But to simplify the process even more, we share how to fly with a wedding dress on five major US airlines. It's a valid wedding planning question, and the answer is simple: Yesbut specific guidelines will vary among airlines. For JetBlue and Southwest, we recommend for you to place your wedding dress in a carry on suitcase so you can place the dress in the overhead compartment and keep the dress in your procession. Has anyone recently taken their wedding gown on a plane (more specifically with United Airlines)? structure to keep the gown folded and flat, plenty of room for extra dresses and zippers and buckles to boot. The ironing board should also be checked and plan to pack a clean cover just in case you need one." While this won't allow you to keep track of the gown mid-air, it will give you peace of mind knowing that you won't have to look for space on the plane. Understand your dress will be wrinkly. Plan your wedding wherever and whenever you want on the WeddingWire App. Of course you may need a steam after. Many planes have a closet that flight attendants will allow you to store your gown (but not all!) If you are flying to a wedding you may also be interested about our guide to flying with a wedding dress. Dress got there in good shape Yes (special instructions) checked bags: Gate agents and crew members will be as accommodating as possible with your wedding ensemble, space permitting. These cute dresses will have you, The Best Bridal Undergarments to Wear Under Your Wedding, 23 Super-Chic Blazer Dresses for Your Wedding Day and More, 31 Beautiful Dresses to Wear to Your Next Summer Wedding. I definitely would rather take my chances with it on the plane before I would ship my dress to Jamaica via the USPS. Photo by Christina Sarah via Bridal Musings. You can bring a wedding dress through the security checkpoint for screening, but we strongly recommend that it is packed safely in a garment-style bag or other packaging to protect it during the screening process. In response to the posts request for comment, a spokesperson referred to the airlines conditions of carriage, which specify that passengers are expected to dress appropriately; At least 10 days prior to departure: Most airplanes have a place to hang clothes, you would just have to ask the flight attendant as you are walking onto the plane. Vaccinations are not required but they are highly encouraged. If you will check your gown, the airline has a convenient app to track your belongings. "After alterations, it's the responsibility of the couple to make arrangements for the dress to get to its destination. Should we keep it in the dress bag, board asap, and ask them to hang it? They provided a free snack and beverage. My bridal stylist bud told me to ask the flight attendants for help, assuming everything should be fine. When we got to the resort, my gown was in perfect condition and didn't need anything done to it. 24 Fun Activities for Couples in Nashville, Tennessee, Destination Weddings: Marrying in the Cayman Islands, 13 Colorado Ranches Perfect for a Rustic Wedding, 9 Wedding-Worthy Alpine Lodges in Colorado, 18 Destination Wedding Dresses For Major Wanderlust, The Ultimate Guide to Planning a Destination Wedding, 7 Reasons to Hire a Destination Wedding Planner, Ask the Expert: Flower Tips from Gertie Mae's Floral Studio, Love Stories: Real Proposal Stories That'll Make You Swoon, 6 Totally Adorable Proposal Stories from Colorado Couples, 5 Charming Proposal Stories from Michigan Couples. Just in case, I also called into the United support line where I was made to wait 45min (not exaggerating) to ask if there would be a closet for my wedding dress. I understand losing luggage happens, but if I had a guest that I've dropped the ball for a number of times already, I would make sure to get at least SOMETHING right. Real Bride, real wedding, Florida Wedding, florida bride, Ines Di Santo, ball gowns orlando, beach wedding, florida wedding, Maria Elena Headieces, Ines Di Santo, silk slip wedding dress. Its better to be safe than sorry! Even though we are listed as vegetarian, they said it was a short flight (5 hours) and don't have many vegetarian meals. I was elated to get to try it on instantly in-person & take it home myself. That being said, the closet may be far out of sight and cause great anxiety. Here's what we know about these elusive A-list nuptials. First off, I've never flown with an airline that has more losses of communication. But it is better to have a wrinkly dress than a lost dress! There was no announcement from any of the staff members, I guess they were as equally unaware as we were. Yes (special instructions) checked bags: If you are travelling to a wedding destination, there will most likely be an iron or steaming service available as most people will be wearing or bringing a suit. "Keep your dress in the bag that it came in, or purchase a sturdy garment bag to pack it in," suggests Margaret Kane, founder of Margaret Rose Events. Our connecting flight home was cancelled (because of weather) had we not been using and regularly checking the app we wouldn't have even been informed of cancellation. When I asked that other United worker, he said he had no clue and wondered why I was asking him. "If a customer is checking their wedding dress, we recommend using the FlyDelta app to track the status of their checked