One of the most meaningful dresses a woman will own is her wedding dress. Therefore, preserving the garment is crucial to ensure that it remains in exquisite shape for many years to come. Proper storage and protection from the elements are essential for keeping a bridal gown in pristine condition for years to come.
There are a variety of options available when it comes to preserving a wedding dress. DIY approaches, such as hanging the dress or storing it in a specific box, might complement professional cleaning and packaging in some cases. The point of wedding dress preservation is to keep it looking as good as the day you wore it, so you can always remember how lovely you felt on your wedding day.
In this article, we’ll discuss methods for preserving a wedding gown, such as how to properly clean, store, and show off your garment. If you want your wedding dress to look beautiful for years to come, it’s important to know what not to do when maintaining it.
What Does Preserve A Wedding Dress Mean?
To preserve a wedding dress is to take the necessary measures to keep it in pristine condition long after the wedding day has passed. This includes keeping it out of direct sunlight, keeping it away from dust and moisture, and keeping it in a cool, dry place.
Several things need to be done to keep a wedding dress in pristine condition, including washing, mending any damage, and storing the dress so that it doesn’t get wrinkled or dirty. Sunlight, humidity, and extreme temperature changes can all damage the dress’s fabric and other components, so it’s important to keep it someplace dark and cool.
There are several reasons why it’s crucial to keep a wedding dress preserved. The first and most obvious benefit is that it keeps the dress’s emotional and monetary value intact. Preserving a wedding dress ensures it will be in pristine shape for years to come, making it perfect for passing down through the family.
Many brides also prefer to resell their wedding gowns after the ceremony, and a well-preserved gown can bring in a higher price than a poorly maintained one.
How Much Does Wedding Gown Preservation Cost?
The fabric of the dress, the degree of damage, and the chosen preservation procedure can all affect how much it will cost to preserve a bridal gown. The price of wedding dress preservation from an expert might be from several hundred to several thousand dollars.
The standard procedure for preserving a gown involves dry cleaning it to remove dirt and stains, mending any minor damage, and storing it in a special acid-free, archival-quality box or bag. So, how much does it cost to preserve a wedding dress? You should expect to pay between $200 and $500 for this service.
The cost of preservation can rise if the dress needs extensive repairs or has major damage like tears, stains, or discolouration. The expense of preservation can be increased if the dress needs to be restored first.
Keep in mind that while do-it-yourself preservation techniques can save money, they may not be as effective as hiring an expert. Preserving a dress on your own can be as easy as hanging it in a closet or as involved as buying a special kit online. Depending on the specifics, the price of these techniques can range from $20 to $200.
The final price tag for wedding dress preservation will be established by the dress itself and the chosen method. Finding the best preservation option for your needs and budget requires some investigation and comparison shopping.
Methods For Preserving A Wedding Gown
There are a few different approaches to maintaining a wedding dress, including the following:
Professional Preservation
Specialised businesses and dry cleaners often provide a preservation service in which they carefully clean and wrap a wedding dress to ensure it stays in exquisite condition for years to come.
Examining the garment for obvious flaws like rips, tears, or missing beads and sequins is the first step. Then, any stains or dirt are painstakingly removed from the clothing using mild, non-toxic solvents. This is a necessary step because it keeps any lingering stains from becoming permanent and damaging the cloth.
A special acid-free preservation box is used to store the garment after it has been cleaned, steamed or pressed to remove wrinkles, and then cleaned again. When storing a dress, it is best to keep it in a solid cardboard or plastic box that has been lined with acid-free tissue paper.
The dress is then folded without creating any wrinkles or folds and coated with acid-free tissue paper for safekeeping. There is no way for air, light, or insects to get inside the storage container because the cover is airtight.
Finally, a label bearing the bride’s name and wedding date should be affixed to the preservation box. This will make it simple to find the dress again if you ever need to get inside of it.
DIY Preservation Kits
Wedding dresses can be preserved at little cost with the help of a do-it-yourself preservation kit. Dress preservation packages normally consist of a box, acid-free tissue paper, and packaging instructions.
Cleaning the dress is the first step when utilising a do-it-yourself preservation package. Cleaning a wedding gown requires either hand washing it with a mild detergent or taking it to a dry cleaner who specialises in such garments. After the dress has been laundered and dried, it should be packed away for safekeeping.
To avoid the dress being wrinkled or creased while in storage, acid-free tissue paper lines the inside of the preservation box. Extra layers of tissue paper are used to separate the dress’s layers and prevent any portions of the dress from rubbing against each other while they are folded and placed in the box. Acid-free tape is used to seal the preservation box, preventing dust and light from escaping.
Vacuum Sealing
One common technique for protecting a wedding dress during long-term storage or travel is vacuum sealing. In this approach, the air is sucked out of a plastic bag or container using a vacuum sealer, making an airtight seal that shields the dress from dirt, dust, and other elements.
The dress should be washed and air-dried before being vacuum sealed. If the dress gets dirty or wet, it could develop mould and become unusable. The garment can be stored in a vacuum bag or container after it has been cleaned and dried.
The dress should be placed in the bag or container without being folded or crumpled before the vacuum sealer is used. You can use the vacuum sealer to make a secure seal around the dress by sucking out all the air in the bag or container. Additional characteristics, such as moisture absorbers or oxygen absorbers, may be included in some vacuum seal bags or containers, which can further protect the clothing during storage.
Displaying The Dress
Finding an appropriate venue to exhibit the wedding dress without damaging it is an important part of the display process. Since prolonged exposure to sunlight might cause the fabric to fade and yellow, it’s best to store it somewhere cool, dry, and out of the sun. The garment can be preserved in its original form by being displayed on a mannequin or dress form. If you want to keep the dress in pristine condition, you shouldn’t hang it either.
To prevent damage from dust and other environmental variables, an acid-free display container should be utilised to showcase the dress. Alternating how often you wear the garment can help it retain its form and look for longer.
Conclusion
One of the best ways to remember your wedding day is to save and show off your dress. You should take measures to maintain it, whether by having a professional do it or by using a do-it-yourself kit. Select an appropriate space, exhibit your garment on a mannequin or dress form rather than hanging it, protect it in a glass container, and rotate it regularly.
Following these guidelines will ensure that your wedding dress retains its stunning appearance for many years to come.