With lots of couples planning their wedding with months and even a year, or two to go, many of you have been asking us how to store your wedding dress and accessories while you wait for your big day to roll around. The same advice applies post-wedding, for anyone who wants to preserve pieces of their wedding day attire as keepsakes for years to come. For the latest in our frequently asked questions series, we've put together our top tips for keeping your wedding dress in mint condition, and your accessories looking flawless.

1. Follow the Advice of your Boutique or Designer

While we've added lots of tips below, the best people to ask about care for your particular dress is your boutique, or bridal designer (if you've bought direct or had your dress custom-made.) They'll have knowledge of your individual dress; the fabrics and embellishment, the garment bag you were given, and how the dress hangs over time. So make them your first port of call if you have any questions.

2. Store your Pieces Somewhere Cool, Dry & Dark

As with the dried goods in your kitchen, a wedding dress is at its happiest in a cool, dry and dark place. Keep your dress away from direct sunlight and don't store with anything musty or dirty, as odours may transfer. Remove any plastic covering from around your dress - tissue paper is better if you need to protect beading, and when it comes to a garment bag, breathable is best. It's also wise to add some silica gel packs to absorb any moisture. Anna O Alterations suggests, "If your dress needs to be stored for longer than eight months, invest in a breathable storage box with acid free tissue. These are available to order from Anna O and will arrive to your home with instructions on how to fold your dress correctly." Her boxes retail at €70 with free postage. It's worth noting that some dress fabrics, e.g. Duchess silk, will crease when stored in a box, so it's best to check with your designer or boutique about how best to store your dress.

3. Hang your Wedding Dress Correctly

Long term hanging could damage your dress, particularly if it's heavy. Don't hang it by the straps or shoulders, instead, use the hanging ribbons that should be inside. Make sure the weight is evenly distributed.

Don't use a cheap lightweight or wire hanger. You most likely got a good quality hanger with the dress, so use that, or look for one that's strong or well-padded. Make sure the dress has plenty of space around it in the wardrobe - if it's crammed in, it will only get creased and potentially damaged.

Consider lying your dress flat if possible. Anna O Alterations recommends, "If your dress is cut on the bias or has beading on the skirt, fold your dress in its dress bag and lay it down flat."

Keep in mind how long or voluminous your dress is, it may get crumpled if it's left in the bag for too long, it might be wiser to leave it flat, or you may need to take it out of a garment bag to let it hang fully or take it out on occasion to puff it out.

4. Keep Your Wedding Dress Out of Sight

While you might be tempted to look at your dress on the daily (and maybe even try it on), try to resist the urge! If you've a long lead in to your wedding, the last thing you want is to become tired of the dress you've chosen or start to second guess it.

Likewise, every time you handle the dress, you risk getting marks on it (always make sure you have clean, dry hands when you do, and maybe even wear white gloves).

It's also wise to keep your dress away from anywhere young children or animals might be able to access it, and out of site of house guests who might be tempted to take a peek!

5. Storing Vintage

Vintage fabrics need a little extra TLC. Don't keep them in plastic packaging or a plastic container. Be extra vigilant about fabric pests like moths. Check on the storage every couple of months, in case the hanging, or flat lay needs to be adjusted. And have your dress laundered before you store it - and again before your wedding if it smells musty.

6. Shoes, Jewellery & Hair Accessories

Shoes and jewellery are best stored in their original boxes, with any necessary padding around them - again remove any plastic. Make sure they are somewhere safe, moisture-free, and that you note where you left them - you don't want a mad panic trying to find your wedding earrings in 12 months time!

7. Veils

Veils can be hung (ask your bridal boutique about a veil hanger) or folded (you may need to steam it with the latter), but to avoid it getting snagged or damaged, keep it in a breathable garment bag, or wrapped in tissue. Again, keep it out of direct sunlight, and use some silica gel packs to keep it moisture-free during storage.

8. Lingerie

While your shapewear or lace pants will be likely be fine in your knicker drawer, bras or corsets can lose their shape or get damaged if stored incorrectly. Wrap them loosely in tissue paper, and keep them in a clean, dry box (ideally cardboard) in your wardrobe. Ensure that they aren't bent or crumpled, and that nothing is weighing down on the cups or boning in particular.

If you have a silk or satin bridal PJ set or getting ready robe, this will also need to be stored correctly to avoid deep creases.

9. Taking your Pieces Out of Storage

It's a good idea to take everything out about two months before your wedding for a quick dress rehearsal - that will give you time to make swaps, fixes or alterations if required. Weight fluctuations are perfectly normal, so try not to stress out if your dress is a little loose or tight, bring it to a reputable alterations service. Make sure you try on your shoes and lingerie too, just in case and check any buttons, zips or clasps are still working.

You may want to freshen up the fabrics, so look into having your dress professionally steamed, or hiring your own steamer to DIY at home.

Need to get your dress altered? Read our guide first!