Traveling with a bridesmaid dress, need help!

[Kayla's Mom]

I am the Matron of Honor in my friend's wedding and I have to fly to get there. My question is how can I get my dress there without it getting totally wrinkled? Weird question I know---but I am stressing about it.

I have heard of the Wrinkle Release stuff--not sure if that would work on the dress? We will be getting there the day before and going right to the rehearsal so I wouldn't have any time to actually take the dress somewhere to be pressed. I know I am not the first member of a bridal party that has to fly to get to the wedding so.....

Anyone have any tips or suggestions for me?

 

[jen0610]

Put it in a garment bag and ask the flight attendents to hang it up in one of the space they have for these types of items. There shouldn't be any problem doing this. You might want to check in with the personnel at the gate and let them know that you need this done.

 

[ErinC]

Be sure and pack it with a plastic bag hanging over it. The folks on the cruise board swear by dry cleaning bags. I used them for my girls satin dresses for formal night and they came out pretty well after being placed in a garment bag for a day or so. Good luck!

Edited to add: you may want to ask this on the cruise board. Several of those folks fly and bring formals.

 

[zalansky]

Put it in a garment bag and ask the flight attendents to hang it up in one of the space they have for these types of items. There shouldn't be any problem doing this. You might want to check in with the personnel at the gate and let them know that you need this done.

They'll do this for you, I flew from Florida to New York with my bridesmaid dress and it was fine.

 

[melmel]

We flew with my wedding dress. Tell the attendants before you board what you have and that you REALLY would appreciate that it not get too wrinkled. The happier and more friendly you are the more helpful they'll be. Then when you board lay it flat in the overhead (not all planes have the closets, most cheaper flights don't Southwest and AirTran for sure), then just make sure no one else puts anything on top, or put it in after everyone else so it's on top. Also remember if there's a few wrinkles hang in in the bathroom with the shower on full heat to steam them out.

Hope this helps.

Melissa

 

[mickeyluv'r]

The wrinkle release stuff does help, but sometimes a spritz of water works too, at least if you have a little time for it to air dry. I wouldn't use it on certain fabrics though - like satin or taffetta - especially if it's a light color. The spray stuff works best on cotton, and it works best if you spray it lightly, more of a light misting, but not enough so as to be 'wet'.
For fine fabrics, I think the shower idea is better. After running the shower, (or the spray stuff) smooth the fabric with your hand and let it hang to dry completely.

I've also had good luck misting (or even hand washing) silk shirts. If you are careful, you can dry a silk shirt with a hairdryer in just a few minutes. Again, I'm not sure if I'd do this with a formal dress, but if you really want to smooth a though wrinkle, water plus a hairdryer might do the trick. I know the silk shirts come out looking like they've almost been ironed, and it only takes a fraction of the time! Silk is one of my favorite travel fabrics!

 

[Forevryoung]

I was just worrying about this too! I will be traveling from New York to Atlanta in August At least I'm "only" a bridesmaid I still need to find a dress.

 

[tarheelmjfan]

I am the Matron of Honor in my friend's wedding and I have to fly to get there. My question is how can I get my dress there without it getting totally wrinkled? Weird question I know---but I am stressing about it.

I have heard of the Wrinkle Release stuff--not sure if that would work on the dress? We will be getting there the day before and going right to the rehearsal so I wouldn't have any time to actually take the dress somewhere to be pressed. I know I am not the first member of a bridal party that has to fly to get to the wedding so.....

Anyone have any tips or suggestions for me?

Have you considered shipping it to the Bride or her mom (if the bride's too busy) ahead of time? They could have it pressed & ready, when you arrive. We go on cruises, so I travel with formal dresses. I pack them in a rolling garment bag, leaving them in the cleaner's bag. These are part of our checked luggage. The fabric depends on how well they travel. Some arrive in excellent condition, & some I have to get pressed on the ship. Personally, I wouldn't depend on being able to carry it on & have it treated delicately. Unfortunately, many people have stopped checking bags & carry all their luggage on. There's usually very little room left in the flight attendant or overhead compartments. BTW, a warm iron can be used on some fabrics to remove wrinkles. You may want to see, if this is possible with your dress. Be very careful with water or wrinkle releasers. They do leave spots on several fabrics. Shower steam is usually a safer method. If in doubt, I would go with shipping it ahead & having it pressed.

 

[safetymom]

I wouldn't count on being able to stick your dress in the first class closet. Depending on the time of year it could be quite full. I like the idea of shipping it ahead of time.

That way you don't have to stress if there is room on the plane for your dress.

 

[tinker&belle]

I think the wrinkle release stuff may leave spots on some materials, it would be better to steam it if you cannot find information on the specific material. Good luck!

 

[Kayla's Mom]

Thank you everyone for all the suggestions! I had not thought about shipping it ahead of time, I will have to consider that one.

Thanks again!

 

[problemchild718]

What about asking the bridal shop the bride purchased her dress from to steam it for you-its done free all the time. Or you could take it to a dry cleaner when you arrive and pay $5.00 to have it pressed/steamed.