After the couple has exchanged vows, modern brides have a wide variety of options regarding how to decorate their wedding dresses. Some people choose to either preserve or trade their gowns. Others choose to wear their wedding dress again as lingerie or cocktail clothing, while others “trash” it” in a photo shoot that is loaded with a variety of bright colours. The wedding dress, on the other hand, is something that many brides wish to keep since it symbolizes so much love, joy, and celebration.
The maintenance of wedding dresses is therefore of utmost significance. Because of its typically elaborate construction and exceptionally delicate nature, a wedding dress cannot be cleaned in the same way as an ordinary dress. Cleaning and preserving your wedding dress properly are essential steps to take if you want it to last a lifetime. The process of preserving wedding dresses involves a variety of distinct cleaning and packaging methods, all of which ensure that the design will not degrade over time.
Your Wedding Gown may have Unseen Stains Hiding In It.
According to an industry expert, the most harmful spills are the ones that cannot be seen. “White wine and other substances dry clear, and these latent stains contain sugar that, over time, caramelizes into dark brown stains that can’t be removed by standard dry cleaning.” You might believe that your gown has no issues, but once at least six months have passed, the undetected stain will turn a light yellow colour, and then it will become darker as it ages. “The effect of heat is to quicken the process.”
Professional cleaning services and preservationists have received the training necessary to detect issues that are not immediately apparent. They will be able to treat any stain on your wedding dress, regardless of how noticeable or inconspicuous it may be. When you took those picture-perfect photos in the garden, did the bottom of your dress end up becoming dirty?
Is there a possibility that someone at the reception spilled red wine on it? When she came in for a hug, did an aunt who was a little too enthusiastic about her makeup smear her foundation on it? They will devise a treatment strategy that is tailored to each different kind of stain.
Take Care To Read The Instructions On The Label Of Your Dress
There is no way you can avoid being associated with this term. Check to see whether it has any specific dry cleaning instructions, such as “Dry Clean Only with Petroleum Solvent,” and follow those. Pay attention to what it has to say, and check to see that the preservationist or dry cleaner you choose has the correct cleaning solutions for your wedding dress.
Time Is Of The Utmost Importance
The first step in preserving a wedding dress is to have it professionally cleaned, and the sooner you can get the garment to a preservationist or a dry cleaner, the better. Unfortunately, some brides wait weeks before bringing their dresses to be cleaned, which is not recommended. At that point, stains may have had sufficient time to become deeply ingrained.
Wrap the bridal gown in acid-free tissue paper or muslin that has been pre-washed but not bleached once it has been cleaned and dried. Steer clear of colourful tissue paper because it has the potential to leave a stain on the garment over time. To prevent the dress from developing permanent creases, use several layers of tissue paper or muslin in between the folds. In addition to this, make sure that the bust (as well as the sleeves) of the dress are stuffed with tissue paper so that it can keep its entire shape.
The Preserving Box Ought To Be Hermetically Sealed To Prevent Air Leakage.
A preserved dress is normally kept in a box that is hermetically sealed, the oxygen has been removed, and the space has been filled with nitrogen. This is done to avoid oxidation, which can result in aging, discolouration, and other undesirable effects on garments that have been stored for several years. Wedding dress experts strongly advise against ever breaking the seal, and if you do manage to do so, they advise having the item professionally preserved and resealed as soon as possible.
Keep The Wedding Dress In A Cool And Dark Place Until The Big Day.
After the bridal gown has been given the thorough cleaning that it requires, it is time to put it away. Take care to shield your dress from the direct sun, since this could cause it to fade and turn yellow. Take it off the hanger, which could potentially cause the shape of the dresses that are the heaviest to change. Avoid at all costs the temptation to store your clothing in a standard plastic bag with a zipper.
Plastic like that attracts and retains moisture, which has the potential to discolour a bridal gown. One notable exception to this rule is the acid-free plastic that is utilized in the construction of bridal preservation boxes. Use a wedding preservation box designed specifically for the occasion, or even better, a wedding chest.
According to Conant, the safest way to store your wedding gown for many years to come is in an acid-free bridal chest that shields it from air and light. “An acid-free wedding chest” “Hanging your gown for an extended period can damage it, so breathable bags are a smart option for short-term storage.”
Remember To Bring Your Shoes And A Bouquet!
If you take the necessary precautions, you will be able to save not just your dress but also your shoes and flowers. When cleaning shoes made of fabric, scrub the surface of the shoes with a gentle detergent using a soft cloth and a sponge. Polish any leather shoes you have before wearing them.
If you’ve truly messed up your shoes, you can take them to a dry cleaner to get them cleaned up. After you have cleaned your shoes, you should place them in a box and then wrap them in white tissue paper.
It will depend on the material that your shoes are made of to determine whether or not you will be allowed to put them in the preservation box with your outfit. Have a conversation with your preservationist to find out if something like this is even possible. The flowers in bridal bouquets can be preserved in a variety of ways, including by pressing, hanging, coating them in wax, or using epoxy resin.
Advice For The Newlyweds!
If you prefer to hang a bridal gown, always utilize a padded hanger. Hanging your wedding dress is the best way to provide it with air circulation, and it also eliminates the risk of any irreversible creases occurring. Remove your dress as soon as the ceremony is complete, and make arrangements to have it cleaned at a dry cleaner as soon as possible the following day. If you’re going to be gone for a while, have a bridesmaid or your mother take the picture for you before you go on your honeymoon.
The process of wedding dress preservation involves a variety of distinct cleaning and packaging methods, all of which ensure that the design will not degrade over time.