Jun 01, 2016

Wedding Dress Disaster 3 Days Before the Big Day!

by Maria Kazzi

Your wedding is one of the most exciting milestones as a couple.

The tireless planning that goes into organising a wedding, let alone a destination wedding, deserves an accolade unto itself! And yet even the most detailed plans can go awry.

Whether you're a bride-to-be or if you have already celebrated your special day, you need to take note on how NOT to store your wedding dress and the best option for bridal garment bags.

This is what my girlfriend Amanda discovered when she checked her wedding dress and veil THREE DAYS before departing to Bali for her wedding.

Amanda purchased her wedding dress six months prior to her special day and none-the-wiser she had it stored in a “protective” fully-sealed cardboard box with acid-free tissue paper.

When Amanda did her final pack three days before her departure, she checked to see that her wedding dress and veil were all in-tact. Upon removing her dress out of the box … DISASTER STRUCK!

She noticed her beloved wedding gown; a French-Lace bodice and slimline skirt with intricate hand-beading were completely ruined. The skirt and veil had faired the most damage revealing a yellowish discolouration of the lace which was caused by storing her dress and veil in the fully-sealed cardboard box, in hot and humid temperatures in her wardrobe with little to no fresh air circulating through.

As Amanda was leaving for Bali in 3 days you can imagine her panic along with all the last minute 'To-Do's' on her list.

With no time to spare, she immediately called and visited a highly reputable dry cleaner to check if they could remove the yellow discolouring on the lace. To her dismay (and heartbreak), the dry cleaner regrettably told her that nothing could be done as the discolouration was irreparable and permanent.

Determined to find a solution to this unexpected mishap, Amanda then called her dressmaker (as a last resort) hoping that she could remake the skirt and veil in record time. She luckily agreed but with an extra (unanticipated) cost to the bride.

Most brides don't have this option as it generally takes 6 - 12 months to order and make a wedding dress. Lucky for my friend Amanda, Lady Luck was on her side! The dressmaker saved the day. Amanda's veil and the bodice were made just in time for her Bali destination wedding.

Amanda looked absolutely stunning on her wedding day. The Bali weather was superb and the scenery was the perfect backdrop for her destination wedding. Beautiful.

Wedding Dress Preservation and Storage Options

How you store your wedding dress before and after your big day can have huge consequences on the longevity and preservation of your beloved gown and the cherished memories it holds.

Your wedding dress is a memorable piece that will last a lifetime.

So taking care and preserving your dress should be your first priority.

Wedding Dress Boxes

Wedding gown boxes are great for short term storage but they can leave permanent creases in your gowns (as your gown is folded inside) and when stored long term. This method of bridal dress storage can also affect the delicate fabrics of your wedding dress, as no fresh air can penetrate through the box to nourish the fibres and keep the gown supple and well-maintained throughout the years.

If you have stored your gown in a wedding box when was the last time you checked on it? Six months ago? 5 years ago or more? If you haven't checked it recently, I recommend you do so.

Not only to reminisce about your special day but to also check if your gown has discoloured or faded in any way (especially around the buttons, zips, lace) or if the delicate fabrics have deteriorated in any way. Similar to what happened to Amanda's dress.

Ladies normally store their wedding dress boxes up high, out of the way, in their wardrobe, closet, the spare room - or low-and-behold - in the garage where little to no fresh air can circulate in and around the boxed gown. If any of these rooms back onto a moisture-filled area such as your bathroom, your ensuite, shower or wet area, the trapped condensation can accelerate mould and mildew build-up if no adequate ventilation is present.

It is this lack of air circulation coupled with hot and humid storage conditions that can cause further and sometimes irreparable damage to your stored gown, particularly when stored long term in these types of boxes. You may also find that the outside of the box can deteriorate, crumble or becomes disfigured, over time.

When you get 5 minutes, yes just 5 minutes, please check your precious gown to make sure your gown is well protected against these elements.

100% Cotton Bridal Garment Bag

Storing your bridal gown after your big day is super important.

Kazzi Kovers bridal dress garment bag is a soft cream colour and it offers unparalleled care and preservation for your wedding dress before and after your big day. Our eco-friendly, wedding dress cover not only protects your dress from the elements but it also preserves your dress for years to come due to the breathable, natural 100% cotton fabric.

