Christening Gown Framing
For many families, a christening gown is one of their most treasured heirlooms.
We regularly frame gowns that have been worn by multiple generations of the same family, sometimes spanning decades and occasionally more than a century. Alongside each gown often comes a rich family history, connecting parents, grandparents, siblings and children through a single cherished garment.
Rather than remaining carefully folded away in storage, custom framing allows these heirlooms to become part of the family’s story and everyday life.
Many families also choose to incorporate:
Photographs • Christening or Baptism Certificates • Baby Shoes • Bonnets • Religious Items • Birth Announcements • Family History Notes
Wedding Dress Framing
A wedding dress is often one of the most significant garments a person will ever own.
It represents a day of celebration, commitment and memories shared with family and friends. Professionally framed, it becomes more than a preserved dress—it becomes a remarkable display piece that can be enjoyed for years to come.
Because of their size and complexity, wedding dresses generally require deep custom-built shadow box frames, careful internal support and individually designed presentation.
Many couples also include:
Veils • Invitations • Wedding Photographs • Wedding Certificates • Shoes • Jewellery • Preserved Bouquet Elements • Personal Letters & Keepsakes
Designed for Today, Tomorrow & Future Generations
Some families wish to display a christening gown now while keeping open the possibility of it being worn by another generation.
Where appropriate, we can design the framing so the gown can be carefully removed in the future, balancing presentation, preservation and family tradition.
Conservation-Conscious Framing
Many of the garments entrusted to us are irreplaceable.
Where appropriate, we use conservation-conscious mounting methods designed to minimise stress on delicate fabrics while supporting the garment safely within the frame.
Hand stitching and custom support systems are preferred wherever practical, and permanent adhesives are avoided directly on the garment whenever possible.
Every project is individually assessed according to the age, condition, weight, fabric and long-term expectations of the display.
Designed Around Your Story
There is no standard design for a christening gown or wedding dress.
Some families prefer a simple, elegant presentation that allows the garment to speak for itself. Others incorporate photographs, certificates, memorabilia, engraved plaques or written family history to create a display that tells a much broader story.
Every design is developed around the garment, the available display space and the memories it represents.
Trusted Since 1985
Since 1985, Van Uffelen Gallery & Picture Framing has helped New Zealand families preserve christening gowns, wedding dresses and treasured garments that celebrate life’s most important milestones and become part of a family’s history.
Related Services
Needle Art Framing • Conservation & Archival Framing • Memorabilia & Shadow Box Framing • Object & 3D Item Framing • Garment Framing • Photography Framing
Entrust Your Family Heirloom to Experienced Hands
When you bring us a christening gown or wedding dress, you’re not simply bringing us a piece of fabric.
You’re entrusting us with a family history, a milestone and a memory that can never be replaced.
We would be honoured to help preserve and present it for future generations.
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