Preserving a Wedding Dress: Keep Your Bridal Attire Picture-perfect

Preserving your wedding dress should be the last step on your wedding planning list. Just because you’ve exchanged I dos doesn’t mean you should disregard the dress you love so much. Wedding dress preservation is a customized cleaning and storage method that helps keep your gown in its original form. There are many reasons for preserving your wedding gown; you could hand it down to your daughter or another relative as a family heirloom, or wear it again to renew your vows.

Brides typically utilize the service of professional dress preservationists (there are less-expensive at-home methods to use if you choose to take that route). But no matter if you hire a pro or simply do it yourself, you should brush up on the basics of wedding dress preservation.
Your wedding dresses pictures and your dress should last forever.

Taking your wedding dress to a professional preservationist ensures that your gown will be cleaned thoroughly for all visible (and invisible) stains. The key to keeping your dress in tip-top shape is to start the preservation process as soon as possible after your wedding. As with any article of clothing, the longer a stain is left to set in fabric, the harder it is to remove. Be aware—having your dress dry cleaned and having it preserved are two different methods. Dry cleaners simply remove stains while dress preservationists clean and treat fabrics with techniques to deter them from yellowing and deteriorating over time. And since no bride wants to hand over her beautiful dress to just anyone, you should find a professional who specializes in caring for wedding dresses—not just garment cleaning. Ask around for referrals from other brides or wedding planners as you search for a preservationist.

The price of reputable preservationists may vary depending on the condition of the dress, attachments and embellishments that come with the dress (beading, train, veil, etc.), and quite possibly, your location. You can find reasonably priced wedding dress preservation companies that charge as little as $200-$400. However, some companies specialize in museum-quality preservation processes, which will undoubtedly cost more than a traditional service.
Browse our dress gallery for more wedding dresses pictures

Once you’ve selected a professional who will care for your gown, there are some things you should inquire about. For one, ask the vendor about his or her cleaning methods and the types of products that will be used on your dress. Some specialists may use traditional dry-cleaning methods, while others will hand wash fabrics with gentle solvents and stain treaters. As a precaution, you should ask the preservationist to provide you with a warranty explaining their responsibilities for any damage done to the dress. Also, ask if the service will be done in-house or if it has to be sent out to another facility, as this could impact your final bill.

After the wedding dress is cleaned, the preservationist will wrap and enclose it in acid-free materials. When you’re ready to put your dress away, store it in a cool, dark place. Placing your dress in a room where temperatures fluctuate could cause damage to the fabric.

To keep you gown looking as good as yourwedding dresses pictures here are some
Additional Tips for Handling Your Preserved Wedding Dress:

• Never store your dress in direct sunlight. Keep it tucked away in a closet or under a bed.
  
  
• If you plan to take your dress out of its storage container, be sure to clean your hands to avoid any dirt or smudges that might transfer to the dress.
  
  
• To avoid mildew, never wrap your dress in plastic or cellophane since these materials trap moisture.
  
  
• If you only choose to have your dress dry cleaned, you can store it in a cedar chest to keep moths from eating through the fabric or from gathering moisture.

By preserving your wedding dress, you’ll have a constant reminder of your special day hanging right in your closet. After all, you spent tons of man hours (and money) trying to find the dress you’ve always dreamed of. Be sure to have it treated by a professional that will give it the care and attention it deserves.

View our dress gallery full ofwedding dresses pictures and ideas.