You’ve got everything set but you have one little last detail that isn’t in place: how am I going to get my wedding dress to my destination? Perhaps you haven’t started planning your destination wedding and you’re freaking out about traveling with luggage, a fiancé, family, and a big white wedding gown. No worries! We’re here to make traveling more enjoyable and less stressful!
1.Never check your dress in with the rest of your luggage. An important thing to remember is that your dress must come with you as a carry on. It’s important to double check with your airlines policies before you go but chances are they’ll be extra accommodating for the bride-to-be. Checking your dress with the rest of your luggage is risky as you run the chance of it getting damaged or lost so we don’t recommend it!
2.Learn the proper way to pack your dress. Your dress can either be packed in a garment bag, wheeled carry on, or carry on box. A garment bag can be used for all types of dresses and are ideal if your airline can hang it for you in a 1st class closet. A wheeled carry on is ideal for wedding dresses that are larger, think ball gowns, and can be stored in an overhead compartment. Wheeled carry ons work best for larger gowns since they may be to heavy and large to store in a closet. A carry on box can be used for all dresses and is ideal if your airline won’t let you hang your dress in a closet and the airline allows a box in that size. A carry on box allows you to safely package your dress and it’s the perfect size to fit into an overhead compartment. Carry on boxes can be found in many of your local bridal stores. But first and foremost, we suggest you pack it in a garment bag and then double pack it in a second garment bag in case the first one rips! Two layers of protection (and fewer wrinkles)! Put in layers of tissue and your dress will be almost as good as new when you arrive.
3.Buy a ticket for your wedding dress. Some brides don’t want to go through the hassle of carrying, storing, and fitting their dress into different compartments. So, you can choose to buy a ticket for the dress to sit right next to it on the way to their destination. Now we know this might sound a little costly but it can reduce a lot of the stress of traveling with your dress. This option obviously doesn’t work for everyone as it can be expensive and works best when the dress is too big for any of the above options.
Keep in mind that no matter how expertly you pack your wedding dress it may still get wrinkled but don’t freak out! Most wrinkles fall out naturally off the dress 24 to 48 hours within hanging it and the hotel should have a steaming service or steamer if need be (but be sure to call ahead and find out).
4. Know what to do when you arrive to your hotel room. Make sure to remove your dress out of any bags or boxes once you get to your hotel room and hang it up. The weight of the dress itself will help reduce wrinkles.
5. Invest in a handheld steamer if the property is lacking in one. A handheld steamer will come in handy if you do get pesky wrinkles, not just for the bride but the maids, groom and family members too. Call ahead and if you are fearful things on location may not go as planned, pack the tool accordingly!
6.Forgot your steamer? No worries! Hang your dress in the bathroom with out a garment bag and take a hot steaming shower. The steam will help get rid of any wrinkles on your dress.
Hopefully these tips will ease some of your traveling stress! Happy Traveling!
{Photo: Elisabeth Millay via Elizabeth Anne Designs}
Very clever tips!greetings from Rome!
Laura@RicevereconStile