Wedding gown preservation is serious business. It’s not just something that someone came up with on a whim so that he can give brides a hard time. The hard truth is that a wedding gown is one of the most vulnerable clothing pieces a person could own. They usually require extra love and care because they’re incredibly delicate.

Your wedding is one of the most memorable occasions in your life. It’s only natural to pick a keepsake that will remind you of the love-filled celebration you’ve gone through. Most brides choose their wedding gowns as memorabilia for such a joyous event. Tokens like these should be able to last a lifetime, and so your gown must go through the proper process of preservation. 

Of course, it’s not only for that reason why you should be keen on preserving your gown. You may want to pass on your gown to future generations, and that in itself will take years. It doesn’t matter what intention you have for your wedding gown, but if you want it to last a lifetime, then here are some tips that will help you in the long run. 

Allocate a budget for the preservation of your dress beforehand

Allocating a budget for preserving wedding dress is essential. The average price for a wedding preservation kit costs around $300 to $900. It’s a considerable amount of money, but it’s worth it. I would suggest that you squeeze this factor in already while you’re still planning for the big day, so you don’t get blindsided by the cost later on. Choosing to preserve your dress is imperative, especially if you plan to keep your dress as a souvenir or you simply want to pass it down to your future children or grandchildren. 

It’s vital to dry-clean your dress after the big day (or any other day where you used your gown)

Again, this is very important! You might not think much of it because it’s just “one day” of use, but trust me when I say that your gown is going to be dirty. You might not be able to see all of it, but it’s there. Invisible stains are notorious for, well, being invisible. If it’s a big event, chances are you’ve received hugs and pats from random guests. Their hands could have been everywhere – from the food to their belongings. Grease will be hard to spot on your gown, and if the length of your dress is extensive, prepare for the dirt parade on your train. 

Take note that dry cleaning a wedding dress isn’t the same as regular laundering. Get an expert to do this. In this day and age, there’s an abundance of places where they excel in wedding dress cleaning and preservation. Do a little bit of sniffing here and there to make sure you’ve picked the right place. Choose one that will give you a full refund for your garment if they mess it up – this will take a load off your chest (and head).

Make sure you’re knowledgeable about proper storage

Picking the proper storage for your wedding gown is necessary. After all, this is where your dress is going to be most of the time. Don’t just stuff this expensive clothing in random places! It’s best to store your dress in a place where there’s enough breathing room. A spare bedroom or a roomy closet would be ideal. Keep it away from direct sunlight because this tends to age the fabric faster, making it more susceptible to yellowing. 

If you plan to hang it, make sure you’re using padded hangers and that you aren’t suspending it by the sleeves. Hang loops are there for a reason! If you can avoid hanging the dress, the best way to store it is in a wedding dress preservation box. Don’t get them mixed with ordinary cardboard boxes, though. Wedding preservation boxes aren’t cheap, but they’re chemical-free. 

There are chemicals found in standard storage boxes that are infamous for ruining articles of clothing. Most of these chemical residues help progress the inevitable fabric aging. Avoid them at all costs, and invest in a proper wedding preservation box.

Since we’re on the topic of proper storage, I advise against storing your gown in damp places like attics and basements. They don’t have adequate ventilation, which gives mold and mildew a chance to grow on your dress. Not only are those two harmful to you, but they also make the gown deteriorate faster.

When in doubt, ask experts

It’s a tough job to preserve wedding gown. If you’re unsure of what you’re doing, it’s best to ask for an expert’s advice. These professionals are well-versed in the art of wedding gown preservation. They’ll tell you what you need to know if you prefer to do it all by yourself. Don’t hesitate to ask about things that you don’t understand because they’ll help you. Gown preservation is not an easy feat, after all!