Ok, so the big day has passed and you’re not sure what to do with your wedding dress. First, we would like to officially congratulate you on your wedding and marriage, and from everyone at The Sash Company, we genuinely wish you a happy and love-filled life.

Now that the wedding is done, and the buzz is slowing down, you can take this time to reorganize things a little. After all, you’ve spent so much time planning for this day., especially in the few weeks preceding, and now you probably have a bit of clutter to take care of.  

One of the most important, precious, and down-right priciest items on your list is the wedding dress. What exactly should you do with your wedding dress and can you preserve it?

Storage beckons and preservation is in your future. So let’s discuss the best ways to preserve your wedding dress. 

Send In The Clean Up Crew

There are so many invisible stains lurking in your wedding dress that will develop over time. There are small food spills (even sugar from the cake can stain over time), drink spills, sweat (from dancing your heart out or just hugging everyone), and even deodorant stains, all waiting for you to put your wedding dress away. 

We recommend a professional cleaning service before you put your wedding dress in storage.

They will take care of the stains you can’t see and the stains that you can, especially the dirt that collects at the bottom of your wedding dress. 

Sure they can be pricey, but ultimately, it’s worth it. And this is an easy errand to run. Just find a dress cleaner and drop off your gown. Done…. Well almost done. 

Importance: High          Cost: High          Difficulty: Low

Read The Label

Ugh, reading instructions after the wedding? And you thought you were finished with all that! Before you get to the thank you letters, you have a little more reading to do. Check the label on your dress and double check the instructions before you take it to the cleaners. Ask them about the instructions and make sure they are cleaning your dress correctly. 

Importance: High          Cost: Low          Difficulty: Low

Accessories Matter

It’s easy to forget about the accessories when it comes time to preserve your wedding dress. But those little pieces make up the entire ensemble so don’t forget to include them in your storage plans. You wouldn’t want to misplace your earrings or wedding sash only to find out years later. 

We recommend purchasing a few extra garment bags that you can even label and add to your storage. Everything has a place and everything in its place. Each accessory should have its own home. 

Importance: High          Cost: Low          Difficulty: Medium

Reconsider Plastics

Plastic is durable, waterproof, and cheap… So why not use plastic to preserve your wedding dress? Because plastic doesn’t allow your dress and accessories to breathe. All the chemicals in your dress will actually break down and cause more problems when in direct contact with the fabric. Stick to cotton garment bags where possible.

You can also purchase dress storage bags specifically to preserve your wedding dress. Check out Amazon wedding dress bags for a cost-effective option. 

Importance: High          Cost: Low          Difficulty: Low

Box It Up Tight

Now that the dress is cleaned, your accessories are accounted for, and your dress is in a garment bag, it’s time to put them all in a box. Now, we’ve already mentioned that you need to let your wedding dress breathe, so this is going to sound somewhat counterintuitive. But you need to seal that box up tight! 

We recommend finding an acid free container that won’t ruin the dress and using silica packets to suck up moisture. As long as the dress is in the garment bag and not touching the plastic directly, it will last a long long time. 

Then find a climate-controlled, cool area to store the box. The garage, basement, and attic are out because of the moisture and temperature. Check for space in a closet or in a spare room. Keep it secret, keep it safe. 

Importance: High          Cost: Medium          Difficulty: Medium

Pop In For Check Ups

Out of sight, out of mind? Not so fast. There are so many things that can go wrong in storage. Unlike your winter sweaters or that duvet cover you haven’t used in a long time, your wedding dress is much more delicate. 

We recommend checking in on your dress every now and then to make sure that there are no unforeseen problems. At first, check in after a month, then after 3 months, then 6 months, and eventually check in once a year at minimum. Set an alarm on your phone or add it to your calendar. 

This dress was there for you during one of the biggest days of your life, so be sure to keep it preserved!

Importance: High          Cost: Low          Difficulty: High

Professional Preservation

If it’s important to people, someone will learn how to do it for a price. And that’s the same for wedding dress preservation. There are companies that design bags and boxes that are perfect for storing your wedding dress long-term. 

There is even a company that will set your wedding bouquet in resin so you can use it as an accessory at home. 

Do a little research online and you’ll find that the options are endless. You can also call up the bridal store where you purchased your wedding dress and they can take care of everything from cleaning to boxing all for you! 

However, you decide to preserve and store your wedding dress, be sure to take the time necessary to do it right. Your future self will thank you!