Your wedding day is the most special day of your life, and your gown plays a starring role. But a perfect bridal look starts long before you walk down the aisle.
Whether it’s keeping your dress pristine during fittings or ensuring it’s ready for the big day, proper care is crucial to maintaining its beauty and avoiding damage.
We’ll go through the essentials you need to know to keep your dress looking perfect every step of the way, without any unnecessary fuss.
Before the Wedding: Preparing Your Gown for the Big Day
Handling Your Dress
I can’t tell you how many times brides come to me concerned about minor marks that appeared on their wedding gowns just before the wedding.
The truth is, it all comes down to how you handle it. When I first started working in the wedding industry, I was amazed at how delicate these gowns can be. One bride accidentally smeared makeup while trying on her gown, and we spent hours gently cleaning it up.
The key here is clean, dry hands. Always handle your gown with care, and avoid touching it unnecessarily, especially if it’s been steamed or pressed.
If you’re making any adjustments or doing fittings, make sure your makeup, lotions, or perfumes are applied beforehand, not during the fitting, to avoid stains.
Storage: Keep It Safe
When I worked at Vanilla Bridal in New Zealand, many brides would ask me about storage. One bride, in particular, had a designer gown that cost her a pretty penny.
She left it hanging in the bathroom to air out after a fitting, and by the time she retrieved it, moisture from the steam had started to yellow the fabric. It’s essential to store your gown properly.
Here’s the rule of thumb:
- Location: Choose a cool, dry place. Avoid areas prone to humidity like basements or attics. I’ve had brides in humid climates report that storing their gowns in the laundry room, far from laundry detergent smells, was a huge mistake.
- Hanging vs. Flat: For temporary storage, I recommend hanging the gown in a breathable garment bag. Don’t use plastic—it traps moisture and promotes mildew. A muslin bag works perfectly, and if the dress is heavy, it’s best to lay it flat in a cool, dry place, ensuring it’s properly padded.
- Humidity Control: Don’t forget to add silica gel packets or another moisture-absorbing agent if your area has high humidity, which can cause long-term damage to the fabric. You don’t want to risk your gown’s delicate fabric being exposed to mould or mildew.
Professional Alterations: Leave It to the Experts
I once had a bride who tried to make last-minute adjustments to her gown just days before the wedding. Let’s just say it didn’t go well. Trust me, leave alterations to the professionals.
Bridal seamstresses are skilled at working with wedding fabrics and can ensure the gown fits perfectly. If you’ve had it altered, check it one last time before the big day. The more you handle your gown, the more likely you are to risk damage or staining.
Pre-Wedding Cleaning: The Final Step
If your gown picked up dust or minor marks during fittings, schedule a pre-wedding cleaning. I always recommend a professional cleaning service that specialises in bridal gowns.
After all, these dresses are far more delicate than the usual dry-cleaning. If you’re unsure where to go, ask your bridal boutique for recommendations – they’re usually well-connected with trusted cleaners.
During the Wedding: Protecting Your Gown on the Big Day
Getting Ready: Be Mindful
I’ve seen it time and again – a bride excited to get into her gown, but in the rush, something gets smudged, or the hem drags on the floor. Be sure to apply makeup and style your hair before putting on the gown. This is a small thing that makes a huge difference.
Wear a button-down shirt or robe that can easily be removed, so you don’t risk staining your gown.
Assistance: The Dress Buddy
Don’t go it alone! When I had my own wedding, I had a close friend who was in charge of looking after my gown. She helped with bustling the dress and made sure it didn’t touch the ground during photos.
Enlist a bridesmaid or family member as your “dress buddy.” This person will be responsible for helping you with any mishaps that may arise, such as a loose strap or a crumpled train.
Handling the Train: Bustling
Before your wedding day, get to know your train’s bustle. The first time I helped bustle a wedding gown, I couldn’t believe how complicated it was.
It’s a good idea to practice bustling the dress at least once before the big day. That way, when you’re walking down the aisle, there will be no surprises.
Emergency Kit: Always Be Prepared
I cannot stress this enough—prepare for the unexpected. A wedding emergency kit is an absolute lifesaver.
I once had a bride spill some wine on her gown before the reception, but with a quick Tide-to-Go pen and some help from her maid of honour, the stain was gone before anyone noticed. Your emergency kit should include:
- Safety pins, sewing kit, and clear nail polish for any unexpected rips or snags.
- Baby powder or cornstarch to help absorb small stains.
- A small stain removal kit, and a few white towelettes or club soda for cake frosting accidents.
After the Wedding: Preserving Your Gown’s Memories
Immediate Steps: What to Do After the Wedding
Once the ceremony and reception are over, you might be tempted to throw your gown into a heap on the floor. I’ve had brides forget to handle their dress properly after the wedding, and it can be a disaster.
As soon as possible, hang it up on a padded hanger and place it back in the breathable garment bag. If you don’t have the time to store it properly right away, assign a trusted friend or family member to handle the gown for you during the reception.
Cleaning and Preservation: The Right Way
When I first started working in wedding gown care, I quickly realised that professional wedding dress cleaners are the only ones equipped to handle these delicate garments. Regular dry cleaners don’t have the expertise.
Find a cleaner who specialises in bridal gowns and have them professionally clean the dress as soon as possible. Delaying the cleaning process can allow stains to set in, and certain stains (like white wine) can darken over time.
Preserving the gown is just as important as cleaning it. Have your dress wrapped in acid-free tissue paper and stored in a specialised preservation box.
If you want your gown to last for generations, this is non-negotiable. A preservation box will protect it from dust, sunlight, and moisture.
Long-Term Storage: Where to Keep Your Dress
Store your preserved gown in a cool, dark, dry space. I recommend under the bed or in a climate-controlled closet. Don’t be tempted to place your gown in a plastic bag.
The fabric needs to breathe to prevent yellowing and degradation. Make sure to periodically check on the gown, especially if you’re storing it for years.
Proper care of your wedding gown is essential for ensuring it stays as pristine as the memories it holds.
From before the wedding to after, the steps you take to protect and preserve your dress will pay off, allowing you to cherish your gown for years to come. Remember, it's not just about preserving the fabric, but also the memories that come with it.