It's understandable if, in the midst of planning the big day, you forgot to give much thought to how you were going to get your wedding dress from the store to the ceremony site. After all, you did just book a destination wedding, select the perfect centrepieces, and practise your epic father-daughter dance routine. Wedding dresses are bulky and heavy, so it's best to bring them on board rather than check them. It's not worth the worry and inconvenience of losing your stunning gown while in flight, and knowing exactly where it is would make you feel lot more at rest.
You might always buy a second seat on the airline for your dress if you want to be extra cautious. It may seem excessive, but many ladies opt for this service to avoid stress and wrinkles on their wedding day.
Unless there are special restrictions, most airlines will allow you to bring your wedding dress on board as a carry-on. Keep in mind that not all airlines have hanging or closet space, so packing it such that it fits properly in an overhead compartment will ensure a smooth security checkpoint experience. If you don't want to be charged extra for your bag being too big, or even worse, have to go through a gate check, be sure you know the airline's exact carry-on size, weight, and packaging criteria.
Gain to your gate early and ask friendly crew members how to best secure your precious cargo, such as lying it flat over other passengers' overhead carry-ons to avoid squishing and creasing the fabric, but you may want to get other passengers' OK for this as well.
FAQs About Weddings
Hang dresses in a plastic dry-cleaning bag, then place the wrapped dress inside a hanging travel garment bag. Some airlines offer closets for hanging garment bags, which allows you to bring the dress with you as a carry-on item. Garment bags also result in fewer wrinkles even if you must check the bag.
Most times, they will hang it up for you in a special place—as they did for me when I got married (shout out to Delta). Note: Airlines count the dress as a carry-on item so avoid being caught at the gate with other items like a purse and another bag in hand.
Never store your dress in a vacuum sealed bag or plastic container! While this may seem like a great way to preserve your gown, plastic containers or bags emit fumes that can yellow or discolor the fabric. Additionally, moisture trapped within the container can cause a buildup of mildew or mold.
Many brides take their wedding dress on the plane as carry-on luggage, but BE SURE it is an approved size, as some airplanes do not have extra room for oversized carry-on pieces.
Dresses are laid on top of suitcases in the bin often (just laid flat on top) and that seems fine. The attendants are usually happy to help with wedding dresses. The garment bags that fold in half are easiest to haul around and hang. Just pack a steamer if you're worried!
The Dress Should Not Be Inspected
As a first rule, you should never look inside the dress. Absolutely not... So many tragic tales about clothes being misplaced, destroyed, or stolen have left us feeling hopeless.
The obvious solution to this problem is to bring your outfit on board with you at all times. There's no reason to put your information in the hands of a third party.
Maintain Appropriate Attire
A GARMENT BAG can assist you solve the problem of where to put your outfit. Dresses should never be creased or folded before being packed in a bag. The wall bag has become a popular choice among our brides. This suitcase is ideal as a carry-on because it is sturdy, lightweight, and weather resistant. Line the inside of the garment bag with acid-free, colourless tissue paper or plastic before hanging the dress.
Your dress certainly came with a garment bag, but you should still invest one one. Spend the extra cash if you can, as you can always recycle the bag to store your next set of unique clothing.
Visit your neighbourhood wedding store or peruse a few alternatives on Amazon to find a travel bag that suits your needs. It's important to remember to pick up the bigger bag whenever possible. A bag measuring 72 inches is large enough to accommodate even the most voluminous gown and train.
Now that you have decided not to check your dress and have a wonderful bag to bring it on board with you, you may be wondering where you should place it once you board the airline.
Ask the Airline to Help You Out
In cases like this, the assistance of flight attendants is invaluable. Take full advantage of being a bride by letting your new husband and his family do all the work.
Talk to Your Airline
Call the airline you plan on flying with to find out how they manage passengers travelling with huge yet fragile goods like a wedding dress, as every airline (and aeroplane) is different. Even though they probably won't be able to give you a firm answer, you should hang up the phone with a better idea of what to prepare for before boarding.
Carefully Place Your Wedding Gown in a Garment Bag.
Since most wedding gowns are trained and many have a lot of fabric, packing it away properly in a garment bag isn't always a walk in the park. If you're flying in style for your wedding, here are some tips for packing your dress to keep it wrinkle-free. Place the hanger and through top of a cloth bag and hang the dress high so it can air out before the big day. Next, create a triangle by folding the left and right edges of the dress towards the centre.
Take the bottom of the train and roll it up until the fabric is tucked into the garment bag. As soon as you're inside, zip it up as carefully as possible. When zipping up a garment bag containing delicate fabric, always keep a finger on the other side of the zipper to assist it up and prevent snagging.
Fly First Class or Purchase Priority Boarding
Early birds typically get greater rewards. That is, a better chance of securing a seat in the plane's front row. Designer Lela Rose, who specialises in wedding attire, recommends that brides invest in priority boarding for this same reason. Then, remind your other passengers to keep you from losing your dress. When informed that you would be travelling in your wedding dress, the majority of flight attendants will do everything they can to accommodate you.
