How to Pack Your Wedding Dress for Your Elopement
A Guide for Getting Your Dress to Your Destination
You’ve seen the breathtaking photographs– a bride atop a mountain, her gossamer dress fanning out ethereally against the rugged landscape that surrounds her and that dapper groom… Or, a bride beaming and barefoot on a sun-dappled beach, looking effortlessly elegant next to her dashing husband-to-be.
You long for an elopement just as picture-perfect and swoonworthy. But you wonder and worry about the logistics, too… How in the world can I safely and securely transport my dress to that far-flung corner of the world that is my dream wedding destination? And, furthermore, how can I adventure to my ultimate elopement spot– be it a remote, mountaintop landscape or a secluded, oceanfront idyll– and not, in the end, appear totally wrinkled, disheveled, and out of sorts?!
Let me assure, it can be done! And, thankfully, it’s a lot easier than you might be thinking.
As a seasoned adventure-elopement photographer who has worked with hundreds of couples– almost ALL of whom have had these exact same concerns– I am here to give you all the pertinent details you need to know in order to arrive at the moment of your I-dos feeling totally calm, totally prepared, and totally put-together.
Be sure to also check out my recommended vendors, venues, and BnB’s in my complete
Table of Contents
Staple Guidelines for Traveling with Your Wedding Dress
Before I get into the specifics about traveling by air, by car, and by foot, let’s go over a few staple guidelines:
The most important thing you need to know is: If flying, do not pack your wedding attire in your checked luggage. EVER! We all know that unexpected hiccups can occur– namely, airlines can, and do, lose luggage. Mitigate that risk by keeping your dress on your person at (almost) all times. Which applies, also, to other items that you may deem “necessary” on your big day– your shapewear, shoes, undergarments, accessories, etc.
Second, keep your wedding dress safeguarded (from dirty hands, grimey floors, unexpected spills, etc.) by traveling with it safely ensconced in a protective garment bag. If your dress came with a garment bag, that’s great– you can use that one. If not, you can purchase a bag– ideally one that is durable, waterproof, and nontransparent– all of which will protect your pristine and (sometimes) delicate attire from the elements.
Insider tip: Put your contact information– name, phone number, email, and the address of your destination, if applicable– inside your garment bag, just in case.
Third, and this is likely self-evident to most, if a totally wrinkle-free look is important to you, carefully consider the materials and shape of your gown when purchasing one for an adventure elopement. Texture (like lace) and light layers can especially disguise any aberrations (wrinkles and slight discolorations from dust and dirt) in a dress. And, of course, a more compact, streamlined dress (without a long train or a poofy skirt) is easier to pack than a fuller-bodied one. Check out my guide to finding just-the-right elopement wedding dress here: Elopement Dress Guide : What to Wear for Your Biggest Adventure.
Last of all, you can try to bring along a portable steam cleaner, which is an easy and inexpensive way to offer your dress a quick refresh before your ceremony.
How to Pack Your Wedding Dress for a Plane
Photo by Oleksandr P on Pexels
You already know not to check your dress and to pack it in a sturdy garment bag. The next thing you ought to do, for complete soundness of mind, is contact the airline on which you are flying and get all the details you need to know about their policies– namely, how they accommodate delicate, large carry-ons like a wedding dress, and how such an item fits into their carry-on limitations.
Some airlines will allow you to hang your dress in the closet at the front of the plane. Others will help you carefully drape the dress (in its protective bag) over luggage in one of the less-crowded overhead compartments. Ask a flight attendant for assistance. In my experience, they are almost always more than happy to help a bride-to-be in whatever way they can!
Photo by Oleksandr P on Pexels
If you need to stow your wedding dress in your carry-on bag, rest easy… I have tips and suggestions for that, too. To keep your dress as wrinkle-free as possible, hang it in its garment bag and either fold it or roll it.
If you choose to fold it, fold it into thirds, and place it gently on top of your other clothes. How to do this?
