Dresses for special occasions can be preserved to look as beautiful as they did on the big day, long after the wedding is over.
Despite this, many brides still opt not to have their dress preserved.
Some common misconceptions about preserving bridal gowns are examined here. Ask yourself, "Does any of these ring a bell?"
Myth no.1: “I can never look at or feel my dress again.”
The most widely held misconception is that preserving a wedding dress means you will never again be able to view or touch it.
Traditionally, the bridal dress would be placed in a bag and vacuum sealed before being placed in a preservation chest.
The fabric's yellowing was accelerated by this method.
The fabric must be allowed to "breathe" in an acid-free setting to maintain its pristine condition and authentic colour.
When you have your dress professionally maintained, you can open the preservation box and view it whenever you like.
Even reaching out and touching the dress, with a light hand, will allow you to feel through all of the layers of cloth.
The only restriction is that you cannot unbutton the dress all the way down to the chest.
Dresses are usually fastened in place within the preservation chest to prevent them from moving about.
Most manufacturers will no longer honour their warranty if the dress has been taken out of its storage chest.
This will give them the peace of mind that it has never been worn previously.
But it shouldn't stop anyone from opening the preservation box to admire your priceless bridal gown whenever the mood strikes you.
Myth no. 2: “It is too late to preserve my wedding dress”
The majority of people are unaware that a wedding gown can be preserved at any time. In the absence of any damage, a garment that has been sitting in the wardrobe for a few years can be readily restored to its former glory.
Some older gowns may benefit from restoration services, which can bring about visible changes.
As time passes, stains become more stubborn and difficult to clean.
In fact, sweat, white wine, and icing stains that aren't immediately noticeable can turn dark with continued contact and exposure to light.
Not treating stains like this might cause gradual fabric breakdown.
Therefore, it is preferable to get your wedding gown maintained as soon as possible.
Myth no. 3: “It's very risky to mail my wedding dress.”
Dresses seldom get lost, stolen, or damaged while being shipped.
Some peace of mind can be had by purchasing insurance from a reputable company that covers such improbable occurrences.
Stealers aren't usually interested in wedding dresses because they aren't able to be resold easily.
With the modern methods of tracking available, it is extremely unlikely that a dress will go missing.
Most brides have no idea that their neighbourhood dry cleaners secretly ship off their wedding garments to be cleaned.
The majority of dry cleaners are really not trained to handle wedding dresses and cannot take the chance of ruining one.
You should hire a professional wedding dress preservationist instead of taking it to a regular dry cleaner.
Myth no. 4: “Preserving wedding dresses is very expensive.”
There are legitimate businesses that charge more than $1,000 to preserve a wedding gown.
However, when it comes to preserving a wedding dress, not even the most expensive ones are created equal.
Preserving an item can be done for as little as $249 and includes 5 items (such as gloves, garter, veil, handkerchief, shawl, or handbag) as well as insurance.
The sheer number of dresses they process allows them to undercut the competition without compromising on quality.
The wedding dress you wear on your wedding day is likely to be the most expensive garment you have ever purchased.
There's no reason not to treat your investment with the respect it merits over the long haul.
Myth no. 5: “My dress is too delicate or expensive.”
There are some brides who are apprehensive that the procedure of preserving their wedding dress would ruin the lace, the fabric, or the exquisite beading that is on it.
However, a competent preservation firm will have extensive skill in cleaning even the finest and exquisite bridal textiles.
This is because bridal fabrics are notoriously difficult to clean.
A competent wedding dress preservation firm should be able to clean and maintain practically any wedding dress without causing any damage, regardless of the price or the fabric.
What Happens to the Gown if the Box Is Opened?
Protecting your preservation chest is a crucial component of the bridal gown washing process.
After your wedding dress has been preserved, opening the preservation chest won't have any effect on how long it will last or the quality of the preservation.
To maintain your gown's pristine condition, you may have sent in cleaning and preservation supplies.
These supplies are normally kept in a preservation chest. Our seasoned crew carefully bundles your extras so you can find everything quickly and easily.
So long as your wedding dress remains in its original packaging, you can use these items again at a later time.
Individual accessory packaging is an available choice for our patrons.
Checking Your Gown
Your bridal gown will be cleaned and placed in a preservation chest before being packaged in a secure outer shipment box.
The preservation chest comes with an additional shipping box for added security. The outer two containers also do a good job of keeping dirt and dust away from the storage chest's precious contents.
