5 Tips for Travelling with Your Wedding Gown

Travelling with Your Wedding Gown to your Destination Wedding

A destination wedding is a fabulous way to start married life and is a great excuse to have a holiday. When you look back at your wedding photos, you will have a lovely time remembering how you spent time with the people closest to you and your fiancé in an amazing destination!

I realise that not many people are heading overseas at the moment due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but I do know that many of your are still planning on having a destination wedding, and it may well be at a location you can still travel to! Like within Australia! I’ve covered many weddings in Darwin, Hobart, Canberra and Rural South Australia that beat many international destinations easily!

Before you jet off, though, you have to figure out one important thing—how to get your wedding dress to your destination.

5 Tips for Travelling with Your Wedding Dress

Travelling with your wedding dress doesn’t have to be stressful. With a little planning and care, you can keep your gown in perfect condition throughout the journey. Whether you’re heading to a local venue or a destination celebration, here are five helpful tips to make sure your dress arrives safely and beautifully, just like you imagined.

Avoid checking it in luggage

Whatever you do, avoid checking your wedding dress as luggage. It will get battered in transit, and there is always a risk of it getting lost. As much as possible, fly with your wedding dress as a carry-on item.

Check with your airline about their policies on carrying wedding dresses – as it may be an exempt item when it comes to the number of pieces of luggage you’re allowed. Also. label the bag containing it with your name, e-mail address, and the contact details of your destination.

Buy or recycle a garment bag

The bridal shop will likely use a garment bag when sending you your wedding dress. However, check if this is strong enough to stand up to travelling with your wedding gown. If you have your doubts, invest in a tougher garment bag. Ask your bridal shop to show you how to fold your wedding dress as well.

When you get to the gate, arrange for the attendant to hang your dress in a closet. Some airlines will preload your dress if you call ahead, so explore this option as well. Sometimes, though, there is no hanging space since surfboards and wheelchairs are the priority for closets.

In this case, you might lay your dress over bags in the overhead, but be considerate of the other passengers and ask permission. If you have the money to spare, you can resort to buying an extra seat just for your dress, or upgrade to business class – this allows you to have an additional carry-on bag!

Invest in a vacuum bag

For brides with voluminous wedding gowns, a vacuum bag is almost mandatory when travelling with your wedding gown. Pack your dress while inside its garment bag into a similarly-sized vacuum bag and suck the air out, which will make the carry on much smaller – and if you’re lucky the checkin gate wont weigh it! Just dont try and fly with an airline known for being sticklers on weight.

You can then pack this into a tri-fold carry-on case, and store it in the luggage just like you would another bag. Remember to pack a garment steamer or request for one at your hotel or resort to iron out the creases. You do not want to memorialise the wrinkles in your wedding photos!

Use a carry-on suitcase

A regulation-size carry-on suitcase is an excellent storage place for a wedding dress. For this to work, you need to pack your gown carefully. Use a hard shell suitcase; this protects your clothing from rain or other fluids. When packing, turn your dress inside out.

Turning your dress inside out will protect things like lace details, needlework, and other delicate embellishments. You can also put tissue paper in between the folds, to preserve the garment better.

Have your dress professionally packed

Your bridal shop can pack your dress to fit in your carry-on suitcase. You can specifically ask them to pack it for travel; this should be part of their services. You can also get a specially-designed box that meets carry-on size requirements for airlines or chartered planes. These boxes also have acid-free tissue paper which you can put in between folds.

 

You can pack a wedding dress for your destination wedding, but it will require a bit of planning from you. Travelling with your wedding gown can be tricky, but don’t let the hassles of travel prevent you from having a picture-perfect day!

Ensure that you have photos that will last a lifetime with Sven Studios. We are experienced destination wedding photographers super keen to travel and dedicated to perfectly capturing one of the most special days in a couple’s life. Browse our previous work or get in touch with us for more information!

How to Fold Your Wedding Dress for Travel

If you’re planning a destination wedding or flying to a special venue, knowing how to travel with your wedding dress is key to keeping it safe and photo ready. One of the most important steps is folding your gown properly, especially if you won’t be carrying it in a full-length garment bag.

Here are a few tips to help you fold your dress with care:

Start with clean hands and a large surface

Lay a clean sheet or towel on a flat surface like a bed or table. Make sure your hands are washed to avoid transferring any oils or dirt onto the fabric.

Use tissue paper between folds

To protect delicate fabrics and prevent creasing, place sheets of white, acid-free tissue paper between each fold. This adds structure and protects beadwork or lace details.

Fold from the bottom up

Gently fold the train or skirt upward, tucking it under layer by layer. Avoid sharp creases and keep the folds soft. If your dress has multiple layers, start with the underlayers first and work your way out.

Protect the bodice

Once the skirt is folded, lay the bodice flat on top. If the bodice has structure or embellishments, cushion it with more tissue paper to prevent damage during travel.

Place it in a carry-on or garment bag

Whenever possible, avoid checking your dress with luggage. Whether you’re driving or flying with your wedding dress, keeping it close ensures you can monitor how it’s handled. Choose a carry-on suitcase or a travel-friendly garment bag designed for delicate items.

By planning ahead and folding carefully, travelling with your wedding dress can be much smoother and less stressful on your special day.

Storing Your Dress Safely During Flight

Flying with your wedding dress can feel nerve-wracking, especially when you’ve spent so much time choosing the perfect gown. The good news is that many brides successfully travel with their dress by taking a few simple precautions to ensure it stays safe, clean, and wrinkle-free during the flight.

Here’s how to store it properly while in the air:

Avoid placing anything on top

If your dress ends up in the overhead bin, make sure nothing is placed on top of it. Consider asking your seatmate for a bit of space and keep the bag flat and undisturbed during the flight.

Pack a travel steamer

Even with the best care, some creases may still appear. Packing a small, handheld steamer can help refresh your dress once you arrive, so it’s photo-ready before the big moment.

By preparing in advance and handling your gown with care, flying with your wedding dress becomes much more manageable, giving you peace of mind before your celebration begins.