Dress Preservation
Darci wrote:
who do you recommend to clean and preserve a bridal gown, what should I spend?
Hi Darcy,
There are many methods and prices involved in the preservation of a wedding dress. Such methods include wet or dry cleaning, museum methods and boxed methods. Often times, dress preservationists will even make slight repairs to the dress (fixing a stitch, reattaching beading, etc.) prior to the preservation process.
Museum preservation methods are often the most thorough and the most expensive. The dress is cleaned and pressed, then hung on padded hangers and covered with multiple layers of cotton. Dresses also may be laid flat in an acid-free box or drawer and stored in a climate-controlled environment (often a cool, low-humidity room).
Most brides opt for the more affordable, yet effective method of having their dress boxed. This involves cleaning, repairing and pressing the dress, then storing the article in an acid-free container that is impervious to light and dust. Again, pricing may vary depending on the thoroughness of the preservation process.
The best local option is YourValet Dry Cleaning. YourValet is a member of the Association of Wedding Gown Specialists and has years of experience in the preservation of wedding dresses and other heirloom articles of clothing. They can be found on UtahWeddings.com, under Bridal Shops and Attire.
