How to Get Wrinkles Out of Satin Garments, Including Wedding Dresses, Bridesmaids' Gowns, and Guest Attire

Satin is a go-to wedding fabric, regularly used to create everything from wedding dresses and bridesmaids' gowns to gorgeous guest attire. While big-day fashions made from this luxe fabric is gorgeous all year long, there is a drawback often associated with satin: The material has a tendency to wrinkle. “Satin wrinkles easily because it is simply a plain fabric, and because of it, everything shows," says Tina Zimmerman, director of alterations at Kleinfeld Bridal. So, what's a bride, bridesmaid, or wedding guest to do? Luckily, it's possible to get wrinkles out of satin, and there are several foolproof methods you can use to ensure you're crease-free by the time the ceremony begins. “Satin gowns can be pressed and steamed to remove any wrinkles,” Zimmerman notes, though she adds that the easiest way to deal with wrinkles in this material is to try and stop them from happening in the first place.

Ahead, Zimmerman shares everything you need to know about getting wrinkles out of satin, including her go-to methods for removing any creases and her favorite ways to avoid wrinkles entirely.

How to Get Wrinkles Out of a Satin Dress

Whether you're dealing with a wrinkled wedding gown or a creased bridesmaids' dress, there are four expert-approved methods you can try to restore the look of your satin attire. Here, Zimmerman outlines each.

Iron Your Garment

The first method Zimmerman suggests is a classic: Grab an iron! While Zimmerman says that she generally recommends brides and bridesmaids take their satin attire to a professional for pressing ahead of the wedding, she understands that's not always an option. If you're going to be ironing your satin wedding attire it yourself—either planned or in a pinch to remove wrinkles—she says a few pieces of advice. “Make sure to set the temperature on your iron to satin or a low setting, and it's important that the iron is clean and smooth," she notes. "Begin by pressing the iron on the backside in a sweeping motion. Remember, do not leave the iron standing on the fabric for even a second. Keep moving the iron in a sweeping motion. It’s also important to move the fabric on the ironing board and keep moving the iron on the fabric.”

Steam the Wrinkles Out 

If the thought of using an iron on your satin wedding attire feels too intimidating, consider a steamer instead. “Portable hand steamers work great,” Zimmerman explains. The secret to a great steam, she notes, is in the details: “Put a clean white sock over the head of the steamer and hang the gown as high as you can get it," the pro says. Then, start from the bottom of the gown and work your way up in "a sweeping motion." Once you've steamed the entire satin garment, leave it to air dry. If that's not an option, "use a hair dryer on the cool setting to dry the fabric,” Zimmerman adds.

No access to a steamer? You can try hanging the dress in the bathroom (with the door closed) and the water running on high heat to build up steam in the room. This isn't our favorite method, as it's a waste of water (unless you're in the shower, that is!) and doesn't allow direct steam to hit the garment, but it's a good backup if you're really in a pinch.

Hang It Up

If you have several days before the wedding, a good method worth trying is arguably the simplest one: Hang the garment up and let time and gravity do the work. While this won’t work with every dress or even get rid of every wrinkle, it should soften them up—especially if time is on your side. Hang the garment in a closet with a decent amount of space, which will allow the material to relax; squeezing it in between too many other items could make wrinkles worse.

Use a Spray Bottle

Not everyone feels confident using an iron or steamer, and if you don't have the time to let the wrinkles released on their own, there's another method you can try: Grab a water mister (or small spray bottle with a mist setting) and a hair dryer. This process method does require time and patience, but it absolutely works. “While a dress is hung, use a misting spray bottle of water,” Zimmerman says. “Spray a section of the gown and use a hair dryer to dry the water. Use warm air in a sweeping motion about 12 to 18 inches from the gown. Then use the cool button on the blow dryer in the same area to cool the fabric and set. Continue this in every section, repeating the water, warm air, then cool air.” 

How to Stop Satin Wedding Attire From Wrinkling in the First Place

Though removing wrinkles from satin wedding attire isn't all that complicated, avoiding creases in the first place will make your life a lot less stressful on the big day. If you're having your attire—whether that's a wedding dress, bridesmaids' gown, or guest look—professionally steamed or pressed before the celebration, be sure to store it correctly. “Once the gown is pressed and steamed, it needs to be put in a very large garment bag," Zimmerman notes. "As soon as you bring the dress home, remove the dress from the bag so nothing is touching it.”

And though we love the way satin rests against the body, it will wrinkle as you’re wearing it—don't stress about too many creases, as these are just a fact of life. Once you sit down, slight wrinkling will take place, which is why Zimmerman advises to “try to refrain from sitting down in the dress until after pictures are taken," especially if you're the bride or a bridesmaid.