Traveling with your dress (or suit) probably doesn’t make many people’s “Things That Are Really Stressing Me Out” list at the beginning of planning a destination wedding. But wait until 24 hours before you leave for the airport, and it’ll sink in. Do you have the right garment bag? Where is that steamer you bought three years ago during a sale? Carry-on or checked bag?
Unfortunately, no amount of Googling will give you the peace of mind you need—there just isn’t much information out there tackling airline restrictions and guidelines around traveling with important outfits.
A quick online search will show many tales of unsuccessful attempts to transport dresses and suits from Point A to Point B. Don’t get discouraged. To help you avoid even more stress on your big trip, we spoke with two people who have worked with couples around the world looking to celebrate their love in a place known for its destination weddings. Even better news, their advice translates just about wherever you're headed.
1. WHATEVER YOU DO, DO NOT PACK YOUR OUTFIT IN A CHECKED IN BAG!
Everything you need for your special day, take in a carry-on bag, from shoes to hair accessories and everything in between.
Why? Because check-
in luggage can never be 100 percent guaranteed.
Don’t just throw your stuff into your carry-on—bring some strategy to the task. Organize all of your items into small bags and laying them out the night before to avoid any day-of anxiety and stress.
2. REACH OUT TO YOUR DESIGNER FOR PACKING ADVICE
Before you even think about how to carry-on your dress or suit, think about how you’re going to prepare it for the trip. Nobody can advise you better than the designer.
They will definitely have an opinion and expertise on how to hang, roll, fold, and store your dress or suit and accessories.
3. GARMENT BAGS ARE AN ABSOLUTE MUST!
There’s no getting around this one. The best way to make sure your clothing doesn’t fall prey to another traveller’s spilled coffee, or get run over by a rampant suitcase, is to pack it in a garment bag.
You’ll still want to follow the advice given by the designer, as each garment will have its own quirks to consider, even when hanging.
Think about getting a garment bag with a hanger for better transport in the airport. This frees your hands up a little for walking through the airport with other hand luggage.
Check with your designer for specific recommendations. If you bought something off the rack, there are a few reliable elements of a good garment bag: water-resistant material, zipper access, and a built-in hanger (or space to use a hanger). If it has a few pockets, even better. Consider how large your outfit is; the space will fill up quickly when you’ve got a dress packed with tulle.
4. CONTACT THE AIRLINE BEFORE TRAVELLING
Don’t wait until you’re at the airport to let the airline know you’re traveling with precious (fashion) cargo. If possible, ask for an extra carry-on allowance well in advance to avoid any issues at the check-in desk or in security. Make sure it is registered in the booking and mentioning the reason is good too.
Like with any travel plan, make sure to flag any prior communication around extra carry-on allowances in your email inbox so it’s easy to reference when checking your bags.
5. MAKE SURE YOU HAVE ACCESS TO A STEAMER
It may sound like a given, but it’s easy to leave off your packing list when you’re preparing for such a big trip.
We feel it’s an essential thing for a wedding planner to have as not all accommodations have steamers—in some cases you cannot iron the outfit, If you’re having a destination wedding and don’t have a local on the ground, I would recommend a powerful travel steamer, or check with the place you are staying at before your wedding to see if they have one.
Avoid last-minute scrambles by checking the voltage and type of plug before you leave. The last thing you want is to give away precious suitcase space to a tool you can't even use.
If you plan on bringing your own steamer, find something with a bit of power.
6. LET GATE PERSONNEL KNOW AND BOARD EARLY
Set yourself up for success and share your situation with another important group: gate personnel. Oftentimes, you may be able to board early to improve your odds at getting closet space or at least alert the crew to your situation.
7. REMEMBER NOT ALL AIRLINES HAVE CLOSET SPACE
The most suggested move you’ll see people sharing is to ask the airline crew to hang garment bags for the flight. And while that may be fine in some cases, it’s not possible for some routes. If there is a coat room or wardrobe on the aircraft, the dress would most likely be stored there. Yet another reason to board early before that space is full.
Don’t let the excitement of finding the perfect outfit be shadowed by a long-haul flight. Take these tips for traveling with a wedding dress, integrate them into your planning, and make sure and be extra-nice to the flight attendant helping you store your garment bag.
Contents per cntraveler.com
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