How to Store a Wedding Dress After Saying “I Do”

You’ve spent countless hours in fittings, surrounded by your nearest and dearest giving their two cents. You’ve invested a small fortune in the dress of your dreams, and let’s not forget, you’re about to rock it on one of the biggest days of your life.

But what happens after the final dance and the confetti settles? Whether it’s destined to be a cherished heirloom for future generations or a beautiful reminder of your special day, proper preservation is key.

Here are the best ways to store a wedding dress, ensuring it still is as stunning as it was on the day you said, “I do.”

Clean Before Storage: Professional Cleaning

It’s a common misconception that if a dress looks clean, it doesn’t need to be professionally treated. Invisible elements, such as the faintest champagne spills or the slightest makeup marks, can become indelible stains over time, not to mention the risk of fabric yellowing.

It’s important to pick the right cleaning path for your wedding gown. Dry cleaning for those delicate beaded or lace beauties ensures stain removal without roughing up the fabric. For dresses made of silk or natural fibers, specialized wet cleaning, which uses gentle detergents to maintain the fabric’s natural sheen and texture, is best.

Bridal Gown Preservation

For brides who envision passing down their gown or wearing it again, mere cleaning isn’t enough. Even the most thorough cleaning can’t protect against future yellowing, fabric fraying or UV damage. True preservation is about safeguarding the gown against these risks and more.

Here’s what professional bridal gown preservation usually entails in addition to basic cleaning:

• Protectant Application: Applied in the final step, this protectant ensures museum-quality results. It guards against yellowing and staining over time, repels moisture and acts as a stain barrier for future wear.
• Warranty: A testament to the confidence in preservation quality, most professional preservation companies offer a warranty covering future yellowing and staining, ensuring the gown remains immaculate for generations.
• Display Chest: An acid-free preservation chest beautifully displays the gown. It often features a viewing window, allowing the memory of the dress to be shared and cherished.
• Formed Bust: A custom preservation bust ensures the gown maintains its shape within the chest, reducing stress on the fabric that could occur from hanging.
• Accessory Preservation: The service often includes the cleaning and preservation of up to five wedding day accessories, such as the veil, garter belt or coin purse, without additional charges.

Preserving your wedding gown not only honors your special day but is also a sustainable, eco-friendly choice.

How much does bridal gown preservation cost?

When it comes to the financial aspect of preserving your wedding gown, prices can vary. Generally, brides can expect to pay between $250 to $700 for professional gown preservation.

It’s important to note costs can reach up to $1,000 or more, depending on factors such as the intricacy of the gown and location.

Post-Preservation Wedding Dress Tips

You’ve waltzed through the bridal gown preservation process — what’s next for your beautiful dress? It’s not just about hanging it back in your closet and hoping for the best. Here’s how you can make the most of your preservation investment, keeping your gown as dazzling as your wedding day memories.

Avoid Sunlight

Sunlight can be surprisingly damaging to a wedding dress. The UV rays can cause the fabric to fade and weaken over time, diminishing the dress’s original splendor.

The best way to store a wedding dress is in a location that is not just away from direct sunlight, but also shielded from indirect light that can sneak in through windows. A cool, dark spot is your gown’s new best friend. This preserves the vibrant colors and ensures the delicate fibers remain strong and intact.

Stabilize Temperature & Humidity

Maintaining a stable environment is vital for the longevity of your wedding gown. Fluctuations in temperature and humidity can have adverse effects on various fabrics. High humidity can introduce moisture, leading to mildew or mold, while dry conditions might cause the fabric to become brittle.

Similarly, extreme temperatures can lead to expansion or contraction of the material, potentially altering the fit and appearance of the dress. A climate-controlled space, with consistent, moderate conditions, is the best choice to avoid these issues and keep your gown in pristine condition.

Opt for a Specialized Wedding Gown Storage Box

Choosing the correct materials for storing your wedding gown is as important as the preservation process itself. Acid-free boxes are highly recommended, as they offer an environment free from chemicals that can cause yellowing over time.

These boxes are designed to provide a buffer against external elements like dust and light, which can gradually degrade the fabric. Plus, they help keep the gown safe from insects and other critters that could damage it.

Use Acid-Free Tissue Paper

In addition to the wedding gown storage box, wrapping your dress in acid-free tissue paper provides an extra layer of protection. This paper helps maintain the shape of the dress and prevents any creases or folds that could become permanent over time.

It’s a simple yet effective way to ensure every detail of the dress, from intricate beadwork to delicate layers of fabric, is preserved without any compromise.

Best Place for Long-Term Dress Storage

Selecting the perfect location for storing your wedding gown is a key step in bridal gown preservation. The goal is to find a spot that offers a stable environment, free from risks that can compromise the fabric and overall condition of the dress.

Home Storage (Closet, but Not the Attic)

A cool, dry spot in your home, like a closet, can be an excellent choice for dress storage. These areas typically offer a consistent environment ideal for fabric care.

However, it’s important to steer clear of the attic. Despite its out-of-the-way appeal, attics are often subject to dramatic temperature fluctuations and humidity levels.

Climate-Controlled Storage

How to store a wedding dress long term? For those seeking the highest level of protection for their wedding dress, CubeSmart’s climate-controlled storage units offer an excellent solution.

These units are designed to maintain a constant temperature, providing an ideal setting for the preservation of delicate items, regardless of the season.

With CubeSmart, you can rest assured your treasured items are stored with utmost care. The climate-controlled storage units are not only heated in winter and cooled in summer but are typically located indoors, offering humidity levels similar to those found in a typical home environment.

Regular Check-Ups

Check-ups are your chance to identify and address any small issues before they become significant problems.

Proper Handling Techniques

• Clean Hands or Gloves: Ensure your hands are clean and dry or wear cotton gloves when handling the dress. This prevents the transfer of oils and dirt to the fabric.
• Careful Unfolding: Gently unfold the dress, being mindful of delicate areas with beading or lace.

Detailed Dress Inspection

• Fabric Check: Look for any signs of fabric stress, such as stretching or thinning areas, which might indicate damage.
• Color Assessment: Check for any color changes. Early detection of fading or yellowing can be crucial for long-term bridal gown preservation.
• Crease and Fold Inspection: Look for any new creases or folds that may have developed.

Refolding the Dress

• Changing Fold Patterns: Alter the way you fold the dress each time to prevent permanent creases from forming in the fabric. This step is important to maintain the dress’s shape and integrity.

Storage Box Maintenance

• Box Condition: Regularly inspect the condition of the wedding gown storage box. Check for any signs of wear, tear or damage that could affect its protective qualities.

Safeguard Your Wedding Day Magic with CubeSmart

Storing your wedding dress properly is like safeguarding a piece of your heart. It’s about keeping those joyous moments woven into the fabric fresh and vivid. And who knows, maybe one day it’ll bring the same joy to someone else, continuing its journey down the aisle.

CubeSmart’s climate-controlled storage is a great way to store a wedding dress. With a range of unit sizes to choose from, you can find the perfect fit to ensure your cherished memories are preserved in every delicate detail of your wedding dress.