subject: Preserve Your Bridal Gown & Save The Memories [print this page] Your wedding gown is likely the most expensive piece of clothing you've ever bought and will ever buy and it contains all the excitement, joy and memories of that special day all carefully wrapped up in it. Many brides are motivated to preserve their wedding gown by its sentimental value.
Whatever inspires your decision to preserve your wedding gown, be it for an important friend, or for your own daughter, once you're done making the decision then you need to locate a professional that will launder it, prepare and store your gown for the anticipated future. If you're serious about your intentions then this the one part when you cannot compromise on the quality of service because there are a number of steps that you should do to ensure your intentions are fulfilled.
It's important that you make your decision early enough, this will save you from the inconvenience of having to wait longer to have your gown and accompanying accessories processed professionally. Delay of even a few weeks may cause stains to settle if they're present. The next step is to locate a reputable wedding gown launder/preserver. The same rules that you used when selecting all the professionals for your wedding apply here too.
It's better that you go for a shop that has been in this type of business for a long period of time. Given that wedding gowns are preserved to be used again at some future date, new shops may not have the track record and experience of doing this type of job. After you've made your selection, inquire about warranties and guarantees. These vary greatly from shop to shop. Inquire too about the precautions that the cleaner will take when dealing with delicate trims and decorations.
Gown preservation process begins with pre-treatment of stains, usually by hand. It's helpful if you look over the items before you bring them to the shop, so you can share the location of hidden stains. A professional cleaner will know how to look for invisible stains from products like alcohol and sugar which, if not pre-treated, will blossom as full-fledged stains during the cleaning procedure. Sugar, for example, when heated, will caramelize and appear as dark brown spots, very unsightly.
Once the gown and accessories are dry cleaned, they will be placed in a special lined, specially treated, acid-free box, resistant to water and insect invasions. Always inspect your gown thoroughly before it is sealed in an acid-free container. Wedding gowns or gown containers/boxes sealed in plastic are poor choices. Plastic keeps moisture trapped and ultimately emits fumes which can yellow the gown. Don't be shy about asking your cleaning professional about the methods he or she uses.
Pay particular attention to place where the box is stored. Position the box flat away from direct sunlight. If possible place it in a cool place. Damp basement and stuffy attics are no no places. Check the gown twice a year, refold it along new lines to protect the fabric from breaking. Reduce on the amount of handing and if you have to touch the gown then do so with clean dry hands. Properly processed, your wedding gown will be preserved for many years to come, together with all the sweet memories wrapped in it all waiting to be unwrapped in future.
