ejcrowe

I'm flying to Antigua for a small wedding in June and would love any suggestions for transporting a wedding dress. In the past I'd hoped to put it in a garment bag and have the flight attendant stow it for me in the cabin up front. This may not be possible now. Anybody else dealing with this? <BR><BR>thank you.

RachelG

It would probably get wrinkled in the garment bag anyway if it is a full length dress. Best bet is to get a lot of bubble wrap and fold it with bubble wrap between the folds and layers, then pack in large suitcase.

Cassandra

Why is having it hung up out of the question now? Size of plane? What has the airline told you?<BR><BR>If all else fails, you could consider buying it a seat! (Not entirely kidding.)

moneygirl

Your wedding dress, no matter the style, is delivered to your bridal shop in a UPS box. Try it on, have it altered if necessary and ask them NOT to steam it or press it. Ask them to repack it. Call ahead to your hotel and make sure they have a steam iron... the ironing board kind AND the free standing kind. Press it yourself when you get there, no worries! Obviously, this will be easier if your dress isn't too complicated! (Yes, I managed a bridal shop for several years!)

ejcrowe

Thanks for all of your help so far.<BR><BR>No, the hotel where I'm staying doesn't have a steam iron (it's very low-key and casual). <BR><BR>Someone at the airline told me that unless I was traveling first class (which I'm not) that there was no guarantee that they could put it in a closet at the front of the cabin. And the person I spke with even suggested that with new security regulations that it would be better to carry the dress in checked baggage--rough handlers doing carry-on security checking may harm the dress. <BR><BR>Now I'm thinking that I&quot;ll just buy a different, more casual dress that I won't have to worry about. It's a pity 'cause the dress I bought already is lovely, but a little too formal for the new venue.

Derek

Consider packing an iron? (don't yell at the messenger if the suggestion is no good)

gail

No matter how it travels - even hanging up in closet in front - I would want to be able to touch it up with iron upon arrival. Irons are really cheap these days - buy a cheap one here, pack it, and if you don't want to bring it home, leave it or give it to someone.<BR><BR>Now that I think about it, if your dress is white, I might want to use a new-ish iron anyway, since I have had several old irons spit out nasty colored stuff on occasion.

BTilke

After you try it on to see that it fits propery, why not have it fedexed to the hotel ahead of you? (Or UPSed or DHLed, etc.). Then take a steamer/steam iron (as suggested above) with you.

nkh

As an alternative to an iron, consider a travel steamer - you dont run the risk of burning the dress with an unfamiliar iron in a hotel and you dont need an ironing board. The steamer worked really well and was lighter than an iron - also you can hang the dress vertically and steam it which can be done just about anywhere.<BR><BR>I got one for use on my wedding dress after transporting it by air (sorry no help with method, ff miles bumped my mother and dress to business class, so hanging up was OK in a garment bag we made specially not to fold the dress). The steamer has now become a standard travel item whenever I am taking nicer clothes on vacation.<BR><BR>Have a wonderful wedding, whatever you choose to do!

ejcrowe

Thanks again for all of your suggestions. I had thought about packing a travel iron myself, but honestly, I'm not exactly a domestic goddess. I'd be more likely to scorch my own dress than if I left it someone else's hands, unfortunately. I'll look into the steam/press/iron thing...

barcadi

I got married in St Lucia and took my rather large dress over.<BR><BR>I think the choice of airlines you fly with helps. I flew Virgin and they hung the dress up in there own cupboard and were quite happy to do this. They get it all the time on these types of flight. Where are you getting married in antigua <BR><BR>Take the dress as a carry on and ask nicely to hang up. Also get to the airport earlier enough (when the check in opens) tell them you are getting married smile and be very nice and you may get upgraded, <BR><BR>have a fantastic time<BR><BR>Clare<BR>

ejcrowe

Thanks again, folks. Clare, I'm getting married at a very small hotel called Long Bay on the eastern side of the island. Very intimate and casual, but they don't offer a laundry service, so I don't think a steam iron would be available.<BR><BR>Good suggestions--my fiance and I will arrive at the airport early and in our most charming way, ask for an upgrade. If that doesn't work, well, I guess we'll have to trade in some miles.

barcadi

Let us know how the wedding was and have a fantastic time