Wedding dresses can be passed down from generation to generation.
Preserving a wedding gown is not only important for the person who got married in it but also for future generations. Many brides choose to wear a gown that her ancestors have passed down to her. To make sure the tradition can continue, it is important to properly store a wedding dress.
Boxing
When folding up your wedding dress, make sure that everything you use to store it is acid-free. The entire box and the tissue paper used to protect the dress should be acid-free, not just acid-free coated. You can find acid-free boxes and tissue paper where archival preservation materials are sold. You should wear cotton gloves when packing your wedding dress for storage and remove all plastic, tags and pins. Line the base and sides with two layers of acid-free paper before placing the dress in the box. The fewer folds in the wedding dress the better. Use rolls of tissue paper in between each fold and layer and stuff the sleeves with tissue paper if they are puffy. Put in several layers of tissue before closing the box.
Hanging
Hanging a wedding dress eliminates problems with weak fabric from folding. Museums often hang garments for preservation. Use padded hangers to provide support for the dress and reinforce small straps with twill tape. Put the gown in an acid-free muslin or cotton fabric garment bag and hang in a closet where it can have space between it and other garments. The hanging method will allow you to inspect the gown frequently.
Storage Area
Whether in a box or a garment bag, store the wedding dress in a dark, dust free environment. The best place is a closet that does not have a radiator, heat source or an external wall. There should be no opportunity for high humidity or condensation near your wedding gown. Avoid cellars, attics and garages for that reason. Keep the wedding dress away from high heat or very cold conditions and bright light.
Upkeep
Storing the wedding dress is only the first step in keeping it in good condition for many years to come. Inspect the wedding dress yearly to make sure it is holding up well in storage. If there is excessive creasing, mold or yellowing from oxidization, have the dress professionally cleaned and change the storage method. Also check for tears, loose beading and insect holes. If the dress is folded in a box, refold the dress in a different way and replace all of the tissue paper every two years. If the dress is hanging, reposition it on the hanger every two years.
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