After the big day, brides usually have to decide what to do with their wedding gowns. While some people opt for a nontraditional end to the wedding dress - such as a photo shoot diving off the nearest pier - most brides want to keep and protect their gowns for the future.

But the most common option - just having it dry cleaned and placing the garment bag in the back of the closet - is not sufficient to preserve the dress for long. Instead, it deserves the extra effort of proper preservation.

Since doing so involves an additional investment, why should you make the effort? Here are a few of the most important reasons.

1. You May Want to Wear It Again

There are actually several good opportunities to wear your wedding dress again for special occasions. You might decide to put it on for your first, fifth, or tenth anniversary, for instance. What better way to relive the wonderful experience of your nuptials on significant dates? Many couples also decide to renew their wedding vows, which could be the perfect occasion to slip into your dress and wow your spouse and guests.

Some brides also choose to have the dress altered at a later date to make it more usable for formal occasions that don't involve the wedding. With some changes, it could become the perfect party dress, a great look for your holiday party, or a special throwback for your anniversary dinner. But if you don't preserve it now, you won't have these options later on.

2. Your Children or Grandchildren May Want It

The tradition of passing down a bridal gown in the family is both sentimental and practical. It's a great way to demonstrate love and unity in the family, and it saves the future bride (or her family) some expenses if the budget is tight. Even though altering will have some costs, it will be far less expensive than buying a new dress.

The problem, of course, is that you won't know today if someone decades down the line will want to recycle your dress. And, again, if you haven't preserved the dress, they may not have the choice at all. Plastic garment bags give off chemicals that are known to give white dresses a yellow tinge that can ruin the whole look.

3. You Can Recoup Your Investment

Don't want to keep your dress? Why not sell it to another bride so she can enjoy it! With bridal gowns commonly costing hundreds or even thousands of dollars, earning some money back by selling it only makes sense. You can use the money to get your new life started, pay for that great honeymoon, or even start a family.

Preservation gives you the time to decide if you want to sell the dress and - if you're on the fence about it - allows you to choose this option when you're finally ready. It also ensures that you get the best price from a great-looking, clean, wrinkle-free, and repaired dress.

4. It Reminds You of Your Big Day

Even if you don't plan to take out your bridal gown to wear on another occasion, it still has sentimental value to you. Every time you see and touch it, you are reminded of a wonderful day. You will also think about how great you looked and felt wearing it. A deteriorated dress that suffers from oxidized makeup, food, or dirt stains may not be the loving reminder you want, though.

No matter what your reason is for wanting to keep your bridal dress, proper preservation will help you reach that goal. Learn more about preservation techniques and choices by talking to the pros at Crystal Cleaning Center today.