It goes without saying that there is a lot of preparation that goes into organising a destination wedding.
The logistics of transporting the wedding dress may go overlooked in the midst of securing your perfect wedding venue, arranging travel for friends and family, and crafting your ideal wedding day with your providers.
If you're having a destination wedding, though, you'll need to figure out how to get your dress to the location where you'll be saying your vows.
It is certainly possible to securely travel with a wedding dress, regardless of whether your destination wedding location is a tropical location or somewhere domestic.
We surveyed some professionals to get the scoop on flying in style while wearing your wedding gown.
Can You Fly With Your Wedding Dress?
You may be wondering, "Can I bring a wedding dress on a plane?" as your destination wedding day approaches.
Yes, however particular rules will differ among airlines. This is a reasonable thing to ask while making wedding plans.
Flying while wearing a wedding dress is conceivable, but preparation is key.
It is your responsibility to transport your wedding dress to the ceremony site; your dressmaker or tailor may be able to offer suggestions based on your particular gown's construction, but ultimately the guidance rests with you.
The designer's responsibilities end with the completion of the dress and its delivery to the store where you made your purchase.
After the dress has been altered, the bride and groom are responsible for arranging transportation.
How to Fly in a Wedding Dress
Call the Airline for some Carry-On Baggage Info
Suppose you've just finished making any necessary modifications to your wedding dress and are in the process of booking your flight. How do you travel by air with your dress?
Yours should be a carry-on item so that you can keep an eye on it at all times. Avoid checking your gown with the rest of your luggage.
You might want to pack it in a non-transparent garment bag for the flight. If it fits in your carry-on bag, add a colourful tag or ribbon so you can identify it quickly.
If you decide to go this route, be sure the garment bag you plan to use is within the dimensions allowed by your airline.
Since many passengers would rather not have to check the gown, it is important that any carry-on things adhere to the size limits, as not all airplanes have the space to accommodate oversized carry-on items.
Although the overhead bins are where you should put your carry-on items, some flights may have additional storage that you can make use of.
If you're flying first class, you might be able to store your wedding dress in one of the larger "coat closets" available in the aircraft.
The flight attendants on board the plane will be your best bet for finding out if there is enough overhead bin space for a bridal dress.
If you're thinking about going this route, it's a good idea to contact ahead and make sure there is spare seating available.
If you need more assistance, you can talk to customer support agents or flight attendants once you get to the airport.
If you'd prefer to board the plane relaxed in the knowledge that there's more room for you and your belongings, you might look into purchasing an additional seat if it's within your budget. The dress can be hung up without a hanger if you do this.
However, if doing so would put too much strain on your budget, you can simply send the outfit there yourself.
Even while you won't be able to monitor the gown's location in flight, you can rest assured that you will not have to fret over finding a seat.
In any case, you can always properly pack your dress and carry it with you until you get to the wedding location. Leave your dress in its original packaging or invest in a garment bag.
To be safe, use a plastic bag or other watertight container to ship the dress in. Not only will this keep your gown safe during airport security checks, but it's also a must-have for stowing it on an aircraft.
To protect the dress from dust and wrinkles, use acid-free, white tissue paper. When you do this, your clothes won't get creased on the plane.
Consult your wedding dress's designer or a reliable dry cleaner before the big day to find out how to best care for your dress and avoid damaging the fabric.
It's crucial that you know whether or not your dress is pressed only or if it may be steamed.
For instance, heating a hem or piece of silk might cause it to shrink or change colour, and all silk needs to be pressed.
The most critical factor is allowing your gown plenty of time to air out after your trip.
Open the garment bag at least twenty-four hours before you want to wear the dress so it can air out.
Don’t Put Your Outfit in a Checked Bag Under Any Circumstances.
Your wedding day footwear, hair accessories, and any other necessities can all fit in your carry-on bag.
This happened to a couple, and they wound up missing their checked bags when they landed.
Thankfully, the wedding was the day after they arrived, so they had plenty of time to pack, and the delayed luggage would be delivered to their Airbnb.
We advise travellers to pack their most essential goods in their carry-on bags rather than checking them with the airline.
Pack your carry-on carefully rather than just shoving everything in there.
As a means of relieving stress on the big day itself, it is recommended that everything be separated into separate bags and set out the night before.
For Packing Tips, Contact the Dress or Suit Designer
Before you even begin to consider how you are going to transport your dress, you need to first consider how you are going to get it ready for the trip.
There is no one who can counsel you more effectively than the designer.
When it comes to hanging, rolling, folding, and storing your dress and accessories, they undoubtedly have a point of view and a level of skill to offer.
Garment bags are required
There's simply no way to avoid this. Garment bags are the greatest way to protect your garments from being crushed by rogue luggage or ruined by a fellow passenger's spilled coffee.
