Clean or Preserve?

Doby28

Quick question... got married a month ago - and I still don't know what to do with my dress... It isn't really dirty.  What is the difference between just dry cleaning it and preserving it?   Which should I do - obviously preserving it costs more - but is it worth it? HELP!  TIA

mbcdefg

A dry cleaner friend of mine told me that "preserving" a bridal gown basically consists of a standard cleaning, putting it in a pretty box, and then charging a hefty markup.

Now, I don't know if that's universally true, but based on that I will not be preserving mine. I plan to get it cleaned and then either sell or donate it.

Some people have also talked about making it into a christening gown or a bassinet cover for a future child. or some kind of quilt. Some people also talk about keeping it for a future daughter to wear, but IMO that's a crapshoot because fashions change so frequently.  

kristinanddan

I had mine cleaned and preserved through wedclean.com It was $139, which was cheaper than any place around here charges.

soontobemrsc&c

I think the preservation method is supposed to enclose the gown in acid-free non-yellowing material. Probably the same cleaning but not the same long storage protection.