After the wedding is over and the celebrations are over, many brides still have the important chore of deciding where to keep their wedding dress.
How you keep your garment stored can have a major impact on how well it holds up over time, which is important to consider whether you’re keeping it as a keepsake or planning to pass it down to future generations. Many future brides wonder if they should hang or lay their wedding gowns when not in use.
In this article, we’ll look at the advantages and disadvantages of both hanging and laying wedding dresses to store them. We will take into account your needs and preferences in terms of fabric, available space, and longevity when recommending a course of action.
By the end, you will have a better idea of how to best care for your wedding dress so that it can be worn for many happy years to come. The appropriate storage solution can make all the difference, whether you hope your daughter will wear it on her wedding day or you just want to keep it safe for the sake of the memories.
Let’s dive in and learn how to properly store your wedding gown for generations to come.
Is It Better To Store Wedding Dress Hanging Or Flat?
Whether the garment should be hung or laid flat for storage depends on several factors, including the fabric, the style of the dress, and your intentions for its long-term preservation. Let’s look at the pros and cons of each approach so you can make a well-informed choice:
Hanging
Advantages
- Maintains Shape: Hanging your wedding dress allows it to maintain its shape better, especially if it has a structured bodice or many layers.
- Accessibility: It’s easier to access and inspect the dress when it’s hanging, making it convenient for any potential alterations or last-minute preparations.
- Visibility: If you’d like to display your dress, a hanging method can make it more visible for viewing or photography.
Disadvantages
- Stress on Straps and Seams: If your dress has delicate straps or heavy embellishments, hanging it for an extended period can stress these areas and cause damage.
- Weight Distribution: The dress’s weight can cause it to stretch over time if not properly supported on a padded hanger.
Flat
Advantages
- Less Stress on Fabric: Storing the dress flat eliminates stress on the seams, straps, and fabric, which is especially important for delicate or heavy gowns.
- Prevents Stretching: It helps prevent any stretching or distortion of the fabric due to gravity.
Disadvantages
- Takes Up Space: Storing a wedding dress flat can take up more storage space, which may not be practical for some brides.
- Requires Careful Folding: The dress must be folded properly to avoid creases or wrinkles. Improper folding can lead to permanent damage.
Tips for Hanging Storage
- If you choose to hang your dress, use a padded hanger to distribute the weight and minimize stress on the fabric.
- Make sure the dress is covered with a breathable garment bag to protect it from dust and light.
- Store it in a cool, dark, and dry place to prevent discolouration or mildew.
Tips for Flat Storage
- Place acid-free tissue paper between layers of the dress to prevent contact and potential colour transfer.
- Use an acid-free, archival-quality box to store the dress. These boxes are designed to protect delicate fabrics.
- Keep the box in a cool, dry, and dark location.
The specifics of your wedding dress and your available closet space will determine whether you hang or lay your garment to preserve it. You can get expert advice on how to keep your wedding dress in pristine shape for years to come by speaking with a professional preservationist or a bridal store that focuses on dress preservation.
How To Properly Store A Wedding Dress?
If you want your wedding dress to look beautiful for years to come, you need to store it correctly. Detailed advice on how to properly preserve a wedding gown is provided below.
- Clean the Dress: Before storing your wedding dress, make sure it’s thoroughly cleaned. Even if the dress looks clean, it may have invisible stains from makeup, food, or perspiration that can set over time and cause discolouration.
- Professional Cleaning: It’s highly recommended to have your dress professionally cleaned by a reputable bridal gown preservation specialist. They have the expertise to treat different fabrics and stains properly.
- Inspect for Damage: After cleaning, carefully inspect the dress for any damage, loose beads, or missing buttons. Ensure that any necessary repairs are made before storage.
- Choose the Right Storage Location: Select a suitable location for storing your wedding dress:
- Cool and Dark: Store the dress in a cool, dark area to prevent exposure to sunlight, which can cause fabric discolouration.
- Low Humidity: Avoid areas with high humidity, as moisture can lead to mould and mildew growth.
- Ventilation: Ensure there is some air circulation to prevent musty odours from developing.
- Select the Proper Storage Materials: Use the right materials to protect your dress:
- Acid-Free Tissue Paper: Place acid-free tissue paper between layers of the dress to prevent creasing and protect delicate fabrics.
- Breathable Garment Bag: Put the dress in a breathable, acid-free garment bag to shield it from dust and light. Make sure the bag is long enough to accommodate the entire dress.
- Acid-Free Box: For long-term storage, consider placing the dress in an acid-free, archival-quality box. This protects against potential environmental contaminants.
- Fold or Hang Carefully: Depending on the dress’s fabric and design, choose whether to fold or hang it:
- Folding: If folding is necessary, take care to fold it along natural seams to minimize creases. Use acid-free tissue paper between the folds.
- Hanging: If hanging the dress, use a padded hanger to distribute the weight evenly and prevent stretching. Avoid hanging heavy dresses for extended periods.
- Store the Dress: Place the dress in its garment bag or box and put it in the chosen storage location. Ensure the dress is stored away from any potential sources of damage, such as pets or pests.
- Regularly Check and Ventilate: Periodically check on your stored dress to make sure it remains in good condition. If you’ve stored it in a box, consider opening the box and allowing the dress to breathe for a short time before closing it again.
- Avoid Unnecessary Handling: Minimize handling the dress, especially if it’s a delicate or intricate design. Frequent touching can lead to dirt and oil buildup on the fabric.
Whether you plan to pass your wedding dress down as a family treasure or you just want to keep it around to remember your special day, following these measures will help ensure that your dress stays gorgeous and well-preserved for years to come.
Conclusion
Not only is it important to keep the wedding dress in pristine condition so that it can be worn again, but also so that it can protect the memories associated with it. Whether you choose to hang it or fold it, it is imperative that you give it a thorough cleaning, use materials that are appropriate for storage, and give careful thought to environmental considerations.
You can ensure that your wedding dress will always be a classic keepsake by following these measures. It will then be in a position to bring back the emotion and magic of the day you got married anytime you decide to look at it again.
Your wedding dress may continue to shine if it is treated with the care and attention it deserves, regardless of whether you intend to hand it down through the generations or simply wish to hang onto the essence of that special occasion.
Want to know more? This guide “how to store wedding dress before wedding” can help you too.