How Much Does It Cost to Dry Clean a Wedding Dress?

The cost of dry cleaning a wedding dress is generally between $150 and $300. However, the final price can vary depending on various factors. Here's a breakdown:

At Trusted Wedding Gown Preservation, we provide our clean-only kit at $225.

Note: Luxury boutiques may charge more due to overhead and service quality.

What are the Factors That Affect Wedding Dress Dry Cleaning Costs?

Although the average cost of dry cleaning a wedding dress is $150-$300, experts also consider other factors to finalize the overall cost. These factors include: 

1. Fabric Type and Embellishments

Wedding gowns are made of delicate fabrics, such as silk, satin, lace, tulle, etc. These fabrics can’t be cleaned using regular washing powder. Instead, they need delicate and gentle cleaning solutions to remove stains and avoid damage. 

Unlike local dry cleaners that use PERC to treat wedding dress stains, Trusted Wedding Gown Preservation uses gentle cleaning solutions to clean your wedding dress. These cleaners tend to be expensive as compared to PERC. This adds up to the final cost. 

Moreover, these gowns include delicate embellishments that must be handled carefully. This requires additional labor. As a result, it increases the overall cost of dry cleaning the wedding dress. 

For instance, cleaning a polyester wedding dress with minimal embroidery costs less than cleaning a pure silk gown with heavy adornments. 

2. Dress Condition

Since the wedding gowns are made up of delicate fabric, they easily get stains from makeup, wine, food, grass, dirt, dust, etc. These gowns are prone to yellowing and discoloration, especially when stored without cleaning. The level of staining and yellowing can also impact the cost. The more soiled and stained the dress is, the higher the cost.

Moreover, wine and grass stains require specific treatment. Dresses worn outdoors or during long receptions may need more intensive cleaning. 

Apart from that, if  your gown has been stored for over 20 years without cleaning, it may require restoration, which will add to the cost.

3. Location

When it comes to dry cleaning a wedding dress, your location plays a vital role. The prices can vary with the location due to various factors, such as competition, living costs, and local demand.

For instance, the more competition in the market, the lower the cost. In addition, locations with higher living costs tend to have higher prices. Dry cleaners tend to charge more during the wedding season as the demand is high.

Pro Tip: It is recommended to get multiple quotes from different dry cleaners and compare their prices and reviews online. Also, don’t finalize your decision solely based on the price.

4. Preservation and Packaging

Properly storing your dress after cleaning is crucial. While many brides choose to store their wedding dress in plastic bags and end up having a yellow-stained gown over time, others choose to preserve their wedding dress after cleaning to protect it against yellowing, moisture, and environmental damage. 

Preserving your wedding dress involves folding the gown, wrapping it in acid-neutral paper and storing it in an acid-free storage box. These boxes come with UV-protect viewing windows and 100-year anti-yellowing guarantee.

Adding this service to gown cleaning comes at an additional cost. The price further depends on whether you choose to preserve your gown in a standard box or a premium box. 

5. Length, Train and Accessories

The length of the gown and train can also impact the dry cleaning cost. For instance, cleaning a full ball gown with a cathedral train will cost more than a simple A-line dress. If you wish to have your wedding day accessories cleaned, this will also add to the cost. 

6. Additional Services

Additional services, such as alterations and repairs can increase the cost of wedding dress dry cleaning. And those who want to opt for rush processing have to pay a little extra. And if you want to have a vintage wedding gown cleaned, it will require restoration first. 

In addition, some brides feel overwhelmed when sending their gown to a cleaning company. Some companies provide additional insurance facilities for peace of mind. Those brides who opt for additional insurance have to pay some extra bucks. All such additional services can add to the total cost.

How to Save on Wedding Dress Dry Cleaning?

While the cost of dry cleaning a wedding dress tends to be high, it is a crucial step to keep it looking good for a long time. Fortunately, there are several ways to reduce the cost. So, here are a few tips you can use while opting for wedding dress dry cleaning:

1. Compare Multiple Dry Cleaners

Prices can vary significantly between providers. Start by getting estimates from several reputable dry cleaners in your area. Look beyond the price tag—check customer reviews, turnaround time, and whether they specialize in wedding dresses. A cleaner who regularly handles wedding gowns will be more familiar with the nuances of fabric care and embellishment handling.

2. Ask About Bundled Packages

Some service providers offer bundle deals that include cleaning, preservation, and even minor repairs. Bundled packages often cost less than purchasing each service separately. If you plan to preserve your dress long-term, these packages can offer excellent value.

At Trusted Wedding Gown Preservation, we provide a range of kits that allow you to have your wedding dress cleaned and preserved at reasonable prices. We carefully inspect your dress for stains and missing adornments and fix them.

3. Choose the Right Time

Avoid peak wedding seasons (typically spring and early summer), when demand is high and prices may be less negotiable. If possible, clean your gown in the off-season, when cleaners may offer special discounts or promotions.

4. Consider Membership or Referral Discounts

Ask if the dry cleaner offers discounts for referrals or has a loyalty or membership program. Some may offer discounts if you’re part of a wedding party or if multiple dresses are being cleaned from the same event.

At Trusted Wedding Gown Preservation, we provide a discount of $100 on all our kits, no matter whether you want to clean one dress or multiple dresses.

5. Skip the Rush Fees

If you’re not in a hurry, avoid paying extra for rush services. Plan ahead and give the cleaner sufficient time to treat and preserve your gown without urgency charges.

6. Check for Insurance or Guarantees

While this won’t reduce the upfront cost, choosing a service that includes insurance or a satisfaction guarantee ensures you won’t have to pay more in the event something goes wrong. A company that backs its work may save you money and stress in the long run.

For instance, at Trusted Wedding Gown Preservation, we understand the dilemma of sending your gown to a cleaning facility. So, we offer free 2-way shipping insurance and a 100% guarantee for its work. We 

The Bottom Line

Now that you know the cost of wedding dress dry cleaning and what factors influence the overall cost, what are you waiting for? Find a reliable company, like Trusted Wedding Gown Preservation, that specializes in wedding dress dry cleaning. 

We provide a clean-only wedding dress kit at $225 that can help you get rid of every kind of stain from your gown and keep it looking like a new one. Whether you choose to re-wear it or sell it, wedding dress dry cleaning is worth it.