Everything You Need To Know About Wedding Dress Preservation

For most brides, a wedding dress is more than just a garment; it is a symbol of love and the commencement of a lifelong commitment.

Whether you are a newlywed or you have tied the knot decades ago, you know the effort went into choosing that perfect dress.

However, many brides find themselves unsure of what to do with their cherished gowns once the wedding is over. Fortunately, today’s brides have several options – they can choose to donate or sell their wedding gown, repurpose their special attire into lingerie or cocktail dresses, or simply store it for years to come and pass it to the next generation as an heirloom. 

Here is where wedding dress preservation comes into play.

What Is Wedding Dress Preservation?

A wedding dress is the most expensive dress that a girl owns in her lifetime. Intricately designed using delicate fabric and embellishments, these dresses are not meant to be cleaned just like any other garment. 

Professional wedding dress preservation is the key to restore and preserve your wedding gown for several years to come. It ensures that your wedding dress is free from stains and retains its pristine beauty.

We not only pay attention to stain removal but also repair broken hems, beadings and more. We use gentle and specialized chemicals to maintain the integrity of fabric for the long term and store it in an acid-free preservation chest. 

In order to ensure your dress is crease-free, we use special lofting tissues so that when you take the dress out of the box, it is ready to be worn as it is.

Benefits Of Wedding Dress Preservation

Wondering whether you should get your dress cleaned and preserved or not? Let’s discuss the reasons to opt for wedding dress preservation helping you make an informed decision.

Prevent Discoloration And Oxidation

Over time, fabrics can naturally become yellow or discolored due to exposure to light, air, and environmental factors. 

By professionally cleaning and preserving your wedding dress, you can mitigate these effects and keep your gown looking fresh and pristine for years to come.

Maintain Fabric Integrity

Wedding dresses are often crafted from delicate fabrics such as silk, satin, lace, and chiffon, which require special care to maintain their integrity. 

However, professional preservation ensures that these fabrics are properly cleaned and stored using techniques and materials specifically designed to prevent damage. 

So, when you choose to preserve your dress professionally, you can protect its delicate fibers from deterioration, ensuring that it remains beautiful and intact for future generations to admire.

Prevent Stains From Setting

On your wedding day, your dress may be exposed to a variety of substances that can leave stains if not promptly addressed. From food and drink spills to dirt and makeup smudges, these stains can be difficult to remove once they set into the fabric. 

By having your dress professionally cleaned and preserved soon after your wedding, you can prevent stains from setting and ensure that your gown remains pristine and stain-free.

Protect Against Mold And Mildew

Improper storage conditions can breed mold and mildew, which can significantly damage your wedding dress. 

Professional wedding dress preservation involves storing your dress in a temperature-controlled environment free from moisture and humidity, reducing the risk of mold and mildew growth. 

As a result, you can safeguard your gown against these common threats and preserve its beauty for years to come.

Retain Sentimental Value

Your wedding dress is more than just a piece of clothing; it is a cherished memento of one of the most important days of your life. 

However, wedding dress preservation enables you to retain its sentimental value and the memories associated with your wedding day. 

Whether you choose to pass your gown down to future generations or simply keep it as a reminder of your love and commitment, preservation ensures that your dress remains a meaningful keepsake for years to come.

How Do We Preserve Your Wedding Gown?

Since we believe every dress is unique and deserves personalized attention. We also understand the significance of your gown and the memories it holds, which is why we handle each dress with the utmost care and attention to detail.

• We take the time to examine every corner of your dress, ensuring that no stain is left behind. 
• After thoroughly inspecting your dress, we proceed to the cleaning stage. Using industry-leading techniques and gentle cleaning solutions, we remove dirt, stains, and odors from your gown while preserving the delicate fabrics and intricate details.
• Once your dress has been cleaned, we turn our attention to any beads, sequins, or embroidery that may require restoration. Our skilled artisans carefully examine each embellishment, repairing any loose threads or missing pieces to ensure your gown looks the same as it was on your special day.
• In the end, we preserve your gown in a preservation kit. The way your wedding dress is boxed will prevent creasing and ensure it remains as it is for years to come.

At the heart of our preservation service is a commitment to excellence and customer satisfaction. We take pride in our attention to detail, craftsmanship, and dedication to preserving your cherished memories. 

Whether you're preserving a wedding dress as an heirloom for future generations or simply as a reminder of your special day, you can trust us to treat your gown with the care and respect it deserves.

How Long Does It Take To Preserve Your Wedding Dress?

The preservation process takes 6-8 weeks to complete, depending on the time of year. In the busy season that starts from July to October, it may take a few weeks extra. 

