Having the perfect wedding dress is every bride's dream, and it is only natural that you want to take care of your dress in the best way possible. While storing the wedding dress does not present challenges, traveling with it requires more attention and care to protect it from potential damage. You, therefore, need to learn about the dos and don'ts of traveling with your wedding dress to ensure you reach your wedding destination with the dress intact.

Consulting a wedding boutique store will give you invaluable information on the most suitable way to travel with your wedding dress. At the store, you can also find help in choosing the perfect dress for your wedding. Feel free to ask what to do or avoid during your journey, as every dress has unique designs that require different care.

The Dos

When traveling, you could use the following tips to ensure your dress will remain safe while in transit:

  1. Research on an Airline's Wedding Dress Policy

If traveling by air, you want to obtain relevant details from the airline about transporting your dress to the wedding destination beforehand. By calling the airline and establishing their terms of carriage, you will learn whether they have a unique cabin space for garments. You also have the chance to make a special request for space if you need it.

Early research allows you to pay additional luggage fees ahead of time if any are applicable. Since you will have known in advance, you are better equipped to fulfill the airline requests and avoid last-minute delays.

  1. Request for Assistance in Handling the Dress at the Airport

Having someone to help you with the dress is beneficial, especially if you are traveling alone and everyone you are traveling with has other luggage to handle. You can ask for help handling your garment, as airport staff are available to help.

If an experienced airport staff member carries the dress, you can worry less about wrinkling or exposing it to spillages. They will also know where to place the dress to ensure you do not leave it behind during boarding. Although you trust the airline staff to do their best with your dress, reminding them of how vital the garment is also goes a long way in ensuring they protect it.

  1. Have Your Dress as Carry-On Luggage

A wedding dress should remain in a position that does not fold throughout the journey. You should have it as carry-on luggage rather than checked luggage. Having the dress in the cabin with you is more beneficial because you can always check on it and ensure it is in an upright position and not close to staining hazards.

You also highly benefit from the specific cabin space allocated for items like a wedding dress, giving you peace of mind throughout your flight. The cabin crew is also ready to help you change the dress position anytime, so you can worry less about non-ideal carriage while traveling.

  1. Pack Your Dress in Advance in a Suitable Garment Bag

Early packing helps you ascertain that your dress will remain in an upright position throughout. Therefore, packing in good time is highly advantageous because you have a chance to test out the garment bag as well as how to carry the dress onto the plane.

You may also discover faults in the garment bag that you can correct early, thanks to packing the dress in advance. For example, if you want a water-proof garment bag to prevent spillage risks, you can purchase and replace it with your current bag in advance. This way, you are assured the dress will remain in good condition until you can wear it during the occasion.

  1. Pack Essential Machines Like a Hand Held Steamer

Moreover, while you may reach your destination with your dress in good condition, you still need to spruce it up before wearing it. Consider carrying a handheld steamer to help straighten the dress on the wedding day.

Hand-held steamers are a widely preferred alternative to iron boxes because they are light, portable, and easy to use. They also provide a reliable means to remove small creases on the dress, as you can focus on a specific affected area at a time.

  1. Carry a Sewing Kit and Cleaning Agents

While you may do everything possible to protect your dress during transit, emergencies may still arise due to unforeseen circumstances. For example, the dress may tear or rip when trying it on at the destination. Similarly, zip malfunctions may occur, so you should be prepared by carrying a sewing kit and other essentials like a hot glue gun.

Carrying emergency sewing kits and cleaning agents is essential because you will be away from home. So, you need to have your usual access to your supplies or professionals. You, therefore, need to confirm that you have your emergency kit in advance as part of your preparations.

  1. Turn Your Dress Inside Out

As an extra safety measure, you can also turn your dress inside out before packaging it in a unique garment bag. Doing this protects your dress from immediate staining, especially if there is still a risk of exposing your dress to spillages.

While the tip may be helpful for many dress types, you should also consider whether turning the dress inside out is more harmful than beneficial. For example, if the dress material is made of silk or cotton, turning it may cause severe wrinkling that will later be difficult to remove.

You can consult a wedding dress expert before deciding on whether to turn the gown inside out to minimize the risks of causing hard wrinkling. Once at your destination, you can then turn the dress back over and straighten it using your handheld steamer.

The Don'ts

Some practices may increase the risk of having your dress exposed to damage while in transit. Knowing what not to do is just as important as knowing what to do, which is helpful in planning. The following is what not to do:

Packing Your Dress Late

Last-minute packing involves rushing through the items to carry, which can become quite stressful when traveling for a wedding. You should only pack your dress on time, as you are more likely to place it in its designated bag haphazardly.

Additionally, packing late means you need more chances to verify whether the garment bag you used is durable and stain-proof. If so, the bag may tear or leave the fabric on the dress, causing stains that may be hard to remove at the venue.

Last-minute packing may also not allow you to buy a proper garnet bag altogether, as your focus is on making it to the destination on time. You may have to pack the dress in a conventional suitcase, which is not advisable.

Forgetting to Check the Airline Policy on Wedding Dresses

Different airlines have varying policies for passengers carrying special luggage. You may have to research the airline policy early to establish whether they are willing to provide a particular cabin space for your dress.

You must research ahead to avoid unexpected hurdles before boarding, especially if the airline refuses to allow you on board with your dress. Remember to check for updated airline policies because the company may change its terms occasionally.

Having Your Wedding Dress in the Checked Luggage

Packaging your dress in checked luggage can also damage its quality during your wedding. This is because you will have to fold it, which runs the risk of having it creased. If you must have the dress checked, consider arriving at your wedding destination a few days before to give you time to revamp the dress before the ceremony.

Packing Your Dress Next to Items that Spill or Could Stain

One spillage or stain could ruin your dress and cause you stress before your wedding day. For this reason, avoid packing your dress next to liquids or items that may spill. These include toothpaste, hair dyes, makeup items, and nail gel. A simple way to avoid spillage risks is by having the dress next to you as a carry-on and covering it with a plastic garment bag.

Find a Wedding Specialist Near Me

Your wedding dress is as essential as the wedding day itself, as it will be your primary garment throughout the day. You, therefore, want to ensure it is in good condition to bring out your radiance during the ceremony.

If you or a loved one is preparing for a wedding, they want to find a suitable dress for the exciting day. Our dress selections offer a wide range of designs, and you can choose the most fitting for your needs. You can also count on us to provide valuable guidelines on keeping your dress in good condition before your wedding. Our services are available to clients in Los Angeles, California, and we are ready to partner with you on garments and other wedding preparations. For more information, call us today at 213-386-1900.