How to Care for Your Wedding Dress Before and After the Wedding

Your wedding dress is more than just a piece of clothing, it’s a symbol of one of the most meaningful days of your life. And let’s be honest, you’ve probably invested a big chunk of your wedding budget into your wedding dress. Whether it’s made from delicate lace, flowing silk, or soft bamboo satin, caring for it properly will help keep it beautiful before and long after your wedding day. Here’s how to make sure your dress looks its best when you walk down the aisle and stays in perfect condition afterward. Please note that these instructions apply to a soft structured wedding dresses. Dresses with boning and beading might 

Before the Wedding

Keep it protected

Once you collect your wedding dress, store it safely in a breathable garment bag to protect it from dust, accidental spills, and sunlight that can fade fabrics. Avoid storing it near anything that might transfer colour or scent (perfumes, candles, or clothes dyed in strong colours).

Lay your dress flat

Avoid hanging your dress for long periods, especially if your dress is made from lace. The weight of the fabric can cause the lace to stretch or distort. Instead, lay it flat on a clean surface (like a spare bed) inside the garment bag, folding it carefully if needed.

Steam it the night before

Don’t leave steaming (never press) of your dress until the morning of your wedding. It’s the last thing you’ll want to worry about while getting ready for the ceremony. Take the dress out of the bag the night before and give it a gentle steam to remove any creases. This also allows the fabric to relax and fall beautifully, ready for the next day. Here’s a polished version of your paragraph:

It’s often enough to let your dress hang in the bathroom after you take a hot shower. The steam will naturally ease out light creases. Lace dresses in particular rarely need a full steaming, as any wrinkles are much less noticeable on lace. If you don’t have a handheld steamer, check with your venue. They most likely have one you can borrow.

After the Wedding

Let the dress dry

Before placing your wedding dress back in the garment bag, make sure it’s completely dry. Even if it doesn’t seem damp, it may have absorbed some moisture from the air or from perspiration during the day.

Dry clean it as soon as possible

The sooner your wedding dress is cleaned, the better. Mud, wine, and makeup stains can quickly set into fabric, and once they do, they’re nearly impossible to remove completely without risking damaging the fabric. Take it to a professional dry cleaner experienced with wedding dresses as soon as you can after the wedding.

Cleaning services our brides have used:
Sewn By Me
Ducane Dry Cleaners
Bentley Garment Care

When choosing a professional cleaner for your wedding dress, look for one that specialises in bridal or delicate garments. Regular dry cleaners may not have the expertise or equipment needed. Make sure they’re experienced with the type of fabric your dress is made of, especially if your dress includes lace, silk, or intricate embellishments. Reading reviews or asking your bridal boutique for recommendations can help you find someone trusted. 

Store it properly

Once your dress is clean, don’t hang it back up long-term. Over time, the weight of the skirt can cause the neckline or waist to stretch out of shape. Instead, store your dress in a large (preferably acid-free) box with tissue paper between the folds to protect delicate fabrics and prevent creasing. Some cleaning services offer boxes and packing as well. Keep the box in a cool, dry place away from sunlight.

Whether you plan to keep your dress as a treasured memory, repurpose it, or pass it on one day, proper care will ensure it stays as beautiful as it was when you first put it on. Taking a bit of time before and after your wedding to care for your dress is the best way to preserve the craftsmanship and quality stitched into every seam. These instructions are for brides who plan to store their dress and potentially hand it to their daughters one day. However, with our Next Chapter service, we encourage our brides to repurpose their wedding dresses so that they can store them in their regular wardrobe and wear it over and over again.