4 Easy Tips For Storing Your Wedding Dress

An estimated 2.2 million Brits are expected to tie the knot throughout 2024, with September anticipated to be the peak month for weddings. However, once the celebrations are over, deciding what to do with the wedding dress can be challenging. While some choose to sell or donate their dresses for future brides, others prefer to keep them as a memento of their special day. Today we share a beautiful bridal shoot with you (details below) while looking into storing your wedding dress after the big day.

Why should you keep your wedding dress?

Retaining your wedding dress post-ceremony is a sentimental and practical decision for several reasons. Firstly, it’s a treasured memory of your wedding day, allowing you to relive the joy and emotions each time you see or touch it. Secondly, it serves as an heirloom that can be passed down through generations, preserving your family’s heritage and traditions. Additionally, the dress can act as a poignant reminder of your commitment and love, symbolising your enduring marriage. Finally, repurposing or altering the dress for future events, such as vow renewals or your own daughter’s wedding, can be both cost-effective and memory-making. Therefore, keeping your wedding dress is not only a sentimental keepsake but also a practical and meaningful choice.

If you wish to preserve your wedding dress for future generations, proper storage is crucial in maintaining its pristine condition. With this in mind, Vlatka Lake, storage expert at Space Station, offers four tips to keep your wedding dress in perfect condition.

Why do you need to store it safely?

Neglecting to store your wedding dress properly can expose it to risks that could compromise its condition and sentimental value. Without appropriate preservation, your cherished gown might suffer irreversible damage. Dust, light, humidity, pests, and physical mishandling can all contribute to the deterioration of your dress. Over time, these factors can lead to discolouration, fabric degradation, and the formation of stubborn stains that may be challenging or impossible to remove. Additionally, improper storage can weaken the dress’s structural integrity, making alterations difficult and jeopardising its status as a family heirloom. In essence, not storing your wedding dress correctly can diminish its aesthetic and sentimental value, depriving you of the chance to relive the magic of your special day or share it with future generations.

Vlatka advises: “Before storing your dress, ensure it is cleaned to remove any stains or marks from your wedding day. It’s crucial to remember not to store your wedding gown in a plastic bag or hang it on a hanger. Plastic covers do not accommodate humidity changes and often let light in, which can fade the fabric. Hanging your dress can also distort its shape by putting unnecessary stress on the seams or fabric.”

Four steps to storing your wedding dress:

Step One: Find an airtight cardboard box

“An airtight container or box is essential for storing a wedding gown, as it protects against dirt and dust. We recommend using an acid-free box rather than a typical cardboard one. Acid-free boxes generally have no writing on them and should appear blank.”

Step Two: Carefully fold your dress with tissue paper

“Tissue paper helps prevent snags and damage; avoid coloured paper as it can discolour your gown. Folding your dress into layers also reduces damage. Each wedding dress is different, but we suggest folding the top section first, as it is usually the most intricate. Fold the top part first, then work down the rest of the dress until it is neatly folded.”

Step Three: Wrap your wedding dress in muslin

“After folding your dress, cover it in layers of unbleached muslin. Like tissue paper, muslin helps avoid dust and damage while in storage. Visit your local fabric shop to source muslin to shield your dress.”

Step Four: Place your gown in the box

“Finally, carefully place your wrapped wedding dress into the cardboard box and securely seal it with the lid. If possible, add silica desiccant packets to control moisture levels. After this, your wedding dress is ready to be stored in your storage unit.”

The Shoot

The team behind these photos wanted to create a modern take on the boho bridal look, surrounded by nature and with sustainability at it’s core.

They share, “Immersed in Spring, this modern boho look is fresh, feminine and minimal with touches of texture and movement bringing in those edgy boho details that we all love. With spring in full force, blossoms and bright pink rhododendrons fill the scene, with the ivory wedding dress contrasting against tree trunks and the floral space. The dress is made from peace silk; a silk which is not harmful to silkworms and the lace was in tune with the natural textures that surrounds our bride. Jessica Turner Designs wanted to create a flowing, boho look, with the wide flared sleeves and a striking backless design, so our bride’s modern wavy hair look could be seen cascading down her back. Keeping the skin minimal whilst radiant, Rachael added pops of berry to complement the complexion and kept the vibes organic and undone, by creating a loose S wave in the hair which created a raw textured finish. We wanted this shoot to embody natural feminine beauty with a carefree, whimsical feel.”