Wedding Gowns
Wedding Gown Care: What Every Bride Should Know
Your wedding gown is one of the most meaningful garments you will ever wear. Whether it’s brand new or a cherished heirloom, it deserves special care before the wedding and immediately afterward.
Professional care helps protect your gown so it can remain a beautiful keepsake for years — and possibly generations — to come.
Before the Wedding
Today’s wedding gowns are made from delicate fabrics such as:
- Satin
- Taffeta
- Chiffon
- Organza
- Lace
- Brocade
and often include beads, sequins, embroidery, appliqué, and other fragile details.
If you are wearing a family heirloom gown, allow plenty of time for professional inspection and care. Older gowns often require extra attention because:
- Fabrics naturally yellow with age
- Old stains may not respond easily to treatment
- Construction may have weakened over time
A professional cleaner can assess the gown and discuss any concerns before the big day.
After the Wedding — Don’t Wait
Even if your gown looks perfectly clean, it is not.
Food and beverage spills, body oils, perspiration, makeup, and invisible stains can begin damaging the fabric immediately. The longer they remain, the harder they are to remove.
Experts at the Drycleaning & Laundry Institute strongly recommend that a gown be professionally cleaned as soon as possible after the wedding.
Why Cleaning Before Storage Is So Important
Stains left in fabric during storage can:
- Permanently discolor the gown
- Weaken fibers
- Attract insects
- Cause yellowing over time
Cleaning first is the most important step in preserving your gown.
Proper Storage Makes a Difference
After professional cleaning, how the gown is stored matters.
If Hanging the Gown
- Support straps should be sewn into the waist to reduce stress on the shoulders
- Remove plastic coverings
- Stuff the bodice with white, acid-free, unbuffered tissue paper
- Wrap the gown in a white sheet or unbleached muslin
If Storing in a Preservation Box
- The gown should be stuffed with acid-free tissue to prevent wrinkles
- Headpieces may be stored with the gown only if they contain no metal or colored decorations
Where NOT to Store a Wedding Gown
Avoid:
- Basements (dampness can cause mildew)
- Attics (heat can accelerate yellowing)
Choose a cool, dry location in your home.
Remove Accessories Before Storage
Headpieces, veils, shoes, foam pads, bra cups, and other accessories should be stored separately to prevent damage or color transfer to the gown.
Check the Gown Every Few Years
No storage method can completely stop aging. Checking the gown every 3–5 years allows small issues to be corrected before they become serious problems.
Understanding Care Labels
Federal law requires accurate care labels on wedding gowns, including instructions for decorative elements. If you have questions about the care instructions, ask a professional cleaner before the wedding.
If a gown cannot withstand the care method listed, the issue should be addressed with the retailer.
Together, We Can Preserve the Memory
With proper professional cleaning and careful storage, your wedding gown can remain a beautifully preserved keepsake for many years.
Questions? Talk With Your Cleaner
Your professional cleaner can guide you through the best options for cleaning and preserving your gown.
About This Information
This information is provided by the Drycleaning & Laundry Institute (DLI) to help brides understand how to properly care for wedding gowns.