baggage throughout the entire travel journey," Delta's rep explains. This should seem obvious, but just in case theres any question never check your irreplaceable items on an airplane in case it fails to make it to your final destination. This will give peace of mind to the safety and security of your wedding dress. When she has something valuable to take from MI to FL or vice versa, she ships it to herslef via FedEx. Delta designates a section on its website to destination wedding travel tips, where it specifies that clients often carry on their gowns. For the flight home, I just rolled it up and put it in a carry-on bag. Additionally, at the gate, I asked the front desk just one last time. Your gown will hang and be tucked away from other passengers hands. While your bridal salon or designer may gift you a branded garment bag, it may not be the best quality. Smooth flight; however, not worth upgrade to 1st class. So with Southwest, you are essentially buying the floor space for the wedding dress. Customers are allowed a soft-sided garment bag in lieu of a carry-on bag (get specific dimensions and details here). But, suddenly I had a surprise responsibility: traveling to New York City with my precious wedding dress. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure youre on a federal government site. Only thing I don't like flying a 10-12 hour flight is not being able to tilt your seat in economy but 3-4". You can easily release the wrinkles by using a hand steamer on the morning of the wedding. I'm flying with my dress on united as well. With this option, the seat belt would have to be fastened over the dress to make sure that it doesnt move around inflight. As your destination wedding approaches, you might ask yourself: Can I take a wedding dress on a plane? How to Travel With a Wedding Dress on 5 Major Airlines, doesn't have closets or other hanging space. The best choice and most often used when flying on JetBlue is to buy an extra seat and having the dress laid over it. "Plus, ensure that whatever the dress is packed in contains a waterproof layer such as plastic, just in case something spills during transit." I traveled alone, grabbed a coffee, thought the entire time dont you dare spill this and of course had hot liquid scorching my wrist within seconds. "It's important to know what fabric your gown is designed from and whether it is press only or can be steamed," Duff-Cole says. Depending on how poofy your dress is, it would fit in a roller board. I cancelled my United credit card due to the way they abused and beat that passenger 2 months ago. Before joining The Knot Worldwide, Sarah was a contributing writer for Bravo at NBC Universal. Makes a hard flight sleeping sitting almost straight up, or having to pay hundreds of dollars to recline a bit more. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. What matters most, though, is that you give your gown ample time to breathe post-travel. See United's carry-on size restrictions here. It counts as your personal item or your carry-on (most likely the latter, especially if your gown is particularly voluminous), as long as your garment bag is securely packed and meets all JetBlue baggage requirements. This way you can see if anyone opens the compartment and rest easy throughout the flight. Hope they don't punch it lol. "If you plan to iron your dress, make sure the iron is filled with clean water, the base is clean and you test the iron on a clean surface before your dress. Obsessions include bridal fashion, entrances by horse or camel, and worldwide adventures. We tapped two industry experts to share everything you need to know about how to fly with a wedding dress, stress-free. Photo by Sotiris Tsakanikas via Bridal Musings. Our Bride Chevelle was married in St. Kitts Destination Wedding / Photo by: @modernelegancephotography. Couples love the rush and thrill of hopping on a plane to reach their final destination of marriage. The characters written do not match the verification word. Select fabrics that resist wrinkling when deciding which dress to wear on the flight. United Airlines recommends you carry on versus check any high-value, fragile or perishable belongings, including "garment bags not designed for travel," and will accept these specialty items (AKA your packed-up wedding dress) as carry-ons. Alternatively, she notes that you can always reach out to your planner or coordinator for guidance before the big day arrives: "Ask your wedding planner if they offer a day of service for pressing or steaming, or if they can recommend any local companies.". "Some aircraft have larger 'coat closets' in the first-class cabin area that can often be used for bridal gown storage," Delta's rep adds. This gorgeous Hollywood couple finally made it official in a private wedding ceremony at their Bel Air home. Leave a comment on this blog post or DM us your destination on Instagram! Get Our Wedding Planner App On Your Mobile Device. This will prevent creases from forming during travel. The main issue you will have is that you cannot absolutely *guarantee* that irrespective of any verbal or even written assurances, that security or gate check staff will accept your dress which on the face of it is likely to be above hand luggage maximum dimensions, *and* will hang it up *or*. The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely. At that