How to preserve your wedding gown

You spent many weekends, and perhaps many months, searching for the perfect gown for your wedding but what should you do with it now?

Your beloved gown is likely soiled and creased, after many hours of entertaining and dancing!

In order to properly preserve your gown, it is recommended that you have it cleaned within six months from your wedding.

But until then, you should keep your gown flat or rolled up in a dry, dark place. It is not recommended to hang your dress, since this can strain the fabric, and never store your gown in plastic, since this can turn your fabric yellow.

It is suggested that you take your gown to a preservation expert. If this service is out of your price range, then choose a reputable, high quality dry cleaner.

Wherever you decide to take your gown, find out the following:

ß How long they have been in business and how many gowns have they handled?

ß What is their damage policy and warranty?

ß Be sure they use acid-free products.

ß Avoid packaging with a window top plastic next to your gown will cause the fabric to yellow over time.

Or, you may choose to preserve the gown yourself.

Fold the gown using layers of acid-free tissue paper and wrap it in an unbleached muslin sheet. You should store your gown in a dark, dry place, such as a cedar chest or a lined wooden chest of drawers. It is recommended to air out and re-fold your dress a different way every year.