Traveling has a lot of logistical variances, even more so when you’re planning a destination wedding. One thing that many brides forget to plan for is traveling with a wedding dress. It’s so incredibly important to be prepared for this situation than to wing it. You definitely don’t want to leave anything up to chance when it involves your big day that you have been dreaming of and probably spent thousands of dollars for.
In this blog we’ll go over tips and tricks for traveling with a wedding dress, as well as other tips for luggage and other traveling obstacles you may encounter. If you’ve booked a destination wedding with a certified specialist, they will help you prepare for all of this.
Traveling with Your Wedding Dress
It’s best to never let your dress out of your sight, or at least to know that you are the one that stowed it. Packaging it in an airline-approved carry-on garment bag and having this as your carry on item is your best bet. Don’t skip the garment bag part!
It’s also wise to attach a brightly colored tag with your information on outside so that it is easier to differentiate in case there is another bride on your flight. Packing your dress in a garment bag that isn’t see-through is also best. Wedding dresses carry a hefty price tag and can often be resold, so you don’t want to risk it being stolen.
Photo: Kaitlin Cooper Photography
Modern garment bags for travel keep your dress flat and it makes it less likely to crumple. Consider the size of your dress and what you need to carry to get the right garment bag. Some carry-on approved garment bags have additional room for shoes and other essentials. You’ll also want to consider the durability and materials of the bag.
Priority Boarding or First Class Flights
Many airlines have a closet available to travelers for stowing away garments as carry-ons, but it’s on a first come first served basis. If you book your flights with priority boarding or first class, you will most likely have first dibs to the closet. If you can spring for the first class flights, this is your best bet because there’s a dedicated closet for first class fliers and there are less people in first class than in the regular cabin class.
If you can’t afford first class flights, paying for priority boarding is recommended. This small upfront fee helps to ensure that you can stow your beautiful gown in the closet, which will offer minimal creasing and crumpling compared to the overhead bin. The last thing you want to deal with on the morning of your wedding is to discover your dress looks like it’s been stuffed in a bag and tossed all around an airport.
Before booking your flights, it would be best to research airlines that are best for traveling with a wedding dress.
Checked Bags
Be wary of what you pack in your checked bag, as these always have the risk of being misplaced, put on the wrong plane, lost in transit, or otherwise disrupted from getting to your destination. Items that are crucial to your wedding celebration shouldn’t be put in your checked bag. If it can be replaced easily, it is safe to put in a checked bag. Never put your wedding dress in a checked bag!
There are pros to having a checked bag, like not having to lug around luggage for your connecting flights. Additionally, you can pack full-size shampoo, conditioner, lotions, and makeup for the big day. If your trip is going to be extended into your honeymoon, a checked bag is beneficial, as you can pack more clothes and accessories for your honeymoon adventures. Utilize your checked bag to hold daily clothing, shoes, and things that can easily be replaced if your bag is lost. Try not to use a checked bag for anything that is important for your wedding.
How to Pack Efficiently
Many videos online help you understand the best ways to efficiently fit everything you need into the tiniest bag. However, traveling with a wedding dress is a whole different experience. Something to consider when you’re dress shopping is the size of your dress. The larger and more voluptuous your dress is, the harder you’ll find it to pack or fit it into a garment bag that will fit in the closet or the overhead.
Don’t let this part of the logistics slip through the cracks in your wedding planning. The retailer, tailor, or designer of your dress can advise on how to transport it, but they are not responsible for any damage to the dress after alterations.
Advice from a Destination Wedding Specialist
Rebecca from Wanderland Escapes is certified in destination wedding planning, organizing, and has even participated in destination weddings in several areas. She knows the ins and outs of the process and is ready to help you make your destination wedding dreams go off without a hitch. Contact her today to discuss the destination you want to tie the knot in, and how to get your perfect dress there safely.
