After all that planning and fretting, your wedding went off without a hitch. You were beautiful in your elegant, lacy wedding gown – it was worth every cent you spent on it. The stunning veil set off your hair flawlessly. It was all perfect.
Now what?
Your wedding gown is almost certainly the single most valuable garment you'll ever own. Many women save their wedding gown as a keepsake for themselves or to hand down to their daughter. Whether you wish to keep it forever as a family heirloom or sell it immediately after the nuptials, a few simple steps will help to insure that your gown retains its original beauty and value.
Any stains that occur on your wedding day should be treated with care or not at all. Never use home remedies (even if grandma insists it will work) and never rub a stain. If you know for certain that a stain is water soluble you may dab it with clear, cool water (unless your dress is made of silk), but leave other stains to a professional.
It's a good idea to make arrangements before your wedding day. Otherwise, your lovely, fragile gown may get thrown into a plastic bag for a few weeks until you get around to doing something about it. Plastic emits gases that cause yellowing and damage to the fabric.
Before your wedding, talk to several dry cleaners about cleaning and boxing your gown. Ask questions about how your gown will be handled. Point out any special areas (lace, silk buttons, embroidery, beading) which may present special problems and ask what sort of guarantee your cleaner offers against damage or stains that may emerge when the gown is in storage. Ask what happens if something goes wrong. There is an Association of Wedding Gown Specialists whose members are certified to handle gowns. Visit www.weddinggownspecialists.com to locate a member near you.
Ask someone – your mother, best friend, bridesmaid – to be responsible for caring for the gown. Once you’ve selected a reputable cleaner accustomed to dealing with wedding gowns, have them take it there soon after the wedding.
Many cleaners will box the gown for you. Ask to inspect your gown prior to boxing and insist that the box and tissue paper are 100% acid free. If you want to preserve your gown, it must be stored in an acid-free environment.
Note that padding, bustles and bust forms must be removed before storage as these could decompose and release a residue that will stain. Hooks and buttons made of metal can corrode, so take these off and wrap them separately.
Store your gown in a cool, dry place. Avoid a hot, humid attic or damp basement which could result in mildew and yellowing. Keep your gown away from sunlight and artificial light that cause degradation and fading.
If you plan on hanging your gown, wrap it in a white sheet or muslin first and hang with the inside loops that are connected to the side seams. Never hang it by the shoulder seams.
Take your gown out and check occasionally for damage. Stains that aren't visible can appear later and should be treated immediately.