Once your wedding day is over, you might think you are done with the wedding preparations and can get down to the business of being married, but not so fast. Before you embark on your journey as a married woman there are a few loose ends you’ll need to tie up. Don’t fret though, we have a couple of tips and tricks that will make the process of getting your gown preserved just a little bit easier. Once you have that done you are one step closer to enjoying life as a new Mrs.
1. What is Gown Preservation?
Affordable gown preservation is something you can set up before you get married. The process is a special dry cleaning service that works to remove stains and preserve your gown without the use of wet components. This is best for the dress, and should be done as soon after the wedding as possible. You will want to check into several preservation companies before you pick one, getting quotes from each. Be sure to ask where your gown will actually be cleaned. While many dry cleaners will offer affordable gown preservation services very few actually do them on site. You’ll will also want to check with the cleaner about the exact process they use, and what type of insurance they offer on your gown.
2. How Long Does the Process Take?
The process of gown preservation is a time consuming one, and it can take several weeks to get your dress back. Don’t be alarmed if a month goes by and your dress is still at the cleaners, this is normal. To soothe your mind, be sure to ask the cleaner you are working with how long you can expect your gown to be out for. Most will offer you a general time frame, and they should welcome your calls to check up on the process. Each cleaner will have a different time frame, but between three and six weeks is about average.
You should drop off your dress as soon as you can. Not only does this mean you’ll get it back quicker, but it’ll be easier for the specialist to work with fresh stains.
3. Is the Process for a Vintage Dress Different?
If you are wearing a vintage dress on your wedding day, you will want to inform your cleaner about this. The process of affordable gown preservation often varies depending on the fabric, and not all cleaners are well versed in vintage fabrics. If you have a vintage dress you’ll want to find a preservation expert who has worked with vintage fabrics in the past. This is the best way to ensure your dress is returned to you safe and sound.
4. Do I have Preservation Options?
The simple answer is yes. Some affordable gown preservation services will offer to place your gown in an acid-free box. This process requires an expert to fold the gown in a specific fashion into the box for easy storage. The box is generally sealed, as well. You can also choose to have your gown encased in glass for easy display. This process is more expensive and is not offered by all preservation companies. If you have a specific display plan in mind, do be sure to discuss that with your provider before dropping your gown off.
Now that you know the skinny on affordable gown preservation you can check one more thing off of your to do list. Remember, the quicker you get these things done, the quicker you can get down to the business of being married.
