After your nuptial planning “To Do” list became your “Now Done” list, there are still numerous obligations to perform once you return from your honeymoon. One of the most important, that ideally should not be put off for longer than six weeks, is arranging for your wedding gown cleaning and its preservation. Winzer Cleaners, renowned for our expert wedding gown preservation in NYC as well as the region, has been dry cleaning, restoring, and preserving bridal finery for decades. Even if you do not plan to wear the garment again yourself, there are future generations to consider. It is also a fact that, over time, many brides will change their minds and want to wear their gown once more on the occasion of a vow renewal. But this is a posting about how long the preservation process will last. And, of course, due to countless variables, the best answer is, “that depends”. Properly preserved and stored, your wedding finery will last at least 20 years, and possibly as many as 100.
Your carefully preserved wedding gown will be returned to you in pristine condition, contoured with acid-free tissue, and wrapped twice in muslin- the dress itself as well as the box. This presentation process is an important feature in wedding dress preservation. In NYC there is little space in most residences for any type of storage. So where you place your gown for storage is critical to its longevity. Winzer Cleaners’ wedding gown professionals advise that you follow these tips regarding the storage of your preserved bridal gown:
- Store in a cool, dark place: If you live in a house, avoid attics and basements, as these can become too hot or humid every year. High humidity will create a “greenhouse” effect in the preservation box, which can lead to mold or mildew. So if your apartment building’s storage units are near their laundry facility, find another place to store your gown.
- Don’t Wrap Your Storage Box in Plastic: Plastic traps moisture. If you can spare the space in your closet, find a shelf and put the box, with its muslin outer covering undisturbed, where you can access it as needed.
- Handle Carefully: If you want to try on your dress, have yourself and your attendants (do not try on your dress by yourself) wear white gloves. Even if the room is carpeted, be sure to keep the dress off the floor to prevent synthetic fibers from being stored with your dress when it is returned to the storage box. If you choose to remove the gown from its wrapping, be sure to wear white gloves, such as museum preservationists use and are available online. This will present oils on your hands, hair, and other airborne contaminants from settling on your dress. Over time these can degrade fibers as well as cause the fabric to turn yellow.
- Inspect annually: Repack the dress with acid-free materials each year. These materials are also readily available online.
If you’d like to learn more about Winzer Cleaners’ wedding gown preservation services, we invite you to give our experts a call. Since the early 20th century Winzer has been caring for the wardrobes of prominent New York families as well as the costumes of the shows on the Great White Way. We’ll be glad to demonstrate why we are the firm to call for the finest wedding dress preservation in NYC. Call today!
