Storing Wedding Dress for 1+ year

I bought my dress 15 months in advance and my dress also had ivory lace! We kept it hanging in its bag, but the bottom was folded up and hanging also, so the weight was not all on the shoulders. When I got alterations done they pulled in the shoulders, so any stretching that might have happened didn't show. I also didn't have any issues with yellowing, I think it takes a few years for that to start happening. Just make sure to keep it out of sunlight.

I've had my dress hanging in my closet for 18 months, with 3 more to go. No signs of damage yet! And it's a huge ballgown, lots of weight. Keep it in the garment bag and in a dark non-musty closet. Hang it by the ribbons sewn in at sides of the dress if it has them -- they're specifically meant to hang things without stretching the garment. Pull it out once every few months to air/shake out. Should be fine!

I don't think the lace would yellow at all in that time frame. If it is closed in the bag and hanging in a closet that isn't used much so that light wouldn't get to it or animals, or near people that smoke, etc. it should be completely fine.

My mom got her wedding dress out of a closet from her parents house during the holidays when we were there so I could see it and get her veil since I want to reuse it. Her dress has been hanging in the back of a closet, in a black everyday trash bag, for about 24 years. It didn't have any kind of yellowing at all.

I feel so much better, thanks everyone!! It’s currently hanging in a black garment bag so from what it sounds like it should be fine. Thanks again!

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Hi Kayla!

Welcome to WeddingWire and congrats on your engagement!

Samantha gives some great advice! It should be okay in this time frame and won't yellow this fast.

If you have any other questions throughout your wedding planning process, please don't hesitate to connect or post another discussion.

We are always happy to help!

My mom is keeping mine stored in the packaging it arrived in, deep in her closet where no light will ever touch it (my orders). Lol. If it's going to be hanging out for a year in her closet, it might as well stay in packaging it came in until it's time to be free.