How to Perfectly Preserve Your Wedding Dress

The Process of Dress Preservation

There are two important elements of wedding-dress preservation: first, safe cleaning; and second, the use of chemically inert, acid-free materials to protect the gown during storage. The fabrics and detailing of wedding dresses require a dry cleaner that specializes in them. Gowns can (and have been) destroyed by “specialists” who have either used solvents that were too harsh, cleaned the dress in water, or used too much mechanical activity in removing spots. 

The preservation process should begin with a complete examination and documentation of your garment. An analysis of the fibers, structures, and dyes of your wedding dress is necessary because different fibers and fabric finishes may need unique treatments. Silk and rayon faille may look similar, but they react distinctly to water and organic solvents. Cottons may be finished with any number of starches to achieve a special look and texture. Linings and interlinings can react at different rates. Although dry cleaning is an appropriate method for cleansing most natural fibers, some dyes and finishes can dissolve in standard solvents. Hire a professional!

Sophisticated testing techniques allow professionals to identify stains and spills – even those you can’t see. Makeup, Champagne, wedding cake, and perspiration all affect fabric differently. Treating those stains before cleaning is important because if left untreated, sugar stains (like those caused by Champagne) and chloride salts (perspiration) will oxidize over time and appear as brown spots months or even years later. Packing and storage are also essential elements of fine-apparel preservation. Your garment should be returned in a special box, carefully supported with archival-quality acid-free tissue and folded for long-term storage. These boxes, which are inert and chemically stable, meet the most rigorous conservation-quality standards. They protect your apparel from common sources of accidental damage, such as excessive light, unexpected floods, insects, or compacting.

How to Choose Your Dress-Preservation Specialist

Finding the right professional to clean and preserve your bridal gown is a task that shouldn’t be taken lightly. Ask the following key questions before you entrust anyone with the job:
• How long has the company been in business?
• How many gowns does it handle? (10 or so a week is a good number.)
• Do they do the work themselves?
• What process will be used and why do they believe it is best for your dress?
• Will they test the solution before they start?
• Will they reinforce seams and guarantee trimmings won’t be destroyed?
• Do they use “truly” non-acidic materials to package the dress after cleaning?
• Are they guaranteed?
• Do they have references?
• Do they offer a warranty?
• Does opening the box and handling the dress affect the warranty?

To give you an accurate cost estimate, the company needs detailed information about the dress, including fabric content and its embellishments. Prices vary depending on the construction of the garment and the types of stains that will be handled, but you should expect to pay from $300 to $1,000 for a couture gown. Anyone who gives you a precise cost over the phone before examining the dress is someone of which to be wary. Standard dry cleaners may not be equipped to handle the delicate fabrics and decorations of some gowns. Don’t forget to discuss logistics, as well as guarantees, warranties, and damage policies – a missed stain can show up several years later. Never choose a company that makes you sign a disclaimer releasing it from responsibility for any damage during cleaning, or one that voids the warranty if you open the box the dress is returned in.

Safe Storage

After cleaning and preservation, the most important step for your bridal gown is storing it properly, so you can retain its original beauty for months, years, or decades. Make sure it’s kept in a cool, dry place (away from extreme temperatures) and don’t stack anything on top of the box. With a little care and advance planning, you can ensure that your wedding gown is as beautiful 50 years from now as it was the day you got married.