Travelling with your dress (or suit) probably doesn’t make many people’s “things that are really stressing me out” list at the beginning of planning a destination wedding. But wait until 24 hours before you leave for the airport and it’ll sink in. Do you have the right garment bag? Where is that steamer you bought three years ago during the sales? Carry-on or checked bag? Unfortunately, no amount of Googling will give you the peace of mind you need – there just isn’t much information out there tackling airline restrictions and guidelines around travelling with important outfits.
A quick online search will surface many tales of unsuccessful attempts to transport dresses and suits from Point A to Point B. Don’t get discouraged. To help you avoid even more stress on your big trip, we spoke with two people who have worked with couples around the world looking to celebrate their love in a place known for its destination weddings: Iceland. Even better news, their advice translates just about wherever you’re headed.
Ahead, Íris Anna Groeneweg, the manager of onboard services and procurement at Icelandair, and Birna Bjornsdottir, an event planner and co-owner of Pink Iceland based in Reykjavik, weigh in with their tips for making your flight (and outfits) as smooth as possible.
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Whatever you do, don’t pack your outfit into a checked bag
“Take everything you need for your wedding day in your carry-on, from shoes to hair accessories and everything in between,” says Bjornsdottir. “A couple arrived this morning without their checked luggage. But they had everything they needed for the wedding (happening the day after they arrived) and will have the delayed luggage delivered to their Airbnb.” Groeneweg agrees: “We recommend that passengers take important items as carry-on luggage, as check-in luggage can never be 100 percent guaranteed.”
Don’t just throw your stuff into your carry-on – bring some strategy to the task. Bjornsdottir suggests organising all of the items into small bags and laying them out the night before to avoid any day-of anxiety.
Reach out to the dress or suit designer for packing advice
Before you even think about how to carry-on your dress or suit, think about how you’re going to prepare it for the trip. “Nobody can advise you better than the designer,” says Bjornsdottir. “They definitely have an opinion and expertise on how to hang, roll, fold, and store your dress or suit and accessories.”
Garment bags are a must
There’s no getting around this one. The best way to make sure your clothing doesn’t fall prey to another traveller’s spilled coffee, or get run over by a rampant suitcase, is to pack it in a garment bag. You’ll still want to follow Bjornsdottir’s suggestion about getting the designer’s advice, as each garment will have its own quirks to consider, even when hanging. “Think about getting a garment bag with a hanger for better transport in the airport. This enables you to hang on strollers and even some suitcases while walking through the airport,” says Groeneweg. “Something that is easy to fold is also great in case you have to use the overhead compartment. And make sure it has a zipper, just in case customs or security will need to have a look in the bag.”