Place the middle of the dress down, and then fold the top of the dress over the middle, and the bottom of the dress over that.
If rolling, do so gently, and place the dress gingerly on top of your other items.
For clear guidance on both methods, go to YouTube and/or your airline’s website, as some offer helpful how-to videos.
Finally, when/if you get to a safe, appropriate place, take your dress out of its bag and hang it up to let it breathe.
Insider tip: If you worked with a designer or knowledgeable salesperson when purchasing your dress, ask for their advice on how to best pack it. They may have “insider” insights for that particular dress.
How to Pack Your Wedding Dress for a Car
Many of you will at some point be driving in a car with your dress, whether that is after a flight, headed to your accommodations, or on the way to a trailhead or other fun spot. Much of the same advice applies as for traveling by plane. Keep your dress in its garment bag and either hang it from the hooks in the car, drape it in the backseat, or lay it safely and as flatly as possible in the trunk. Do not lay anything on top of it. When you arrive at a suitable spot, you can hang your dress up again (allowing gravity to smooth out any creases).
How to Pack Your Wedding Dress for a Hike or Trek
If you are reading this, it is likely because you have decided to buck tradition and do something out of the ordinary and spectacular for your elopement. Maybe you are planning to exchange vows amidst the sprawling wildflowers of Crested Butte, like Kyla and Levi. Or perhaps you are pining for a wintery, otherworldly elopement in Torres del Paine, Patagonia, like B and G.
Either way, you have some trekking to do before you arrive at your I-do destination. Needless to say, you want to be totally fresh-faced and totally put-together at the moment you exchange your sweet vows.
Here are my tips and guidelines on how to make it all work….
First, I will tell you that most couples do not actually hike in their wedding attire. You can imagine why. It can be cumbersome and uncomfortable, and you risk dirtying your clothes along the way. For those reasons, depending on the circumstances of course, I encourage many of my couples to trek in comfortable hiking clothes (wedding attire in tow) and change upon arriving at their perfect spot.
How, you may then ask, do you safely and securely transport your wedding clothes when venturing out into the wild?
You have two good choices: a) either attach them to your backpack or, b) roll them safely inside your backpack. You can use cords and other implements to hang the garments (already safely ensconced in a durable, waterproof bag) from the outside of your (or your partner’s) backpack.
Alternatively, you can gently roll up your garments– in their protective bags– and place them inside your packs for the duration of your hike. Once at your elopement destination, you can get ready for your vow exchange en plein air (out in the fresh, open air). It makes for creating super sweet memories in the moments leading up to your I-dos, and sometimes the most endearing photos of the whole bunch!
ps. Remember to “Leave No Trace!”
Sustainability can’t just be a niche market for photographers. It must be the new normal! As a nature lover, I am dedicated to helping our earth flourish. This is why I practice “Leave No Trace” principles at each and every one of my sessions.
What exactly is Leave No Trace?
It is:
🌿 A set of ethics & best practices we should follow to both enjoy and protect
the outdoors at the same time
🌿 An access tool to help enjoy public lands responsibly
and leave less impact
It isn’t:
🌿 Something to shame other people about
or make them feel bad for not knowing
🌿 Something to use to gatekeep and keep others from enjoying the outdoors
Once you’ve booked me as your elopement photographer, you’ll receive my full Leave No Trace Guide for couples! It’s an easy-breezy workbook designed to help you plan your dream elopement, while being mindful of the beautiful lands upon which you’ve chosen to exchange your vows.
Let’s Do This!
Elopement Photographer Andrea Enger (Portrait by Realm Studios)
Still ruminating about the logistics? Have any questions? I am happy to help you navigate through your elopement-planning journey.
You can reach out to me by emailing me at andrea@andreaengerphotography.com, or by calling/texting me at (720) 739-0784. I look forward to hearing from you!
If you’re still in the research phase, I hear ya! Here are some more resources that my couples have found helpful. I hope you do, too!