What to do with your gown after the big day!

Photographer: Kristian Irey

You have said “I Do” and all of the excitement has settled, now the big question lingers. What should I do with my wedding gown? Be sure to really consider what you envision with your gown, do you want to clean it and have it readily available to try on? Do you want to preserve it for your future daughter or loved ones? Do you want to sell it? Let’s dive deeper into what these options look like.

Wedding Gown Cleaning

Cleaning your gown is a perfect place to start and while there are some talented dry cleaners in Alaska, there are no gown specialists. This is why we have paired with a gown specialist out of Michigan who takes care of all of our cleaning needs. We offer different packages based on your needs, from a basic after-wedding clean to a full repair and clean. Our packages start at $262 and go up from there based on your needs. This price includes the shipping to and from Michigan.

If this is the right choice for you, we would schedule a time for you to drop off your gown and we would take it from there. Once it arrives back in the boutique, we will give you a call!

Wedding Gown Preservation

Preserving your gown can be a perfect option for the bride that would like to save her gown. We offer a few different packages through our gown specialist in Michigan. The price will depend on the size of your gown and if there are repairs needed, gown preservation starts at $550 and includes all shipping costs.

So what exactly is gown preservation? After a thorough cleaning, gowns are carefully layered with acid-free tissue, wrapped in muslin, and carefully folded into a beautiful box for storage. A pair of cotton gloves will be included for you to use if you would like to take your gown out and share it with children or friends. We believe that your gown should be enjoyed, not vacuum-packed where you cannot even see it. If you want to unpack your gown, you will use the gloves included and lay it on a clean sheet. Then, you may pack it away again in the box in the same way you received it. If the gown is worn, it should be re-cleaned before being stored again.

Selling Your Gown

Let’s be honest, not everyone wants to save their gown or even has the space to do so - if this is the case, selling your gown may be the right choice for you. The process of selling a gown may feel stressful, but thanks to technology it has become a bit easier! We recommend listing your gown with all of the information - style/designer, size, the size chart from the designer, and be sure to include any alterations that may have been done. Photos from the designer can be used, but you will have the best luck with real photos of the gown up close. Posting the listing on Facebook Marketplace, Poshmark, and Still White can be a great place to start!

And if all else fails, you can always shorten it and wear it again!

We hope this helps relieve some of the post-wedding stress. If you would like more information on any of these options, please don’t hesitate to reach out!

Photographer: The Hitched Hiker

https://www.bateaubridalboutique.com/