Should we get our wedding dress dry cleaned before the wedding?

Yes, but don’t automatically dry clean a brand-new wedding dress before the wedding. If the gown has come directly from the bridal shop and is clean, the priority is usually proper storage and professional pressing or steaming if it has developed creases.

Dry cleaning can be appropriate when the dress has picked up marks, dust or stains, but wedding gowns can contain delicate fabrics, lace, beads, sequins and specialist finishes. The correct dry cleaning method depends on the fabric and the manufacturer’s care instructions, so check the label and speak to your bridal shop or a laundry cleaner experienced in wedding gowns first.

If your dress simply needs to look fresh and wrinkle-free, professional wedding dress pressing or steaming may be more suitable than a full clean. Avoid ironing it yourself unless the care instructions specifically allow it.

For brides in London, Hello Laundry can be considered for professional garment-care services with free pickup and doorstep delivery, but make sure the dry cleaner confirms they can safely handle your particular gown before proceeding.