If you have an upcoming event where you are planning to re-wear your wedding dress, offer a rush service and place your order at the front of the line of processing. 

At times, you can get your dress ready within 14 days. However, we charge $35 for fast processing. So, the rush fee will be added to your kit during the checkout process.

How Much Does Wedding Dress Preservation Cost?

Generally, the cost of wedding dress preservation can range from $200 to $1000, depending on where you’re located and the condition of your gown. 

At Trusted Wedding Gown Preservation, you have 4 options for wedding dress preservation and cleaning packages to choose from. 

Our basic clean-only kit price is $225, ideal for gowns that you want to wear again soon or are going to be sold.

After this, we have a traditional preservation kit, restoration preservation kit, and celebrity preservation kit. Their prices may range from $325 to $400. Our traditional wedding dress preservation kit is designed for wedding gowns that are over 20 years old, whereas our restoration and celebrity preservation kits are ideal for gowns less than 20 years old.

All our wedding dress cleaning and preservation kits include the following features:

• Gown Tracking Included
• Museum Quality Cleaning
• 100-Year Anti-Yellowing Guarantee
• Preserve 5 Additional Items
• Shipping Insurance of different amount, depending on the package

Difference Between Wedding Dress Cleaning And Preservation

Once your wedding celebrations are over, it is crucial to get your wedding dress cleaned as soon as possible. 

Otherwise, the untreated stains of wine, makeup, dirt, and more on your dress will settle in and may cause permanent discoloration or damage to delicate fabrics like lace or silk.

Now you might be wondering if cleaning alone is enough or you should opt for preservation – well, it depends. For instance, if you are planning to wear your wedding gown soon (say on your wedding anniversary) or sell or donate it, only cleaning is sufficient. 

However, if you want to keep its glory last for a lifetime so that it can be passed to your beloved granddaughter, preservation is the way to go. So, in short – Wedding dress cleaning is a necessity, whereas preservation is an option.

No matter what option you choose, make sure you choose the best wedding dress preservation service provider. 

Regular dry cleaners use a one-size-fits-all approach to clean your wedding gown, whereas professional wedding dress preservation companies will create a unique cleaning and preservation plan as per the fabric, details and stitching.

Moreover, they don’t make repairs and use acid-free tissue paper while preserving wedding gowns. Last but not least, ask for recommendations, read reviews about the service provider, and check their credentials before giving your precious gown for cleaning.

How To Preserve Your Wedding Dress?

Now that you know enough about wedding dress cleaning and preservation, we hope you have decided whether you want only wedding gown cleaning services or preservation as well. 

So, here are a few tips to help you ensure you get the most out of your wedding dress preservation:

• Pay Attention To Both Visible And Invisible Stains
  

  While it's important to address visible stains promptly, don't forget about invisible ones as well. Even if you can't see stains, they can still be present on your dress, particularly if they're from clear liquids like champagne or sweat. 

  Over time, these invisible stains can oxidize and become more prominent, causing discoloration or damage to the fabric. 

  Therefore, it's crucial to have your dress professionally cleaned by someone experienced in treating delicate fabrics and removing all types of stains, both visible and invisible.

• Don’t Wait Too Long
  

  After your wedding, many brides leave for their honeymoon and wait weeks to get their wedding dress cleaned. However, what they don’t understand is that wedding dresses are made of delicate fabrics, and stains and dirt can set in over time. 

  Not only can this damage the pristine beauty of your dress but also make it more difficult to remove those stains. That is why getting your wedding dress clean and preserving it as soon as possible is recommended. The sooner you can get it cleaned and preserved, the better. 

• Work With A Professional
  

  Since wedding dress cleaning and preservation is not a DIY job, it requires professional assistance. Find a reputable wedding dress preservation service provider with experience in handling delicate fabrics and intricate designs. Look for reviews and recommendations to ensure you're entrusting your gown to capable hands.

• Store Your Dress In A Cool, Dark Place
  

  Exposure to light and heat can cause fabrics to turn yellow and degrade over time. So, store your preserved wedding dress in a cool, dark place, away from direct sunlight and fluctuating temperatures. 

  Avoid storing it in a basement or attic, as these areas may be prone to temperature and humidity fluctuations. Moreover, don’t hang your dress on a hanger. Otherwise, this can stretch the fabric over time, especially if the gown is heavy.

• Handle Your Wedding Dress With Care
  

  When handling your preserved dress, make sure your hands are clean and dry to avoid transferring oils and dirt onto the fabric. Avoid touching the dress unnecessarily, and when you do handle it, support it from underneath rather than pulling on delicate areas like the sleeves or beading.