Because your wedding gown is the most important dress you’ll ever buy, you surely will want to do something with it after your big walk down the aisle. While some brides choose to donate their dresses, and others choose to trash them, the most popular choice for worn gowns is still preservation. Preserving a gown can be a very simple process, if you choose the right company. Not only is the dress kept safe and sound for years to come, but it also ensures another future bride can potentially wear the gown sometime down the line. Before you run off to get your dress preserved, there are a few things you should know. We’ve collected four tips for finding the best preservation option for your particular wedding gown.
1. Take Recommendations, but Also Look at Credentials
While taking recommendations from friends and family is a good place to start, you’ll also want to do your own research on affordable gown preservation. It is best to find a wedding dress preservation company that specializes in dress preservation.
2. Ask Questions
Before you decide on an affordable gown preservation business, don’t be afraid to ask questions. After all, this is your dress, and you’ll want to ensure it is being properly taken care of. A good preservation business will be able to quickly answer all of your questions, including where the cleaning and preserving is done, what materials are used during the wrapping, and what type of guarantee is offered. These questions can help you suss out whether a business is skilled in wedding gown preservation, or if it is just one of the many services they offer at their location.
If you feel uncomfortable with the company, move on and find someone else. There is nothing wrong with discussing the process with a few different affordable gown preservation companies before you make a final decision.
3. Get the Dress in Quickly
Experts suggest getting your wedding gown cleaned and preserved shortly after it was worn to ensure the best cleaning and preservation results. Most industry professionals agree that a dress should be preserved within a few weeks of wear, but the sooner the better. The sooner you get your dress cleaned, the sooner professionals can get working on removing stains and preserving the gown. For tough stains, like red wine, grass and clay, experts prefer to have the dress as close to the next day as possible. If you are heading out on your honeymoon immediately following the ceremony ask a friend or family member to send in your gown while you are away.
4. Be Patient
Cleaning and preservation can take some time, so do be patient with the business you choose to work with. Feel free to check in periodically on your dress, but do not be surprised if it takes between 1 or 2 months for the dress to be cleaned and properly preserved. This is not out of the ordinary, so don’t worry if it seems to be taking some time.
After your wedding day, you probably want to settle into married life, but getting your dress cleaned and preserved, if that is what you choose to do with it, is an important step. These tips should help you get the preservation ball rolling with limited stress and fuss.
