Your gown has been carefully prepared for you, checked, steamed and made ready to travel home. What happens between that moment and the morning you actually put it on is entirely in your hands — and a little care now means it looks exactly as beautiful on the day as it did when you collected it.
Where to Keep It
Choose a clean, dry room away from direct sunlight, damp, cooking smells, smoke and strong heat. That usually rules out lofts, garages and bathrooms, all of which swing too far in temperature or humidity for delicate fabric to sit in for weeks at a time. A spare room or a wardrobe in a stable part of the house works far better. Keep pets and young children away from the gown and veil, and leave it in its dress bag while it is stored, unless we have told you otherwise for your particular fabric.
Use a strong rail, wardrobe or secure over-door point with enough height for the gown to hang naturally, and if it has internal hanging loops, use them — they take the weight through the structure of the dress rather than pulling on the shoulders or straps. Do not squash it between other clothes, and if the train is long, let it rest loosely rather than folding it sharply for weeks on end.
Dealing With Creasing
Some light creasing after transport or storage is completely normal, and it is rarely as alarming as it looks in the moment. A few days before the wedding, take the gown out of its outer bag and let it hang freely in a clean, safe room so the fabric can relax on its own. Never place a domestic iron directly onto a wedding dress. If steaming suits the fabric, use a clean garment steamer carefully, keeping the steam head away from the surface — it is often safer to steam from the inside or underside than directly onto lace, beading or appliqué. If you are at all unsure, contact us or your seamstress before you experiment.
Looking After Your Veil
Take the veil out of its packaging several days before the wedding and hang it separately so it can fall naturally, using a comb or veil hanger rather than putting strain on delicate edging. Keep it well away from makeup, hairspray, perfume and food while it hangs. For minor creases, our usual tip is to hang the veil in the bathroom, well clear of the shower itself, run a hot shower to build steam, close the door and leave it for a short while, checking regularly. The steam relaxes the fabric gently. Just keep the veil completely dry throughout, and never near an iron.
The Wedding-Week Check
Take the dress and veil out early enough to check them properly — not the night before. Confirm every detachable piece is present: sleeves, straps, belts, jackets, overskirts, anything that belongs with the gown. Check buttons, loops and fastenings for anything caught or twisted in storage. And have your shoes, underwear and accessories together in one place, so nothing is discovered missing at the worst possible moment.
On the Move
Keep the gown supported in its dress bag for any journey. Where you can, lay it across the back seat or hang it securely rather than folding it into a small space. If you are travelling to a venue or hotel the night before, take the dress into the room with you — never leave it in a vehicle. Once you arrive, hang it up straight away and let the train fall naturally again after the journey.
The Morning Itself
Get dressed only once hair and makeup are well underway, to reduce the risk of marks. Put on perfume, lotion and deodorant before the gown goes on, and give them time to dry first. Keep drinks, food and makeup at a safe distance throughout, and ask one trusted person to help with buttons, fastenings, the train and veil, rather than trying to manage all of it yourself in a mirror.
Different fabrics and finishes behave differently, and every gown has its own quirks. If you are ever unsure about a crease, a mark or how your particular dress should be handled in the run-up to the wedding, ask us or your seamstress before trying anything at home. It is always easier to prevent a problem than to fix one.
If your dress has just come home with you and you would like a hand thinking through storage, call us on 01206 577756 or get in touch — we are always happy to talk it through.