Every little girl hopes to walk down the aisle in the most beautiful wedding dress. The perfect wedding dress preservation Chicago is what will make or break your big day. You go to every shop and try on many different styles until you finally find the right one. What should you do with your dress until the big day, which can be months away? How can you ensure that your dress is safe from damage? We mean safe from any damage. Not safe from the curious eyes of your finance! These are the steps that you can take to ensure your wedding gown preservation arrives safely at your big day.
Get rid of the plastic
Any preservationist will tell you that the first rule of thumb is to take the dress out of plastic if it will remain in storage for more than a few days. Plastic is not breathable and can stain fabrics. Chemicals break down and gases are released. To wrap your gown, it is best to use either a cloth garment bag (or plain cotton sheets) instead.
To hang or not hang?
Brides should put their wedding dress on a hanger. Before you reach for your coat hanger, weigh your dress. Do you have heavy beading or multiple layers of fabric? Or is it just one layer of satin. If your dress has a few thin layers (think silk or satin), you should store it flat wrapped in cotton sheets in a space or area that isn’t high traffic. Be careful with heat sources and pets when storing your gown. Your dress could be damaged if it is placed in direct heat or near pets.
Climate control
Your dress should typically 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!) As the air can be damp and musty, basements and attics are not ideal places to store your dress. Keep your dress in a bedroom or spare room where temperature and humidity are stable and it can be kept out of direct sunlight.
You can’t see what you don’t know.
If you don’t need to alter your gown, resist the temptation to take it out of the bag or try it on. The likelihood of your gown staining or getting oil marks increases with every time it is touched. Deodorant and makeup are the main culprits of staining your dress. If you have to try on your gown in front of friends or family members, make sure you remove all makeup and deodorant.
Eliminate wrinkles
Several days before the wedding, take your wedding dress out of its storage place. Hang the gown high using a silk padded hanger. This will allow for any wrinkles or creases to fall out. You can hang the dress in your bathroom while you run a hot water shower if it still has some wrinkles. You will want to make sure that the dress stays out of the water, and not in the shower. You can ask a local dry cleaner or seamstress if the wrinkles are still bothersome. If you’re not in town, you can ask a local seamstress or dry cleaner for help.
Have your gown cleaned after the wedding
Ask a family member or bridesmaid to drop your dress off at the dry cleaners before you leave for your honeymoon. This will ensure that your dress is professionally cleaned and ready to go. You may want to preserve your dress by purchasing an acid-free, conservation-grade box. Avoid hanging your dress on a hanger for too long as this could cause stretching. To preserve the dress’s life, it is best to store the dress under a mattress or in a closet.
