Posted on Thursday, 22nd January 2026
Our team of storage experts have gathered their top tips so you can protect all those happy memories without sacrificing half of your wardrobe. Not quite enough room at home or want the extra peace of mind before the big day? Check out our flexible short- and long-term storage options.
The most important step before you even start to store your wedding dress is making sure it's clean.
Whether you’re trying to calm any pre-wedding jitters by trying your dress on or your dress has seen a full day of dancing and toasts, your wedding dress is going to have some oil and stains on it. It’s crucial to get rid of any of these before storing your dress to make sure they don’t settle into the fabric and damage it.
Between the beads, tulle, silk, and delicate fabric of most wedding dresses, getting your gown cleaned by a specialist dry cleaner is your best bet to make sure you don’t wreck it in the cleaning process. Some dry cleaners can even help you pack and preserve your dress properly, giving you a headstart with your storing.
If you’re feeling confident in your cleaning abilities, you can give it a go yourself. Remember to:
Your dress probably arrived (and is still in) its garment bag, and while these are great for the time being, they’re not so great in the long run, as the plastic can trap moisture.
You should also avoid the standard cardboard box some dresses come in, as the acid within the cardboard can discolour and damage your dress. The best option is a pH neutral box made from heavy board with a fitted lid and no gaps.
Since wedding dresses usually arrive on a hanger, you would think a hanger is a safe storage bet. But, for long-term storage, a hanger is actually your wedding dress’ worst enemy, as the weight of the dress can cause it to stretch out of shape.
Make sure to gently fold your dress and use plenty of acid-free tissue paper between the folds to prevent permanent creases or any zips, clasps, or beads snagging on the fabric.
For an extra layer of protection, you can even wrap your folded dress in a piece of unbleached muslin, as a bonus breathable barrier (say that three times fast!) against dust and moisture.
Carefully place your perfectly wrapped and folded dress in its box. Before you seal it up, it’s worth popping in a few silica packets if you have any lying around at home, as they’re brilliant at absorbing any moisture that could damage your dress.
Now your dress is all packaged up, it’s time to put it in a safe spot. It’ll need to be a cool, dark, dry place, as sunlight, moisture, and heat will all damage the fabric. If you can, avoid putting it in the loft or garage. Instead, we’d recommend storing under a bed or in a spare room. This way it’s not taking up too much space, and it’ll be better protected.
If you’re concerned about not having the right place for your dress, we can help you out with the perfect short- and long-term temperature-controlled, humidity-monitored storage options you need.
Every year or so, take your dress out for a quick check-up. This gives the fabric a breath of fresh air and lets you see if there’s anything that needs to be fixed or adjusted with your storage. Plus, it’s a great excuse to reminisce about the big day!
Expert tip: Why not coincide your wedding dress check-in with your annual root around for Christmas decorations? This way, you’ll remember to do it each year, and you save yourself an extra job.
If you need help with other delicate or tricky storage conundrums, our content hub is packed with advice, from those treasured new wedding photographs to all your champagne gifts.
It’s tempting to want to save space as dresses can be on the bulky side, but vacuum bags are a big no. By sucking the air out, you’re crushing the delicate fabric, causing any embellishments to dig in and damage your dress – as well as trapping in any moisture. Try to stick to a flat, airtight, acid-free box that can tuck under a bed.
Flat is always the way to go for long-term wedding dress storage. If your dress is stored hanging up, the weight of the dress will put pressure on the straps and gravity will pull it down, stretching it out of shape over time.
Storing your wedding dress in a flat box means all the weight is properly distributed and your gown will hold its beautiful shape.
Avoid it if you can. A loft is one of the riskiest places for your wedding dress, as it is the place in your house with the most temperature fluctuations, damp, and potential pests like moths or mice, all which can damage your dress beyond repair. Since it’s such a special item, it’s best to play it safe and keep it under a bed or in the top of a wardrobe.
To keep your dress perfect for your upcoming big day, take your dress off its hanger and out of its garment bag and fold it up into an acid-free box that can be stored somewhere dark, cool, and dry.
As an extra tip, we’d recommend picking up some cotton gloves that you can put on while handling your dress. This way you’ll reduce the risk of any staining and save yourself a trip to the dry cleaners.
