I will be attending a wedding in Ireland in mid-June. Unfortunately, the wedding is the day after I arrive in Ireland (from Boston). Going to the events are me (in a suit, tie, dress shirt), a my two daughters (aged 8 and 6), wearing cotton dresses with light cardigans, depending on the weather.

My question is how to pack to avoid major wrinkles. I doubt we'll have access to irons, etc., upon our arrival and we'd like to look as fresh as possible. I plan on packing the wedding clothes in a separate garment bag.

Thoughts???

A dual voltage steamer is lightweight, small, and does a nice job.

I've never tried it, but some travellers recommend puting the clothes in dry cleaner plastic bags to prevent wrinkles.

Use white tissue paper while folding placing it in the area that would otherwise be creased by the fold.

Hang the clothes up in the bathroom and run a really hot steamy shower, leave the door closed and 'steam' the clothes for a good half hour.

second the last suggestion. have only done it for my (female) clothing but including suits and generally find 10-15 mins does the trick.

http://i17.ebayimg.com/02/i/000/a1/9b/7649_2.JPG

I just put this so you can see a picture of the sort of thing I used when I went aborad to a wedding last year. We too did not have time to or access to ironing equipment before the wedding.
It was very similar to this it had 3 hangers. I managed to hang my hubby's suit and his shirt and tie on one hanger. I put a dress and a wrap on one and I also put a dress and a matching overshirt on the other. Then using all the other pockest etc for any bits I required it worked out very well indeed. As your girls are little you should be able to get their things on one hanger.

AS I have said before unless you are taking a shower yourself please don't waste water (even in Ireland!) just to steam your clothes.
Where are you staying? Most hotels will have an iron available, as will most B&Bs. The suit should be fine - just hang it up on arrival. The dresses, and shirt, if packed carefully will probably also be fine just hung up.

Careful packing as mentioned here and taking the clothing out and hanging up upon arrival in the hotel will help. You will most likey shower both upon arrival and on the day of the wedding, so put the clothing in the bathroom while you shower. If you are staying in a hotel or B and B, call or email ahead and ask them to arrange for an iron and ironing board in your room. Somtimes small hotels do run out of these items as people seem to hold onto them for an entire stay so you could try to this arrange ahead of time. The hotel may even offer a pressing service for a small fee.

Enjoy the wedding!

I have tried the steam thing, but when I was about to shower, as said before what a waste to just run it fo this. After i showered i turned it up a bit for a couple of minustes to give it mre steam. It never seems to work for me.

To answer the question -- we're staying at my cousin's friend's house. He will be on holiday the week we're there. I don't have any idea what kind of iron/options will be available upon arrival.

I did hear of the tissue trick and hate to sound daft, but do you put the tissue inside garment (like inside the dress shirt?)?

Hi Liam, my husband always had whatever dress shirts he packed laundered at the cleaners and had them folded and put in the bag the cleaners uses for folded shirts. Or he purchased a new shirt and just left it folded until he was ready to wear it. I don't remember how he packed his suit but it was on a suit hanger (his luggage had a clip for the hanger). He would hang the suit up on arrival and it was never wrinkled.

If your clothes don't look as "perfect" as they would if you were at home please don't worry. All travellers go through the same thing. Your trip with your daughters sounds delightful and I am sure they will always remember this trip and the wedding!