While you are planning your green wedding, it's easy to overlook the dress as a source of environmental pollution. You might assume that if you are wearing a vintage or borrowed gown, you are doing their part to minimize the environmental impact of the big day. And to a certain extent, you are. But the dress, no matter what its provenance, needs to be cleaned and stored after the wedding, and it's important to think about the footprint you leave there as well.

Most traditional wedding gowns will need to be professionally cleaned and stored. Take the time to find a dry cleaners with experience in wedding gown cleaning and storage. Ask how they will clean the gown, and if they use environmentally friendly processes and chemicals. If you are wearing a vintage gown or a very high end gown, consider using a cleaners that specializes in formal wear. Make a point of interviewing the store manager, to be sure that they are well versed in formal wear storage.Get your dress to a dry cleaners ASAP. Stains and spills will set if the dress sits for too long, and may be impossible to remove. Consider asking a friend or bridesmaid to take the gown in for you, but BEFORE you do that, make arrangements with the dry cleaner. If your gown is heavily beaded, or if it is a vintage piece, you will most likely need to sign a release before it can be cleaned. Either file the release with the cleaners ahead of time, or leave it with the friend who will drop the dress at the cleaners.

Finally, consider dodging the cry cleaners all together: choose a dress that can be hand washed and clean it yourself. Hand wash in cold water with Woolite or Eucalan; hang to dry. Wrap in acid-free tissue and store in an acid-free cardboard box, or in a canvas clothing storage box. DO NOT store your gown in plastic dry cleaning bags; they trap moisture, which can cause mold to grow on the fabric.

Your best bet for environmentally friendly storage is to do it right, and insure that the gown can be worn again by another bride. And then, after your big day is over and your gown is clean and properly packed, either donate or sell the gown, or make sure that friends and family know that it is ready for the next bride to wear.