Pre-Wedding Checklist: Preparing Your Bridal Dress for a Destination Wedding

by | Jan 28, 2025 | Bridal

Destination weddings are the perfect way to go all out when getting married, so they’re continuously rising in popularity. In 2023, the destination wedding industry brought in $28 billion, which is $7 billion more than the previous year. Every year, people get more creative with their weddings, leading to more special destinations.

While destination weddings are extremely special, they come with lots of unique considerations. With the wedding dress, you may need to adjust your alteration timeline and dress transportation plans in preparation for you big event.

Planning Bridal Dress Alterations for a Destination Wedding

Nearly every wedding dress needs some adjustments before your big day. Yet, the process may look a little different when traveling is involved. Here are some tips to help you with bridal dress alterations when planning a destination wedding.

Tip #1: Start Early

While it’s always a good idea to plan ahead with alterations, you should give yourself even more time with a destination wedding. Destination weddings often require you to travel and get everything ready well before the wedding date, so you’ll likely have less time for last-minute alterations.

It’s best to start the alteration process three to four months before your wedding date. That way, you’ll have more than enough time to get everything adjusted before you travel. Also, it’ll still be close enough to the date that your weight likely won’t fluctuate much. Your final fitting should be about two to four weeks before your big day so you have time to get everything in order and travel.

Getting all your alterations done with time to spare can help you feel at ease as you travel for your ceremony.

Tip #2: Communicate Clearly with Your Tailor

Another great way to speed up wedding alterations is to provide clear communication with your tailor. Let them know exactly what areas you’d like changed and voice any concerns you have during fittings. Also, make sure they know what your timeline is like. If you need to leave for the destination by a certain date, make sure the tailor knows.

By expressing your needs right away in the alteration process, everything should go smoothly for you and your tailor. If you know right away that you’ll need more complicated alterations, schedule your alterations earlier than planned to ensure your tailor has time to complete them. Most tailors are happy to accommodate your schedule as long as it’s reasonable.

Tip #3: Consider the Destination’s Conditions

Avoid exposing your wedding dress to the elements as much as possible. Whenever you’re not wearing it, store it in a garment bag or box. Keep that storage container in a cool, dry, and dark place whenever possible.

While formal clothing can get damaged in any setting, popular destination wedding spots often have more risks. For example, if you go somewhere tropical, heat, humidity, and rain could increase the risks of fading, discoloration, and damage.

Travel Tips for Your Bridal Gown

Once your dress is done with alterations, make sure you store it in a garment bag or box at all times. Your dress likely came with one when you bought it. Storing it in a special container will protect it from getting stained or damaged from harmful items like mold and mildew.

Proper wedding dress preservation is crucial for all weddings, not just destination ones. However, when traveling for your big day, you need to consider how you will safely transport your gown. This process differs depending on whether you’re traveling by car or plane.

Tip #1: Traveling by Plane with a Wedding Dress

It’s always best to bring your wedding dress as a carry-on instead of checking it. There’s a risk of something going wrong with checked baggage, so bringing your dress on the flight with you is the best way to know it’s safe. Put the dress in its garment bag and then in a suitcase.

If you’re worried that your dress is too delicate to sit in a suitcase for the entire flight, you might be able to hold your garment bag or box on your lap for part of the duration. While it’ll likely be uncomfortable, it might put your mind at ease. In rare cases, the flight attendants might have space in a closet on the plane to hang your dress during the flight. Feel free to ask, but don’t count on that option.

Tip #2: Traveling by Car with a Wedding Dress

If you’re driving to your destination, it’s best to lay your wedding dress in the garment bag flat on the back seat. You can use the trunk otherwise, but more A/C reaches the back seat. You can also hang it on one of the hooks in the back seat of the car.

It’s better to ride with the dress instead of shipping it because if it gets lost during shipping or if shipping is delayed, you might not have your dress in time for the wedding.

Dress Checklist for Destination Wedding

To make it easy to ensure your bridal gown is ready for your destination, here’s a checklist of things to remember:

  • Start alterations three to four months before the wedding.
  • Inform your tailor of the day you need the dress done by.
  • Clearly communicate any unique alteration needs you have.
  • Make sure your final fitting is about two to four weeks before the wedding.
  • Keep your wedding dress in a garment bag or box whenever you’re not wearing it.
  • For planes, bring your dress in a garment bag as a carry-on, not in a checked bag.
  • For road trips, lay the dress in the garment bag flat on the back seat.

Follow the above practices to ensure your dress gets altered in time and stays protected during travel.

Find a Tailor Who Can Accommodate Your Destination Wedding

Are you planning a destination wedding? It’s important to find a tailor who can accommodate your alteration needs even with your unique schedule. Find a tailor who’s experience with wedding attire and offers clear communication.

If you live in the Houston area, consider Montrose Tailors for your destination wedding alterations. We have lots of experience handling the delicate materials of wedding gowns, so we’ll handle your dress with care and ensure it’s ready before you need to travel. Book your appointment today!

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