How can I be sure my dress will get on the plane?

My wedding dress has a lot of tulle at the bottom, so it is VERY poofy. It honestly cannot fit into a small carry on or any sort of duffle bag.

The lady altering it is going to wrap it with tissue and put it in a nice garment bag. She says it should travel nicely.

Anyways, I'm wondering if I can just show up to the airport with my dress and assume that the flight attendants will be able to put my dress in the airplane closet. I was thinking about calling ahead but I'm not sure it would make any difference because it seems to be one of those "first come, first serve" kind of things, depending on closet space.

My plane is full so I'm a bit worried about it! Also does anyone know if a wedding dress is considered a carry on? I assumed that if it fits in a closet that I can also have my regular suitcase carry on and weekender bag with me, but now I am worried. As of right now I am carrying on a weekender bag, rolling carry on suitcase, and wedding dress.

No special rules apply for wedding dresses. If you carry it on in a garment bag, them the bag needs to fit within the parameters required. It will also count as a carryon, not a freebie. While flight attendants usually bend over backwards to fit wedding dresses, you will have no guarantees that you will get hanging space.

I am surprised your dress won't pack down. My dress had a huge underskirting and it packed down into a startling small size. Dh and I called my dress bag my Mary poppins bag.