point, the flight attendant made a joke in very poor taste "next time this happens, assuming you get married again hahah, you should xxxx". You're asking for an additional item above and beyond the rules, so i would not count on being allowed. So, which airlines are best to fly with a wedding dress? That flight attendant should not be employed in a customer facing role and United really needs to improve its alignment across departments--United had several employees giving out wrong information to me.When I arrived at my destination, I opened up the bag to look at my dress and it was entirely crumpled up at the bottomI might as well have packed it in my checked bag. They treat those much better than regular checked luggage. United airlines has the best option for flying with your wedding dress. I know some brides have packed it in a bag/carry on suitcase that fits the size requirement. Latest activity by steebsthegreat, on June 3, 2018 at 11:13 AM. Need to refresh your wedding guest wardrobe? "If a customer needs any assistance with their checked baggage, it's best to report any mishandled items to a Delta Baggage Service Center or file a claim online to receive assistance.". I won't be flying, but my FMIL flies a lot. The flight attendant was extremely unhelpful. Just check online first to find out what types of planes you will be on to make sure. If you'd rather board your flight knowing you'll have more space, consider purchasing a ticket for an extra seat if it fits your budget. The airline will give you a promo code which you can pass on to each guests. The bombshell bride knew how to accentuate her curves with each wedding look. Best Dress Tips and References website . Placing them together confirms items wont be overlooked or forgotten about when packing for your trip. "If you trust yourself or a family member, a gown can be pressed with a clean iron, or household steamers can steam a gown if the fabric allows," Duff-Cole adds. I had no clue that Id be returning from my trip with my wedding dress and wasnt able to prepare with a more protective bag for my gown. Find our travel steamer here! I had to get back in line, wait and ask the same flight attendant what to do, she said "I already told you, you cannot hang your dress on those hooks, you should have known some of our flights don't have closets." I'd be shipping mine if friends weren't driving to my dw. Sarah is an Associate Digital Editor for The Knot, with special focuses in fashion, pop culture and wedding trends. So I guess bad weather is your guests fault and all the unexpected expenses (lodging, food, transportation) should fall on them. Short sleeve jacket must be worn fully buttoned with skirt or pants. We also recommend that you contact your airline to determine their policy for bringing and stowing the dress on the airplane, as well as how it fits into their carry-on bag limitations. Gate agents and crew members will be as accommodating as possible with your wedding ensemble, space permitting. var s=iw[ce]('script');s.async='async';s.defer='defer';s.charset='utf-8';s.src=wp+"//jsc.mgid.com/t/a/tailieuvan.vn.264917.js?t="+D.getYear()+D.getMonth()+D.getUTCDate()+D.getUTCHours();c[ac](s);})(); (function(){ For me, that was very insulting since I had specifically done a lot of research to make sure there would be a closet for my dress. Where are you headed for your destination wedding? (V chng A Ph T Hoi) Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. When in doubt, call your airline to get the exact answers you need based on your circumstances. She was really upset, and the rest of us were shocked the crew wouldn't/didn't help with a better solution. Sign up on The Knot to reach more couples and book more weddings! Our Bride Chelsea at her Romantic Destination Wedding in Mexico / Photo by: @jorgemercadophotography. Once it seems everyone has stored their bags, carefully lay your gown on top and across of you and your partners suitcase. An official website of the United States government. There were, however, two different hooks in Business Class that seemed like the ideal spots to hang my wedding dress. If not, you can take it in its garment bag. If you're interested in pursuing this option, call ahead to double-check if your plane will have extra space. "Any carry-on items will need to fit the size requirements as some aircraft do not have extra room for oversized carry-on pieces," says a rep for Delta Airlines, noting that many customers prefer to use the carry-on option instead of checking the gown. It looked like those hooks would have been perfect and I don't know how a longer article of clothing would have made that area dangerous. She notes that, while your dress designer or tailor can offer advice on how to travel with your specific design, it's up to you to get your wedding gown to the venue. Bennifer is married and better than ever. We chose to take the hit of the rental costs and rush through security to board the flight.But wait there's more, we arrive at our destination and our checked bag did not leave with us. (Note that Southwest does not have closets to hang your gown.) And, if it's small enough to pack in your carry-on, make sure to add a bright ribbon or tag so you can easily detect and differentiate it.". Most wrinkles fall out within 24 to 48 hours. We spent an extra 35+ minutes sitting on the plane before