Your wedding day has come and gone. The thank-you cards are mailed, gifts are neatly tucked away, and you’re left with one priceless item: your wedding dress. Left unprotected in your closet, time, light, and moisture can dull the brilliance of your dress. That’s why wedding dress preservation is an essential step every bride should plan for before or right after the big day.
If you’re searching for wedding dress preservation near Springfield, MO, or wondering how to keep your gown as stunning as it was on your wedding day, the experts at Normans Bridal are here to guide you through every step.
How to Preserve Your Wedding Dress
What Does Wedding Dress Preservation Mean?
Wedding gown preservation goes beyond simple dry cleaning. It’s a specialized process designed to protect your gown for decades to come. Traditional garment bags or hangers won’t do; fabrics can yellow, weaken, or attract moisture damage over time.
At Normans Bridal, we partner with Wedding Gown Preservation Co., an industry leader known for its museum-quality techniques. Their cleaning and packaging process uses acid-free bust forms and acid-neutral preservation boxes, keeping gowns protected without needing an airtight seal. This ensures your dress maintains its beauty, color, and structure for years to come.
Why Professional Cleaning Matters
Before a gown is preserved, it must be professionally cleaned. Even if your dress looks spotless, invisible stains, like champagne, perspiration, or makeup, can oxidize and yellow over time. The sooner your gown is cleaned, the better the results.
If you’re heading off on your honeymoon, ask a bridesmaid or family member to drop your dress off with your preservation professional within a day or two after the ceremony. Quick action prevents permanent damage and makes wedding dress cleaning and preservation more effective.
Key Steps to Preserve Your Wedding Dress
-
Talk to a Professional. If you haven’t already, be sure to talk with a professional about how to preserve your wedding dress. Regular dry cleaners typically lack the experience and equipment needed for bridal gown preservation. To give your dress the love it deserves, choose a professional service that specializes in wedding gowns and uses gentle, acid-free cleaning agents.
-
Ask About the Refund Policy. The last thing you want is for your stunning gown to be ruined during the cleaning process. While some businesses refund the cost of the cleaning and preservation, they will not refund the cost of the dress itself. Do yourself a favor and ask about the business’s refund policy:
- What chemicals are used in the cleaning process?
- Do you offer a satisfaction guarantee or warranty?
- What is your refund policy in case of accidental damage?
- What chemicals are used in the cleaning process?
Knowing these details ensures your gown receives proper care and that you’re protected financially.
- Read the Gown's Tag. While you’re at it, check your gown’s tag for fabric details and care instructions. Go over this information with the professional who is cleaning and preserving your gown to determine the safest cleaning and packaging methods for your dress.
Professional Preservation and Storage Tips
When handled by a professional, dress preservation includes cleaning, pressing, and packaging your gown in an acid-free preservation box with special tissue paper to prevent creasing and yellowing.
Here’s how to keep it safe once you bring it home:
- Avoid hanging the dress for long-term storage to prevent stretching.
- Store it in a cool, dry, dark place, away from direct sunlight, humidity, or fluctuating temperatures.
- Never use plastic bags or cedar chests, as these can trap moisture or release harmful gases.
- Inspect it annually. Open the preservation box carefully (with clean hands or cotton gloves), check the gown’s condition, and refold it to prevent permanent creases.
When to Start Planning for Preservation
Your to-do list is likely already daunting, but it’s important to select a professional who can care for your wedding dress preservation before the big day. Not only will this save you time and worry after the wedding, but it will also provide some peace of mind should a stain appear on your gown during the celebration. Should that happen, don’t try to remove the stain yourself without doing some thorough research.
If you’re the kind of bride-to-be who plans ahead, brides can purchase a Wedding Gown Preservation Co. kit at Normans Bridal, which includes:
- Pre-paid two-way shipping
- Professional cleaning and inspection
- Acid-free storage box
- A 100-year anti-yellowing guarantee
Even if you didn’t purchase your gown from us, we’re happy to help you preserve it. Brides who found their dream dress at Normans Bridal also receive a $50 discount on their preservation service.
Ready to Preserve Your Dream Dress?
If you have any questions about wedding dress cleaning and preservation, contact Normans Bridal any time. Our team of bridal consultants is here to assist you. Not only can they help you find your dream wedding gown, but they will also help answer any questions you might have – from caring for your dress to scheduling alterations to assembling your full bridal look from shoes to accessories. RSVP for a fitting at our downtown Springfield store by giving us a call at 417-962-8720 or contacting us through our website.
