Your wedding is a once-in-a-lifetime event filled with unforgettable memories, but the centre of it is your breathtaking wedding dress. Many brides wonder how to protect their wedding dress after the big day.
We can ask the important question: "Will a wedding dress preservation box keep your dress pristine?" Learn why it's so crucial to use preservation boxes to keep your wedding dress in pristine condition as we delve into the world of wedding dress preservation.
In addition to being worn on one of the most important days of your life, your wedding dress is also a priceless keepsake. Your gown will eventually deteriorate from contact with sunlight, dust, and air and become permanently damaged.
However, preservation boxes provide a haven for your wedding dress, protecting it from dust, dirt, and other contaminants. Come along as we explore how preservation boxes can help keep your wedding dress pristine for years.
What Exactly Is A Wedding Gown Preservation Box?
For long-term storage of your wedding dress, please keep it in a preservation box of archival-quality materials free of acid and lignin. To ensure that your belongings are safe during a move or if one of the boxes is accidentally stepped on while you rummage through the back of the closet looking for your red pumps, these containers are typically made from heavy-duty, hit, corrugated cardboard.
While there is a wide range of wedding dress preservation boxes on the market, each is made with the same goal: to safeguard your gown while it is in storage.
The only reliable method for long-term storing your wedding dress is a dress storage box, which should not be confused with wedding dress destination boxes, which are elaborately designed travel boxes meant to hold your dress. In contrast, you travel to your beach, mountain top, or lake-side wedding.
As a bonus, a wedding dress box can also:
- Protect your wedding dress from dust, pet dander, and cleaning solutions.
- You can avoid wrinkles in your wedding dress by maintaining its shape (if it includes a bust)
- Invite your loved ones to look at your wedding dress (If it incorporates a viewing window).
- Avoid damaging your wedding dress by exposing it to UV rays.
Why Do I Need A Special Box To Keep My Wedding Dress?
You can rest easy knowing that your wedding dress will be preserved for at least a millennium if you use a preservation service that stores your gown in a box made from acid-free & lignin-free materials.
If you want your wedding dress to last for centuries instead of decades, keep it away from things that could cause it to turn yellow or fade.
The regular box your recent order came in is unsuitable for long-term or short-term storage of sensitive materials because it begins to degrade after one year.
The rapid breakdown of both the chemicals used to make typical cardboard shipping boxes is known as "scorching" in the textile industry, and it causes staining and yellowing of fabric when it is in contact with cardboard.
Selecting The Best Box
It is crucial to pick a container that allows for neat clothes folding. A box that is either too big or too small is not ideal.
Never put your dress in a plastic bag after the big event ends.
You should not trust your clothing in a plastic bag.
Discolouration of wedding dresses is possible if both apparent and undetectable stains aren't addressed. The sooner you have your dress cleaned after the wedding, the better.
Keeping Acids Away From Them
You should also know that storing your wedding dress in paper packets is not a good idea, as the acid inside the paper will eventually discolour your white gown.
The paper in the box should be acid-free, so keep that in mind when shopping.
Have your dress cleaned and stored in the wedding box after the big day.
Before storing your wedding gown, double-check the integrity of the seal to ensure it is not damaged.
Insect Protection From The Wedding Box
If you store your wedding gown in a box, you won't have to worry about insects ruining it.
Purchasing a wedding box is essential because of the severe damage insects can do to your wedding dress.
The typical box has a secure lid that keeps bugs out.
Wedding Dress Storage Boxes Come In A Variety Of Styles
Some wedding dress storage box options are available, with the primary distinction being the range of included services. Some businesses may only sell you a box to store your wedding dress in while you shop elsewhere online, leaving you to find your method of cleaning and preservation.
Stand-Alone Box For Storing Wedding Dresses
A simple acid-free box can be purchased, but you'll need to find another company to handle the cleaning & preservation of your wedding gown to prevent it from turning yellow over time.
If you cleaned your wedding dress yourself and are confident that you took all the necessary precautions to keep your dress clean afterwards, a simple box might be the best choice for you.
