After the flurry of wedding activities, like a melted snowman, the wedding dress lies in a heap on the floor.
So now what? The decision to keep or sell a bride's wedding gown is a personal, emotional, and financial one.
While waiting to make that decision, it is important to get the dress cleaned by professionals.
A reputable cleaner will check the label to see if it is material they can handle properly.
You can expect the cleaning bill to be $75 and likely, higher.
Leaving this important cleaning undone will render the dress unusable if body oils, food, or drink are allowed to discolor the delicate fabrics and lace.
Can this cleaning wait? Unfortunately, no.
How about preservation? Isn't that what an expensive dress needs? Well, not if the bride is uncertain about whether or not to sell her dress.
Preservation is quite expensive and actually creates a large box that will require space for storage.
It is difficult to see or inspect without removing the dress.
Spending that much money for preservation usually leaves the bride afraid of "breaking the seal" created in the storage process.
If there is any chance of selling the gown, though, it will have to be removed to be checked for any damage.
Selling the dress? Placing it on a website that specializes in wedding and designer wear as soon as possible will increase your chances of making a sale and recouping more of your investment.
An online service such as this attracts customers who appreciate the value of what you are selling and they are seriously interested in buying.
Your best bet, after the wedding, go with reputable professional cleaning, place the dress in its garment bag (Purchase this if necessary) and store in a dark, cool closet.
Chances are you will discover that the dress is fit for a new life, and your new life will benefit from selling your dress.