How Do I Get My Wedding Dress To My Destination Safely

thank for the tips

good ideas!

I flew JetBlue to Cancun in early November. I had hemmed and hawed over what to do with my dress and when I called JetBlue ahead of time to see what accomadations could be made I was left with no answers. I decided to wing it and carry my dress in a garment bag. Funny thing was... there were 7 other brides on my flight who all did the same thing. The JetBlue gate staff actually let us all board first and we put our dresses in the overhead bins. Wound up working out great - I didnt even have to get my dress pressed when we got to the resort!

I called the airline (jetblue) and was also told their was nothing they could do for me in advance. The woman who checked us in was very nice and upgraded us so we could board first. Which allowed me to lay my dress flat in an overhead cabin. I was uncomfortable shipping my dress to Aruba and it was also going to cost $200-$300. Carrying it on the plane is really the best way to take your dress.

not sure wat airline yet, but I will be carrying my dress on board. I just pray that the gate staff has a heart.

Thanks for the tips, I hadn't even thought of calling the airline before my date of travel. I'm definitely putting this on my to do list and hope they are accomodating.

I have changed my mind, I am going to take a chance and rent my gown when I get to Vegas. The thought of dragging my dress through the airports and then getting it re-steamed was driving me crazy.

I was wondering how I was going to carry my dress, thanks for the heads up.

We were going to fly southwest, but when I called they told me I could put it in the overhead bin if there is space or I could purchase an additional seat for it...so I'm starting to look at a few other airlines that do have first class areas. That dress isn't leaving my sight, so no shipping ahead of time for me! lol

I'm flying Transat to Jamaica ... and they provide an overhead bin area just for the bride and groom to store the suit/gown. I'm very relieved ... as I've heard other airlines will say you need to "gate-check" the dress or whatever .. and all they do is throw it in the under storage with all the luggage. Not sure if thats the proper term but try to carry the dress on. I know some planes have the storage area at the front where they let people hang suits .. we've done that on a Southwest flight.

Thanks. I had no idea how to travel with my dress. I will ask my TA about this.

I got married recently (Feb 2012), and I also went through the process of finding out how to carry my wedding dresses to my destination. After calling Air Canada and West Jet, which are the two airlines with reasonable flights from Calgary to Maui, I learned the "first class closet" I was wondering about really does not exist on regional flights. The aircrafts simply are too small to carry such feature. You'll find the closet space in transatlantic flights. I had to narrow down my dresses to one (originally planning to have two). It still worked out for me.

I basically compressed my dress into a carry on luggage case and put some parchment paper between the fabric so the beadings don't rub against each other. I also stuffed the chest of the dress with some cotton T-shirts so the neckline and bustline stay in shape with all that compression. I thought, its fabric, and it's supposed to be folded, right?! Thank havens I was right. The dress arrived in my luggage without any problem. My dress fully occupied the luggage that it didn't move at all inside the luggage. So, find the size of the luggage that'll keep it snugged.

Heres the thing, the airlines make you worry and won't tell you anything solid. However when you show up at the airport people love weddings. everyone went out of their way to make sure my dress was ok. They put it in the captains closet or hung it first class. I was worried sick about my dress literally, but everyone is always happy to help a bride when you're there. I flew to costa rica with two plane changes and not a single problem.

I agree with Sarakafka... I fly once a month and I have seen plenty of brides carry on dresses without a problem. I am fortunate to have my parents who are willing to drive to our destination in the Keys just to take things like OOT bags, dress, decorations, ect.

Question??? Did any of you have to pay extra to carry on your dress?

good to know

@ Tcruz21, I didn't have to pay. It was within my carry-on allowance.

I talked to a Delta rep and she said you just have to let the gate agent and the attendant know. They will place it in the closet if there is space.

We flew with Sunwing (which I highly recommend against! horrible airline notorious for delays) - they had 2 compartments near the first class seats specifically labelled "wedding gown" and they put my dress in there. There was another bride on board the same flight and her dress got the 2nd compartment. No extra charge to bring a dress on board and it didn't count towards my "carry on" limitations.

Good to know. I am going to check in with Alaska before we fly though but thanks for the info.

I never thought of this problem before -- I guess I will have to make a phone call to US Air just to make sure!

Amanda acd8809@yahoo.com

I am definitely carrying my precious cargo on board with me! I am flying American and they have the capacity to store it but we were considering Jetblue until American cut us an awesome group rate. Jetblue doesn't have first class cabins so there is really nowhere to store it. I have resigned myself to holding it on my lap like a baby in a garment bag if I have to. But hopefully that won't be that case.

When you fly with Sunwing, the plane has special compartments that you can hang your wedding dress in! We also recommend that you lay your dress flat in the overhead compartments AFTER everyone has placed their luggage up there. Don't let anyone put anything on your dress! Most hotels also offer steaming services so that you can have a fresh dress (and suit!) for the big day!!

i REFUSE to ship my dress to Hawaii. i don't trust the box, the carriers, or the timing.. I will bring it on the plane & make it my carry-on & depending if I get upgraded to first-class I won't have to worry. If they tell me I can't put it in the closet, then I will have them put it underneath, but once I'm on the plane, so it's like the last thing on first thing off!

Thanks for sharing, so interesting~~~~