Your wedding day was a once-in-a-lifetime celebration that was full of joy and happiness. And at the heart of it all was your breathtaking wedding gown, a visual representation of all your hopes and goals and a promise of a bright new beginning. You may be wondering what to do with your wedding dress when you finally get around to unpacking all of your precious memories and antiques.
While some brides may wish to keep their dresses as heirlooms, there are innumerable beautiful and meaningful ways to offer your clothing a second chance at life.
This article will help you determine the best course of action for your wedding dress after the big day so that it can serve as a source of lasting delight and fond memories for years to come. We’ve got you covered with ideas that will keep your wedding dress a part of your story long after the honeymoon is done, whether you want to wear it again give it away or put it on display.
What To Do With A Boxed Wedding Dress?
You may keep the memories of your wedding day alive and give the dress new life by keeping it in its original box. Some suggestions for opening that boxed wedding gown:
- Preserve as a Heirloom: Many brides choose to keep their wedding dresses as family heirlooms. Properly preserved, your dress can be passed down through generations, creating a beautiful tradition.
- Recreate or Alter: If you’re feeling creative, consider working with a skilled seamstress to transform your dress into a new outfit. You could make a christening gown for your future children, a cocktail dress, or even a quilt with dress fabric patches.
- Donate: Donating your wedding dress to a charitable organization, like Brides Across America or a local charity, allows brides with limited resources to experience their dream wedding. It’s a heartfelt way to share the joy of your special day.
- Sell: If you’re not particularly sentimental about your dress, selling it can help recoup some of the costs. Many online platforms specialize in selling wedding attire, making it easier to find a new owner who will cherish it.
- Photo Session: Arrange for a photoshoot wearing your wedding dress in a unique setting. Capture stunning images that you can cherish and display as art in your home.
- Frame It: Frame a portion of your dress fabric, along with a wedding photo or a meaningful quote, to create a beautiful piece of art that commemorates your special day.
- Create Jewelry: Repurpose lace, beads, or fabric from your dress to craft custom jewellery items, like a bracelet, necklace, or even a garter to wear on anniversaries.
- Display: If you have a dedicated space, consider displaying your wedding dress in a shadow box or under glass. It can serve as a beautiful reminder of your love story.
- Costume or Dress-Up Play: Your dress can be a fun addition to costume parties or playtime for your children or grandchildren. It’s a creative way to give your dress a new life.
- Charity Auction: Donate your dress to a charity auction or fundraising event. The proceeds can benefit a good cause, making your dress part of something meaningful.
- Memory Quilt: If you’re crafty, turn your dress into a memory quilt by incorporating pieces of the fabric into a patchwork quilt. Each square can represent a different memory or milestone in your life.
- Share the Love: Loan your dress to a friend or family member for their wedding day, allowing your gown to create new memories and traditions.
What you do with your wedding dress after the big day depends on how much you care about it and how much you want to share its beauty with others. Your wedding dress can remain a meaningful part of your life whether you want to pass it down through the generations, give it to a worthy cause, or repurpose it in some other way.
How Do You Preserve A Wedding Dress In A Box?
If you want to keep your wedding dress in beautiful shape for years to come, you need to take extra care when storing it in a box. A wedding dress can be stored safely in a box by following these steps:
Materials Needed
- Acid-free wedding dress preservation box or garment bag
- Acid-free tissue paper
- White cotton gloves (to avoid transferring oils from your hands)
- Clean, dry, and cool storage space
Steps
- Clean the Dress: Before preserving your wedding dress, have it professionally cleaned. Make sure to choose a reputable dry cleaner with experience in cleaning wedding gowns. Any stains or dirt left on the dress can become permanent over time if not properly addressed.
- Gather Materials: Ensure you have an acid-free wedding dress preservation box or garment bag and acid-free tissue paper. Acid-free materials are essential because they won’t deteriorate or yellow the fabric over time.
- Wash Your Hands: Put on white cotton gloves to keep oils from your skin off the dress. Oils can stain and damage delicate fabrics.
- Layer with Tissue Paper: Lay a sheet of acid-free tissue paper flat on a clean, flat surface. Gently place the wedding dress on top of it, making sure to arrange it in a way that avoids creases and wrinkles. Use more tissue paper to stuff the sleeves, bodice, and any other areas that need support. This will help the dress keep its shape.
- Fold the Dress Carefully: Fold the dress as needed to fit it into the preservation box. Be gentle and take your time to avoid stressing or creasing the fabric.
- Boxing the Dress: Place the folded dress into the acid-free preservation box. If your dress is too large for the box, consider folding it in a way that allows it to fit comfortably, or consult with a professional preservationist for options. Make sure the dress is lying flat and not compressed.
- Add Additional Tissue Paper: Place more acid-free tissue paper between the folds and layers of the dress to provide extra protection. Avoid overpacking the box, as excessive pressure can damage the fabric.
- Seal the Box: Close the preservation box securely. Ensure it is airtight to prevent dust, light, and moisture from entering. Many preservation boxes come with a sealing strip or adhesive to help maintain a sealed environment.
- Label the Box: Label the box with information about the dress, such as the wedding date, the bride’s name, and any other relevant details.
- Store Properly: Store the sealed preservation box in a cool, dry, and dark place. Avoid areas with extreme temperature fluctuations or high humidity, as these can damage the fabric over time.
- Regular Check-Ups: Periodically inspect the dress (every year or so) to ensure it remains in good condition. If you notice any issues, consult a preservationist for advice on restoration.
Your wedding dress is an important keepsake that ought to be cared for and preserved properly. Getting the advice of a wedding dress preservationist or professional preservation agency is a good idea if you have any doubts about the process or just want to make sure your dress is in good hands.
Conclusion
Protecting the memories and elegance of your wedding day by storing your dress away in a box is a lovely gesture. If you follow the advice in this manual and store your garment in an acid-free environment, it will retain its original colour and shape for years to come.
If you want your clothing to retain its sentimental and artistic worth, whether you plan to keep it as a family heirloom, pass it on to future generations, or just admire it now and then, careful maintenance is essential. If you want your wedding dress to look as stunning as the day you wore it down the aisle, it’s important to keep it in a cool, dry, dark place and check on it regularly.
Your wedding dress is more than just a piece of fabric; it’s a tangible reminder of the love and joy you had on your wedding day, and it deserves to be preserved so that you can enjoy it for years to come.
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