It’s a big decision for you to send your cherished wedding dress away to be preserved. Perhaps it’s because you may not know about how the process works. What you do need to know is it’s much safer and more cost-effective than bringing your gown to a dry cleaning establishment. In fact most local dry cleaners send your dress off behind the scenes, as few truly specialize in wedding gowns. Wouldn’t you rather deal directly with a specialist? From the innovative technology created to preserve and clean gowns to the highly trained caring staff, you can be assured that your dress and the associated memories will be skillfully and beautifully preserved for future generations to enjoy. This article will help you understand about the wedding gown preservation process and what happens to your dress once it’s sent off.
Finding A Reputable Company
The first step is to do your homework to find a reputable company. The best way to do this is by looking through reviews from real customers on sites like Wedding Wire or The Knot. Also, keep in mind that wedding gown preservation doesn’t have to be expensive. Beware of higher priced companies that charge more than $500 for their services. Although it is highly unlikely that anything will happen to your gown during shipping or cleaning, look for companies that offer insurance for added piece of mind.
Packing and Shipping Your Gown
After you place your order, most preservation companies will make sure you receive your package, containing a special shipping box, prepaid shipping label, and instructions, within 5-7 days. They’ll also usually ask you to fill out return shipping paperwork and offer stain stickers to point out any specific stains on your dress. Then place your dress and any other items you’re preserving into the preservation bag, press out as much air as you can, and secure it closed. Have a puffy dress? You’ll be amazed how big of a dress you can get into the bag once you press most of the air out. Don’t worry about wrinkling your dress, as it will be pressed after it’s cleaned. Place your bag into the shipping box provided. Simply put the pre-paid address label on the shipping box, and send it to the preservation facility using the shipping company they specify. You can see a short video here.
The Arrival of Your Dress
Most wedding dress preservation companies will treat your dress like royalty when it arrives at the facility. They’ll conduct a thorough inspection of your gown upon it’s arrival to their facility – carefully noting any dirt or stains – both visible and invisible to the naked eye. Did you know that perspiration and perfume stains can be seen with an ultra violet light, but not with the naked eye at first? However, if you don’t clean those invisible stains, soon they will become visible and may not be reversible. White wine and frosting stains can also be invisible initially but show up later if not properly cleaned. Some companies will register your dress in their system so that you can receive notification emails once it’s been fully logged in and when it’s on the way back to you.
Gentle and Careful Cleaning of Your Gown
Many preservation facilities have top-notch cleaning equipment made exclusively for treating gowns, delicate fabrics and wedding accessories. Stains are typically hand treated to ensure the fabric is cleaned without being compromised. This step will ensure that all of the dirt and any stains are carefully removed from the dress to prevent any future yellowing. Depending on the fabric, your dress might be dry or wet cleaned. As specialists, they will know what is best for your dress so you don’t need to be concerned about that. Several companies are now using organic solvents which are good for you and the environment. Some companies will tell you that its best to have your dress cleaned in machines individually instead of with other gowns. However, this is simply not true unless you have other colors on your dress, other than white or ivory, that could run. Reputable companies would not compromise your gown if that were the case. Cleaning several dresses at once is a common and safe procedure. You should be aware that shoulder pads and bust forms are usually removed, as leaving them in the gown could cause damage over time. They will typically be wrapped in acid free tissue paper then packed underneath your gown.
Damage and Repairs
You’ll find that the best preservation companies will offer on-site experts that are highly trained seamstress who specialize in repairing wedding gowns. Every stitch is usually carefully examined to make sure there were no mishaps on your wedding day that could compromise the quality of your dress in the future. If you are sending in your gown and are aware of needed repairs, you’ll want to note them on the form you send in with your dress. If any buttons came off and you still have them, be sure to send them along too. Most companies will do minor repairs for free and contact you with a quote and your approval first if there is a charge.
Your Gown’s Trip Home
After your dress is preserved, most wedding gown preservation companies will place it in a special acid free preservation chest. Then your display box will most likely be put in a sturdy crush resistant shipping box as it’s carefully prepared by experts to be shipped. For added security, you will likely need to sign for your dress when it arrives to your home. Reputable companies will not allow carriers to leave your package on the doorstep without a signature, so be sure someone is there to receive it or have it sent to your work address.
Gown Inspection
Did you know that some companies, such as The Affordable Preservation Company allow you to open the preservation chest to inspect your dress without voiding the guarantee? Just be careful not to remove it entirely as it’s the only way they can be sure you haven’t re-worn it. Companies no longer vacuum seal wedding dresses – it’s an outdated process that can contribute to yellowing over time instead of preventing it. When your dress arrives, be sure to put gloves on to inspect your dress (some will provide latex gloves specifically for this) and gently sift through the layers. Wearing gloves will prevent any oils from your hands from getting on the delicately preserved fabric of your dress. Keep in mind hemlines can take the brunt of the wedding day’s wear and tear and may still have some light stains. You can expect that 95% of the stains can be successfully removed.
Storage Tips
Store your preserved gown in a dry, cool space. Never store your dress in the basement or attic. Always store your gown in a room that you would be comfortable in.
Your wedding gown can start to yellow from the time you purchased it if not cleaned and stored properly. The longer you let a stain soak into the delicate fabric of your gown, the more it’ll set in. Sending your wedding dress as soon as possible after the ceremony, to be preserved by a reputable specialist is the best idea for keeping it in perfect condition, and it’ll ensure you’re creating a family heirloom that’ll be cherished for decades to come.
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