Your wedding day is a magical event filled with love, laughter, and cherished memories. But before you walk down the aisle, there’s the matter of transporting your beautiful wedding dress, especially if you’re flying to your destination. Ensuring your dress arrives safely and in pristine condition is crucial. Here’s a TDR Bridal Guide on how to transport your wedding dress on a plane, and why taking it in hand luggage is the smartest choice. At TDR Bridal we sell airline safe hand luggage cases- please email [email protected] for more details and how to purchase these.
- Choose the Right Garment Bag:
A high-quality garment bag is the first step in ensuring your wedding dress’s safe transport. When you purchase your gown with TDR Bridal you will be given a dress bag to store your dress in. We offer storage throughout the whole process so your dress is insured in our premises. These dress bags are specifically designed for wedding dresses, made of durable, breathable material to protect your gown from wrinkles, stains, and tears.
- Wrap it Properly:
Before placing your dress into the suitcase, we wrap it in acid-free tissue paper to prevent any potential color transfer or damage to delicate fabrics. We do not use any colored tissue paper, as it may bleed onto your dress. Our prep team, Jo and Jeanie, gently fold your dress and place it in the garment bag, taking care not to bunch or crease the fabric.
Meet Jeanie and Jo– Our Prep team specialize in packing and shipping delicate items, including wedding dresses, and can provide added peace of mind knowing that your dress is in good hands.
Jeannie, beautiful inside and out, is responsible for making sure your dress passes its final inspection at TDR. She is head of the Prep Room, she’s an absolute perfectionist and everything goes by her before it leaves TDR for your special day.
Jeannie works alongside Jo who has a special place in our hearts, having worked for TDR for over 10 years, she knows all there is to know about wedding dresses and is responsible for making sure every Wedding dress leaves TDR in perfect condition, perfectly steamed and pressed and beautifully packed. She excels at her work and always goes the extra (million) miles for all her brides.
- Carry it as Hand Luggage:
While it might be tempting to check your wedding dress with your other luggage, the safest option is to carry it as hand luggage. By keeping your dress with you throughout the journey, you’ll have greater control over its safety and minimize the risk of loss or damage. Most airlines allow passengers to bring a garment bag as part of their carry-on allowance, but it’s always wise to double-check with your airline’s specific policies beforehand.
- Check the Dimensions:
Before heading to the airport, ensure that your garment bag meets your airline’s size restrictions for carry-on luggage. Most airlines have specific dimensions for carry-on bags, and exceeding these limits could result in additional fees or having to check your dress at the gate.
- Store it Carefully:
Once on board the plane, store your garment bag in the overhead compartment or in the closet designated for hanging garments, if available. Avoid placing it in the overhead compartment directly above your seat, as these spaces tend to fill up quickly and may not provide enough room to hang your dress properly.
- Be Mindful of Wrinkles:
Despite your best efforts, some wrinkling may occur during your journey to your destination. To minimize wrinkles, gently shake out your dress once you’ve arrived at your destination and hang it in a well-ventilated area. If necessary, you can use a handheld steamer to remove any stubborn wrinkles, but be sure to test it on a small, inconspicuous area first to avoid damaging the fabric. Another trick is to hang your dress in a bathroom with the shower on, and the steam will help any additional creases drop out.
