, use a low heat setting and place a clean white cloth between the iron and the fabric to avoid scorching.
Professional Help
- If you are unsure about removing wrinkles yourself or if your gown’s fabric is too delicate, consider taking the dress to a professional dry cleaner or a bridal boutique. They have the expertise to refresh the gown safely without causing any damage.
6. Post-Wedding Care: Cleaning And Preservation
After your wedding, it’s critical to clean and preserve your gown to maintain its beauty. Even if it looks clean, your dress will likely have picked up sweat, dirt, and makeup throughout the day.
Immediate Cleaning
- Send it to a dry cleaner: As soon as possible, take your dress to a reputable dry cleaner that specialises in wedding dresses. The longer stains sit on the fabric, the more difficult they are to remove.
- Delegate cleaning: If you’re heading off on your honeymoon immediately after the wedding, ask a trusted friend or family member to handle the cleaning process for you.
Preservation
Many dry cleaners offer preservation services for wedding dresses, which involve special cleaning processes followed by careful packaging in an acid-free box for long-term storage.
Professional preservation is the best option if you plan to keep your gown for future generations.
Key Tips For Preservation
- Store your dress in a temperature-controlled room, away from direct sunlight and high humidity.
- Avoid hanging your gown for long-term storage; the fabric can stretch over time, altering its original shape.
7. Travelling With Your Wedding Dress For Destination Weddings
If you’re planning a destination wedding, special care is needed when transporting your gown.
Carry-On Vs. Checked Luggage
- Carry it on: If possible, bring your wedding dress as carry-on luggage. Many airlines accommodate brides by allowing them to store the gown in an overhead compartment or a closet onboard. Contact the airline in advance to confirm the best storage options.
- Pack carefully: If you must check your gown, pack it in a box with plenty of tissue paper to cushion the folds. Opt for a fabric that resists wrinkles, and arrange to have the dress steamed once you arrive at your destination.
Additional Tips For Destination Weddings
- Check the weather and climate at your destination to prepare for any challenges like high humidity or extreme heat, which can impact your dress.
- Research local dry cleaners or bridal shops at your destination in case you need last-minute steaming or alterations.
Conclusion
Taking the time to properly store and care for your wedding dress before the big day is critical for preserving its beauty and ensuring it looks perfect when you walk down the aisle.
Whether you’re hanging a lightweight gown, storing a heavier one in a box, or travelling for a destination wedding, careful handling will protect your dress from wrinkles, stains, and damage.
By following these tips, you can keep your gown in pristine condition and confidently enjoy your wedding day, knowing that your dress will shine as much as you do.
After the celebration, don’t forget to clean and preserve the dress so its memory—and perhaps its legacy—can last for years to come.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best way to store your wedding dress?
Store the Wedding Dress in a Cool, Dark Place. Remove it from the hanger, which can cause the heaviest dresses to become misshapen. Whatever you do, avoid storing your dress in a regular, zip-up plastic bag. Plastic like that holds moisture and can potentially discolour a wedding dress.
Will my wedding dress turn yellow before my wedding?
The delicate fabrics in a wedding dress will begin to yellow after just six months if your dress is not cleaned, cared for, and stored properly after your wedding day.
What temperature should I store my wedding dress?
You don’t want to store your wedding dress anywhere that experiences extreme temperatures leading up to your wedding day. For instance, don’t store your dress in a damp basement or a hot attic. The best temperature for your dress is between 60 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit.
Is it safe to vacuum pack a wedding dress?
Never store your dress in a vacuum-sealed bag or plastic container! While this may seem like a great way to preserve your gown, plastic containers or bags emit fumes that can yellow or discolour the fabric. Additionally, moisture trapped within the container can cause a buildup of mildew or mould.
