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How to Look After Your Wedding Dress: Before and After the Big Day



Your wedding dress is one of the most cherished and significant garments you'll ever wear. At Lily's Boutique, we understand just how much this dress means to you, not just as a beautiful piece of clothing, but also as a symbol of your love and the beautiful day that awaits you (or you’ve just enjoyed, depending on when you’re reading this)! That's why we want to ensure that your dress is looked after with the utmost care from the moment it leaves our boutique until long after your wedding day. 

 

So, how do we make sure your dress is looked after and ready for your big day? And how can you ensure your dress is preserved after your wedding? Keep reading and we’ll share all of our tips and tricks with you! 

 

How to protect your wedding dress before your wedding 

 

Steaming and preparing your dress 

Here at Lily's Boutique, we take a huge amount of pride in making sure that your dress is absolutely perfect before it leaves our store. Every dress is professionally steamed to remove any creases and ensure it looks flawless. Steaming is a delicate process that not only smooths out any wrinkles but also freshens the fabric, so your dress is as pristine and daisy fresh as can be. 

 

Transporting your dress safely 

Transporting your dress is obviously an important step, but one that often gets overlooked in the excitement of wedding preparations. 

 

Here are some tips to ensure your dress arrives at your venue in perfect condition: 

 

  • Lay it flat: If possible, lay the dress flat in the back seat of your car. This helps prevent it from bunching up or wrinkling. Avoid placing it in the boot of your car if possible, otherwise it might get crushed by other items. 

  • Avoid overcrowding: Make sure the dress has plenty of space. Piling other items on top of it can cause creases and may damage delicate details like beading or lace. 

  • Handle with clean hands: Hopefully this should be an obvious one but always handle your dress with clean, dry hands to avoid transferring oils, water or dirt onto the fabric. 

 

Hanging and storing until the big day 

As soon as you arrive at your destination, hang your dress as quickly as possible to let any minor wrinkles fall out naturally. Use a padded hanger, as this helps maintain the shape of the shoulders and prevents any stretching of the fabric, as well as being overall more gentle on your dress. 

 

If you’re staying at a hotel or another location before your wedding, ask for a dedicated space to hang your dress where it won't be disturbed. A bathroom with a shower can also work well in a pinch; just be very careful to keep the room dry to avoid any moisture getting on the fabric. 

 

Packing for travel 

If you're getting married abroad, you'll need to take extra care when packing your dress for travel. At Lily's Boutique, we offer a specialised packing services to ensure your dress arrives at your destination in perfect condition. 

 

Here's how we do it: 

 

  • Tissue paper: We carefully layer your dress with acid-free tissue paper to prevent creases and protect delicate embellishments. The tissue paper also helps maintain the shape of the dress. 

  • Folding: While it’s always preferable to keep your dress hanging, we understand that this isn’t really realistic when it comes to hopping on an aeroplane. In these cases, we’ll fold your dress in a way that minimises creasing, ensuring it looks beautiful when you arrive. 

 

How to protect your wedding dress after the wedding 

Your wedding day may be over, but the memories, and your beautiful dress, will last a lifetime. Preserving your dress is essential if you want to keep it in pristine condition, whether for sentimental reasons or perhaps to pass down to future generations! 

 

Professional cleaning 

The first step in preserving your dress is to have it professionally cleaned (don’t just stick it in the washing machine) as soon as possible after your wedding. Even if your dress looks spotless, unseen stains like sweat, perfume, or food can set in overtime and cause discolouration or even mould – yuck! A professional cleaner who specialises in wedding dresses will know how to handle delicate fabrics and intricate details, ensuring your dress is thoroughly cleaned without any damage. 

 

Long-term storage 

Once your dress is cleaned, it's time to think about long-term storage. While fewer brides are choosing to keep their dresses these days, those who do want to hold onto this precious garment need to take special care with how it's stored. 

 

Here are our top tips for storing your wedding dress: 

 

  • Use a gown bag: After cleaning, your dress should be placed back in its gown bag. This will protect it from dust, light, and potential damage. At Lily's Boutique, we provide high-quality gown bags with every dress to ensure it stays protected. 

  • Avoid plastic: Never store your dress in a regular plastic bag or container, as plastic can trap moisture and cause yellowing over time. Instead, opt for a breathable fabric bag or an acid-free box specifically designed for wedding dresses.  

  • Keep it cool and dry: Store your dress in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight. Attics and basements are usually not ideal due to fluctuating temperatures and humidity levels, which can damage the fabric. A closet in a climate-controlled area of your home is the best option. 

 

 

Ready to find your perfect wedding dress? Talk to our friendly team today to book an appointment, we’d love to help you find the right dress for you! 

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