Do I ship my dress or use a space bag??? Your thoughts please...

[jmmastra]

So I called Southwest Air to verify again that it would be okay to carry on my dress. I was told that if I can get my dress into a 10x16x24 box, it would not be a problem. My garment bag is 10x24x72!!! Even if I fold it in half it will not meet the requirements. I know I could chance it and try anyway....what ticket agent is going to turn down a hysterical bride??? But if they do then I have to check it and I am NOT doing that.

So I could ship it (I am using Carolyn for steaming) but I am an HR coor for a national shipping company (I wont mention which one) and I see they way things get sorted and well, I am not to crazy about my dress going through the sort facilities. Or the lady who own the salon I purchased my dress from said that I could buy a space bag and shrink it to a size the airline would accept.

What do you think...wrinkled mess??????

 

[Belle1981]

There is no doubt it would be wrinkled BUT those space bags are AMAZING!!!!! I travelled through Europe for 4 months and space bagged everything. There was enough room in the suitcase for a years worth of clothing....I think it would be your best alternative if you are uneasy about shipping it. Think of it this way wrinkled and in your hands versus shipped where you will worry the whole time. Good luck in your decision

 

[jmmastra]

So true! maybe I will call Carolyn to prepare her for the wrinkles!!!

 

[theantibride]

I used to work for one of those shipping places and like you, I wouldn't ship it. I would be a nervous wreck about shipping it. Maybe you could get a space bag and take it to the salon and they could help you put it in the bag -- folded just so -- in order to minimize the wrinkles. Just a thought.

 

[jmmastra]

I used to work for one of those shipping places and like you, I wouldn't ship it. I would be a nervous wreck about shipping it. Maybe you could get a space bag and take it to the salon and they could help you put it in the bag -- folded just so -- in order to minimize the wrinkles. Just a thought.

Hmm..that is a good thought! Maybe I will do that.

 

[JonetteA]

I would definately ship. Don't use the space bag you could ruin the form of your dress, especially the stiffer part of the bodice.

 

[jmmastra]

I would definately ship. Don't use the space bag you could ruin the form of your dress, especially the stiffer part of the bodice.

Thats true to I just do not know what to do.

 

[bridegirl]

I never worked for a shipping company, so they probably know better than I do about everything that goes wrong - but - I have always shipped my dress and have never had a problem. I put it in it's bag, fold it just one time in half, stuff paper in the fold and all around - and it usually comes out in pretty good shape - then I have it steamed in FLA.

We always ship all our luggage to avoid the hassle of checking it and we have had mostly good luck with shipping. This past year, we did have a two day delay due to bad weather on the east coast, but we had shipped a week in advance like we always do, just to be safe.

Good luck with whatever you decide to do.

Pixie dust,

Susy

 

[Summer-Caitlin]

Looks like you're having the same problem as I am. I am going to look into the cost of shippng my dress beforehand. Although I am from the UK, so it will be much more expensive, in fact I haven't any idea how to look into it, I'm assuming some courier company? I too am using Carolyn's and I never thought on using those space bags, but I also am wearing a corset dress and I definately don't want the shape ruined.

 

[allisonswonderland]

I am not sure if this will help - but I shipped a bunch of my welcome bags to the resorts before my arrival (actually all of them - except for the BC, where we were staying). I did not want to waste my time running around delivering them to all of the resorts (my guests were staying at about 5 different places)

They all arrived fine - we also shipped maids and groomsmen gifts and they arrived fine.

I however did not want to ship my dress, I drove it down-

 

[M&M126]

I never worked for a shipping company, so they probably know better than I do about everything that goes wrong - but - I have always shipped my dress and have never had a problem. I put it in it's bag, fold it just one time in half, stuff paper in the fold and all around - and it usually comes out in pretty good shape - then I have it steamed in FLA.

We always ship all our luggage to avoid the hassle of checking it and we have had mostly good luck with shipping. This past year, we did have a two day delay due to bad weather on the east coast, but we had shipped a week in advance like we always do, just to be safe.

