How to Care for Your Wedding Outfit

Before: Store Dark, Dry and in a Garment Bag

Before the wedding, the primary task is to make sure your dress or suit is in perfect condition for the big day. Also, good preparations before, minimize the need for extra maintenance during your wedding day.

Do:

• Store your dress or suit in a garment bag meant for storage. Never opt for one in plastic, as it may trap moisture that can cause the garment to catch mold or get stained. The only time to use a plastic bag is during transport, to protect the outfit.
• Heavy dresses should be stored lying down, for instance under the bed. Lighter dresses, tuxedos and suits should be kept hanging in their garment bag. Protect them from direct sunlight, since it can make white fabrics turn yellow.
• Store the outfit in a dry and dark place, and where it’s not cramped with other garments.

Don’t:

• Store them in a garment bag made of plastic.
• Hang them in sunlight.
• Store them in damp spaces, like a basement.
• Hang them in a cramped space, it may cause harmful creases.

On the Wedding Day: Stains and First Aid Kit

It’s best to be prepared for spills, tears and wrinkles. Pack a first aid kit with matching sewing thread, needle, scissors, baby powder and a Clothing Brush or Lint Brush. Don’t forget the steamer, it will ensure that perfect end result.

Do:

• Steam the dress, suit or tuxedo as a last step before the ceremony. The steamer will remove all creases and give the fabric a perfect finish.
• Brush off dust and hair with a Clothing Brush.
• Mask stains, but don’t start any advanced stain treatment. Blot wine stains with a dry tissue – but stay away from harsh chemicals.
• Chalk or baking soda can be used to mask fatty acid stains temporarily. This is only meant for white garments, of course.
• Quickly mend tears with matching thread, if necessary.

Don’t:

• Treat stains with harsh chemicals or any household remedies, unless you’re 100 % sure it’s going to work and that it won’t harm the fabric. Instead leave it to the experts at the dry cleaners, after the wedding.

After the Wedding: Cleaning and Long-Term Storage

The trickiest stains are the ones you can’t spot immediately. Spills from white wine and champagne aren't noticeable right away, but they turn into brown, permanent stains after a while. Many stains can become permanent if you wait weeks before treating them. Bring the garments to the dry cleaner as quickly as possible after the wedding.

Do:

• Bring the garments to the dry cleaner, even if you don’t notice any stains right away.
• Hang the garments on a padded hanger. A padded hanger is gentler than a hanger made of wood or metal.
• If you’re not planning on keeping your wedding outfit, consider selling it instead of just storing it.
• Store your dress or suit in a dry, cool and dark place, in a fabric garment bag meant for storage.

Don’t:

• Let the garments lay around at home for weeks after the wedding. By then many of the most common stains have become untreatable.
• Store the garments in a damp environment, like a basement.
• Expose them to sunlight.