Ways to Prep your Wedding Dress before your Wedding Day!

We all at some point have this vision of us wearing the ideal bridal gown as we make our way down the aisle. The right wedding dress can make or break your big day - right? To try on innumerable different styles, you search every rack in every store until you discover "the one." But until your wedding, which is still months away, what should you do with it? How will you ensure the safety of your dress? Here are some simple actions you can take to ensure your wedding dress arrives at your wedding day undamaged.

Take away the plastic

Any preservationist will advise removing the dress from any plastic if it will be kept for more than a few days as a general rule of thumb. Plastic often prevents fabrics from breathing and has the potential to stain due to the breakdown of chemicals and the release of gasses. To wrap your gown, it is advisable to use a fabric garment bag or some simple cotton sheets - just be sure to cover it in a place where there aren’t strong smells or places it’s safe from anything wet.

Should I hang it or not?

According to the powers that know, brides should hang their wedding gown in a secure location after putting it on a hanger. But before you reach for the nearest coat rack, think about the composition of your dress: is it made of several layers of fabric, one layer of satin, or heavy beading? It is recommended to store your dress flat, inside the breathable garment bag or wrapped in a cotton sheet, in a room or section of your home that isn't a "high traffic area," such as on the top shelf of a spare closet, unless your dress has a few thin layers (like satin or silk). Be wary of heat sources and animals when storing your clothing. Your dress might sustain damage that you could have avoided if you hadn't placed it near a heat source or in a spot where animals could get it. Also we highly recommend keeping it OFF the floor.

Manage the weather

Basements and attics are typically not the best places for dress storage because the air there might be damp and musty. Generally speaking, your dress should be kept in the same temperature/environment that you would find comfortable (no, this does not mean that your dress should travel to Vegas with you for your bachelorette party!). In an extra room or bedroom where the temperature and humidity won't change and the dress can stay out of direct sunlight.

"Out of sight, out of mind"

Try to resist the urge to try it on or take it out of the bag once your gown has been put away correctly. (unless you need alterations). Every time your dress is touched or even moved, the likelihood of a stain and probable oil stains increases. When trying on your dress, the greatest stains to watch out for are deodorant and makeup. Make sure to wash off your makeup and deodorant before trying on your gown if you have to for guests or family.

Remove the creases

Carefully take your wedding dress out of storage a few days before your wedding. To get rid of all creases and wrinkles, hang the dress up high. A day or two before the wedding, if the dress still has a few obstinate creases, hang it in the bathroom while taking a hot shower. Of course, you'll want to take additional care to hang the garment far from the shower to prevent it from getting wet. If the creases are still a problem, think about getting assistance from a nearby dry cleaner or seamstress. If you have a steamer, use only distilled water and cover it with a cotton sock. Or, if you are already out of town, you can use the commercial steamers that are offered to you at many hotels and wedding venues right before the ceremony. We highly recommend not waiting until wedding day to work thru the creases of your dress. You will be very busy and so will everyone else.

You should have your dress cleaned after the wedding

Ask a bridesmaid or family member to drop off your dress at your neighborhood dry cleaner that knows how to professional clean dresses so it can be cleaned and preserved before stains take hold before you fly off for your honeymoon. The fabric can stretch over time if it is kept on a hanger for an extended period of time, thus it is better to avoid this. The safest place to store the dress to prolong its life is, as was previously indicated, a spare closet. It can cost upwards of $300 to preserve your gown, so be prepared for this cost when budgeting.

This beautiful moment was at a wedding at Chapel Dulcinea - we helped her with wedding coordination and setup services. We always recommend when putting on the dress as well that whoever is zipping up your dress be sure to wash their hands. Makes for a perfect elopement moment!