Since clothing and other textiles should be allowed to "breathe," the storage containers and preservation box are not airtight.
The guarantee will still stand even if the storage container is opened. The gown's 100-year warranty expires if it's ever removed entirely from the chest.
Once your dress has been cleaned and delivered to you, you may use a butter knife or letter opener to pry open the chest in which it has been stored.
To prevent the gown's fabric from being tainted by your own body oils, preservation services typically include a set of latex gloves in the return shipment.
To ensure that your wedding dress has been cleaned to your satisfaction, it is suggested that you carefully sift it through layers of the dress as needed.
As an added precaution against dirt and dust, we have included some sealing squares for you to use to reseal the inside of the box.
Reasons You May Regret Not Cleaning and Preserving Your Wedding Dress
Neither the high price of dry washing your wedding dress nor its perceived complexity rank as the primary deterrents for most brides when it comes to preserving their wedding attire. Instead, it's a case of good old-fashioned putting off of important tasks.
Every single one of us is at least partially responsible for this.
When you and your spouse-to-be are busy forging a new path in life, it's easy to forget about the wedding dress until you find it stashed away in a cheap plastic bag.
The reality is that as more important tasks, like furnishing your home, planning a holiday getaway, or welcoming a new member of the family, compete for your time, this one gets pushed to the back of the line.
We'll go over the many reasons why it's best to do this quick and simple procedure right away, rather than putting it off for weeks, years, or perhaps even decades until the big day arrives.
You may sell or lend your gown to a friend or relative
We realise that not every lady dreams of her wedding dress being passed down through the generations as a treasured family heirloom.
Some brides, remembering the joy they felt when they first put on their wedding gown, may choose to pass it on to a future bride. Now, let's say you decide to market your wedding dress to another bride at some point in the future.
Stains set in over time and may cost more to remove later
Organic materials like the cotton, silk, and chiffon used to make your wedding dress decompose over time just like any other organic item.
Oils, grime, sugar, and sweat are all damaging, thus even a minor imperfection today might turn into a noticeable stain tomorrow.
While we can help with wedding dress restoration for stains that have really set in, we recommend sending your garment in for a cleaning service and preservation before you jet off on your honeymoon.
You can make sure that your wedding dress remains spotless and a treasured family heirloom for generations to come by taking extra precautions to prevent stains from setting in on the big day.
Your wedding dress starts to discolour the day you store it
We have received several dresses from brides all around the United States who have sent them to us so that we can preserve them for future generations.
The yellowing of the wedding dress's delicate materials is the most challenging in its maintenance, perhaps more so than the terrible stains which have become increasingly hideous with the passage of time.
What was once brilliant and white has faded and yellowed after already being neglected in a bride's closet for a long time.
Your gown will retain its original colour and lustre for at least another century after undergoing a special wedding dress washing process that includes an anti-yellowing treatment.
This microtreatment not only prevents the item from yellowing, but it also helps to protect it from stains should it ever be worn again.
You may want to show your kids or grandchildren your most treasured item
Though many of our clients are recent brides, we sometimes receive enquiries from ladies who tied the knot a long time ago but are just now considering having their wedding gown preserved as a keepsake for their offspring.
Due to extended periods of disuse, some of these dresses may require the assistance of a wedding dress repair agency before they can be worn again.
Whether these brides had turned in their dresses for preservation and cleaning sooner, the dresses would now be ready to be worn and shared, and the brides would not have had to pay for costly restorations.
With the new optional update, you can have a stunning photo of yourself in your wedding gown displayed in your preservation chest so that it always serves as a reminder of that special day.
Your loved one can wear your gown to their wedding to honour you
Preservators are now preserving a wedding dress that belonged to the bride's recently deceased grandmother.
Although trends come and go, the bride treasures the bridal gown that was handed down to her from her grandmother because of its classic design.
She is not just paying tribute to her grandmother's sense of style from that era, but also to the love and bond that existed between her grandfather and grandmother and to the many happy memories they shared as a result of such a wonderful day.
There is never a better moment to bring your wedding gown in to be washed and preserved than immediately after your magnificent day is done, no matter the reason why you have chosen to get your wedding dress washed and preserved.
You will have the satisfaction of knowing that your wedding dress will be expertly preserved to become the ideal family heirloom, which may be handed down to subsequent generations to be cherished and enjoyed, and which someday may even be worn again.
Conclusion
Dresses worn for a wedding can be preserved to look just as stunning as they did on the big day.
