Finding and Packing Your Destination Wedding Dress: Essential Tips

Here Are Our Top 3 Tips for Finding a Destination Wedding Dress

Planning a destination wedding is an exciting adventure! But it also comes with unique challenges, especially when it comes to finding and packing your wedding dress.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through essential tips and techniques for finding and packing your destination wedding dress, so you can travel with confidence and focus on enjoying your destination wedding. We will also cover airlines’ guidelines for flying with a wedding dress.

This guide is written for those planning a destination wedding in Lake Como, Tuscany, or the South of France, but our tips and tricks are equally applicable to other destination wedding venues!

Our simple tips are made to get you and your wedding dress to your destination wedding in perfect condition.

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3 Tips for Choosing a Destination Wedding Dress

1. Consider the Climate and Wedding Venue

The dress should be suitable for the climate and setting of your venue.

For Lake Como, where temperatures can be cooler, we recommend heavier fabrics or layering options. In Tuscany, on the other hand, where summers can be hot, lightweight, and breathable fabrics like chiffon or silk are ideal. Last, for chateaus in the South of France, which often have a more formal and classic vibe, you might opt for something elegant but still comfortable.

2. Choose a Style that Complements the Venue

Think about the ambiance and architecture of your chosen venue.

For a villa at Lake Como, you might choose a romantic and flowing gown that complements the lush, lakeside scenery. In Tuscany, a dress with rustic, vintage elements or a simple, classic design could suit the countryside charm. For a chateau in the South of France, a more formal, sophisticated gown with intricate details can match the grandeur of the location.

3. Prioritize Comfort and Practicality

Destination weddings often involve travel and potentially uneven terrain, so choose a dress that is comfortable and easy to manage.

Consider a dress with a practical yet stylish train or one that can be bustled easily for dancing. Ensure you can move freely and feel comfortable throughout the day, especially if your venue includes outdoor elements or multiple locations.

Each venue has its unique charm, so finding a dress that aligns with both your personal style and the venue’s ambiance will make your wedding day even more special.

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How to Pack Your Wedding Dress For Travelling

Your wedding dress is not just a garment. It is a symbol of your special day and the centerpiece of your bridal look. Ensuring it arrives in pristine condition at your dream venue requires careful preparation and attention to detail.

Packing your wedding dress properly will help you avoid any last-minute stress. From choosing the right garment bag to handling the dress with care during transit, every step in the packing process plays a crucial role in maintaining the elegance and integrity of your dress.

Here are some tips to help you pack your dress effectively:

1. Use a High-Quality Garment Bag

Invest in a sturdy, breathable garment bag specifically designed for formal wear. This will protect your dress from dust, dirt, and damage during travel. Choose a bag with ample room to avoid crumpling or crushing the fabric.

2. Get It Professionally Cleaned and Pressed

Have your dress professionally cleaned and pressed before packing. This will help reduce the chances of wrinkles and stains. Ensure it is completely dry before packing to prevent mildew or mold.

3. Wedding Dress Packing Techniques

Roll, Don’t Fold
If your dress is particularly delicate, consider rolling it rather than folding. This minimizes creasing and reduces the risk of fabric damage. For structured dresses with layers or embellishments, it may be best to gently fold the dress with tissue paper between layers to protect it.

Stuff the Dress
Tissue paper, tissue paper, tissue paper! Use acid-free tissue paper or lightweight fabric to stuff the bodice and skirt of your dress. This helps maintain its shape and prevents it from becoming misshapen during transit.

4. Carry-On or Special Arrangements

If possible, carry your wedding dress in your carry-on luggage rather than checking it in. Many airlines allow you to bring a garment bag as a carry-on or have special arrangements for delicate items. If carrying it on is not an option, notify the airline in advance and ask about their procedures for handling formal wear.

5. Plan for Wrinkle Removal

Pack a small handheld steamer or wrinkle-release spray in your travel bag to address any minor wrinkles upon arrival. Be sure to test any product on a small, inconspicuous area of the fabric first to ensure it won’t damage your dress.

6. Check the Destination’s Climate

Research the climate of your destination and plan accordingly. In humid or wet climates, consider using a garment bag with a waterproof lining to protect your dress from moisture.

By following these tips, you can help ensure that your wedding dress arrives at your destination looking as beautiful as when it left home!

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Flying With a Wedding Dress: Airline Guidelines

Almost all airline’s websites contain similar guidelines for flying with a wedding dress. While not every website specifically refers to wedding dresses, your best source of information is their carry-on policy.

Here are a few examples of airlines that specifically mention wedding dresses:

Virgin Atlantic

Virgin Atlantic’s website says:

“You’re welcome to take your wedding dress or wedding suit onboard in addition to your hand luggage. Our crew will, where space permits, hang your dress or suit for you but on some flights the wardrobe space is very limited so we can’t guarantee this. Please pack your dress in a box or bag so that when the crew can’t find space to hang it, it can be safely stowed. With any wedding suits, please make sure they’re packed in a soft suit carrier.”

Singapore Airlines

Singapore Airlines, considered one of the world’s best airlines, writes:

“We accept your wedding dress as a carry-on or checked baggage. For carry-on baggage, it has to be within the maximum dimension and weight allowance for carry-on baggage. An extra seat can also be purchased to accommodate it.“

United Airlines

United Airlines also recommends buying an extra seat for valuable items such as wedding dresses:

“If you don’t want to check your special items, you can buy an extra seat and take them on the plane with you. Most people use seats for bags to travel with things like large or valuable musical instruments*, wedding dresses, cameras, and garment bags. A United agent must approve all items before boarding.”

Our Opinion: It is not necessary to book an extra seat for your wedding dress. Equipped with a proper wedding dress travel box and a steamer, you can always remove any creases once you arrive at your destination wedding venue. Just make sure to unpack your wedding dress as soon as possible to avoid any creases setting in.

Is It Safe To Check-In My Wedding Dress?

Any bride’s nightmare scenario is to lose her wedding dress in transit. The general advice is not to put your wedding dress into your checked-in luggage for several reasons:

1. You risk losing your wedding dress in transit.
2. Your wedding dress can get damaged.
3. If your suitcase contains other items, especially liquids, there is a risk of leakage which could ruin your dress.

However, if you must put your wedding dress into your suitcase, there are some precautions you can take.

1. Pack your wedding dress in a strong, watertight bag.
2. Add a bright luggage strap to your suitcase so that it is recognizable.
3. Lock your suitcase with a TSA-approved lock.
4. Put an Apple Airtag in your checked luggage so that you can track it and don’t have to worry about the airline losing it.
5. Take photos of your suitcase and its contents before traveling. Document everything. These photos will come in handy in the unlikely scenario that your suitcase gets lost or your wedding dress is damaged.

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To sum up, finding and packing the right destination wedding dress is all about style, comfort, and making sure it looks amazing in every picture. Just don’t forget your handheld steamer for those picture-perfect, no-wrinkle moments!