Each bag is beautifully made and boasts a full 165 cm in length, 65 cm width with a 10 cm gusset so your gown sits comfortably in the bag with plenty of room to spare. Our bridal garment bag is fully enclosed and is designed to protect your gown from the elements including dust, dirt, mould, mildew, and nasty insects, especially moths and silverfish.

When stored properly, our premium bridal dress bags prevents discolouration, fading and broken spots of fabric due to the natural cotton fabric. The breathable cotton material allows sufficient air to circulate in and around your cherished gown. You just need to make sure that your gown has space, about 3 - 5 cm on either side of your gown, and is it not jam-packed like sardines in your storage space and your gown will be well-preserved for years to come.

EXTRA LONG Bridal Cover

Extra Long Bridal Cover for the fullest of bridal gowns.

SIZE: 185 cm (H) x 80 cm (L) x 40 cm (W)

The Extra Long Bridal Cover is incredibly spacious and designed to accommodate more robust wedding gowns and skirts. The dress cover includes two cotton loops, and two full length side zips with a 40 cm gusset (width) for easy access and storage.

TIP | Roll Your Train. When travelling with or storing your gown, it is better to ROLL a long train with acid-free tissue paper in between the folds, than it is to FOLD a long train.

Rolling reduces creases and is more nuturing towards delicate fabrics, especially when stored long term. While the acid-free tissue paper creates a protective barrier between the delicate and embellished fabrics.

Bridal Garment Bag | Features

Material | 100% Cotton
Zipper | Nylon
Colour | Cream
Breathable | Acid Free | Lightweight | Hygienic | Low Maintenance
Protection against dirt, dust, insects (especially moths), mould, mildew and moisture build-up
Allows fresh air to circulate in and around your wedding dress due to the breathable natural cotton fabric
Preserves and protects your gown unfolded
For travelling with your dress on your wedding day
For storage of your wedding gown after your big day
Safeguards against fading and discolouration
Reinforced hanger opening to securely hold and store your dress
Two double stitched, strong cotton loops are sewn in at the bottom for your convenience. The loops make it easy for you to fold the bag over when travelling to and from your wedding destination
Suitable for short and long term storage
Machine washable in cold water
For Home | Storage | Business | Travel | Hotel Purposes.

They are simply perfect and practical even if we do say so ourselves!

Wedding Dress Checklist

Have your wedding gown professionally dry cleaned soon after your wedding day.
Store your dress in a 100% Cotton Kazzi Kovers Garment Bag for preservation and longevity and protection against dust, dirt, mould and mildew.
You can store your veil with your dress but make sure it is wrapped in white acid-free tissue paper or an old white cotton t-shirt.
Ideally, your gown should be stored in the darkest place possible to avoid indirect light and pesky insects (especially moths).
Do not use wire or plastic hangers as they do not offer the necessary support for your gown. Over time these cheap materials will inevitably damage your dress and may leave a permanent imprint on your gown.
A quality wood hanger is recommended for short and long term storage of your wedding dress.
Do not store your gown in plastic or non-woven garment bag - they do not allow air to circulate through your gown, this type of bag will crumble into a million fragments leaving your wedding dress exposed to the elements.
Ensure that you leave a space of 3 - 5 cm on either side of your stored wedding dress to allow fresh air to flow through the bag and your wedding dress. This is essential in protecting the gown from mould, mildew and other elements as it gives your gown space to breathe.
Kazzi Kovers Cotton Garment Bags provide easy access to your dress with the full-length side-zip. There is no awkward refolding required like boxed methods.
Periodically (once every 1 - 2 years) take the dress out and shake it so unnatural creases do not form. Also, allow the dress to breathe outside the garment cover to preserve it and then return to storage.

I hope that these tips help in preserving the longevity of your gown so you can enjoy it, cherish it and love it for years to come.

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Thanks for reading.

Remember if you ‘Love it, Cover it!®.’

Kazzi Kovers® | Updated 18th August 2022.

Maria Kazzi :)

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Kazzi Kovers takes pride in providing safe and natural alternatives to Protect, Organise, Store and Travel with our range of premium covers and accessories.

See Kazzi Kovers for our full suite of products, tips and updates.

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