How to Fly With a Wedding Dress

A slinky destination wedding dress is easier to fly with than a poufy one.

If you are hosting a destination wedding, you'll probably have to transport your wedding dress via plane. Resist the urge to keep the dress at your side at all times. A poufy wedding dress is not going to make it onto the plane with you. But if you package it properly, it can be transported as a "checked bag" and should arrive safely at your wedding spot.

Things You'll Need

• Garment bag
• Hard-shell luggage

Instructions

1. Place the dress in a garment bag and carry it on the plane. You may be able to fit the dress in a garment closet or stretch it out in one of the overhead bins. You may have to lay the dress on top of luggage in the bins. Carrying on a dress works best when the dress is not poufy.

2. Place the dress in a hard-shell piece of luggage and carry it on or check it. The risk in checking luggage is that the luggage may get lost, and you may be left scrambling for a new one. If you must check the dress, make sure you arrive at your destination several days ahead of time to ensure there is enough lead time to find the dress if it gets lost in the air.

3. Place the dress in a plastic package used for a comforter set. Roll up the dress and press it into the bag. It will get wrinkled, but you will have to iron or steam the dress no matter how you transport it.

Tips & Warnings

• Remember to attach onto your suitcase a luggage tag with your full name and contact information.

• Call a representative at your airline to make sure you are allowed to carry on a wedding dress. Ask for specific dimensions of the overhead bins so you will know the largest suitcase you can bring. Also, ask about storage closets on board.

References

• Beach Bride To Be: How to Pack and Travel with Your Wedding Dress