Even when hanging, each item of clothing has its own unique characteristics that should be taken into account, so it's best to follow the designer's recommendations.
Considering investing in a garment bag complete with a hanger would make transporting your clothes through the airport much easier.
If you have a stroller or even a luggage with a handle, you may use this to carry it with you while you are through the airport.
Something that can be folded up easily is also useful in case you need to store it in the overhead bin.
Make sure it closes securely with a zipper in event customs or security checkpoint personnel need to inspect the contents.
If you're feeling lost in the maze of garment bags, it's best to get advice from your designer.
A decent garment bag has the following features, regardless of whether it was purchased online or in a store: water-resistant material, zippers, and a hook or place to utilise a hanger.
The more pockets it has, the better.
Think about the overall dimensions of your ensemble; a voluminous tulle dress will quickly take up all available space.
If it's the latter, then you're in luck.
Given its see-through construction, it's fantastic for safety, and you can also keep a close eye on it to make sure the dress isn't getting too baggy.
Convertible garment bags that double as duffels and feature a strap across the shoulder are great options if you have a tiny dress made of a fabric that can be folded or rolled.
To accommodate bulkier items, some suitcase manufacturers offer specialised clothing bags; for example, the Bigger Carry-On offers an optional centrefold garment sleeve.
As space is limited, this choice is best for garments that do not require ironing or folding.
Prior to departure, contact the airline
Don't assume the airline will automatically realise you're carrying pricey clothing without you telling them.
Get ahead of any potential problems at the airport by requesting a larger carry-on bag size well in advance of your trip.
Check that it will be noted in the reservation. It's helpful to explain why, too. And make sure you have every angle covered: Getting in touch with the airline in advance of your trip is highly recommended.
For instance, if a passenger is carrying a garment bag, the airline will notify the crew.
Upon arrival at the airport, make sure to check in with a worker there before proceeding through security.
Any correspondence about additional carry-on allowances should be marked in your inbox, just as it would be for any other travel arrangement, to ensure its simple retrieval upon the time of baggage check-in.
Check to See if a Steamer Is Available at Your Destination
It may seem obvious, but it's easy to forget when packing for a vacation of this magnitude.
It's crucial for a wedding planner to have, as not all hotels provide steamers and it may not always be possible to iron the wedding dress.
A strong travel steamer, or the hotel where you are spending the night before the ceremony to see if they have one, is recommended if you are doing a destination wedding and don't have a local there to help you out.
Not only that, but double-checking the voltage and plug type before you depart can save you from any last-minute franticness.
You wouldn't want to waste valuable packing space on an ineffective tool.
Learn how to care for your wedding dress so you can iron out the creases at the destination wedding location.
A gown could be pressed with a clean iron by someone you trust, such as a family member, or steam-pressed with a household steamer, if the fabric permits.
Before you iron your dress, check to see that the iron is loaded with clean water, that the base is clean, and that you have tested the iron on a clean surface.
You should also double-check the ironing board and bring a fresh cover in case you end up needing to use it.
She also suggests consulting with your coordinator or planner in advance of the wedding day: If you need your wedding attire pressed or steamed, contact your wedding planner to see if they provide this service or if they are able to recommend a company in your area that can.
Please alert the staff at the entrance and board early
Prepare yourself for success by informing the gate staff of your predicament.
You can increase your chances of receiving a closet by boarding early, or at least catch the crew's attention so that they can try to accommodate you, in some cases.
When boarding begins, get on the plane quickly before it's full. It's not a good idea to be the very last person on the plane and leave your carry-on luggage's location to chance.
Keep in mind that not all planes have closet storage
One common piece of advice is to have the flight attendants hang your garment bags. Of course, there are some paths where that just won't work.
The outfit would probably be kept in the plane's coat closet or wardrobe. But don't worry if you can't find it, and keep your cool if you do.
Another option is always available.
The attendant on duty will take care of stowing the gown in the plane's overhead bin.
This is just further evidence that you should be on the plane early.
Avoid letting a long flight dampen your enthusiasm for your new wardrobe.
Please remember to incorporate these suggestions for travelling with a wedding dress into your preparations and to be especially kind to the flight attendant who will be assisting you in stowing your garment bag.
Conclusion
There is a way to make it work to travel in a wedding dress, but it takes some planning.
Getting your gown to the venue for the ceremony is on you.
Yours needs to be something you carry on with you rather than check with the rest of your bags so that you can keep an eye on it at all times.
In first class, you may have access to larger "coat closets," where your wedding dress can be hung up without a hanger.
Ship your wedding gown in a plastic bag or other watertight container.