Good luck with whatever you decide to do.

Pixie dust,

Susy

I just noticed that you are going on the DCL Mediterranean cruise on July 28,2007. So am I!! And I cant wait! Hope you have a fabulous time!

 

[Maggimus]

We use space bags a lot here around the house and the stuff within literally just pops back up in its origional form! Maybe try a space bag on an old prom dress for a week or so and see how that works out-- it might give you a better idea of what you might be looking at form wise... as for wrinkles-- there wont be a wrinkle in that dress that Carolyn Allens wont be able to take care of!!!

 

[jmmastra]

We use space bags a lot here around the house and the stuff within literally just pops back up in its origional form! Maybe try a space bag on an old prom dress for a week or so and see how that works out-- it might give you a better idea of what you might be looking at form wise... as for wrinkles-- there wont be a wrinkle in that dress that Carolyn Allens wont be able to take care of!!!

That is a good idea and my prom dresses were so poofy that might work can you tell I was in HS in the late 80's. The dress will only be in the bag for about 6 hours. My flight is three hrs and the travel time to the airport is 45 minutes. I also have space bags and most of my stuff does come back to its original state. I am thinking maybe only suck half the air out so I do not crush it?

I am going to check out shipping costs with my company and I am going to see my bridal lady tomorrow to ask her to demonstrate how to use the space bag with a dress.

 

[jmmastra]

Looks like you're having the same problem as I am. I am going to look into the cost of shippng my dress beforehand. Although I am from the UK, so it will be much more expensive, in fact I haven't any idea how to look into it, I'm assuming some courier company? I too am using Carolyn's and I never thought on using those space bags, but I also am wearing a corset dress and I definately don't want the shape ruined.

Oh I don't think I would use a space bag with a corset. What shipping companies do you have? FedEX and DHL...you can go online to find the closest location to you. I believe you can prepare the shipment online with FedEx but DHL you will have to find a station. You might be able to call them if you know tha weight of the dress and then they can give you an estimate.

 

[allisonswonderland]

Good Luck! Hey I just remembered this (I can be so crazy) I did ship it home from Disney. I FedExed it overnight. I had to so it could be cleaned in time for my home reception. My mom left on Sunday and i shipped on it Monday morning- It arrived ok. This is not what I wanted to do - but I really did not have a choice as I did not want to have her "check it" on the plane. I figured it was safer with a tracking number. I also figured I had worn it to my wedding. But I am a worrier beyond imagination - I am not trying to make you feel worse. If you shipped it overnight to Carolyn Allen? would that work and do it in enough time so that there would be time to track it down? The shipping people told me to overnight because it made too many stops going ground making for "problems" which you would know about.

But like I said all of our stuff arrived safely in our room that we shipped!

 

[jmmastra]

I played with my dress a little bit and I I think have come up with a suitable plan....I will use a space bag but I will not suck all the air out of it, just enough to get it into a carryone suit case. I noticed that the bag that it is currently in has a lot of air in it, making it MUCH bigger than it really is. As soon as I get to FL, I will pull it out and let the air out. Should only be compressed for 6 hours.

Well thats todays plan..tomorrow is another story!!!

 

[Maggimus]

I played with my dress a little bit and I I think have come up with a suitable plan....I will use a space bag but I will not suck all the air out of it, just enough to get it into a carryone suit case. I noticed that the bag that it is currently in has a lot of air in it, making it MUCH bigger than it really is. As soon as I get to FL, I will pull it out and let the air out. Should only be compressed for 6 hours.

Well thats todays plan..tomorrow is another story!!!

that sounds like a really good plan if you ask me! I dont think you will have any problems with it-- ive been using space bags for a long time. Thanks for the update

 

[Summer-Caitlin]

I am going to ask my Bridal Salon about space bagging my dress, I figure, if I don't suck all the air out, like you, I may be able to fit it in as hand luggage. I'll see what the salon says, as I'd rather have it with me than have it in my suitcase.

 

[DisneyFairy19]

I use space bags alot and the stuff in there do just fine... GL