George Boyle
Planning a destination wedding can be stressful, especially when it comes to transporting your wedding dress. While it's important to plan ahead, there are several options for getting your dress to your wedding location safely. From purchasing an extra seat for the dress to packing it in a carry-on bag, here are some tips and tricks to ensure your wedding dress arrives without a hitch.
Explore related products
![Zilink 72" Wedding Dress Garment Bag Dress Bags for Gowns Bridal Dress Travel Bag with 12”Gusseted and Accessory Pockets for Wedding Dress, Puffy Gowns [Upgraded Version]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51XK76FMZoL._AC_UL320_.jpg)
What You'll Learn
Packing your wedding dress in carry-on luggage
Packing your wedding dress in your carry-on luggage is a great way to ensure its safe arrival at your destination. Here are some tips for doing so:
Choose the Right Carry-On Bag
First, select a suitable carry-on bag for your wedding dress. Opt for a soft-sided garment bag that meets the carry-on size requirements of your airline. Some airlines may allow a garment bag in lieu of a standard carry-on bag, but it's important to confirm this in advance. Make sure your garment bag is properly packed and secured, especially if it will be stored in the overhead compartment. Consider using a waterproof and opaque bag to protect your dress and maintain privacy during your travels.
Prepare Your Dress for Packing
Before packing your wedding dress, consider turning it inside out and rolling it up tightly to conserve space. You can also try folding it, but be mindful of the fabric and its tendency to wrinkle. If you're concerned about wrinkles, use tissue paper between the layers as you roll to help them lie flat. Remember to pack any accessories, such as shoes, jewellery, and hair accessories, in your carry-on as well.
Arrive Early and Communicate Your Needs
Give yourself plenty of time at the airport by arriving early. This will allow you extra time to navigate security checks, especially if you're carrying a large or delicate dress. Communicate your needs to the airline staff and flight attendants. Inform them that you're travelling with your wedding dress, and they may be able to offer accommodations, such as hanging space in a closet or extra room in the overhead compartment.
Consider Purchasing Extra Space
If your budget allows, consider purchasing an extra seat for your wedding dress. This option ensures that your dress remains with you during the flight and can be carefully secured across the seat. Alternatively, look into premium seating options, such as premium economy, club, or business class, as these often provide additional space for luggage and storage.
Handle Wrinkles Upon Arrival
Even with careful packing, your dress may arrive with some wrinkles. Plan ahead by identifying a location where you can hang your dress to release any creases. If needed, consider using a hand steamer or seeking professional help from a local bridal boutique or seamstress to ensure your dress looks perfect for your big day.
What to Wear: Wedding Dress Code Explained
You may want to see also
Explore related products
![Zilink Wedding Dress Garment Bag 72" Dress Bags for Gowns Long Trifold Bridal Dress Bag with Accessory Pockets and Adjustable Buckles for Wedding dress, Prom Evening Gown [Upgraded Version]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/418ttD4D0uL._AC_UL320_.jpg)
Using a hanging closet
If you're wondering how to travel with your wedding dress on a flight, using a hanging closet is the best option. This way, you can be sure that your dress won't get jostled or cramped during the flight. While some airlines like JetBlue do not offer hanging closet space, others like United Airlines, Delta, and American Airlines do.
If you plan to use a hanging closet, it's important to arrive at the airport early, especially if you're carrying a large or delicate dress. This gives you extra time for security checks and ensures you can manage your dress properly. Additionally, consider purchasing an early boarding fee to get ahead of the overhead bin space crunch.
When packing your dress, use a soft-sided garment bag that meets the airline's carry-on size requirements. Some airlines allow wedding dresses as a personal item, while others may require it to be your carry-on item. It's a good idea to confirm these details with your airline ahead of time and inform the flight attendants when you board.
While hanging closets are ideal, they are not always guaranteed. It's a good idea to have a backup plan, such as carefully folding your dress into a carry-on bag or purchasing an extra seat for the dress. If you choose to fold your dress, be prepared to steam it at your destination to release any wrinkles.
Lastly, remember to pack other essential items for the wedding, such as shapewear, shoes, undergarments, jewellery, and hair accessories, in your carry-on bag as well. This ensures that everything you need for the big day arrives safely.
Finding Your Perfect Wedding Dress: Measure Your Hips
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Buying an extra seat
If you're worried about your wedding dress getting wrinkled or damaged in transit, you may want to consider buying an extra seat for it. This option is often chosen by brides flying with JetBlue, as the airline does not offer hanging closet space on any of its flights.
However, it's important to note that different airlines have different rules, so it's essential to check with your airline before booking a second ticket. Some sources claim that purchasing an extra seat for your dress is not allowed, as most airlines require a passenger to be checked in for each seat. Additionally, some airlines may not guarantee space for your dress, even if you pay extra. Therefore, it is important to plan ahead and contact your airline to determine their policies for bringing and stowing your dress.
