Shipping dress to Carolyn Allen's...

[pinkfairy1684]

Ok, I need some assistance in deciding whether or not to ship my dress to Carolyn Allen's before the wedding. I originally planned to carry my dress with me on the plane (bought a box--same dimensions as a carry-on), but it's heavy and I would love to be able to still pack a carry-on with stuff I need in case ME doesn't drop off my bags right away.

That brings me to the service that Carolyn Allen's has where you can ship them the dress and they will bring it to your room (I have them reserved to steam the dress already). I am nervous about shipping my dress!!! Way back when I first contacted DFTW I got to talking with my planner's assistant about how to get my dress to the World. She said DON'T ship it. But I don't know if she meant not to ship it to myself at the resort, or don't ship it period?

So...what advice can you give me? Do you think I am crazy to be so nervous? Anyone ever ship CA's the dress and something bad happened?

 

[FutureMrs.B]

You sound like me! I'm having the same anxiety. I was planning on carrying it on but it's too big and I also need to be able to take another carry-on. I have received a few positive reviews from past brides that have used this. I've decided to bite the bullet. I'm picking up the dress this weekend and shipping it down. Wish me luck. I can keep you posted on how it goes.

 

[pinkfairy1684]

Yes! Please keep me updated! I will keep my fingers crossed for you that everything works out perfectly!!!!!!

 

[princessK30]

I'm going through the same dilemma right now on what to do, I'm SO nervous to ship my dress for fear it will never make it there! I mean yes, you can get insurance on your package but it's not like they can make a wedding dress in one day if something happens to it! That and I was SHOCKED to find out how expensive it is to fully use all the services CA's has to offer ...I thought at first that it was just $15 plus the cost of shipping...nope. I called yesterday and was quoted the following...
$75-85 for the gown steaming
$20 for a suit steaming
$15 storage and delivery for the dress
$8 storage and delivery for a suit
AND that doesn't include whatever the cost of shipping would be to get it there.
Then, it's $30 + freight costs to get it back to wherever you live (not including preservation or anything).
Needless to say, I was shocked and decided to explore other options this morning. I called the GF where we'll be staying the first 2 nights we're there, they have a steamer that you can use for free, they will even have it delivered to your room on your arrival. I then called Southwest to make sure I can take my dress as a carry-on and they said it was absolutely no problem, even though it's outside the "size restriction" you can carry it in your garment bag right onto the plane.
Sooooo....I think I've decided I will have someone in our family steam my dress and his suit when we get there. Even if for my own piece of mind of the "what if the GF's steamer doesn't work or someone is using it" it would still be cheaper to buy my own steamer that I can take on the plane or put in my checked luggage.
But on a positive note - I've read EXCELLENT reviews of CA's services, everyone loves them! I'm just not willing to spend that kind of money on it I don't think.

 

[lurkyloo]

The $15 is for the storage and delivery service, so if that's all you want from Carolyn Allen's, that's all you pay. Shipping to Orlando varies—my dress cost less than $25 to FedEx there from California. CA's charged me $30 to UPS it back.

I am one of the brides who had a wonderful experience shipping my dress. I used FedEx because I'd heard a lot more horror stories about UPS (some of which were my own!). Yes, I felt a twinge as I waved goodbye to the box, but—like probably 98% of the things shipped every day—it arrived safely. It was SO nice not to have to carry the dress on the plane, stress about whether it would fit in the overhead bin, etc.

 

[kmaclou]

I shipped my dress to CA's and it worked out great. I admit that cramming my gorgeous gown into this tiny little box and then sending it on its way was soooo stressful. I did use UPS and after threatening the guy at the UPS store about the importance of the box and its contents arriving at its destination promptly and in one piece, I watched that box go down the east coast pretty much every second and there were no issues. Sue at CA called me when it arrived to assure me it was there and everything was great.

It was really nice not to have to deal with the dress going through the airports or on the plane. And CA picked it up after our MK shoot, repacked it and sent it home for me too. I'd do it again.

 

[PrincessTinker11]

To be honest I was having so much anxiety about bringing the dress on the plane as a carry on I decided to ship it. Now one of our friends are driving down so they will be bringing the dress with them! If you do ship it try to give yourself 2-3 weeks, in case you need to work with Fed Ex or UPS to find out where it is! That way even in the worse case scenario you have time to work with them to problem shoot what could have happened Also, def. insure that package! lol

 

[pinkfairy1684]

Thanks for all of your responses! I still have about a month to decide what I am going to do!

 

[Lavem02]

do not be so nerverous

 

[pinkfairy1684]

do not be so nerverous

Hahaha, I am a nervous person in general, so when it comes to my wedding I guess I am just SUPER nervous!

 

[FutureMrs.B]

Hahaha, I am a nervous person in general, so when it comes to my wedding I guess I am just SUPER nervous!

Don't feel bad. I told you I was going to ship it and now I don't think I am. When I went to pick up my dress yesterday everyone from the sales lady, to the seamstress, to my grandma etc. were like no don't ship it. What if it gets lost. So that completely made me lose my nerve. I will be bringing it with me and asking other family members to bring down in their carry ons other things I was going to be taking. LoL. So I say all this to say I don't blame you. I totally feel the same way.

 

[pinkfairy1684]

Don't feel bad. I told you I was going to ship it and now I don't think I am. When I went to pick up my dress yesterday everyone from the sales lady, to the seamstress, to my grandma etc. were like no don't ship it. What if it gets lost. So that completely made me lose my nerve. I will be bringing it with me and asking other family members to bring down in their carry ons other things I was going to be taking. LoL. So I say all this to say I don't blame you. I totally feel the same way.

Glad to know I am not the only one who worries, haha.

 

[FutureMrs.B]

Glad to know I am not the only one who worries, haha.

No your not. LoL