Top Wedding Dress Preservation Options

Now that your glorious wedding day is a cherished memory, it is time to think about what steps you have to take to protect and preserve your bridal gown for the future. In time, you may wish to wear it again as you celebrate your anniversary or choose to renew your vows several decades from today. Or, you may wish to have it professionally cleaned and treated as a family heirloom to be worn by future generations. Cameo by Copeland Cleaners, renowned for generations for our garment cleaning services which include wedding dress preservation in NYC and throughout the TriState, offer the following advice regarding bridal dress preservation options.

There are essentially three types of wedding dress preservation- sealing, bagging, and boxing.

Sealed Wedding Gown Preservation Process

This method places a freshly cleaning wedding gown in an acid-free paper box with a viewing window. The use of acid-free paper products is essential as it reduces or eliminates the risk that, over time, the paper will degrade and cause yellowing of the gown’s fabric as well as damage to the fibers. The gown is then encased in acid-free tissue paper to buffer folds. This step reduces the likelihood that a fold will become a permanent crease. A cardboard shape may also be used to plump the bodice region of the gown, then the box is permanently sealed to protect the gown from oxygen from entering the box which causes the garment to degrade.

Cons:

• Oxygen will seep into any boxed component, even if sealed. However, because it cannot escape, over time air will degrade the garment’s fibers.
• Creases are likely to become permanent. It is recommended that periodically the gown is removed from its storage box and refolded to prevent permanent creasing. A sealed box prevents this.
• The risk is also higher for damage from the cardboard insert, as it also degrades over time.
• Any stains that did not present at the time the dress was cleaned (fruit stains may not initially be visible, as they appear over time when they oxidize and turn yellow. These may become permanent if not treated as soon as observed

Bagged Gown Preservation Process

This method has its benefits as it protects your gown from dust and light damage, however, there are other issues. The purpose of a bagged gown is its ease of access. This must be performed with care so as not to disturb the preservation techniques used to ensure an optimal result, such as the use of a padded hanger, and the care taken not to crush the hem of the gown inside the bag.

Cons:

• Storage bag must be cotton or muslin, never plastic as it can destroy delicate textiles.
• Climate control is difficult, especially if stored in an attic, or basement storage unit.
• Careless access can negate the preservation methods and create stains, fingerprints, and damage from tugging gown off hanger, etc.
• Gowns made from very delicate fabrics such as silk, or embellished with beadwork should never be hung for long periods as threads and some fibers will stretch and break easily.

Boxed Wedding Gown Preservation Process

This technique is used exclusively by Cameo by Copeland Cleaners. As the premiere establishment providing wedding gown preservation in NYC, we have demonstrated for decades that it is the proven method for both preserving your gown, yet enabling you to open and examine your wedding dress as often as you wish without negative impacts to the gown. To begin, our bridal experts will assess and restore your gown prior to a thorough, yet gentle cleaning. Then we preserve it by wrapping it gently in lignin-free paper, covered with a muslin (naturally acid free) covering, then placed in an acid-free box. The box itself is covered in a protective muslin wrapper before it is presented to you, our bride. The second muslin wrapper acts as a filter to purify the air that naturally enters any box, even sealed containers. This way, your wedding day memento will remain in pristine condition to be worn again by yourself or by future generations.

Cons:

• None.

Be aware that our renowned wedding gown preservation services are not limited to the New York TriState. If you reside here, we will gladly arrange for the pickup and delivery of your cleaned and preserved wedding gown. You may also opt for us to store your gown on our premises if desired. As for the rest of the country, contact our team for instructions on how to ship us your wedding finery, and we will take care of the rest. Call today!