Wedding gown preservation can help you keep your gown looking as lovely as the day you married for many years to come. Despite this, for a variety of reasons, many brides are still hesitant to have their gown preserved. Here are five of the most common wedding gown preservation myths.
To begin, if you want to give your wedding gown to another member of your family, wear it for a vow renewal in twenty years, or simply pull it out of your closet and admire it again, you’ll need to have it cleaned. We recommend bringing your gown to Strut for cleaning within 30 days of your wedding. Body oils, not dirt or food stains, are the ones that wreak havoc on your gown.
You spent a significant amount of time (and money) selecting your wedding gown. You obviously don’t want it to turn yellow or the fabric to deteriorate over time. What is the most effective way to avoid it? Wedding gown preservation is the preservation of wedding gowns.
Cleaning the gown and then storing it in a specialized box to prevent aging are both steps in the wedding gown preservation process. You don’t want to do anything that will prevent this post-wedding service from working properly if you’re going to use it. So avoid these common mistakes that brides make when it comes to preserving their gowns.
The big day has come and gone. The photos have been framed, and the video has been looped, but what do you do with your wedding gown? If your lovely gown has been relegated to the basement because you don’t know what else to do with it, you’re not alone. Conservation is a topic that isn’t well-known or understood by the general public. It’s a largely unregulated industry.
After being carefully inspected, cleaned, repaired, and placed in the preservation chest, your wedding gown is ready to be placed in our crush-proof, double-walled, water-resistant shipping container and safely shipped back to your home for you, your family, and future generations to enjoy.
MYTHS ABOUT WEDDING DRESS PRESERVATION
“I WILL NEVER BE ABLE TO SEE OR TOUCH MY DRESS AGAIN.”
The most common misconception about wedding gown preservation is that you can’t see or touch it once it’s been preserved. Using old preservation techniques, the wedding gown had to be vacuum sealed in a bag within the preservation chest. This method, however, hastened the yellowing of the fabric. In fact, in order to remain pristine and true to its original color, the fabric must be able to “breathe” in an acid-free environment.
Most people are unaware that you can view your dress at any time by opening the preservation chest, even after it has been professionally preserved. By gently touching the dress, you can sift through the layers of fabric. The only thing you won’t be able to do is completely remove the dress from the chest. To keep dresses from shifting, they are usually secured inside the preservation chest. Most companies will void their guarantee only if the gown is completely removed from the preservation chest. They’ll be able to tell if you’ve worn it before. This should not prevent you from inspecting and admiring your priceless wedding gown at any time.
“I WILL NEVER BE ABLE TO SEE OR TOUCH MY DRESS AGAIN.”
The most common misconception about wedding gown preservation is that you can’t see or touch it once it’s been preserved. Using old preservation techniques, the wedding gown had to be vacuum sealed in a bag within the preservation chest. This method, however, hastened the yellowing of the fabric. In fact, in order to remain pristine and true to its original color, the fabric must be able to “breathe” in an acid-free environment.
Most people are unaware that you can view your dress at any time by opening the preservation chest, even after it has been professionally preserved. By gently touching the dress, you can sift through the layers of fabric. The only thing you won’t be able to do is completely remove the dress from the chest. To keep dresses from shifting, they are usually secured inside the preservation chest. Most companies will void their guarantee only if the gown is completely removed from the preservation chest. They’ll be able to tell if you’ve worn it before. This should not prevent you from inspecting and admiring your priceless wedding gown at any time.
“I HAD WAITED FOR WAY TOO LONG TO SAVE MY DRESS.”
Most people do not realize that it is never too late to save your wedding gown. Even a dress that has been hanging in the closet for several years, unless it has been damaged, can be easily restored to its former glory. Restoration services may be required for older gowns, which can result in significant improvements. Stains become more difficult to remove as time passes. Perspiration, white wine, and frosting stains, for example, can fade over time and appear as brown spots, even if they were previously undetectable. These stains will gradually deteriorate the fabric if left untreated. As a result, you should preserve your wedding gown as soon as possible. SENDING MY WEDDING DRESS IN THE MAIL IS TOO RISKY.”
It is extremely unlikely that a dress will be lost, stolen, or damaged while in transit. Reputable companies will provide insurance to cover these unlikely events, giving you extra peace of mind. Wedding gowns are notorious for being difficult to resell, making them an unappealing target for thieves. With today’s tracking capabilities, it’s nearly impossible to misplace a dress. The majority of brides are unaware that their local dry cleaners frequently send their customers’ wedding gowns off behind their backs. Most dry cleaners do not specialize in wedding gowns and will not risk causing damage to someone’s wedding gown. It is almost always preferable to use a reputable wedding dress preservation specialist over your local cleaners.
WEDDING DRESS PRESERVATION IS EXPENSIVE.”