Wrap the dress in white, acid-free tissue paper to prevent dust and wrinkles. Before the big day, talk to your dress's designer or a trusted dry cleaner about how to best maintain it.
It's best to pack everything in its own bag and lay it out the night before.
Bags specifically designed to hold clothing are the best defence against random suitcases.
You may push your stroller through the terminal, as well as use a luggage handle, if your bag has one.
A good garment bag will be made of water-resistant fabric, have zippers, and have a hook or space to use a hanger.
As many compartments as possible are preferable.
A convertible garment bag that can also be used as a duffel is a great choice if you need to travel with a dress that is too small to fit into a traditional garment bag.
Since not all hotels offer steamers, it is essential for a wedding planner to have a portable steamer. A trusted friend with a clean iron or a home steamer can press a gown for you.
Content Summary
- If you're having a destination wedding, though, you'll need to figure out how to get your dress to the location where you'll be saying your vows.
- We surveyed some professionals to get the scoop on flying in style while wearing your wedding gown.
- If you decide to go this route, be sure the garment bag you plan to use is within the dimensions allowed by your airline.
- Although the overhead bins are where you should put your carry-on items, some flights may have additional storage that you can make use of.
- The flight attendants on board the plane will be your best bet for finding out if there is enough overhead bin space for a bridal dress.
- If you'd prefer to board the plane relaxed in the knowledge that there's more room for you and your belongings, you might look into purchasing an additional seat if it's within your budget.
- In any case, you can always properly pack your dress and carry it with you until you get to the wedding location.
- Leave your dress in its original packaging or invest in a garment bag.
- The most critical factor is allowing your gown plenty of time to air out after your trip.
- Your wedding day footwear, hair accessories, and any other necessities can all fit in your carry-on bag.
- Pack your carry-on carefully rather than just shoving everything in there.
- Considering investing in a garment bag complete with a hanger would make transporting your clothes through the airport much easier.
- Get ahead of any potential problems at the airport by requesting a larger carry-on bag size well in advance of your trip.
- Any correspondence about additional carry-on allowances should be marked in your inbox, just as it would be for any other travel arrangement, to ensure its simple retrieval upon the time of baggage check-in.
- A strong travel steamer, or the hotel where you are spending the night before the ceremony to see if they have one, is recommended if you are doing a destination wedding and don't have a local there to help you out.
- Learn how to care for your wedding dress so you can iron out the creases at the destination wedding location.
- A gown could be pressed with a clean iron by someone you trust, such as a family member, or steam-pressed with a household steamer, if the fabric permits.
- You should also double-check the ironing board and bring a fresh cover in case you end up needing to use it.
- Prepare yourself for success by informing the gate staff of your predicament.
- You can increase your chances of receiving a closet by boarding early, or at least catch the crew's attention so that they can try to accommodate you, in some cases.
- When boarding begins, get on the plane quickly before it's full.
- It's not a good idea to be the very last person on the plane and leave your carry-on luggage's location to chance.
- Keep in mind that not all planes have closet storage.
- One common piece of advice is to have the flight attendants hang your garment bags.
- The outfit would probably be kept in the plane's coat closet or wardrobe.
- But don't worry if you can't find it, and keep your cool if you do.
- The attendant on duty will take care of stowing the gown in the plane's overhead bin.
- This is just further evidence that you should be on the plane early.
- Avoid letting a long flight dampen your enthusiasm for your new wardrobe.
FAQS ABOUT TRAVELING WITH A WEDDING DRESS
Can I take my wedding dress on the plane?
Your wedding dress is permitted as one piece of carry-on luggage; however, there is a limit of one piece per passenger. This means it must be small enough and light enough to be considered carry-on luggage. During the flight, you'll need to store it in the overhead bin.
How do you sit in a car with a wedding dress?
If you're taking a vehicle trip, the best way to keep your wedding dress wrinkle-free is to suspend it from a hook or flip down the handle above one of the back seat doors, then drape the remainder of the garment across the back seat.
Can you hang a dress on a plane?
Dresses should be dried and stored in a plastic dry-cleaning bag, which should then be put in a garment bag for travel. You can bring the dress in your carry-on luggage if your airline has a closet where you can hang your garment bag. Even if you have to check your suitcase, clothes will not get wrinkled as much if they are stored in a garment bag.
How do you transport a satin dress?
Layer another piece of clothes over the top of the garment bag to keep the contents from shifting around. As soon as you get to your location, unpack your silk goods and hang them up to allow any minor wrinkles or creases to fall out.
Can I put my wedding dress in a vacuum bag?
Dresses should never be kept in a plastic bag or other sealed container. Putting your dress in a plastic bag or container can seem like a good idea, but the chemicals released by the plastic can cause the fabric to yellow and even discolour. Also, if there's condensation within, mould and mildew can start to grow.