to seal or not to seal: the ultimate wedding dress preservation question answered

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To Seal or Not to Seal: The Wedding Dress Preservation Question

After your wedding, you want to have your gown preserved for years of enjoyment. There is a debate amongst brides, preservationists, and others about whether or not to seal the preservation box that your dress is placed in. Here, we will look at the argument for sealing the box up, air-tight. We will also look at what great preservationists should do for your dress, as well as questions you should ask your preservationists.

What a Preservationist Does

Most preservationists will tackle caring for your dress with a few steps. They should inspect, clean, and then seal your dress in a preservationist box that is solid or has a clear-plastic window. A preservationist takes great care to thoroughly clean your dress with environmentally safe solvents that are also safe for even the most delicate of fabrics. They try to get rid of even spots that only black lights can see on your dress to prevent future discoloration. Putting your dress in a box packed in tissue paper or on a bust form keeps it from staining or stretching out over the course of time.

Why Seal Your Box?

Sealing your box does make your container air-tight. Those that say that this is a good idea say that is helps to control the entrance of things like spores, mold, mildew, or insects. When you seal a box, you are also protecting your dress from fluctuating moisture levels in your home, any errant chemicals or substances floating in the air, and more. The most typical damage seen to fabulously delicate wedding dresses involves small insects, like silkworms, silverfish, and moths. Placing a seal on your wedding box can keep any and all insects and creatures away from your dress.

Check with Your Preservationist Company of Choice

If you are curious as to what method your preservationist company uses, ask them. Many times, reputable preservationist companies are more than happy to tell you about the process they use on your dress, chemicals involved in the process, and how they will re-package your dress. They can also give you more information about things like where and how to store your dress, what to do if you want to take your dress out of the box (or if you should), their overall cost, as well as if they offer a warranty of guarantee on their work.