Despite this, there are still plenty of brides who forego the option of preserving their dress.
The best methods for preserving wedding dresses are reviewed, along with some common myths about the subject.
If you want some reassurance, you can buy insurance from a dependable provider that includes coverage for disasters like these.
If the shipping container is opened, the warranty remains in effect. If the gown is ever taken off the chest, the 100-year guarantee is null and void.
To allow clothing and other textiles to "breathe," the containers and preservation box are not airtight. In most cases, a pair of latex gloves will be included in the return package from a preservation service.
It is recommended that you carefully sort through the layers of your wedding dress after cleaning to ensure that it is completely clean.
You can use the enclosed seal squares to reseal the box after opening it, providing an extra layer of protection against dust and dirt.
When preserved properly, wedding gowns can become priceless heirlooms.
The grandmother of the bride, who recently passed away, gave the bride her wedding dress, which is now being preserved.
The preservation chest is the perfect place to keep a beautiful photo of yourself in your wedding gown.
With the help of a specialised wedding dress washing process, your gown will keep its vibrant hue and shimmer even after being washed dozens of times.
Content Summary
- Dresses for special occasions can be preserved to look as beautiful as they did on the big day, long after the wedding is over.
- Despite this, many brides still opt not to have their dress preserved.
- Some common misconceptions about preserving bridal gowns are examined here.
- The most widely held misconception is that preserving a wedding dress means you will never again be able to view or touch it.
- Traditionally, the bridal dress would be placed in a bag and vacuum sealed before being placed in a preservation chest.
- When you have your dress professionally maintained, you can open the preservation box and view it whenever you like.
- The majority of people are unaware that a wedding gown can be preserved at any time.
- Therefore, it is preferable to get your wedding gown maintained as soon as possible.
- You should hire a professional wedding dress preservationist instead of taking it to a regular dry cleaner.
- The wedding dress you wear on your wedding day is likely to be the most expensive garment you have ever purchased.
- A competent wedding dress preservation firm should be able to clean and maintain practically any wedding dress without causing any damage, regardless of the price or the fabric.
- After your wedding dress has been preserved, opening the preservation chest won't have any effect on how long it will last or the quality of the preservation.
- To maintain your gown's pristine condition, you may have sent in cleaning and preservation supplies.
- These supplies are normally kept in a preservation chest.
- Your bridal gown will be cleaned and placed in a preservation chest before being packaged in a secure outer shipment box.
- The preservation chest comes with an additional shipping box for added security.
- Since clothing and other textiles should be allowed to "breathe," the storage containers and preservation box are not airtight.
- The guarantee will still stand even if the storage container is opened.
- Once your dress has been cleaned and delivered to you, you may use a butter knife or letter opener to pry open the chest in which it has been stored.
- To prevent the gown's fabric from being tainted by your own body oils, preservation services typically include a set of latex gloves in the return shipment.
- To ensure that your wedding dress has been cleaned to your satisfaction, it is suggested that you carefully sift it through layers of the dress as needed.
- As an added precaution against dirt and dust, we have included some sealing squares for you to use to reseal the inside of the box.
FAQS ABOUT WEDDING DRESS PRESERVATION
How long can a wedding dress be preserved?
A professional cleaning and preservation of your wedding dress is recommended no later than six weeks after the big day, although it can be done at any time. Up to six months after your wedding, your white dress will start to turn yellow.
Can you preserve a wedding dress years later?
Don't stress if your wedding dress is on the older side or if you haven't had it cleaned yet, even though it's been weeks or months since the big day. Although it is best to have a wedding dress cleaned and preserved as soon as possible, it is never too late to do so.
Why do people preserve their wedding dress?
Dresses worn at weddings are often kept as heirlooms.
Preservation of your wedding dress simplifies the task of storing it for the future. Preserving a wedding dress is a great way to protect it from future wear and tear, stains, and environmental hazards like sunlight and humidity.
What happens if you don't preserve your wedding dress?
You run the risk of the following if you don't properly store your wedding gown: The garment has begun to yellow. Damaged by oxidation, which appears as brown dots. Mildew and mould colonisation.
How long does it take for a wedding dress to be cleaned?
As a general rule, dry cleaning a wedding dress can take anywhere from a few days to a month, depending on how many layers there are and how busy the dry cleaning company is. It takes at least two or three days to dry clean a bridal gown properly, and that's if the store isn't busy.