My dress has been hanging in my closet since August because I'm not exactly sure what to do with it. Where do I take it for cleaning and to be prepared for storage? What do I ask them to do with it? Also, there's a small tear in the front, will they repair it?

Call a couple of Bridal Shops and seamstress'/tailors to ask for recomendations.
Many dry cleaners offer preservation, but some of them are, of course, better equipped for the task than others. Ask how long they've been doing this type of work and how many dresses they've done. Don't be shy about asking for references. What you ask them to do depends on what you mean to do with your dress...you can have it cleaned, wrapped in acid-free tissue and sealed in an airtight box, usually with a "window" through which the bodice can be viewed, or it can be cleaned, wrapped and put in a garment bag or box with some cedar discs...A professional preservationist can provide more information about your options.

Fabulous answer as always MrsS...my words exactly!

I posted this in adult life and fashion and beauty for you.... hope it helps...

I did some research and found some places in your area.
http://www.weddinggownspecialists.com

ILLINOIS
Martin J. Oster
MARTIN J & SONS
6623 West 111th Street
Worth, Illinois 60482
708-448-7026
FAX 708-448-7732
natdog@mediaone.net


ILLINOIS
David Pourchot
SUNRISE CLEANERS
6478 College Road
Lisle 60532
630-983-6500 FAX 630-938-6675
jerichoservices@aol.com


ILLINOIS
Rick and Lynda Wood
DAVIS IMPERIAL CLEANERS
3325 West Bryn Mawr Avenue
Chicago, IL 60659
773-267-4560
Lynda1502@aol.com

David's Bridal sell a kit to send the dress out to be preserved. It cost about $100 dollars. I used it for my friend's wedding dress last summer. I had to mark all the spots on the dress that were dirty, write notes explaining where they were lcated, and then just seal it in box lined with a plastic bag and send it via UPS. In a few weeks they sent it back in a box with a window. It was fairly easy to do. I don't know how the price compares to a dry cleaner, but there's another option to consider.