Whether you’re planning a destination wedding or traveling back to your hometown for the big day, traveling with your wedding gown is scary! This dress is likely one of the most expensive pieces of clothing you’ve ever purchased, and it’s important that it stays in perfect condition until the wedding. As a wedding planner and DJ duo, we know how stressful this process can be. We’ve broken down the best ways to travel with your wedding gown. 

Flying with Your Wedding Gown

Carry On 

The most common way that couples travel with their wedding gown is by including it as their carry-on luggage. When you carry your dress on board the plane, you have control over its handling and placement. We never recommend that anyone check their wedding dress, as it can be exposed to rough handling, drastic temperature changes, and even getting lost. 

When planning to fly with your dress, we recommend calling the airline ahead of time to see if they have any special accommodations for wedding gowns. Some airlines have coat closets where you can hang your dress, but most will have you stow it in the overhead bins with the other carry-on luggage. If you are able to store the bag in a closet, a traditional garment bag is best. However, if the dress will need to be folded to fit in an overhead compartment, we highly recommend investing in a special dress bag such as the Wally Bag. This bag easily folds your dress to fit the standard measurements while protecting it from odors and moisture. 

Book an Extra Seat

If your dress is too large to be stored in the overhead bin, or you’re worried about having to fold it, another great option is to purchase an extra seat for your wedding gown. While this option is much more expensive than bringing your gown as a carry-on, it’s the best way to ensure plenty of room for your dress. All you need to do is purchase an additional ticket for the seat next to yours when booking your flights. During the flight, you’ll simply store your gown in its garment bag and rest it on the seat. Depending on the structural integrity of the dress, it may be able to hold itself up, or you may have to hook the hanger on the headrest. 

Driving with Your Wedding Gown

If you’re traveling a relatively short distance to your wedding destination, driving with your dress is a great option. Driving allows you more space for your dress and more flexibility for storage and preparation. Even in your car, you should always store your dress in a garment bag. This will keep it free from dust, dirt, and moisture. You can then hang your garment bag from the rear grab handles or lay it down across the back seat.

Shipping Your Wedding Dress

If, for some reason, you are unable to fly or drive with your dress, you may need to ship your dress to your destination. While this is never preferred, as the dress could be prone to poor handling or loss, it may be the only option for some couples. 

When shipping your dress, it’s crucial to pack it in a way that the dress is completely protected. You’ll want to place it inside its garment bag to protect it from dust and moisture and line it with acid-free tissue paper. It should then be folded carefully and placed inside a large box that is then well-sealed. 

The most important step in shipping your wedding gown is getting the proper insurance. You should photograph your gown before the shipment for evidence of its condition. When you drop off the package for delivery, opt for the shipment option with the best tracking and insurance. Depending on the cost of your dress, you may have to pay extra to be insured for the full value. 

Once You Arrive: Dress Care

No matter which method you use for traveling with your wedding gown or how well you pack it, there will be some creases and wrinkles upon your arrival. As soon as you arrive at your destination, you’ll want to hang the dress vertically. Talk to your destination ahead of time about professional pressing service or if they will have a steamer for you to use. If they do not, you’ll want to bring your own. And remember to store your dress in a dark, dry place until it’s ready to be worn. 

DIY Wedding Planning with The Wedding Duo Membership

If you’re planning a DIY wedding day, you don’t have to do it alone! Here at The Wedding Duo, we’re now offering an incredible, affordable membership for engaged couples for connection and education. With everything from pre-recorded video modules to live Q&As and exclusive community boards, you won’t want to miss this. Head over to our membership page to learn more and sign up. We’ll see you there!