take off on at least 3 of the flights because of this.We flew United for a trip to Mexico, our arrival was fine but returning was incredibly poor. Once I got home, I researched and purchased a destination wedding garment bag. Be careful, though: Some carry-on items can be checked at the gate due to weight or size issues. Joy Roze Fine Jewelry Designs Dazzling Natural Engagement Rings That Are So Unique. But before pulling out an iron or a portable steamer to remove wrinkles on the wedding day, touch base with your dress designer or a trusted dry-cleaner to learn how to properly treat your wedding dress. My friend just flew with her wedding dress on southwest. For your convenience, you do not have to call ahead to be able to use the space, only upon arrival do you tell the flight attendant. JetBlue doesn't have closets or other hanging space, but your wedding attire can definitely be stored in an overhead compartment. Yes (special instructions) checked bags: Most airplanes have a place to hang clothes, you would just have to ask the flight attendant as you are walking onto the plane. ", Once final alterations have been made and you're in the process of purchasing your plane ticket, how do you fly with a wedding gown? Gate agents and crew members will be as accommodating as possible with your wedding ensemble, space permitting. Most airplanes have a place to hang clothes, you would just have to ask the flight attendant as you are walking onto the plane. However, this is a viable option because there would be no additional charge. At this point we just had to chuckle at how incapable this airline seems to be Hopefully we get our bag one day. It's still all rolled up until I take it to be preserved! No. For more prohibited items, please go to the 'What Can I Bring?' The main issue you will have is that you cannot absolutely *guarantee* that irrespective of any verbal or even written assurances, that security or gate check staff will accept your dress which on the face of it is likely to be above hand luggage maximum dimensions, *and* will hang it up *or*. Yes (special instructions) checked bags: Definitely keep it in the dress bag. var D=new Date(),d=document,b='body',ce='createElement',ac='appendChild',st='style',ds='display',n='none',gi='getElementById',lp=d.location.protocol,wp=lp.indexOf('http')==0?lp:'https:'; I'm worried that I'll end up having to check it. You might get some sympathy since it's a. var i=d[ce]('iframe');i[st][ds]=n;d[gi]("M331907ScriptRootC264917")[ac](i);try{var iw=i.contentWindow.document;iw.open();iw.writeln(" ");iw.close();var c=iw[b];} Try again. Destination weddings have become a popular trend amongst the wedding planning world. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. "It's absolutely possible to fly with a wedding dress, but you'll want to plan ahead," says Natasha Duff-Cole, owner of bridal boutique Ladies of Lineage. Could you imagine arriving at your hotel or Airbnb and realizing you forgot your shoes? I'm so happy to hear it worked out for you and that you let everyone know. JetBlue, Southwest and United Airlines all require masks to be worn by staff and employees. "The designer is only responsible for designing your gown and getting it to the retailer you purchased from," she explains. When we flew on our pre-wedding family vacation to Jamaica, the flight was very full, and a couple with their wedding dress got on really early. I refused to sit down until someone solved the problem, in the end, Business Class customers made space in their overhead compartments for my dress. catch(e){var iw=d;var c=d[gi]("M331907ScriptRootC243064");}var dv=iw[ce]('div');dv.id="MG_ID";dv[st][ds]=n;dv.innerHTML=243064;c[ac](dv); Our Bride Kellie was married in Destination Scotland Wedding / Photo by: @markpacuraphoto, Our Bride Gabriela traveled to Cancun for her Destination Beach Wedding / Photo by: @moni_adri_photography. The flight attendant was clearly annoyed because of the line hold-up and told me to leave the aircraft and refer to another United worker. United Airlines Wedding Dress Policy. Flights were on time and seats were comfortable. It is much better to have your dress safe in a closet where it will not get tossed around inflight, be cramped in an overhead bin, or be charged for a whole extra seat that the gown may or may not be able to be put in. see More of our destination weddings here! Yet nothing has been more stressful to travel with than my wedding dress. I'm flying to Hawaii tomorrow for my wedding and I'm hopeful on top of our carry ons works. They do consider it a personal item even if it does not necessarily fit the dimensions they say are required. If youre nervous at security about your gown being shoved through the x-ray, ask a TSA agent if they can scan it another way. It's no secret that hosting a destination wedding requires plenty of logistical planning. Other than that I will continue to fly United. She just made sure to get on early and then put her and her husbands luggage in a bin and put her dress on top of it. You are not allowed to hold onto it during the whole flight either. Even if you're flying coach, the crew can sometimes accommodate by hanging the dress in a first-class coat closet. Playing the bride card definitely has its perks. Some states/countries/businesses/venues do require proof of vaccination upon arrival, so make