PRESERVATION When choosing your storage method, beautiful or otherwise, consider some of things we have learned - afterall, textile preservation is an ongoing process and the only person responsible for its success is you. • Decide before the wedding day how your gown will be stored - irreversible damage can   occur within months if your gown is inappropriately stored • Engage a specialist to prepare and thoroughly clean your gown • Protect your gown from damage caused by strain, hanging and crushing • Flat storage is the optimal way to store gowns, heavy textiles and smaller items • Choose an acid free box - a pH neutral environment is ideal • Use of unbuffered, acid free tissue is essential for textiles • Avoid sealed boxes, coloured tissue, plastic and cellophane • Store in living conditions, away from excessive heat, cold, humidity and changes    in temperature • Inspect and re-fold your gown along new lines annually - an anniversary tradition • Learn a little about textile preservation and the methods that would best suit    your situation

SITES TO VISIT • Discovery channel • Wedding dress preservation • Ohio State University

PROTECT FROM Light Dust - Mites Acids Insects Crushing - Strain Moisture - Condensation AVOID Regular card board Plastic and cellophane Coloured tissue DOWNLOAD Gown Care Checklist (pdf)