Preserving Your Gown
Preserving your gown is important if you want your dress kept in good condition for years to come.
Your wedding gown is going to be beautiful, and probably the most expensive dress you will ever buy. Its showcase will be the day of your wedding but there are tasks before and after the big day to make sure your dress stays in perfect condition. Prior to purchasing your gown, check the cleaning and storage requirements. Often, gowns will not have care tags sewn into the side–so ask your retailer all the questions you need. All of the elaborate beading, sequins, and lace may cause complications during the cleaning, but don’t let that stop you from getting the gown of your dreams. Just be prepared to deal with the hiccups after the big day.
On your wedding day, your dress will be dragged on the ground, through glitter and grass. You might drop food on it or spill your wine, not to mention burn holes if you have a sparkler send-off. Don't worry about any of it—simply enjoy your day to the fullest. After the wedding, your gown should be cleaned and protected. At the cleaners, let them know of anything and everything that spilled on your dress. Since the heat from the cleaning will essentially set the stains, pretreating will be important if you don’t want brown spots on the gown.
Once your beautiful gown has been cleaned after your big day, preserving your gown is the next step to keeping your dress in good condition. Whether you plan to save your dress for your future daughter or a relative, or you just want to hold onto it as a keepsake, preserving your gown is a must to ensure it stays in the best shape possible for years to come.
- Over time, residue left on your gown can break down the fabric. Stains both visible and hidden such as sweat, makeup, dirt, wine, soda (even clear soda!), etc. can settle into the fibers causing it to become brittle, break down, or yellow. Having your gown professionally cleaned will ensure the stains are removed and the material is free and clear of damaging residues.
- Plastic can ruin your dress. Contrary to belief, the old method of vacuum packing wedding dresses into plastic bags can actually cause the gown to yellow. Professionals will place your dress in an acid-free container that will not only protect your dress from outside damage, but will also not cause damage itself.
- Time can cause decay to the fibers. Most fabrics weaken with age. While manmade fabrics tend to withstand time a little better, natural fibers like silk and cotton will begin to break down and weaken as time passes. Preservation protects your dress from the elements as much as possible, extending its wearable life by many years.
No matter the reason you are preserving your gown, the key is to do it as soon as possible after your wedding day. A couple weeks is okay, but a year or two may cause lasting damage. Ask the bridal store you purchased your dress from for recommendations on cleaners and preserving services in your area, they are the best source for reputable businesses.
FEATURED PHOTO COURTESY OF CHUTIN FLICKS PHOTOGRAPHY
