How To Store a Wedding Dress

The ceremony has concluded, you have returned from the honeymoon, and you are now settling back into the real world as a married woman. The ring and your new spouse aren’t the only things you’re planning on keeping forever—you probably also want to keep your wedding dress. 

Whether yours was a family heirloom or the most expensive single article of clothing you’ve ever purchased, the dress that you wore on your wedding day is one you’ll always want to keep. So, what is the best way to store a wedding dress? 

We’re glad you asked!

You planned for your wedding, right? You should also plan out how to store your wedding dress. Marriage is new to you, and wedding dress storage likely is, too. Maybe you’re planning to hand the dress down to a daughter or relative, or maybe you’re hoping to bust it back out at your 30-year anniversary. Whatever plans you have for your special gown, follow these wedding dress storage tips to help keep it in prime condition. 

You’re in It for the Long Haul

Unlike other articles of clothing, which are usually stored for a matter of months, your wedding dress will be stored for years (maybe even decades) before it’s finally time to crack the seal and use it again. 

With great spans of time come greater storage demands. If you don’t learn how to store your wedding dress in a box, you may open it years down the line to find that it has been reached by critters, toxins in the air, or years of humidity.

Wedding dresses are generally made from very delicate fabrics and threads that are meant to be beautiful—not last forever. Because of this, you must take extra care to store the dress properly. Step one should happen mere hours after you slide out of your dress. So without further ado, let’s jump in.

Get Your Wedding Dress Cleaned Professionally

You had a blast on your wedding night. And with that fun comes staining—whether it be from sweating on the dancefloor, eating and drinking, or those small stains you don’t even remember getting. White is not a forgiving color, so these issues need to be dealt with soon after the big night. If you are leaving on your honeymoon right after the wedding, have a reliable bridesmaid or family member take care of dry cleaning your dress. 

Make sure you take your dress to the right person, too. Your trusted dry cleaner might not be the best wedding dress dry cleaner in your area. Research the best wedding dress dry cleaners near you. Don’t just rely on word of mouth from your friends—consult wedding blogs and read extensive reviews. If you’d like to add extra expertise to this process, consider moving on to step two.

Consider Hiring a Wedding Dress Preservationist

If you shelled out for a very expensive dress or are certain that you want your future daughter to wear her mom’s dress on her big day, the very best way to store a wedding dress after a wedding is by hiring a wedding dress preservationist. 

What exactly is wedding dress preservation? It refers to the process of getting your wedding dress cleaned with professional-grade agents that will help keep it looking nearly exactly as it did on your wedding day. After all, wedding dress preservationists are experts in all things relating to fabric and time. It will cost you more, but it’s better than trying to do the delicate steps of wedding dress storage by yourself. Budget accordingly.

Invest in a Wedding Dress Preservation Kit

If you can’t afford a wedding dress preservationist, you’re probably going to need a wedding dress preservation kit. These DIY kits run anywhere from $250-$750 and do many of the things that a wedding dress preservationist does when he or she takes in your dress. A wedding dress preservation kit will typically have an airtight box with a pump that will suck out all of the oxygen and replace it with nitrogen (to prevent the oxidation process that causes discoloration and aging/breaking down of fabrics). Be sure to watch a lot of YouTube tutorials before attempting to seal your box yourself. You don’t want to mess up a step and end up damaging your dress!

Store Your Wedding Dress in a Cool, Dry Place

When figuring out how to store a wedding dress, you are going to want to look for a cool, dark, dry place to eventually put it. This means finding wedding dress storage that’s not in direct sunlight, as sun and extreme heat can fade, bleach, decay, and otherwise alter the fabric. You’ll also want to ensure your storage space is free of any moisture or humidity, which can create a breeding ground for mold and mildew to grow. Finally, make sure this is also a place that snooping kids can’t find, as there’s nothing more tempting to children than opening something that’s meant to stay closed!

Consider a Climate-Controlled Storage Unit

When it comes to the storage of your wedding dress, you can always turn to a climate-controlled storage unit if you want to free up space in your home. These units maintain a specific temperature range and humidity level, so you don’t have to worry about exposing your beautiful gown to extreme temperatures or harsh weather conditions.

Periodically Check on Your Wedding Dress 

Once or twice a year, check on your wedding dress. No, we don’t expect your wedding dress to grow legs and up and leave, but it’s a good idea to ensure your storage space is still a viable place to keep your gown. Inspect your storage area for any signs of critters, moisture, heat, sunlight, or anything else that could interfere with the integrity of your dress. If you notice anything amiss, consider finding another storage spot. 

Looking for Wedding Dress Storage in Southern Idaho? Look No Further Than Stor-It!

Now that you know how to store a wedding dress, it’s time to find the perfect storage space for your very own prized nuptial possession. Look no further than with our storage experts right here at Stor-It. We are Idaho’s oldest, largest, and most trusted storage company. With more than 15 locations across the Treasure Valley (and beyond!) and more being built this year, we have the facilities to meet all of your storage needs. 

For your wedding dress, we recommend our climate-controlled facilities. You can also check out our packing and moving supplies available for sale on site, where you’ll find specially-made storage boxes for large clothing items, like wedding dresses and much, much more. Store and shop with us today!