Some companies do charge more than $1,000 for wedding gown preservation. When it comes to wedding gown preservation, however, even the most expensive gowns rarely match quality. There are reputable preservation companies that are also very affordable, with packages starting at $179 and including three accessories as well as insurance (such as a veil, garter, gloves, handkerchief, or purse). Because of the large volume of gowns they handle, they can offer a lower price without sacrificing quality. Your wedding gown will most likely be the most expensive piece of clothing you will ever own. Why not give your investment the attention it deserves over time?
“MY DRESS IS EXPENSIVE AND DIFFICULT TO WEAR.”
Some brides are concerned that the preservation process will damage the lace, fabric, or elaborate beading on their wedding gown. In contrast, a reputable preservation company will have extensive knowledge of cleaning even the most delicate and intricate bridal fabrics. A reputable wedding gown preservation company can safely clean and preserve almost any wedding gown, regardless of its cost.
There are a few common mistakes to avoid when it comes to preserving your wedding gown.
I’ve waited far too long.
There are a variety of reasons to keep a wedding gown. The majority of our customers intend to pass down their wedding gown to their children as an heirloom. Gown repurposing into veils, baby blankets, christening gowns, and other items has grown in popularity. Even if you haven’t decided what to do with your gown, preserving it allows you to keep your options open.
Remember that stains (even those that aren’t visible at first) can set over time, so the longer you wait to have your gown cleaned and preserved, the more likely it will become permanently discolored. A three to four week period following the wedding is ideal.
In fact, many brides conduct research on wedding gown preservation companies prior to the wedding to ensure that they have a plan in place and that all they have to do after the honeymoon is send in or drop off the gown.
You’ve hired a wedding gown cleaner who isn’t a professional.
A thorough cleaning is the first step in wedding gown preservation, but this isn’t a job for just any dry cleaner. Check to see if the cleaner has a lot of experience and specializes in wedding gowns. A skilled professional will be able to clean various bridal gown fabrics and embellishments using a variety of methods and will know which one is best for your gown.
Before making a commitment, seek recommendations and referrals, as well as read reviews from previous customers.
Have you gotten any dirt on your gown from your outdoor wedding? Avoid attempting to remove the stain yourself.
Improperly storing the wedding gown after the wedding
You’re a busy newlywed, so don’t rush off to have your gown preserved the day after the wedding. However, until you return from your honeymoon, you should hang your gown neatly in a safe place. You’ll only add to the stains and wrinkles if you leave it on the floor.
Many wedding gown preservation companies work on a mail-order basis, which means you simply place your gown in a special mailing bag and mail it to them. If you spilled drinks on the gown, make sure it is completely dry before storing it.
Inadequately storing a preserved gown
After it has been preserved, your wedding gown will be delivered to you in a handy box for safekeeping. It should not be stored in the attic or basement. The box should be kept in a temperature-controlled (preferably air-conditioned) environment, away from direct sunlight and dampness or humidity. Usually, a closet shelf or under the bed will suffice. Wedding gowns that have been preserved should not be hung on a hanger because the fabric will stretch over time, particularly if the gown is heavy.
The preservation box will be airtight and sealed for safekeeping, and if you open it, you risk discoloration from oxygen exposure. Only break the seal when you’re ready to give it away or repurpose it, or when you’re willing to have it preserved and sealed again.
Most wedding dress preservation boxes, fortunately, have a see-through window that allows you to peek inside whenever you want. Here’s to a gown that will last forever—and a happy marriage!
Investigate some possibilities
Now that the dress has been tucked away, it’s time to do your homework and figure out which process is best for you.
It’s far easier to say than to do. Take inventory of the materials used in your wedding gown to determine what is authentic and what is appropriate for you. Dry cleaning will suffice if the item is made of synthetic fabrics such as polyester or rayon and will cost around $200.
If your gown is made of silk, linen, or cotton, or if it has a leather belt and a dramatic feather skirt, it will require a little more care before storage and will not require a vacuum-sealed solution. As a result, it is not only not an evidence-based solution, but it is also not a practical solution. Why save a wedding gown that will not be passed down to future generations?
Please share everything you know about the gown with us
Once you’ve decided on the best method for preserving your wedding gown, be prepared to provide as much information as possible to the preservationist on the day of your wedding, as treatment plans are created on a case-by-case basis. Some brides go for a swim in the sea. Some people enjoy rolling in the grass. Some people marry in the rain, and each assignment is unique. Because yellowing is caused by chemical reactions with the environment, it is critical that the materials used are acid-free.
Recognize that it takes time and that you are responsible for long-term care
The gown will be cleaned and repaired before the preservation process begins. Prices and timelines vary greatly depending on the service. After that, keep your gown somewhere cool and dry—not in the attic or basement. Keep it away from water and direct sunlight. Above all, remember that no treatment plan, no matter how thoroughly researched and meticulously implemented, is a cure-all for the aging process.
Tips for Storing
Never store your gown in an attic or basement; instead, keep it in a cool, dry place. We recommend that you only keep your gown in a place where you would feel comfortable. Remember that your wedding gown is made of some of the world’s most delicate fabrics, and it should be stored with love and care.