Alternately, Hang Up Your Clothes
In the alternative, you might have to store your suit case in the airplane's overhead bin. In that situation, you can either fold or roll the clothing bag, depending on how much room you have. Starting at the hanger is the best place to roll it up. The dress might also be laid flat on top of other passengers' luggage in the overhead compartment, albeit this depends on the availability of room and the size of the other passengers' bags.
Verify the Carry-On Dimensions of Your Wedding Gown with Your Airline
No bride wants her dress whisked away to the unknown depths of checked luggage. Make sure that your wedding dress fits within the weight and size restrictions of your airline to avoid any unpleasant surprises at the airport.
Get Your Dress a Ticket to the Moon
Absolutely, you've spotted an accurate expression here. Purchasing a separate airline ticket for your wedding gown is one option for transporting it. Some brides go so far as to reserve an aeroplane seat specifically for their wedding gowns.
If you're really paranoid about your wedding dress getting lost, you may always fly it directly to your wedding location. If your dress has its own seat on the plane, it can also be treated as a carry-on item, which is very helpful if you need to bring extra accessories like a petticoat or a cathedral-length veil.
Check to See If There Are Any Free Spots for Your Wedding Gown
Even if you're not willing to pay for a separate ticket for your dress, why not see if there are any empty seats on your trip and take use of the free space to bring it along? It's likely that either another passenger will offer to switch seats with you so that you can sit close to the dress, or the helpful flight attendant will rearrange the seating to create room.
Don't Forget to Pack a Portable Steamer
If you're getting married abroad, trust us when we say that you'll need a steamer and an adapter. We suggests placing a towel or a cotton sock over the steamer's head to prevent water marks. What you just read is a complete guide to flying in a wedding gown.
Verify Airline Rules
Get in touch with the airline in advance to ensure that your outfit can be brought on board as a carry-on item. The majority of aeroplanes provide closets large enough to hang bridal gowns. If the airline won't let you bring the dress on board, you could want to rebook your trip with one that will so that the dress doesn't get lost in transportation.
If you don't have access to a closet and you can't switch planes, put the garment bag inside the largest carry-on suitcase permitted by the airline. While the dress may arrive wrinkled and in need of expert ironing, it will not be in the hands of baggage handlers like regular checked luggage.
Package Correctly
The dress can be easily transported by placing the hanger in a wide, sturdy garment bag. The train may need to be folded in halves lengthwise once if it is to be stored in a bag. To prevent the garment from losing its shape during cleaning, pack it with acid-free wrapping paper or plastics laundrette bags. The most susceptible areas for crushing are the bodice and the sleeves, thus it is there that you should place the bulk of your items.
Insert one or even more plastic laundry service bags inside the larger garment bag once you've stuffed the dress inside. With the extra protection provided by the dry cleaner bags, you won't have to worry about your clothes becoming damaged in transit or at customs.
Security Procedures
Get to the nearest airport to prevent having to rush there. Security personnel may need to unpack and open the outfit for inspection. Dress repacking may necessitate additional time. Most airports can process passengers arriving an hour early for check-in, but airports serving big cities may need more time.
Arrival Care
As soon as you check into your hotel, unpack that suit and hang it up. The majority of wrinkles will vanish after 2 days. The outfit will get wrinkled no matter how carefully you pack it. It's a good idea to contact a dry cleaner cleaner in advance and arrange for a steam or press service just in case more serious creases appear. Find a dry cleaner who specialises in bridal dresses to guarantee a perfect result.
Getting To The Resort With Your Dress
After landing, hold the suitcase upright while making your way through the airport to retrieve your other bags. Don't try to carry it yourself through the airport; instead, ask the luggage attendant for help or rent a cart.
If you want to avoid having your luggage get wrinkled during transport, have your transfer crew stack your bags or have someone hold on to your bag and put it across their lap. Remember to lay the bag flat before boarding your mode of transportation.
Since we just held yours, I recommend placing it on top of your other baggage, rather than in the trunk. Having it up front allows you to monitor and manage its progress. One hard stop is all it takes for that bag in the trunk to topple over into your brand new dress.
Listed here are the particular guidelines and policies of the five largest US airlines for bringing your wedding dress onto flights.
American Airlines
You want to know if your wedding dress qualifies as a carry-on item. Yes. Instead of a personal item, customers might use a garment bag. Keep in mind that only few American Airlines planes have closets large enough to hang clothes, and those closets are given preference to customers with bags too large to fit in the overhead bins.
Delta Air Lines
You want to know if your wedding dress qualifies as a carry-on item. Absolutely. Delta even has a part of its website dedicated to helping people plan trips to weddings in exotic locations, complete with advice on how to pack and how to deal with the fact that the bride would likely need to bring her dress with her if she's travelling economy class.
