Wedding Dress Preservation Services

Museum-grade wedding dress preservation requires the use of archival-quality materials and meticulous techniques specifically designed to protect exquisite fabrics, intricate construction, and delicate embellishments during long-term storage. For bespoke and haute couture gowns of the highest echelon, storing the garment in acid-free tissue paper is essential for maintaining a chemically neutral environment for the fabric. The tissue is also used to carefully pad and support folds, embellishments, and other delicate areas of the garment. At J. Scheer & Co., our wedding dress preservation services reflect the exceptional level of attention these singular garments require, while our approach to professional wedding dress preservation draws upon established textile conservation principles.

We carefully fold and pad each garment to help prevent creasing, which can cause areas of weakness in the fabric over time. Folding the garment is necessary for practical storage, but we aim to limit and control the folds so that the gown remains properly supported during storage. We support the folds of the garment with bumpers of acid-free tissue. A lighter weight of acid-free tissue is used to pad out sleeves and the bust, while a heavier acid-free tissue is used as an outer wrapping. This exacting approach to wedding dress preservation is especially important for sublime couture gowns featuring complex silhouettes, fine fabrics, and elaborate handwork.

Separate items, such as a gown and veil, are wrapped individually in tissue to limit direct contact between the fabrics. The carefully wrapped items are then placed in an acid-free, chemically inert archival box with a removable lid. Conservation scientists and museum professionals do not recommend that contemporary textiles made of organic materials be stored in “sealed” environments. We subscribe to this thinking as an essential component of our professional wedding dress preservation methodology.

Such sealed environments, bags, boxes, and rigid plastic containers, can trap humidity and acidity in the storage compartment. When absorbed into textile fibers, these conditions can lead to rapid oxidation of the fibers, resulting in yellowing, and can allow for the growth of mold and mildew. Our wedding dress preservation services utilize archival boxes specifically designed for home storage, which is a less controlled environment than that of a museum.

The use of archival-quality, acid-free materials helps prevent yellowing and deterioration of the fabric during long-term storage. We are trained in museum storage environments and follow best practices when employing our wedding dress preservation methodology. We also provide recommendations to clients for storing these exceptional textiles in a controlled home environment with limited exposure to UV light, as well as stable humidity and temperature levels to help prevent mold growth, fabric yellowing, and other forms of degradation caused by fluctuations in environmental conditions.

The goal of our professional wedding dress preservation is to provide an environment that promotes both the physical and chemical stability of the textile within a home setting for future generations. Our wedding dress preservation services are guided by a profound respect for the artistry, craftsmanship, and provenance embodied in every bespoke gown entrusted to our care. Our mission is to provide the most thoughtful and attentive care to these extraordinary textiles so they may become enduring and treasured parts of our clients’ family cultural history.

Bridal Gown Service Inquiry

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