How to Travel With a Wedding Dress or Formal Attire Without Stress
Planning a destination wedding is exciting — but traveling with formalwear can also be stressful. Whether you’re the bride or groom heading to the wedding or a guest who wants to keep your wedding dress, suit or other formal attire wrinkle-free on the way to the event, knowing how to pack it is essential in ensuring that it arrives in perfect condition.
We turned to wedding planner Clara Weston and bridal stylist Jordan Hale for their best recommendations on flying or driving with a wedding dress or suit. From folds, rolls and packing cubes to other tricks, this is how to master the stress of traveling with your most important outfit.
What to Know Before Traveling With a Wedding Dress or Suit
You should receive a garment bag with your outfit when you buy it. And if you don’t have one, buy one before you travel. Once you have had your last fitting, pack up your dress or suit in its garment bag, and leave it until you get there.
Jordan Hale suggests cinching the hanger straps on the dress as tight as possible and using the train loop (if there is one) to distribute the weight. This makes the folds easier and avoids breakage. To minimize wrinkles during carry-on packing, fold the garment in thirds — top down, then bottom up.
Flying With Your Wedding Dress
Always travel with your wedding dress if you’re flying. “Never check your wedding dress,” says Hale. “Too much can go wrong with lost luggage.”
Options include:
- Packing that ensemble into the carry-on bag
- Transport it in a garment bag (opaque and waterproof is best)
- Requesting a flight attendant to store it in the cabin closet (this is not guaranteed, but you can ask)
- Reserving a second seat for the garment itself (definitely check airline policies first)
Here are Weston’s top three flight tips to follow:
- Arrive early — it takes time to navigate an airport in a dress or suit.
- Travel light — your hands will be full with your tuxedo or ball gown as it is.
- Early board—try for early boarding to get overhead bin space.
Travelling With Your Wedding Dress
If you’re driving, set your outfit flat in the back seat — not in the trunk. “The backseat is cooler and air conditioned,” Hale says. “Beaded or fine fabrics might yellow in heat.
Avoid shipping your outfit. It can be tempting, but the hassle of delivery delays or problems, including damage or lost packages, are not worth it on the day of.
What Guests Should Pack For Formal Evenings
The same goes for guests, bridesmaids and groomsmen: pack the formalwear in carry-on, not in checked bags. “Do not risk checking a dress or suit in baggage claim madness,” Hale says.
Unpack outfits from their garment bags as soon as you arrive. Allow to wrinkle naturally or use a steamer ahead of time. No steamer? Try the bathroom steam trick — hang the item while you take a hot shower.
Don’t wait until the day of the event; clothes need time to dry out before you can wear them.
Final Thoughts
Whether you’re getting hitched or an invitee, the logistics of traveling with formalwear requires a bit of strategy. Thanks to these packing tips, your outfit will be crease-free and party-ready — no stress necessary.
