6 Tips To Store Your Wedding Dress And Accessories

tips to store your wedding dress and accessories cover

With lots of couples postponing their weddings because of Covid 19, many bride have been asking how to store their wedding dresses and accessories right until their big days arrive. The same advice applies post-wedding, for anyone who wants to preserve pieces of their wedding day attire as keepsakes for years to come. Let’s see how to keep them safe right.

Store Your Pieces Somewhere Cool, Dry And Dark

A wedding dress is at its happiest in a cool, dry and dark place. Keep your dress away from direct sunlight and don’t store with anything musty or dirty, as odors may transfer. Remove any plastic covering from around your dress – tissue paper is better if you need to protect beading, and when it comes to a garment bag, breathable is best. It’s also wise to add some silica gel packs to absorb any moisture. If your dress needs to be stored for longer than eight months, invest in a breathable storage box with acid free tissue.

ask your wedding store or dress designer how to store your wedding dress, they usually know better

ask your wedding store or dress designer how to store your wedding dress, they usually know better

such a box for your wedding dress is a great idea, it's cool and dry but keep it somewhere dark

such a box for your wedding dress is a great idea, it's cool and dry but keep it somewhere dark

such a wedding dress display is a cool idea to show off the beauty while you aren't wearing it

such a wedding dress display is a cool idea to show off the beauty while you aren't wearing it

Hang Your Wedding Dress Correctly

Long term hanging could damage your dress, particularly if it’s heavy. Use the hanging ribbons that should be inside and make sure the weight is evenly distributed. Don’t use a cheap lightweight or wire hanger. You most likely got a good quality hanger with the dress, so use that or look for one that’s strong and well-padded. Make sure the dress has plenty of space around it in the wardrobe – if it’s crammed in, it will only get creased and potentially damaged. Consider lying your dress flat if possible.

hang your wedding dress correctly using ribbons that are inside your wedding dress

hang your wedding dress correctly using ribbons that are inside your wedding dress

you will get a strong padded hanger with your dress, so use it to hold it safely

you will get a strong padded hanger with your dress, so use it to hold it safely

think of storing your wedding dress flat to keep it safe and avoid any marks or othr issues with it

think of storing your wedding dress flat to keep it safe and avoid any marks or othr issues with it

Storing Vintage

Vintage fabrics need a little extra TLC. Don’t keep them in plastic packaging or a plastic container. Be extra vigilant of fabric pests like moths. Check on the storage every couple of months, in case the hanging, or flay lay needs to be adjusted. And have your dress laundered before you store it – and again before your wedding if it smells musty.

a vintage dress should be stored with special attention, it's much more difficult to keep it safe

a vintage dress should be stored with special attention, it's much more difficult to keep it safe

Shoes, Jewelry And Hair Accessories

Shoes and jewelry are best stored in their original boxes, with any necessary padding around them – again remove any plastic. Make sure they are somewhere safe, moisture-free, and that you note where you left them – you don’t want a mad panic trying to find your wedding earrings in 12 months time!

store your wedding accessories and shoes in their original boxes and packs if there are any

store your wedding accessories and shoes in their original boxes and packs if there are any

if you have a lot of accessories and store them in some special unit, just put your wedding accessories there and mark them

if you have a lot of accessories and store them in some special unit, just put your wedding accessories there and mark them

store your accessories moisture-safe and comfortable, wherever they are

store your accessories moisture-safe and comfortable, wherever they are

put all your wedding jewelry in one place to avoid looking for these or those pieces and have them altogether

put all your wedding jewelry in one place to avoid looking for these or those pieces and have them altogether

store your wedding shoes in a box, better a cardboard one but it can be a sheer acrylic one, too

store your wedding shoes in a box, better a cardboard one but it can be a sheer acrylic one, too

Veils

Veils can be hung or folded (you may need to steam it with the latter), but to avoid it getting snagged or damaged, keep it in a breathable garment bag, or wrapped in tissue. Again, keep it out of direct sunlight, and use some silica gel packs to keep it moisture-free during storage.

veils can be hung or folded, keep an eye on your veil to avoid its damaging

veils can be hung or folded, keep an eye on your veil to avoid its damaging

try a veil hanging hook and a storage bag to keep it absolutely safe

try a veil hanging hook and a storage bag to keep it absolutely safe

Lingerie

While your shapewear or lace pants will be likely be fine in your knicker drawer, bras or corsets can lose their shape or get damaged if stored incorrectly. Wrap them loosely in tissue paper, and keep them in a clean, dry box (ideally cardboard) in your wardrobe. Ensure that they aren’t bent or crumpled, and that nothing is weighing down on the cups or boning in particular.

hang your wedding lingerie comfortably using hangers if they fit

hang your wedding lingerie comfortably using hangers if they fit