Your wedding flies by in a beautiful blur and your gown that was once pristine now bears the evidence of how much fun you and your guests had. There’s dirt on the hem, someone spilled champagne on it, and your partner may have stepped on it once or twice while you were breaking it down on the dance floor. No worries – this just means you had a great time! While it can be tempting to just put it back in the garment bag and push it to the back of your closet – try to resist the urge! It’s super important to have your gown cleaned, and preferably no more than one month after your wedding (the sooner, the better). The longer the stains stay on the fabric, the less likely they are to come out.
PHOTOGRAPHY | Jessa Schifilliti, Photographer
Most brides understand that they will need to have their gowns cleaned, but are surprised when the cleaning specialist suggests gown preservation, and are even more surprised when they see the cost. When we think preservation, we tend to think of antiques, old things that need special care and attention, but why preserve something that’s essentially brand new? Getting your gown preserved now helps keep it looking as close to new for as long as possible. This way, down the road, if your children or grandchildren want to wear it, or if you just want to take it out and reminisce, it looks just the way you remember it.
The sticker shock for wedding gown cleaning and preservation is no joke, with the average cost coming in at around $400, but it can go upwards of $1,000, depending on the level of damage and detail on your gown (just when you thought you were done spending money on the wedding!). Most gown preservation specialists will need to see your gown in-person to provide you with an accurate quote. While you are there, ask them to see the box that they use to package the gowns. It should have a window where you can see through to the gown inside so that you can confirm it is indeed your gown that you’re picking up. It is also important to read reviews before committing to a vendor.
When it comes to finding a gown preservation specialist, it is always best to get a first-person recommendation from a friend or from the bridal boutique where you purchased your gown. Yelp and Google are also great places to find reviews and recommendations for vendors in your area; just type “Wedding Gown Cleaning and Preservation” into the search bar.
PHOTOGRAPHER | Lucy Munoz
It’s a process! Before the gown is preserved it has to be cleaned. Because of the intricate details and delicate fabrics, cleaning a wedding gown is different than cleaning a regular garment, even different from cleaning most cocktail dresses. It is important that wherever you choose to take your gown specializes in cleaning wedding gowns, specifically. Your gown should have a care label sewn somewhere inside the dress (likely on the side seam towards the hem) that your cleaning specialist can refer to. Most gowns require spot cleaning, and each layer of fabric may require a different process, depending on the type of fabric and the fiber content. This is a meticulous process and it is done by hand, which is why it costs so much more than your average dry cleaning bill. To make sure that they address every stain, some companies even use a black light to find ones that may be invisible to the naked eye but would cause the gown to yellow over time. It is possible that your cleaning specialist may not be able to remove all of the stains, but they should let you know if that’s the case, so you’re not surprised years later.
After your gown is cleaned, the preservation specialist does a quality control inspection and makes minor repairs to the gown like re-sewing beads that have fallen off or mending small tears. Once your gown has been cleaned and repaired, it is treated with a special formula that protects it from mold and mildew. It is then folded placed in a keepsake archival box and wrapped with muslin or acid-free paper to prevent the creases from setting in. The box is sealed and it’s ready for you to take it home. The seal prevents the gown from being exposed to the air and microscopic particles that may be in it, so it is important to keep the gown sealed and in the box until you are ready to take it out for good.
PHOTOGRAPHY | Jada Poon Photography
While we definitely recommend gown preservation for most brides, it’s not always a necessity. If you plan on wearing your gown again soon or are planning on selling it, there is no need to preserve it; instead, just get it professionally cleaned and repaired. Whether you decide to preserve it or not, it is important to store your gown in a cool dry place, like your closet.
We know it can seem like another huge expense, but trust us, it’s worth it! Years from now when your gown looks just the way it did when you married the love of your life, you’ll be happy you took good care of it!
PHOTOGRAPHER | Oliver Fly Photography