How to care for your wedding outfit

Steaming your wedding dress

One of the most frequently asked questions we get is “Can I use a steamer on my wedding dress?” And the answer is: yes. In fact, it is the safest way to remove stubborn wrinkles from delicate materials. And wedding dress steaming does not have to be done by a professional, the cheapest and easiest thing is to bring your own handheld steamer.

Before the wedding: Store in a safe place

Before the wedding, the primary task is to make sure your dress or suit is kept in perfect condition for the special day. Also, good preparations beforehand will minimize the risk of extra maintenance on your wedding day.

• Store your dress or suit in a garment bag meant for storage. Never opt for one made of plastic, as it may trap moisture that can cause the garment to catch mold and odors or get stained. The only time to use a plastic bag is during transport, to protect the outfit from bad weather.
• Heavy dresses should be stored lying down. Lighter dresses, tuxedos, and suits should be kept hanging in their garment bags. Protect them from direct sunlight, since it can make white fabrics turn yellow.
• Store your wedding outfit in a dry and dark place where it is not cramped with other garments.

On the wedding day: Be ready with a first aid kit

When the big day arrives, it's best to be prepared for spills, tears, and wrinkles, so make sure to pack a first aid kit. We suggest our Sewing Kit, baby powder, and a Clothing Brush or Lint Brush. Don’t forget about the steamer to ensure that perfect end result.

• Steam your wedding gown, suit, or tuxedo with a steamer to make them wrinkle-free and smooth as a last step before the ceremony. A travel steamer with a small water tank is perfect for last-minute touch-ups of those delicate layers of tulle before walking down the aisle.
• Brush off dust, hair, and lint with a Lint Brush
• Mask stains, but do not start any advanced stain removal. Blot wine stains with a dry tissue. Stay away from harsh chemicals and home remedies since this might harm the fabric. Leave tough stains to the experts at the dry cleaners after the wedding.
• Chalk or baking soda can be used to mask fatty acid stains temporarily. This is only meant for white garments, of course.
• Quickly mend tears with matching thread, if necessary.

After the wedding: Cleaning and long-term storage

After the wedding, the main aim is to clean and preserve your wedding dress or suit. The trickiest stains are the ones you cannot spot immediately. Spills from white wine and champagne may not be noticeable right away, but they can turn into permanent brown stains after a while. Bring the garments to the dry cleaner as quickly as possible after the wedding.

• Bring the garments to the dry cleaner, even if you do not notice any stains right away.
• Hang the dress on a padded hanger. A padded hanger is much gentler than a wire or wood hanger. If the dress is heavy, store it laying down.
• Store your dress or suit in a dry, cool, and dark place, in a fabric garment bag meant for storage.
• If you are not planning to keep your wedding outfit, consider selling it instead of just storing it.
• Avoid letting the garments lay around at home for weeks after the wedding. By then many of the most common stains have become untreatable.

Common materials used in wedding dresses and suits

Silk
Silk is a natural protein fiber that is produced by silkworms. Known for its luster, shine, strength, and durability, it has a long trading history across the world.

Care advice for silk garments

Satin
Satin is not a specific type of fabric but refers to the weave. Satin can therefore consist of different fibers. Originally, satin was made using only silk, but modern satin can also be made from polyester and rayon.

Tulle
Tulle is a thin, lightweight netted fabric and can be made of various fibers, like nylon, silk, but most commonly polyester.

Wool
Wool is a natural protein fiber that is obtained from the undercoats of sheep or goats. Wool is naturally antibacterial and odor-resistant and can be washed very infrequently.

Care advice for wool garments

Cotton
Cotton is made from the fluffy fibers of the cotton plant. Cotton garments are much more durable and forgiving than materials like silk or wool. Due to the fiber structure, cotton can endure a lot of machine washing, tumble drying, and ironing.