How to care for your wedding dress before, during and after your wedding

Your wedding gown is a special and sentimental item you will cherish for years. Proper care and preservation of your gown will ensure that it remains in excellent condition, so you can relive those special memories, sell it or pass it on to your children. From the time you pick up your dress to the time you store it away for the future, there are certain things you’ll need to do to ensure you keep it in the best condition.

Here’s what you need to do to care for your wedding dress.

Caring for your wedding dress BEFORE your wedding

Store your wedding dress correctly

Until your wedding day, store your gown in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight, moisture, and other heat sources. A garment bag or a protective box specifically designed for wedding gowns is the best option. If you plan on storing your gown for an extended period, consider investing in a preservation box that will keep your gown protected from dust, moisture, and other potentially damaging factors.

When storing your wedding dress, it's important to ensure it's clean and completely dry to avoid any potential mildew or mould growth. Additionally, the garment bag should be made of a breathable material to prevent any moisture buildup. 

You should avoid hanging the dress from the straps as this could cause stretching or damage to the fabric. Use the proper hanging straps that are sewn into the dress. Also, hanging the dress off somewhere high, so the bottom doesn’t crease is best.

Caring for your wedding dress DURING your wedding

Be mindful of your surroundings

Your gown is delicate and easily stained or damaged, so it’s important to be mindful of your surroundings. Avoid standing or sitting in dirty or wet areas, and be careful when navigating around sharp objects or things that could stain.

Handle your wedding gown with care

When getting dressed, be gentle with your gown and handle it carefully. Avoid pulling or stretching the fabric, and be mindful of any delicate embellishments or beading.

Have someone assist you

Having someone help you with your gown on your wedding day is a good idea. This person can assist you with getting dressed, making any necessary adjustments to your gown, and ensuring that it stays in place throughout the day. Having someone like your mum, sister or bridesmaid help you with your dress also makes for beautiful photos!

Caring for your wedding dress AFTER your wedding

Have your wedding gown professionally cleaned and preserved

An example of Syndal Bridal Dry Cleaners’ great work!

After your wedding day, it’s crucial to have your gown professionally cleaned and preserved. A professional wedding gown dry cleaner will clean your gown and remove any stains, dirt, or odours. They will then carefully preserve your gown in a protective box or garment bag to ensure it remains in excellent condition for years.

A garment bag is suitable if you plan to sell your dress on a site like Still White. If you’re planning to pass it down to someone or wear it again, storing it in a wedding dress box is essential.

We recommend having your wedding dress cleaned at Syndal’s Bridal Dry Cleaners, right next door to our atelier. They are Australia’s number 1 bridal cry cleaning service and have hundreds of 5-star reviews. They can dry clean your wedding gown to sell or preserve it for you.

Store your wedding dress correctly

Just like before your wedding, proper storage is essential for preserving your gown after you’re married. Store your gown in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight, moisture, and other heat sources like a wardrobe.

Avoid exposing it to light and moisture

Exposure to light and moisture can cause yellowing and discolouration of your gown, so it’s important to avoid exposing it to these elements. If you need to remove your gown from its protective box or garment bag, do so in a well-lit, low-moisture area.

Don’t hang your gown

Hanging your gown can cause it to stretch and become misshapen, so it’s important to store it flat or folded in a preservation box or garment bag.

Want to know how to store your custom wedding dress? We can recommend several wedding dress dry cleaners in Melbourne. Get in touch!