After incalculable hours and money spent searching high and low for your wedding gown, it is merely fair to preserve it. Preserving the gown is the best way to sustain its shape, wedding gown fabric, and color.
Gown Preservation
To ensure that your wedding gown maintains its beauty, special cleaning and packaging methods are used. A highly-experienced preservationist will assess the gown – the embellishments, various stains, materials, and then, prepare a specialized cleaning process. Follow these simple steps to preserve your wedding gown.
Conduct Thorough Research
To preserve your gown properly, it is desirable to hire a preservationist. Before choosing a suitable one:
- Do a little investigative work. You will need to complete some research regarding where to take the gown for cleaning at least a few weeks prior to your wedding day. That way, if your wedding gown is damaged or stained badly on your big day, a bridal party or family member can take it to the preservationist to allow you to be on time for your honeymoon without having to worry about the gown.
- Choose a preservationist who has cleaned and preserved more than a hundred wedding gowns yearly. You can tell a lot from someone’s experience or lack of it.
- Do not take your gown to a dry cleaner even if she tells you that she is a pro at preservation. Preserving and dry-cleaning are two totally different things!
Ask Questions
It is worthwhile asking as many questions as possible in regards to the company’s expertise, cleaning and preserving methods, and more:
- Ask about the type of cleaning technique used. A number of preservationists may use their hands to clean the gowns, while others may utilize specialized devices or tools.
- Ask if there is a release or disclaimer form that needs to be signed when you hand over the wedding gown. These documents typically state that preservationists should not be held responsible for any damage caused to the wedding gown fabric during the cleaning procedure. You should choose a preservationist who will guarantee each sequin and bead.
- Do ask about warranty and how she will compensate you if the gown is damaged after a number of years. Ensure that you read the agreement meticulously before you sign it.
Cleaning Methods
Some gown preservationists utilize a wet cleaning technique, which contains gently washing the wedding gown by hand with mild cleansers that eradicate unseen and noticeable stains, for example sugar and champagne. Others may use a more conventional dry-cleaning technique, which consists of pre-treating all the stains before placing the gown in a cleaning machine.
Wrapping the Gown Up
To preserve the lifetime of your wedding gown fabric, it is essential to use the correct packaging materials.
- Do make sure that all storage materials are clean and acid-free.
- Do find out how the preservationist wraps your gown. She may use muslin or acid-free paper, and then, place the gown in a pH-neutral or acid-free box. The box allows your gown to breathe and regulate with changing temperatures.
- Do choose a box with a viewing window that is made from acetate rather than plastic.
- Do not keep the box close to a window or under direct light, as this can eventually yellow the wedding gown fabric.
As previously mentioned, it is highly recommended that you hire an extremely experienced preservationist to clean and wrap your wedding gown fabric. Carry out as much research as possible and gather valuable information with reference to a few top candidates before you decide to hire one.
photo credit: April Julian Cakes via photopin cc
