Getting wedding dress to UK?

Hi there! I am currently waiting for a decision on my fiance visa, and have recently purchased my wedding gown and have it here in the States with me. Do any of you have advice on the best way to bring or ship your dress to the UK?

I'm nervous about normal ground shipping, and have heard of brides bringing their dress on the plane over. I'm not too keen on hauling it around airports either and risk it getting ruined/dirty/lost, but that might be my best option.

Thank you in advance, friends!! 

Hi there! I am currently waiting for a decision on my fiance visa, and have recently purchased my wedding gown and have it here in the States with me. Do any of you have advice on the best way to bring or ship your dress to the UK?

I'm nervous about normal ground shipping, and have heard of brides bringing their dress on the plane over. I'm not too keen on hauling it around airports either and risk it getting ruined/dirty/lost, but that might be my best option.

Thank you in advance, friends!! 

I have no idea what style it is, or how "voluminous" it might be, but what about simple suit/garment luggage?  Something like this, which is wheeled, so easy to manage in airports? (Obviously, you would want to shop the US site, not the UK one!)

I don't believe it would fit in a garment bag  It comes with a protective bag over it already, but I would be so unsure about how to carry it aboard/store it onboard once on the plane (i.e. stowing it above the seats smushed in with carry on luggage...no thanks). I would rather just hold it the whole time 

I don't believe it would fit in a garment bag  It comes with a protective bag over it already, but I would be so unsure about how to carry it aboard/store it onboard once on the plane (i.e. stowing it above the seats smushed in with carry on luggage...no thanks). I would rather just hold it the whole time 

I’m sure there have been people here on the forum who have carried their dress onto the plane.... ah, just found this thread from 2010, with input from a few people who carried their dress onto the plane:
http://talk.uk-yankee.com/index.php?topic=63320.0


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Mine was lace, so I really carefully folded it w/ acid free paper, put it in a space bag and brought that in my carry on. I unpacked it as soon as I landed and steamed it for the wedding. I saw way too many nightmares and felt that was the safest way! It worked


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I would put it in a vacuum bag and suck all the air out, and then put it in a suitcase.  If you carry it on or check it, your choice. 

British Airways has some tips for packing wedding dresses.

If you carry it on, ask a flight attendant if there's space to hang it up.

How to pack your wedding outfit

You can take your wedding dress, morning suit or bridesmaid dress as part of your hand baggage as long as it doesn't exceed your allowance (i.e. number, size and weight of bags).
Your bridal shop should be able to give you expert tips for how to best pack and 'refresh' your dress or morning suit at your destination.
If you can't fit your dress into a bag/box and take it as a hand baggage item, pack it in a sturdy box or suitcase and check it in as part of your checked baggage allowance.
Please ask your cabin crew if there's any space on board to hang your dress or suit up (depending on aircraft type and how busy the flight is).

From:
https://www.britishairways.com/en-gb/information/baggage-essentials/packing-tips

Or, you could just wear it on the plane.

I definitely like the vacuum-seal idea, I could have the bridal shop help me prep it as well. There's a quite a bit of lace, and a medium amount of *poof*. If you're curious about what it looks like, you can look up Olivia by Rebecca Ingram

Olivia by Rebecca Ingram

Sooo pretty! 

I definitely like the vacuum-seal idea, I could have the bridal shop help me prep it as well. There's a quite a bit of lace, and a medium amount of *poof*. If you're curious about what it looks like, you can look up Olivia by Rebecca Ingram

Yep, I love it! That lace Mine had intricate beading on layers of lace and it survived just fine being carefully folded so I'm sure the dress shop can help! I felt so much better knowing exactly where my dress was and having it with me. My airline didn't allow you to carry it on and hang it.


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Verrry pretty

If you don't see it mentioned on the airline you're using specifically, could you try calling them and see what they advise as far as carrying it on the plane with you?

Would a send my bag be an option? You may be able to send your regular luggage ahead and buy something to put the dress in that wouldn't damage it and check it?

Most aircraft have a suit closet.  If you ask the stewardess as you enter they'll hang it up for you.