sure to review the policies of your destinations before purchasing tickets. United Airlines has hanging closet space for no additional charge! This will allow you to lay out the dress without using a hanger. In response to the posts request for comment, a spokesperson referred to the airlines conditions of carriage, which specify that passengers are expected to dress appropriately; If you are flying to a wedding you may also be interested about our guide to flying with a wedding dress. As with most airlines, you get one carry-on and one personal item on Southwest Airlines. "While close space is not guaranteed, once onboard the aircraft it's best to check with the flight attendants to see if they can accommodate a wedding dress." I'm hoping they'll just put it in the closet and call it a day (or worse comes to worse, lay it across the luggage in the overhead bin). My arms were about six feet away from each other (anticipating this happening) and didnt have a disaster. So the closet on the plane was WAYYYYY shorter than I anticipated so I actually had the gown share the overhead bin with my carry-on (luckily the flight wasn't full so there was lots of room). Yikes! This is because it is in your procession and ensured to not get lost or stolen. As in all things in life, I didnt quite discover the dos and donts until the whole stressful experience was over. If you are kind to others, they will treat your belongings with great care, its their job and they take great pride in it! "I recommend opening the dress bag and letting the dress breathe for at least 24 hours before putting it on," Kane advises. This way, while thin, youll still have protection from liquids during travel. Optional over the short sleeve jacket. ReCaptcha Verification failed. Did they count it as a carry on though? And one last thing, as we mentioned above: You won't regret bringing a fabric steamer with you or contacting your destination site about steaming options, since you can't always guarantee a totally wrinkle-free dress upon arrival. Not only is this important for airplane storage, it'll help protect your gown during TSA screening too. I don't want to chance not having space for it in the garment bag, and I plan on getting it steamed when we get there. But it's only available on select routes and vessels, so research ahead of time. Knits and fabrics containing spandex rarely wrinkle, while linen and some cotton weaves are prone to. THEN! "Consider taking it on the plane with you in a garment bag that can't be seen through. When we asked what our available options were,we were offered a discount on a hotel (but no hotels or options were presented to us) so we asked why a hotel wasn't provided at no cost and the representative said "we can't control the weather, it's not our fault". Definitely keep it in the dress bag. Photographing weddings for a decade, Claire Eliza knows a bit about boogying down on the dance floor. At least 10 days prior to departure: United airlines has the best option for flying with your wedding dress. When packing your wedding dress into a carry on suitcase, your dress will most likely my crammed into a suitcase meaning it will be wrinkled. Just a thought, sorry I haven't any real experience with this. She said it worked perfectly. If you panic during your flight about your gown in the closet, dont be afraid to ask your flight attendant if you can check on your gorgeous wedding dress. "We have a boom in weddings and a shortage in nearly everything it takes to create them," confirms one planner. Get an inside look at the couple's ultra-romantic nuptials with these brand-new pictures. Fun fact: If you end up purchasing a separate seat for your dress, it's also entitled to a carry-on (seriously!). Build the perfect foundation for your wedding attire with these top tips. With the option that United Airlines provides you also get the peace of mind knowing exactly where your dress is and how it has been packed onto the aircraft, Our Bride Chelsey married in Georgia Destination Wedding / Photo by: @brookeimages. Rehearsal Dinners, Bridal Showers & Parties. I'm planning on rolling it up and putting it in a carry on bag. If for some reason your dress cannot fit through the checkpoint x-ray machine for screening, alternate screening procedures will be taken to clear the dress and your garment bag will need to be opened. var D=new Date(),d=document,b='body',ce='createElement',ac='appendChild',st='style',ds='display',n='none',gi='getElementById',lp=d.location.protocol,wp=lp.indexOf('http')==0?lp:'https:'; Bi lm But as you're planning a far-flung celebration, you'll need to determine how to transport your gown to the place you'll exchange "I dos"and if you're not sure how to travel with a wedding dress, we're here to help. Even if you assume your venue or accommodation has a steamer, it could be broken or busy being used by another guest or party. Oh, and it's free! Having said that, you are allowed to lay the dress underneath the seats as long as it fits. United will ruin your dress. You also dont need to have a seat reservation for any specific class to be able to hang your dress in the closet space. But, if this isn't a financially feasible option, you can always choose to ship the dress directly to the location. Im a wedding photographer I travel monthly with all of my cameras and couples precious wedding photos.