Your wedding day has come and gone. Unfortunately, your fairy tale gown, once pristine, now looks like a dry cleaners' worst nightmare. How will your daughter ever wear this mess to her own wedding? Don't worry, just call in a preservation expert like Jonathan
Scheer of the venerable J. Scheer & Co. Fine Apparel Preservation in Rhinebeck, New York, who we asked for his authoritative advice.

Here are some guidelines.

Don't Wait Too Long. Don't just throw your sullied gown on a hanger and heave it into the back of the closet. True, it's psychologically wrenching to see that dress you worked so hard to select in its post-party state, but experts suggest, get your gown in for cleaning within the first six months after the wedding in order to properly preserve it.

Store It Properly. Until you take your gown to be cleaned and stored, you should keep it in a dark, dry place, either flat or rolled. Hanging is not recommended because hanging can stress the fabric and cause irreversible damage. Don't store your gown in plastic, which can emit gases that yellow fabric.

Find A Preservation Expert. Experts suggests looking further than your neighborhood dry cleaners, if possible. Search for someone who is an expert in wedding gown preservation for the best possible care. Many cleaners use bleach, which is very damaging. "Bleaching is the worst thing that can be done to a textile," says J. Sheer who studied conservation science at the Smithsonian Institute.

Or At Least A Qualified Cleaner. If you can't find or afford a specialized gown preservation service, choose a cleaning company that has extensive experience with bridal gowns and ask them a lot of questions. Consult the American Institute for Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works for information and guidance about the care and storage of textiles.

Call (202) 452-9328 or email them at InfoAIC@aol.com.

Gown Cleaner's Checklist. Here are some things we suggest you ask before handing your gown over to the cleaner.

• How long has the cleaner been in business? Also, find out how many gowns the company handles per year.

• Be wary of a warranty that does not allow you to unseal the box in which your gown is packed. Many experts do not recommend vacuum sealing because once the seal is broken oxygen will attack the dress. Plus, it does not allow for refolding of the dress.

• Be wary of a cleaner who asks you to sign a disclaimer saying that he is not responsible for damage to your gown during cleaning.

• What is their damage policy? Make sure that there will be no melting of beads or other detailing, and know what their policy is if something should go awry during cleaning.

• Make sure that the cleaner uses acid-free products.

• Avoid a cleaner that packs dresses in boxes with viewing windows. The windows, made of plastic, emit gases that can yellow a gown.

• Watch out for cleaners who quote one set price for all gowns. Each gown should be treated individually, based on its fabric and special features.

Do It Yourself. If you choose to preserve the gown yourself, here are some helpful hints:

• Never leave it on a hanger, or store it in a plastic bag.

• Fold the dress with layers of acid-free tissue (ask your cleaner where to purchase it).

Then wrap it with unbleached muslin, which allows your gown to breathe.

• Store the gown in a cedar chest or a lined wooden drawer.

• Air it out yearly and fold it in different places before putting it away again.

• Make sure it is stored in a dark, dry place.