Bridal Gown Storage (pre-wedding)

olivehim

I'm stumped again and need your advice!  I was fortunate enough to find my bridal gown already (1 year before my wedding).  I've had it hanging in my closet in the plastic bag for over a month already.  I read that you're not supposed to do that, I know, but I don't have a good place to lay it flat at home without FI seeing it and there's really nowhere else to keep it.  I showed it to my friend the other day and was horrified to see that it is already wrinkled like mad at the bottom (lots of gathering at the bottom, taffeta fabric).

I'm meeting with Louise in 2 weeks for my first fitting.  Will she keep the dress at her house for the enitre year, or do I take it home from time to time?  Will she steam the gown to wrinkle-free perfection or do I have to find somwhere else to do that?  How did you store your gown pre-wedding? (You really can tell I know nothing about this!)

Thanks!

juliels53

Honestly, I would wait on having the fittings until 2 months before the wedding. Chances are you'd have to change something by then and you just end up wasting money and time (even though it doesn't seem like a waste, it sounds like fun!)

As for storing, do you have a close relative/friend you trust near you with a guest bedroom so you could store it underneath the bed? HTH!

kaylas16

I, too am wondering the same thing!  I've had my dress since mid March and my wedding isn't until next June!! I tried it on for a friend the other day and it was also a bit wrinkly!  I am assuming the person doing your alterations will be able to steam it? But I am also curious to hear what others have to say because I have no idea really either!

kkaew816

Louise has had my dress since my fitting in February, I haven't gone back yet, lol, but I should make another appointment soon, and after the alterations are done I'll take it home or bring it to a friend's home. She did say she'd steam it before I pick it up to get out the wrinkles

archie08

Funny you gals are asking this. My dress just came in and my wedding is 12/31. Im not sure if I want to get it altered at the dress shop or by Louise. I guess if I take it out of their storage they wont take it back. I just might have to leave it there for a while. It would be nice if Louise was able to store dresses but not sure what she does.

drdifabio

Yes - Louise keeps your dress at her place. She needs it there in order to work on it. I kept mine at the wedding shop (where I bought it) until I had my first fitting, then I picked it up from there and brought it over to Louise. She has had it ever since and will keep it up until I pick it up right before the wedding. It is still up in the air weather I am getting it on Thursday or Friday before my Sat wedding but it will be one of those too. Then she will have it all steamed and ready to go so I will just have to hang it up and out at my parents house somewhere before Sat.

TAS710

I bought my dress 1 year early as well. I took my dress to Karen- The Wedding Gown Specialists in New Hope. She cleaned it and preserved it. It was put in a nice preserving box. She is really awesome! It has been 1 year at least and I just took it out this month to bring to Louise to alter and it still looks amazing. Karen also offers free pressing. I would definitely reccommend going that route.

http://www.weddinggowncarespecialist.com/

olivehim

Really?  You had it preserved in a box for a whole year before your wedding?  I guess I never thought I'd need to do that.  I'm meeting with Louise already next week for my 1st fitting and my wedding isn't for 11 more months.  I'm assuming she'll keep the dress at her house until next year when it's finished being altered, like drdifabio mentioned.  If she does,  do I need to worry if she's storing it there properly or not?  I'll have to ask her about that.  You read online about how it can become discolored if stored improperly or stretch if it's hung on a hanger for too long...etc.  Is this just hype or can it really happen?