Shipping your wedding dress feels like a terrifying idea until you understand exactly what happens to it. Most brides who hesitate are not afraid of the preservation process itself. They are afraid of the unknown. What is the dress traveling in? Who is handling it? What if something goes wrong along the way? The truth is that shipping your gown to a professional preservation facility is not only safe but also the most reliable and secure way to have it properly cleaned and preserved. This guide walks you through every step of the shipping process so you can send your dress off with complete confidence and zero second-guessing.
Get the complete shipping safety guide, free. A full walkthrough of everything that protects your gown from the moment it leaves your hands to the moment it comes back.
Most brides who hesitate to ship their dress are not hesitating because they doubt the preservation process. They are hesitating because no one has ever walked them through what actually happens once that box leaves their front door. And that uncertainty, however understandable, often leads to months of delay, which only makes the dress harder to restore. This guide exists to remove every question mark from the process. Whether you just got home from your honeymoon or your dress has been sitting in a bag for six months, everything you need to know about shipping it safely is right here.
| What to Do | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| ⇨ Ship your dress as soon as possible after the wedding | Hidden stains from sweat, oils and drinks begin setting into fabric immediately and become harder to remove the longer they sit |
| ⇨ Do not attempt to clean any stains at home | Home treatments can spread stains, weaken delicate fabrics and leave permanent marks that make professional restoration far more difficult |
| ⇨ Handle your gown with freshly washed hands only | Oils, lotion and residue from your skin transfer directly onto the bridal fabric. Always wash and fully dry your hands before touching the dress |
| ⇨ Avoid storing the dress in a plastic bag before shipping | Plastic traps humidity against the fabric and accelerates yellowing. Use a breathable garment bag in a cool, dry place if storing temporarily |
| ⇨ Remove and wrap all detachable accessories separately | Veils, belts, sleeves and decorative pieces should be wrapped individually to prevent pulling, snagging or pressure damage during transit |
| ⇨ Photograph your gown and note any concerns before packing | Clear photos and written notes about stains or delicate areas help the preservation team give your gown exactly the right level of care and attention |
Most brides send their dress off without fully understanding what the process involves. And the uncertainty that comes with not knowing is exactly what causes unnecessary anxiety, delays and in some cases preventable damage. Knowing what happens, what protects your dress and what to do before it leaves your hands makes the entire experience smoother from start to finish.
This guide helps you:
We are not a general dry cleaner. Wedding dress preservation is the only thing we do, and we have been doing it since 1913.
Yes, every kit includes a reinforced, crush-proof, water-resistant shipping container, a waterproof poly bag, commercial-grade tape, and a prepaid UPS label. Your gown is fully insured from the moment it is picked up and has never once been lost in over 100 years of shipping.
Every kit comes with built-in shipping insurance. Coverage ranges from $1,000 to $3,000, depending on the kit you choose. Additional insurance can be added at the time of ordering or through the paperwork inside your kit.
You will receive an email confirmation the moment your gown arrives. It is then logged into the GownTracker system and assigned a unique serial number so you can follow every stage of the process in real time.
There are four kits designed for different gown types and goals. The Traditional Kit is for gowns under $3,000 and less than 20 years old. The Celebrity Kit is for designer gowns over $3,000. The Restoration Kit is for vintage or yellowed gowns over 20 years old. The Clean Only Kit is for brides who want cleaning without long-term preservation.
Your shipping kit arrives in 2 to 5 business days. Once your gown reaches the facility, the preservation process takes 6 to 8 weeks, depending on your kit. Rush service is available for an additional $50. Your dress is tracked and insured all the way back to your door.
Over 3,000,000 brides have trusted us since 1913. Every kit ships to your door in 2 to 5 business days.
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