Storage Box For A Wedding Dress With Archival Packaging
An acid-free box that includes all the required packaging to keep your wedding dress wrinkle- and crease-free and in its original shape is available here. The storage box may include accessories like a bust and acid-free tissue paper to help you safely pack away your wedding gown.
Cleaning And Preservation Of Wedding Dresses With Display Chest
This is the least complicated choice that will still provide adequate security. If you go with a company that cleans and preserves wedding gowns to museum standards, your dress will come out of storage looking as good as the day you first tried it.
With this option, you can show your dress to your loved ones without worrying about their oils and other contaminants damaging it over time.
How To Choose The Correct Size For A Wedding Dress Preservation Box
If your wedding dress is cleaned and preserved by a professional, you can skip this step.
However, if you want to do it yourself, you'll need to quantify your dress to ensure you order the right size chest.
So, we've developed a surefire method for determining what size box will accommodate your wedding gown.
- STEP 1: Put your wedding dress on a flat, smooth edge (the duvet on your bed works great) and measure it with a fabric measuring tape.
- STEP 2: Jewelry, especially sharp objects, can easily rip or tear delicate fabrics like dresses and shirts. Thin cotton gloves will prevent fingerprints & oil stains from ruining your professionally cleaned wedding dress.
- STEP 3: If your dress has a train, you can avoid adding it to your overall length by tucking it beneath the back of your skirt. The bodice of your wedding dress, which begins at your midsection and ends at your neck but rather at the shoulder line, can be re-draped after you've tucked in your train. The next step is to turn your wedding dress inside out and fold it in half. The following step is to measure your dress and write down the length, width, and height.
- STEP 4: Put your hands inside your dress and see if you can straighten the sides. It would be best not to try to force your dress into a rectangular shape when you're not supposed to. The idea is to give your dressing gown room to breathe while it's being stored.
- STEP 5: Measure the fabric with a measuring tape to determine the length, width, and height of your wedding dress. After obtaining the necessary data, add 2 inches per measurement to determine the exact dimensions you need.
How Much Are Preservation Boxes?
The cost of storing your wedding gown can vary widely, from $40 for a basic box to $400 or more for one that includes professional cleaning and preservation of your dress before storage.
Premium, acid-free boxes with viewing windows cost around $100. Don't forget that you'll also need to pay to have your wedding dress professionally cleaned before storing it in the box, adding another $200 or more to your total.
For only $279, you can have a team of leading fabric experts clean, press, and preserve your wedding gown before placing it in a beautiful display chest and offering you a 100-year guarantee against prospective yellowing as part of the Wedding Gown Preservation KitTM.
Where Should You Keep Your Wedding Gown Preservation Box?
Once you've decided on a wedding dress storage box or full-service preservation company, you must put the dress away where it will be protected and where the temperature and humidity are just right. Our best advice to brides is to keep their wedding dress pristine for as long as possible in the same place they feel most comfortable.
There will no longer be any musty odours or uncomfortable temperature swings in your home's damp basement, hot and humid attic, or anywhere else. Under the bed, in the bedroom closet, or a linen closet on the ground floor or upper level are all excellent options for long-term storage of your newly preserved gown.
Conclusion
A wedding dress is a priceless keepsake and a significant part of a wedding celebration. Protecting your dress from damage and deterioration from sunlight, dust, and air is essential.
Preservation boxes are a reliable solution for long-term storage, made from archival-quality materials free of acid and lignin. These boxes are typically made from heavy-duty corrugated cardboard and are designed to ensure the safety of your belongings during storage.
They also prevent dust, pet dander, cleaning solutions, wrinkles, and UV ray damage. A preservation service that stores your gown in an acid-free and lignin-free box ensures your dress will last for centuries instead of decades. Regular cardboard boxes, known as "scorching," can cause staining and yellowing of fabric when in contact with cardboard.
