How To Pack Your Wedding Dress For Your Elopement

You’ve made your decision to elope. Amazing! There’s a lot to celebrate, but there's still one crucial question that can feel a little intimidating: How to pack your wedding dress? 

Your wedding dress is not just another item in your luggage: it’s the star of your suitcase, the VIP passenger you want to treat like royalty. 

Packing your wedding dress for an elopement can seem like a daunting task – you want it to arrive at your destination in perfect condition while battling limited packing space, airline regulations, and the need to keep it pristine to a potentially remote or rugged location. Fortunately, there’s no need to stress about how to pack a wedding dress. 

I’ve been in this industry long enough that I’ve got the art of how to pack a wedding dress for your elopement down to a science. Here is my definitive list of elopement wedding dress tips that will make packing your wedding dress a breeze!

couple eloping in the Grand Tetons

Understand Your Dress’s Fabric, Volume & Fragility

The first step when planning how to travel with a wedding dress is to get to know your dress on a deeper level. Not all wedding dresses are created equal, and when it comes to how to fold a wedding dress for travel, what works for a sleek, satin slip dress will probably be a disaster for a voluminous ballgown with delicate beading.

Fabric:

Take a moment to really examine the material. Is it a lightweight silk that wrinkles at the slightest touch? A sturdy lace that can handle a bit of squishing? Or maybe a delicate tulle that needs to be handled with extreme care? The fabric type of your wedding dress will determine your packing strategy.

Crepe and satin, for example, are prone to wrinkles and will benefit from being rolled rather than folded. Tulle and organza, on the other hand, are more forgiving but can get snagged easily.

Volume:

If you have a dress with multiple layers, a long train, or a lot of crinoline, you're going to need a different approach than someone with a simple sheath dress.

For high-volume dresses, the goal is to pack it in a way that preserves its shape and minimizes creasing. This might involve using tissue paper to cushion layers or even investing in a specialized garment bag.

Fragility:

Does your dress have intricate beading, sequins, or delicate lace appliques? These are the elements most at risk of being damaged during travel. You'll want to protect them from snagging on other parts of the dress or on your luggage.

Turning the dress inside out before packing can be a simple but effective way to safeguard these delicate details.

Garment Bag vs. Suitcase: Pros and Cons

Once you’ve determined your dress’s unique needs, you’ll have to figure out what you’re going to carry it in. Typically, wedding dresses are usually packed in a garment bag or a suitcase.

Each has its own set of pros and cons, and the right choice for you will depend on your dress, your travel style, and your airline's policies.

The Garment Bag

Pros:

  • Less Wrinkles: This is probably the biggest advantage of traveling with a garment bag. A garment bag allows your dress to hang, which significantly reduces the chances of deep creases and wrinkles.

  • Easier Access To Your Dress: If you're going through security with a garment bag, it's a breeze to open up and show the contents without the full-on unpacking session you’d have to go through if you were traveling with a suitcase.

  • Airline Accommodations: When it comes to planning how to carry a wedding dress on a plane, it’s important to keep in mind that many airlines have a closet in the cabin specifically for hanging garments. It’s super convenient, and it can be your best-case scenario for a wrinkle-free arrival.

Cons:

  • Carry-On Only: A garment bag is almost always considered a carry-on item, and you'll need to double-check that it fits your airline's size restrictions.

  • Less Protection: While a garment bag prevents wrinkles, a standard garment bag offers your wedding dress less physical protection from bumps and squishes than a hard-sided suitcase.

  • Potential for Damage: When clients ask me, “Can I bring my wedding dress as a carry on?” I always tell them that while it can be a great idea, they should always keep in mind that if you’re carrying your wedding dress in a garment bag and you can't get that coveted closet space, you might have to lay the bag flat in an overhead bin, which could lead to other bags being piled on top of your wedding dress.

black and white detail photo of bride in her dress

How Pack Your Wedding Dress

When it comes to packing a wedding dress without wrinkles, there are a few essential steps you can follow to make sure your wedding dress arrives safely and in the best possible shape.

1. Steam or Clean the Dress Before Packing

Before you do anything, make sure your dress is clean and ready to go. If you're coming straight from your final fitting, ask your bridal salon for advice on the best way to pack your specific dress — they’re experts, and usually know exactly how to handle the unique needs of every individual dress. They may even offer to steam it for you right before you leave!

2. Use Acid-Free Tissue Paper Between Folds

This is your secret weapon against wrinkles and creases. Lay your dress flat and place sheets of acid-free tissue paper between each fold and layer of fabric. This provides a soft cushion that prevents the material from pressing against itself and creating hard lines or creases.

Feel free to deploy this tissue paper generously — especially in the bodice, sleeves, and skirt.

3. Fold the Dress Carefully

When it comes to folding your dress, the goal is to create as few hard creases as possible.

  • For Suitcases: The best way to pack a wedding dress in a suitcase is to lay your dress flat, and if it has a long train, fold the train inward first. Gently fold the sides of the skirt inward to create a long, rectangular shape. Then, starting from the bottom, roll the dress into a soft cylinder. Don't roll it too tightly.

  • For Garment Bags: To pack your dress in a garment bag, start at the bottom, fold the train and skirt layers up into the bag, using tissue paper between each fold. This will create a more manageable package that can be carried on.

4. Support With Extra Tissue Or Bubble Wrap

For areas of your wedding dress with delicate beading, lace, or embellishments, add extra padding. Crumbled acid-free tissue paper can be used to fill empty spaces in the bodice or sleeves to help the dress hold its shape.

If your dress has a lot of structure, you can use a small amount of bubble wrap to protect delicate parts from getting crushed. Just make sure it's not pressing too hard on the dress!

5. Place it in a Garment Bag or Suitcase (Carefully!)

Always remember to be gentle when handling your wedding dress. For a suitcase, place the rolled dress on top of everything else so it's not being compressed by other items.

For a garment bag, lay it flat in the overhead bin or, if possible, dedicated closet space. If you're flying and checking your bag, consider a hard-sided suitcase for maximum protection.

6. Label Everything Clearly

This is a crucial step for peace of mind, especially if you're checking a bag. Make sure your luggage tag has your name, phone number, and a secondary contact.

Inside the bag, include a card with your name, flight number, and the name and address of your hotel. This is invaluable information if your luggage is ever misplaced!

7. Packing Your Dress For A Hike

If your elopement destination requires a hike, you have two great options. For shorter, less strenuous hikes, you can simply attach the garment bag to the top of your hiking pack using compression straps. This keeps it separate from your other gear and minimizes crushing.

For longer or more rugged treks, you'll want to protect it from the elements. The best method is to carefully roll the garment bag and place it inside a waterproof hiking pack liner or a large, durable dry sack.

Then, pack your other gear around it, being careful not to put heavy or sharp items on top of the dress.

couple eloping Kauai

Let’s Get Packing!

If you’re planning an adventure elopement and ready to get the process started, then we should definitely have a chat! Feel free to get in touch any time, and we can start discussing everything from packing your wedding dress to picking the perfect elopement destination.

I can’t wait to hear what you’re planning and working with you to plan the elopement of your dreams!


Hey, I’m Sally! I’m a destination adventure elopement photographer based in Washington, but traveling worldwide!


CHECK OUT MY FREE ELOPEMENT PLANNING GUIDE & CHECKLIST!

This freebie gives you a step-by-step guide on exactly how to plan your dream adventure elopement.

Sally Grieshaber

Your Elopement Photographer & Planning Consultant. I’m Sally, your photographer, your elopement consultant, your cheerleader, and your go-to adventure buddy on the day you say your vows.

https://www.sallygrieshaberphotography.com
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