Lasting a lifetime: Tips on preserving wedding mementos to last through the years

After the last click of the camera and final cut of the cake, all that remains are the precious memories made on that very special day.

Yet, with all of the modern advances in the world today, shouldn't there be a way to literally hold on to all the special mementos from a wedding?

Well fear not, brides, preserving items from a wedding is a common ritual that has been practiced generation after generation. There are many at-home, do-it-yourself remedies along with professional services that all claim to preserve the most sacred of wedding items.

THE WEDDING GOWN

According to bridalbook.ph, arrangements for preserving a wedding gown should be made shortly after the wedding, as clear stains, such as champagne, could set and eventually lead to yellowing. Rather than packing it immediately in a box or hanging it in the back of the closet, they suggest to inspect the dress for any spots or damages. Once all of the spots have been identified, take the dress to a dry cleaner to have it cleaned. Be sure to discuss the fabric of the dress with the cleaner and any specific spots or tears the dress may have accumulated. Once the dress is cleaned, store it in a box and refrain from touching it so not to expose it to acid on you hands, which could lead to discoloration. Once boxed, keep the dress in a cool place without humidity, such as a closet. If the dress is folded when stored, refold it every five years to avoid any permanent creases. The veil may also be stored inside the box with the wedding gown.

Theknot.com recommends seeking a professional preservationist to handle wedding gowns and refers brides to professionals in their area. When packing the gown, professionals avoid using plastic to wrap the dress because it could cause permanent wrinkles and trap moisture, which could cause mold on the dress. Rather, they said professionals encourage white acid-free tissue paper or unbleached muslin as ideal wrapping materials.

There are also several online sites, one of which, gownpreservation.com, offers a step-by-step process for brides to send in their gown for professional preservation.

THE WEDDING SHOES

After dancing the night away at the reception, scuffs and spots are bound to pop up on wedding shoes. To treat scuffs, bridalbook.ph suggests placing clear packing tape over the stain and pulling it away after a second. This technique may be done repeatedly until the fabric is cleaned. For any remaining stains, the site suggests using a professional liquid fabric cleaner.

Store the shoes in the original box with crumpled paper inside the shoe to keep its shape and silica gel packets to prevent moisture.

THE BRIDAL BOUQUET

When it comes to preserving the flowers of the bridal bouquet, theknot.com says there are two main options. One includes flattening flowers from the bouquet using a large book and pressing petals between pages. Then arrange the petals in a frame to appear as a flattened version of the bouquet.

Another method is to hire a professional to silica gel dry or freeze-dry the entire bouquet. These methods will hold the three-dimensional shape of the bouquet and the natural colors of the flowers.

Jack E. Hamper of Fred's Flowers in Perryville, Mo. specializes in preserving flowers. He said all flowers that have been treated for preservation should be kept out of direct sunlight and in a place with no humidity.

"We're trying to produce something that grandchildren and great-grandchildren will see," he said.

THE WEDDING CAKE

Freezing the top layer of the wedding cake to enjoy after a year of marriage is a common tradition. To prepare the cake for a year in the freezer, remove all of the sugar flowers and chill the cake well so the icing hardens. Once icing is hard, wrap the cake in plastic wrap. Avoid using aluminum foil, as it could cause freezer burn. Once well wrapped, seal the cake in an airtight bag and place it in the freezer, clearly marking it so it doesn't get it mixed up with any other items. Chocolate, hazelnut, almond and carrot cakes tend to freeze better than cakes with more delicate ingredients, such as white cake, cake with fresh fruit and cake with whipped cream fillings.

Yumsugar.com suggests transferring the cake from the freezer to the refrigerator to begin defrosting the day before your anniversary. After two hours, remove the cake from its wrapping and continue to allow defrosting in the refrigerator. Let the cake sit at room temperature before consuming.

THE PAPER GOODS

Saving special wedding documents such as invitations, programs, menus and personal notes can easily be done at home. Bridalbook.ph suggests storing all paper items in an album with acid-free pages in order to avoid acid and moisture from yellowing the pages. Keep the album in a box with silica gel packets. Many brides also seek the help of a professional to matte and frame their most important wedding memorabilia.