Flying with a Wedding Dress

Where did you get your dress, and where is your wedding? We're probably going to just drive (Florida is where our wedding will be,) but if it's stateside and you got it at David's Bridal, you could have your store ship it to a local store to where you're getting married. Big plus is that they'll steam it for free.

Barring that, you're either going to have to pay for it as a carry on, and they won't guarantee you can keep it in the captain's closet, though some airlines like Southwest will try really hard to accommodate you.

Thank you! I will be flying from Minnesota to Florida. I don't want to let the dress out of my sight, so checking it isn't an option. If they let me hold it, I'll totally do that as well! I just worry about it getting crammed in an overhead bin with other people's luggage.

Unfortunately I bought it at a boutique, and their only other store is in Nashville. So that won't help me much. Haha

It should absolutely fly with you. Do not let it out of your sight. It shouldn't be an issue with placing it in a carry on bag solo though. Try it out when you get it back and get it steamed once you land.

I was on a flight where 2 brides carried on their dress and the flight attendant took them both for safe keeping during the flight.

Any garment bag recommendations for a destination wedding? I am flying from California to the Caribbean.

Honestly, I'd put it in a dress bag and have it steamed when you get there.

I'm flying with mine too and googled it. I found you definitely should put into a garment bag and take as a carry-on. Most (some) flight attendants will try to accommodate you by placing into the front closet, if that can't happen, many passengers will know you're trying to store your dress and help you place it gently atop the luggage in the carrier storage bins above the seats. I don't think the attendants will let you hold a garment bag in your lap for the flight, sadly.

Eta--garment bag can also be the dress bag you get it in, it should be durable enough.

My dress was from David's Bridal and I purchased the $10 garment bag they offered. I simply carried it onto Hawaiian Airlines and the sweet flight attendant was totally use to it. Before I could even ask, she gave me a big smile and said "Let me take care of that for you" and told me exactly where it would be for my peace of mind. A couple of months ago I tweeted out to HA and asked them this question, and again, they can't guarantee anything, but said there are closets on board and the flight crew would do as much as possible to help. Worse case scenario, I knew my dress could fold into thirds and go on top of the bags in the overhead compartment. You'd be surprised with how nice everyone is when they realize it's a wedding dress (the white bag with "David's Bridal" on the front came in handy.

Hi Krystal. As a Flight Attendant for a major airline I can tell you that situations can be accomodated if you throughly prepare. It also depends on the airline as many don't have a forward closet or a "captain's closet" as they say that is big enough to fit a dress.

My advice to you is to get to the airport as early as you can in order to get through security without any hassle. When you arrive at your gate, advise the gate agent handling the flight that you are traveling with your wedding dress, and if you could kindly pre-board in order to a) ask the Flight Attendants on board to help you accomodate by placing in their forward closet or b) find enough room in the overhead bins for your dress. That way you can be boarded and settled before the rest of the passengers baord and your dress is securly stowed. I can tell you from my own experience that I get this request nearly on a daily basis to accomodate a wedding dress and most times it is possible but if you board late, I can tell you it will be very difficult to accomodate.

Also, it will not be allowed to hold the dress in your lap for of course safety reasons so speak with the gate agent and board early!

Here's a tip

https://m.weddingwire.com/wedding-forums/seriously-you-with-the-double-ring-avatar/38c68d2a41e7c66f

My sister had a DW and the flight attendants were more than happy to help her store her dress up front.