If you decide to purchase an extra seat, you can lay your dress across it and fasten the seatbelt over it to keep it secure during the flight. This option ensures that your dress will not be cramped in an overhead bin or at risk of being packed with other bags. It also allows you to keep your dress with you at all times, reducing the risk of it being lost or delayed.
To further protect your dress, consider using a soft-sided garment bag that meets the airline's carry-on size requirements. This will make it easier to transport and store your dress, and some airlines may even allow you to hang the bag in a closet or coat closet during the flight. It is also recommended to arrive at the airport early, especially if you are carrying a large or delicate dress, to allow extra time for security checks and boarding.
While buying an extra seat for your wedding dress can be a convenient option, it may not be feasible for everyone due to budget constraints. Additionally, there is a possibility that the extra seat may not accommodate the size or shape of your gown. Therefore, it is essential to carefully consider your options and plan ahead to ensure a seamless travel experience for you and your dress.
Daytime Wedding Guest: Strappy Dresses and Morning Ceremonies
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Preparing for wrinkles and creases
It is important to prepare for wrinkles and creases when travelling with your wedding dress. If you are packing your dress into a carry-on, it will likely get wrinkled. However, remember that a wrinkled dress can be fixed, whereas a lost dress cannot. On the morning of your wedding, you can use a hand steamer to release any wrinkles and have your dress looking perfect. You can also get a professional involved for this, such as a local bridal boutique, seamstress or dresser. Alternatively, you can use the hotel iron or take the dress to a dry cleaner at your destination.
To minimise wrinkles, carefully pack your dress ahead of time. You can roll the dress up, placing tissue paper in between the layers to help them lie as flat as possible. Rolling from the bottom up, be careful not to bend any part of the dress. You can also fold the dress, but this may be more likely to result in creases. If your dress is made from a forgiving fabric, you might not even need to steam it after travelling.
If you are concerned about wrinkles, you may want to consider purchasing an extra seat for your dress. This way, the dress can be laid across the seat and secured with the seatbelt. However, this option can be expensive and may not be allowed by all airlines. Additionally, any seats that are purchased but not checked in can be given away to people on standby lists.
To avoid wrinkles, you can also try to hang your dress during the flight. Some airlines offer hanging closets, which is the best option to keep your dress safe and wrinkle-free. However, this option is not guaranteed, and you may need to inform the flight attendants in advance to secure this option. If a hanging closet is not available, you can ask the flight attendants if they can hang your dress in the closet at the front of the plane. While this is not always possible, it is worth asking.
Hypebeast Wedding Attire: Elevate Your Style
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Choosing the right airline
When choosing the right airline to fly with your wedding dress, it's important to consider the airline's policies and accommodations for wedding dresses and other special baggage items. Here are some factors to keep in mind:
- Hanging closet space: Some airlines, like United Airlines, offer hanging closet space for wedding dresses. This ensures that your dress remains safely stored and avoids the need to purchase an extra seat. Inquire about this option when booking your flight.
- Carry-on allowance: Most airlines allow you to bring a carry-on bag, which can be used for your wedding dress. However, check the specific dimensions and size requirements, as some airlines may not accommodate oversized carry-on items. If your dress fits within the carry-on limits, this option keeps your dress with you at all times.
- Extra seat purchase: If budget allows, consider purchasing an extra seat for your wedding dress. This option provides the most space and peace of mind, as you can lay the dress across the seat and secure it with the seatbelt. Some airlines, like JetBlue, offer this as a popular choice.
- Customer service: Opt for airlines that are known for accommodating wedding attire and providing excellent customer service. Delta, for example, has a designated section on its website for special baggage items and offers assistance at the gate to determine the best storage option for your dress during the flight.
- Priority boarding: Consider choosing an airline that offers priority boarding or early boarding fees. This allows you to secure overhead bin space for your dress more easily and reduces the risk of cramming or damage.
- Tracking options: If you plan to check your wedding dress as baggage, choose an airline that provides reliable tracking options. Delta, for example, recommends using the FlyDelta app to track the status of checked baggage throughout your journey. This adds a layer of security and peace of mind.
Remember to plan ahead, pack your dress carefully in a garment bag, and arrive at the airport early to allow for any necessary security checks and accommodations for your wedding dress. By considering these factors when choosing an airline, you can help ensure that your wedding dress travels safely and securely to your destination.
Where Do Bridal Salons Source Wedding Dresses?
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
The best option is to carry your wedding dress in your hand luggage and store it in the overhead bin. If your airline offers a hanging closet, you can ask the flight attendants to hang it up for you.
Some airlines allow you to purchase an extra seat for your wedding dress. However, others do not permit this, so check with your airline before booking.
It is recommended that you arrive at the airport early to allow extra time for security checks, especially if you are carrying a large or delicate dress.
If your wedding dress does not fit through the checkpoint x-ray machine, alternate screening procedures will be carried out, and your garment bag will need to be opened.
When you arrive, hang up your wedding dress to let any creases drop out. You may need to steam your dress to get rid of any remaining wrinkles.