Again, remember the baggage size restrictions in case the aeroplane closet is too small to hold your dress. However, you may rest assured that you will be able to jet off with your (well packed) strapless A-line if the airline in question allows passengers to bring live Christmas trees on board.
Another fantastic choice! Get an early start with Delta's brand new Early Valet service. No need to worry about squeezing your dress into a gap 12 rows back or not finding any space at all because a gate agent will preload it to the overhead bin immediately over your seat around 45 minutes before boarding. And did I mention it's free? However, you should only expect to find it on certain ships and routes.
United Airlines
You want to know if your wedding dress qualifies as a carry-on item. Definitely so. Any high-value, fragile, or perishable items, such as "garment bags not meant for travel," are strongly encouraged to be brought on board rather being checked by United Airlines. If there's room, the gate attendants and the crew will do their best to accommodate your wedding party.
For the most part, airlines and their helpful staff are chill about brides travelling in wedding attire. They are really happy for you (it's your wedding, after all!) and want your big day to go off without a hitch. If you are unsure, contact your airline through phone or Twitter. that's right, exactly what you read to receive the specific info relevant to your situation.
Finally, since you can't always count on a wrinkle-free garment upon arrival, you won't regret bringing a fabric steamer with you or inquiring about steaming services at your destination location.
Conclusion
Because of their size and weight, wedding dresses should be carried on rather than checked. Your wedding dress can usually be brought on board as a carry-on item with the vast majority of airlines. Inquire with the helpful staff as to how to effectively safeguard your valuable cargo. The dilemma of where to keep your wardrobe can be eased with the help of a garment bag. Never wrinkle or fold a dress before storing it in a suitcase.
Inquire about procedures for travellers transporting large, fragile items like bridal dresses. Future brides should check with their airline to be sure their wedding dress won't be too heavy or bulky for air travel. A second aircraft ticket can be purchased to carry your dress. Some brides even book an airline seat for their dresses. You should double-check with your airline to see if the clothes you plan to wear can be brought on board as carry-ons.
When travelling, simply place the hanger and dress inside a roomy, durable garment bag. Using acid-free wrapping paper or plastic laundromat bags will keep your clothing from stretching out of shape while it's being cleaned. Time may be needed to repack the dresses. Travelers should plan on getting at the airport at least an hour before their flight departs. However, airports in larger cities may require more time. Do not attempt to carry it through the airport on your own; instead, get assistance from the luggage attendant or rent a cart.
Content Summary
- It's understandable if, in the midst of planning the big day, you forgot to give much thought to how you were going to get your wedding dress from the store to the ceremony site.
- You might always buy a second seat on the airline for your dress if you want to be extra cautious.
- Unless there are special restrictions, most airlines will allow you to bring your wedding dress on board as a carry-on.
- If you don't want to be charged extra for your bag being too big, or even worse, have to go through a gate check, be sure you know the airline's exact carry-on size, weight, and packaging criteria.
- As a first rule, you should never look inside the dress.
- The obvious solution to this problem is to bring your outfit on board with you at all times.
- A garment bag can assist you solve the problem of where to put your outfit.
- Visit your neighbourhood wedding store or peruse a few alternatives on Amazon to find a travel bag that suits your needs.
- Now that you have decided not to check your dress and have a wonderful bag to bring it on board with you, you may be wondering where you should place it once you board the airline.
- In cases like this, the assistance of flight attendants is invaluable.
- If you're flying in style for your wedding, here are some tips for packing your dress to keep it wrinkle-free.
- Take the bottom of the train and roll it up until the fabric is tucked into the garment bag.
- Then, remind your other passengers to keep you from losing your dress.
- Make sure that your wedding dress fits within the weight and size restrictions of your airline to avoid any unpleasant surprises at the airport.
- Purchasing a separate airline ticket for your wedding gown is one option for transporting it.
- Even if you're not willing to pay for a separate ticket for your dress, why not see if there are any empty seats on your trip and take use of the free space to bring it along?
- Get in touch with the airline in advance to ensure that your outfit can be brought on board as a carry-on item.
- If the airline won't let you bring the dress on board, you could want to rebook your trip with one that will so that the dress doesn't get lost in transportation.
- If you don't have access to a closet and you can't switch planes, put the garment bag inside the largest carry-on suitcase permitted by the airline.
- The dress can be easily transported by placing the hanger in a wide, sturdy garment bag.
- Get to the nearest airport to prevent having to rush there.
- After landing, hold the suitcase upright while making your way through the airport to retrieve your other bags.
- Listed here are the particular guidelines and policies of the five largest US airlines for bringing your wedding dress onto flights.
- You want to know if your wedding dress qualifies as a carry-on item.
- However, you may rest assured that you will be able to jet off with your (well packed) strapless A-line if the airline in question allows passengers to bring live Christmas trees on board.
- Get an early start with Delta's brand new Early Valet service.
- However, you should only expect to find it on certain ships and routes.
- You want to know if your wedding dress qualifies as a carry-on item.
- If you are unsure, contact your airline through phone or Twitter.