By Lesley Turner
Weddings aren’t just a journey of love, laughter, and emotions; there are also a lot of logistics involved, many of which are handled by your vendor team. But one super important detail lies with just you – the exhilarating saga of travelling with your wedding dress!
Whether you’re jet-setting to an exotic locale, embarking on a road trip of a lifetime, or simply taking a short drive around the block to your beloved wedding venue, the quest to transport your gown unscathed is an odyssey in itself. To help make it a little easier, we have some helpful tips on the do’s and don’ts of travelling with your wedding dress.
Expert tips for driving with your wedding dress
Before you rev up that engine and hit the pavement, there are a few things to consider when transporting your wedding dress by car. Here are some expert tips that I’ve learned from my years in bridal boutique management to ensure your gown arrives at its destination in pristine condition.
Schedule it!
The first thing that you need to do when making your plan for travelling with your wedding dress is to arrange a pickup time with the bridal store or seamstress that has your gown. Schedule an appointment to pick it up, ensuring your gown is pressed and ready for its big debut.
Booking an appointment also means someone will be there to guide you through the packaging process and provide care instructions for your gown. And remember, don’t let anyone else pick up your dress without notifying the store beforehand. We’ve seen plenty of drama unfold when unexpected guests show up to claim the gown.
Consider the vehicle
Remember those logistics we mentioned in the first paragraph? When it comes to travelling with your wedding dress, logistics play a big role. And one of the big ones is what car you use to transport your gown. Now, don’t get us wrong, you don’t need to hire a professional driver or rent some fancy car. But you do need to consider the size of the vehicle (and your dress) as well as the condition of the car.
Why? I’ll give you an example: a bride asked a family member to pick up her wedding dress, which they gladly agreed to. The day was sunny and warm, so they jumped into their convertible sports car and set out to tackle the task. No problem, right? Unbeknownst to them, the bride chose a ballgown which, even when placed in a garment bag, is still a big piece of cargo. An open-topped convertible plus a poofy gown equals a recipe for disaster! They quickly realized they needed a different vehicle, so please ensure your car has enough space to accommodate your dress without crumpling its delicate layers or stuffing it in the trunk.
Clear the path
Another essential thing to consider when choosing the chariot to transport your wedding dress is whether it is clean. Before loading up your gown, take a moment to clear out any clutter from your car’s cargo space. Sharp objects and debris can wreak havoc on delicate fabrics, so creating a clean, clear space for your dress is best. Another precaution you can take is to lay down a protective sheet to shield your gown from hazards like oils, greases or dirt.
These simple tips are often overlooked but are crucial for travelling with your wedding dress (if you want to get it there in pristine condition).
Stick to the plan
When picking up your dress, resist the urge to run errands – no matter how tempting that shopping mall may be. Trust us, leaving your gown unattended in the car is a recipe for disaster.
I’ve heard many nightmare stories about travelling with your wedding dress over the years, including one where a bride went to the mall to shop for her bridal jewelry with her gown in the car, and it got stolen. So please, no detours! Go straight home or to the designated address where you’ll be storing your gown. Your peace of mind—and your gown—will thank you.
Keep It quick
If you absolutely must make a pit stop along the way, keep it brief and never leave your windows open. A sudden rain shower can turn your dream dress into a soggy mess faster than you can say, “I do.” And remember nothing, not even your favourite snack or purse, should ever be placed on top of your gown. It’s precious cargo, after all.
Don’t pick it up too early
Another expert tip is to consider when to pick up your wedding dress. We know you’ll be tempted to take it home as soon as the alterations are done, but trust us, it will be safer at the boutique. Why? Well, at home, you’ll be tempted to try it on, touch it, and show it off to your family and friends.
But it’s important to understand that every time you unzip the garment bag, you risk getting the zipper stuck on the fabric. Every time you touch it, you risk transferring oils from your fingers onto it. Or imagine trying it on before your big day, only to snag it on a piece of jewelry or smudging it with makeup. So, it’s best to avoid the temptation and leave your dress at the boutique until a week or few days before the wedding.
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