The right wedding dress storage box is crucial for its longevity and appearance. Avoid using plastic bags or paper packets as they can discolour the dress. Store your dress in an acid-free box to prevent stains and insects. Preservation boxes are generally safe for dresses with delicate embellishments, but consult a professional cleaner or preservationist for specific storage conditions.
Opening the box frequently exposes the dress to potential contaminants, so it's best to look through the viewing window if the box has one. Preservation boxes are typically a one-time investment, but periodic checks are necessary to ensure long-term protection. Preserving accessories separately from the dress is also recommended.
Preservation boxes can be found at bridal shops, online retailers, or through preservation services. Various styles are available, including stand-alone boxes, storage boxes with archive packaging, and display chests. Choose a reputable provider to ensure quality and effectiveness.
Stand-alone boxes are suitable for cleaning and preserving your wedding dress, while archived packaging includes all necessary packaging to keep it wrinkle- and crease-free. Display chests provide adequate security, allowing you to show your dress to loved ones without worrying about contaminants damaging it over time.
Content Summary:
- A preservation box is a container made from archival-quality materials free of acid and lignin.
- These boxes are typically made from heavy-duty, hit, corrugated cardboard.
- They are designed to protect the gown during storage, ensuring its safety during a move or accidental step-on.
- Keeps the dress away from dust, pet dander, and cleaning solutions.
- Maintains the shape of the dress to avoid wrinkles.
- Allows loved ones to view the dress.
- Avoids damaging the dress by exposing it to UV rays.
- A preservation service that stores the gown in an acid-free & lignin-free box ensures the dress's preservation for at least millennia.
- Regular boxes are unsuitable for long-term or short-term storage of sensitive materials due to their rapid breakdown, known as "scorching" in the textile industry.
- Choose a container that allows neat folding of clothes.
- Avoid using plastic bags after the big event.
- Address both apparent and undetectable stains promptly to prevent discolouration.
- Avoid storing your wedding dress in paper packets as the acid inside can discolour the gown.
- The paper in the box should be acid-free.
- Clean and store your dress in the wedding box after the big day.
- Store your wedding dress in a box to prevent insects from ruining it.
- The typical box has a secure lid that keeps bugs out.
- Preservation boxes are generally safe for dresses with delicate embellishments.
- It's best to consult with a professional cleaner or preservationist for appropriate storage conditions.
- Open the preservation box periodically to avoid exposure to potential contaminants.
- Preservation boxes are typically a one-time investment, but periodic checks are necessary for long-term protection.
- Preserve other wedding accessories separately from the dress to prevent damage or staining.
- Purchase from bridal shops, online retailers, and preservation services.
- A company that cleans and preserves wedding gowns to museum standards ensures the dress looks as good as the day it was first tried.
Frequently Asked Questions About Wedding Dresses
1. Is Storing My Dress in a Preservation Box Safe if It Has Delicate Embellishments or Beadwork?
Yes, preservation boxes are generally safe for dresses with delicate embellishments. However, consulting with a professional cleaner or preservationist is a good idea to ensure that the box and storage conditions are appropriate for your specific dress.
2. Can I Open the Preservation Box to Look at My Dress From Time to Time?
It's best to avoid opening the preservation box frequently, as you expose the dress to potential contaminants each time you do. If you want to admire your gown, it's better to look through the viewing window if your preservation box has one.
3. Are Wedding Dress Preservation Boxes a One-Time Investment, or Do They Require Maintenance?
Preservation boxes are typically a one-time investment. However, it's essential to periodically check the box for any signs of damage, moisture, or pests to ensure the gown's long-term protection.
4. Can I Preserve Other Wedding Accessories, Such as Veils and Gloves, in the Same Box as My Dress?
It's generally best to preserve accessories separately from the dress to prevent any potential damage or staining. Consider using smaller preservation boxes or containers for these items.
5. Where Can I Purchase a Wedding Dress Preservation Box?
You can find wedding dress preservation boxes at bridal shops, online retailers, and through preservation services. Choosing a reputable provider is essential to ensure the preservation box's quality and effectiveness.