While it may not be first on your list of concerns right now, something you should think about is what you will do with your wedding dress after the reception is over. Some brides opt to sell their dress or donate it to organizations that help less fortunate brides, but many choose to hold on to this priceless keepsake for posterity. Should you go that route, it is a good idea to have your dress professionally preserved. Wedding gown preservation is a special cleaning and packaging technique designed to maintain your wedding dress's beauty for years to come. First, any stains or dirt your dress has collected after a night of partying (and trust us, it will happen) is removed, and then the gown is wrapped (generally in acid-free tissue paper or unbleached muslin since plastic can cause permanent wrinkles and mildewing) and placed in an acid-free or pH-neutral box, often with a viewing window. It's a good idea to have your dress cleaned as soon as possible after the wedding to keep stains (like red wine or mud) from setting permanently, especially if the dress is made of a delicate material like silk. To find a good preservationist, ask friends, family, or your bridal salon for recommendations or use our handy resource guide to find reputable wedding dress preservationists in your area. Once your dress has been properly preserved, keep the box stored in a place that is dry and not too hot to avoid potentially damaging environments. The result? A professionally preserved wedding dress that you can treasure for years to come.