Pre-Wedding Gown Care

Your dress has arrived! You came to House of White for your First Look appointment, and are now taking your beloved gown with you. So…now what?

Caring for a wedding gown in the interim period between your First Look and the wedding day can be unfamiliar territory. Don’t sweat! We’ve got some easy to follow guidelines for caring for your wedding gown before the Big Day!

Step 1: Determine your gown’s “Home” before the wedding day

Put some thought into where you are going to keep your gown until it’s time to begin your alterations. Whether your gown goes home with you or with a family member, be sure that it is stored somewhere smoke-free, safe from pets, and where it’s at zero risk for sun damage or water damage. We always say the best place for your gown is a guest bedroom closet depending on your space.

If your wedding is less than 6 months away, hanging your gown in its garment bag is perfectly fine. However, if you need to store your gown for more than 6 months, we recommend lying it flat or doubling it over for storage. This reduces the amount of strain on bodice for a prolonged period of time. As always, we’re happy to send you home with a box if you’d like to keep your gown boxed in a safe area as your wedding approaches - just reach out and we can accommodate that.

Step 2: Establish your plan for your alterations

As soon as you’ve left House of White with your gown in hand, we recommend reaching out to your preferred alterations specialist. As a House of White bride you’ll have access to our curated list of specialists, but regardless of who you use, it’s best to reach out to them as soon as you have your gown in your possession. Based on your wedding date and the needs of your gown, they’ll be able to confirm your alterations timeline.

Step 3: Transport your gown for alterations

Your alterations appointment time has arrived! Time to load up your precious gown and head to the tailor. We recommend bringing only the pieces required for your alterations: the gown + any belts, extra fabric, straps, or elements being attached to your dress. We recommend leaving your veil and bridal jewelry at home so nothing is misplaced.

Step 4: After your alterations…

After your alterations are fully complete, you’ll bring your gown back home for safekeeping until the wedding…this timeline looks different for everyone, but it’s not uncommon for brides to bring home their gown 24 hours prior to the wedding, in some cases. It’s likely your gown has been fully steamed after alterations, so if possible we recommend bringing your gown home, then promptly removing it from the bag to hang loose to maintain that crisp fabric. However, if you need to keep it in the bag for safety or reasons of secrecy, go right ahead. You’ll likely just need to touch-up the steaming prior to the wedding.

Step 5: Wedding Day Prep

The big day has arrived! Time to get this gown ready for its big debut moment. Whether you’re getting ready at a residence or a venue, we recommend finding a good spot to hang your gown in a place where the train can hang free. Once your gown is done traveling from point A to point B, you can give it one final steaming touch-up with a travel steamer or full steamer.

Before getting into your gown, recruit two ‘helpers’ to assist you in getting into your gown. Before anyone begins this task, FIRST pause and have you and your helpers all wash your hands. This ensures no one has makeup residue on their hands that could be transferred onto your dress. Your two helpers will help you into your dress, and since wedding gowns often have a very close fit, it’s helpful to have one helper to hold the zipper closed, and one helper to zip the gown.

Step 6: After the Wedding

With a little preparation, your post-wedding gown care can be an easy peasy process. We highly recommend purchasing a gown preservation kit prior to your wedding, which has everything you need to send your gown off for cleaning and preservation as soon as you take it off. Simply drop your gown and veil into the enclosed box, seal it up with the included tape, and attach the shipping label. A trusted member of your wedding party can then drop it off at a UPS dropoff location. Your gown will be fully cleaned, preserved, and shipped to your doorstep in a matter of weeks.

The important thing to remember is that your wedding gown is the most carefully constructed, durable garment you’ll likely ever wear…so don’t worry, it’s very unlikely you could do anything to harm it. That said, just use your best instincts and a little preparation to ensure your gown is safe until your big day. And as always, reach out to us for any questions or guidance as you continue through your bride journey!