Storing dresses prior to wedding.

Definitely do not store it in plastic, store it in a breathable garment bag or wrap it in a sheet. The safest way to store it is laying flat- wedding dresses tend to be heavy and leaving them on hangers can quickly stretch them out, especially delicate fabrics like lace. A top shelf in a closet away from sunlight would work perfectly. Or even under a bed.

I bought mine as a sample from the shop, so I had it for around a year. I stores it in the garment bag that the bridal salon gave it to me in, and it hung in a spare closet at my in-laws house until it was time to take it on for alterations. I think my MIL mentioned checking on the dress a few times (she's a sweetheart, and sometimes a little anxious about things), and it looked fine when I tried it on again for alterations. The seamstress steamed it after all the alterations were done and it looked brand new.

I kept mine in a dress bag

I now have to store my dress until 2022 (I've had it since March), I'm keeping mine in the garment bag and laying it flat in a dark closet.

Not a plastic bag. Get a canvas garment bag and hang it in the back of your closet. It will be just fine.

The dress definitely should have come in a cotton garnet bag, if not, buy one. I postponed my wedding 18 months and was told to hang my gown. It’s very heavy and covered in lots of bling so I’m fearful hanging and gravity will ruin the dress so I have laid mine out over some boxes in my mom closet. The second dress is still folded in its box. It’s just tulle and glitter


I just don’t want to risk hanging either dresses

Mine came in a garment bag. It's been hanging in a dark closet for about a month. It looks just fine and isn't too heavy. Haven't worn it since it came in but plan on having alterations done on it in a couple months. Trying not to touch it that much as it has glitter and when I tried it on when it came in, it was EVERYWHERE.

Don't leave it in plastic! I am really surprised your bridal boutique did not provide you with an appropriate garment bag...

I kept mine in the garment bag, provided by my bridal boutique, hanging in one of our extra closets and it was fine.

My wedding got postponed to April and the bridal shop is storing my dress. I'm surprised this is so unusual!

I stored mine in a cloth dress bag.

Most wedding dresses come in a breathable zippered garment bag that feels like a synthetic material like nylon or plastic but is actually a woven, water resistant material that allows for air flow, and it is perfectly okay to store your dress in longer term. I'd recommend a garment bag like this because it will prevent your dress from getting stained but will allow it to breathe so it doesn't get musty. You should store your dress in a garment bag like this is a temperature and humidity controlled environment, out of direct sunlight. If you don't have air conditioning, just be careful that where you store your dress isn't prone to excess moisture that could result in mold, mildew, or a musty smell. A bedroom closet in a not musty house is perfect - hiding it in your basement or attic probably not so much.

If the dress came in a clear, white, or black plastic bag (similar material to a trash bag or what you'd get from the dry cleaners, perfectly smooth with no woven texture) you definitely don't want to store it in that. However, a simple cotton cloth bag won't provide any water-resistance and will not protect your dress from spills or stains, so get a real garment bag. You should also be able to completely enclose your dress in the bag, with just a small hole in the top for the hanger. If the garment bag has an open bottom you run the risk of not having the dress fully protected. I've heard horror stories about people's pets marking their dress by peeing on it or scratching at it, and they didn't notice and the dress ended up ruined. That is why a full length zippered garment bag made of a durable, breathable, water-resistant material stored in an out of the way, off limits but climate controlled environment, is best. If you got your dress from a bridal boutique or ordered it direct from a designer, it will usually come with a garment bag appropriate for long(er) term storage.

View Quoted Comment Unfortunately they just sent me home with the plastic bag, I did buy a garment bag to put it in. They told me to leave it in the plastic bag, then put it in the garment bag, but from what I’m reading that isn’t a good plan.

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That's a bummer, but I think purchasing an appropriate garment bag was a good investment!