This DRESS?

While you may not have gotten married yet, deciding what you want to do with your gown after the fact is probably something you should think about prior to the day. Your wedding gown is probably the most expensive dress you will ever own, whether you paid $200.00 or $2 million for it. So I thought I would offer some traditional, and not so traditional suggestions…

Preserve It: The most traditional option is to preserve it–for future generations, or to see if you can fit into it on your 50th wedding anniversary. There are TONS of bridal preservation services out there–ranging from kits where you pack it up, send it to the company via UPS or the like, the company cleans, inspects, presses, repairs (if necessary) and then packages it in a bridal storage box and sends it back to you. These services can range from $75.00 and up, depending on the company, detail of dress, if you have additional pieces (veil, gloves, etc.) The advantage here is that this is what these companies do–so they are equipped to handle the challenges that a wedding gown may have (delicate fabrics and beading, etc) Having it dry cleaned at your local dry cleaner is also an option–but make sure they are equipped to handle the process–you don’t want the local college kid working for $7.00 an hour cleaning your wedding dress.

Some tips if you are going the preservation route:

1. Send it out as soon as possible after the wedding. If you are going on a honeymoon right after your weeding, you may even want your mother or maid of honor to send it out. The reason being is that sugars (from your wedding cake or champagne) or salts (from perspiration), or any other such stains can set if they sit too long–the sooner you get it cleaned, the better.

2. Make sure that the preservation company offers a warranty that is not voided if you open the box. I have heard horror stories about brides who are told that opening the Bridal Box after its returned will void the warranty on the gown preservation–they open it years later to find the dress uncleaned -and since they opened the box and voided the warranty, they have no recourse…Just don’t do it–there are plenty of companies that allow (and even encourage you to open the box–some places even suggest you open the box ever few year to allow it to “air out” Plus–what fun is it if you paid all this money to have it preserved–and you cannot even look at it?

3. When you get the box home-don’t store it in your attic garage or basement. These are locations of drastic temperature changes, which can cause moisture to form, causing, mold, mildew, bugs, even your dress to deteriorate! Best places: Top shelf or your closet, under your bed, or even your cedar chest (if you have one).

4. Keep it in the Dark. As with anything delicate, leaving it out in the sun can fade it, and the heat can make it brittle–there is also danger of moisture.

5. You know those plastic bags the bridal stores give you to bring your dress home–throw it away–and make the investment of a cloth wedding gown bag (I found mine on  E-Bay –for $12.00)If you are only storing your dress for a week days–or carting it across the world–Plastic creates moisture, which leads to the whole mold, mildew and bug thing again. Personally, I have 2 cats who absolutely ADORE plastic–and wedding veil tulle) But they will not chew on the fabric bag. If you only need it stored for a few days, in your home, and you are animal free, you can take a couple white sheets and wrap it in that–just get it out of the plastic!

6. No Wire Hangers! Actually, no hangers at all. Most wedding dresses are more heavy that your average dress and while storing this way for a couple of weeks or months is OK (obviously, this is the way they are stored in a bridal store) Long term storage needs to be flat, with the front of the dress facing up. This is the best way to ensure the dress keeps its shape and does not wrinkle.

Monument It: For those of you who have an extra pile of money lying around (which is always the case after a wedding–not…)check this out Bridal Armoire Company which is exactly that–a museum case for your wedding gown. Starting at $9,995 (Their chest eries starts at $995) You have your choice of customizables such as finishes with climate control, specialized lighting, etc etc–the one I liked was $10,000. I suppose if you spent $50,000 on a dress, this is a small price to pay. But who thinks of this type of stuff?

Donate It: If you don’t plan on preserving it for future generations–here is a way to help someone else find a dress, and get a tax write-off as well. Donate your dress to charity. Brides against Breast Cancer and the I DO Foundation are the most popular. Each charity has different criteria, but if you want to go this option, you can probably claim about 1/2 of what you paid for on your income taxes–check with your accountant for further details. The charity will then sell your dress (with thousands of others) at special event throughout the year–with the money going to the specific charity.

Sell It: If you go on E-Bay, anytime, you will find hundreds of dresses that were only worn once–being sold at an amazing prices. So, again, if there are no plants for long-term preservation, and you would like to recoup some of the cost, this may be the route for you. Listing it locally on craigslist.org may also be an option.

Trash It: Ever want to lie on the beach, or go for a swim—in your wedding gown? Then check this site out: Trash the Dress The premise, as stated on the website is that you only get married once, and what better way to show your husband how committed you are by trashing the dress, and get some great fun pictures while you do it! There are some very neat pictures of brides, doing everything to spending the day in the woods, to riding in bumper cars. Even if this option is not for you…It’s a really neat concept!

Any thoughts on what YOU will do with your gown? Let us know!