You found the perfect partner, perfect wedding dress, and your dream destination to say, “I Do.” Every detail has been painstakingly considered, but have you planned how you’ll get your wedding dress flawlessly to the altar?
According to WeddingWire, the average U.S. bride spends $1000 on their wedding gown. This doesn’t include alterations or fitting fees, which can add hundreds of dollars to the cost. Your wedding gown is an investment in YOU, and to ensure you rock the aisle on your wedding day, follow these tips for your dress to reach its destination safe and sound.
Pack, don’t hang
When traveling by plane, the last thing you want to worry about is dragging your bagged gown through security and the airport. It’s a herculean task that requires agility and strength to keep your wedding dress from being stepped on or collecting dirt from the floor. Another challenge is finding overhead bin space to lay your gown with minimal creasing.
The safest option is to carefully pack your wedding gown in a TSA carry-on approved suitcase or hire a professional to pack your wedding gown properly for travel. Hard-sided luggage is best as it will protect the gown from possible leaks out of neighboring suitcases in the overhead bin.
Carry-on, don’t check
We’ve all heard horror stories of the bride who checked her wedding gown with the airline, and never saw her dress again. Don’t let this happen to you. Always keep your gown with you as carry-on baggage.
Keep it single
Keep it single is the rule to remember when packing your wedding gown for travel. Resist the urge to put your shoes, veil, jewelry, or any item in the suitcase with your gown. To protect the integrity of your gown’s fabric from possible snags, discoloration, or damage, it is important to pack it alone.
Acid-free Tissue is your Friend
When packing a wedding gown in a suitcase for travel, it is important to pack with tissue to keep any hard creases from forming. Invest in lots of white, acid-free tissue for this task. Donna Wagner, a professional member of the Association of Wedding Gown Specialists who expertly packs wedding gowns for destination weddings and preservation says, “Acid-free tissue is your friend because it won’t bleed color onto your gown, it has a neutral-Ph and a soft finish to protect fabric from scuffs and scratches.”
Bring McSteamy with you
Ok, we named our steamer to keep things a little more interesting and we have a thing for Grey’s Anatomy. If you spice it up with a name for your portable travel steamer, we like your style…just don’t forget it when packing! Your steamer is the finishing touch to guaranteeing your wedding gown is walk-down-the aisle ready on your big day. Put a white cotton sock over the steamer head to avoid water marks and bring an adapter if your destination needs one. You are now ready to make lasting, magical memories.
