One question we frequently get asked by our destination wedding brides is, "How should I pack my wedding dress?". Janet Garman with Glyndon Lord Baltimore Cleaners is here to help with her wedding gown packing tips.

So whether you're flying to Mexico or the Caribbean for your destination wedding, get her expert tips to properly pack your wedding gown.

You found the perfect partner, perfect wedding dress, and your dream destination to say, "I Do". Every detail has been painstakingly considered, but have you planned how you'll get your wedding dress flawlessly to the altar?

According to WeddingWire, the average U.S. bride spends $1,000 on their wedding gown. This doesn't include alterations or fitting fees, which can add hundreds of dollars to the cost. Your wedding gown is an investment in YOU, and to ensure you rock the aisle on your wedding day, follow these tips for your dress to reach its destination safe and sound.

Glyndon Lord Baltimore Cleaners offers brides a professional packing service and a waterproof wedding dress travel box, which also includes a portable steamer, mini emergency kit, Janie stick fabric spot cleaner, and zipper muslin accessory bag.

Pack, don't hang

When traveling by plane, the last thing you want to worry about is dragging your bagged gown through security and the airport. It's a herculean task that requires agility and strength to keep your wedding dress from being stepped on or collecting dirt from the floor. Another challenge is finding overhead bin space to lay your gown with minimal creasing.

The safest option when flying with your dress is to carefully pack your wedding gown in a TSA carry-on approved suitcase, or hire a professional to pack your wedding gown properly for travel. Hard-sided luggage is best as it will protect the gown from possible leaks out of neighboring suitcases in the overhead bin.

Carry-on, don't check

We've all heard horror stories of the bride who checked her wedding gown with the airline, and never saw her dress again. Don't let this happen to you. Always keep your gown with you as carry-on baggage.

Keep it single

Keep it single is the rule to remember when packing your wedding gown for travel. Resist the urge to put your shoes, veil, jewelry, or any item in the suitcase with your gown. To protect the integrity of your gown's fabric from possible snags, discoloration, or damage, it is important to pack it alone.

Acid-free Tissue is your friend

When packing a wedding gown in a suitcase for travel, it is important to pack with tissue to keep any hard creases from forming. Invest in lots of white, acid-free tissue for this task. Donna Wagner, a professional member of the Association of Wedding Gown Specialists who expertly packs wedding gowns for destination weddings and preservation says, "Acid-free tissue is your friend because it won't bleed color onto your gown, it has a neutral-Ph and a soft finish to protect fabric from scuffs and scratches."

Bring McSteamy with you

Ok, we named our steamer to keep things a little more interesting and we have a thing for Grey's Anatomy. If you spice it up with a name for your portable travel steamer, we like your style... just don't forget it when packing! Your steamer is the finishing touch to guaranteeing your wedding gown is walk-down-the aisle ready on your big day. Put a white cotton sock over the steamer head to avoid water marks, and bring an adapter if your destination needs one. You are now ready to make lasting, magical memories.

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Before you leave paradise

If you do get married on the beach (lucky you!), let your gown dry completely before you pack to go home. Once dry, place your gown back in your check-in bag and try to repack it the same way you packed it before.

Glyndon Lord Baltimore Cleaners will preserve your gown and they provide 3 monogram styles and 3 colors for your muslin cover.

When you get home

When you return, have a professional preserve your wedding gown. Glyndon Lord Baltimore Cleaners preservation process involves expert packaging to avoid damage caused by extended creasing, vermin, environmental pollutants, ultraviolet rays, and acid-degradation using the finest archival conservators’ materials available.

The materials we use to preserve your wedding gown are the same as those used by museum conservators who have tested the materials and believe they can extend the lifetime of textiles by 200 years or more. Our premium boxes and archival, acid-free tissue are lignin-free and have a neutral pH that prevents fabric deterioration.

For an added touch of elegance, we monogram your initials and wedding date to the exterior muslin cover as a complimentary part of your wedding gown preservation service. Choose from 3 monogram styles and 3 color selections.

Get help from the experts

And finally, don’t stress about packing your wedding gown - get help from a local cleaner. If you’re in the Baltimore, Maryland area, contact Glyndon Lord Baltimore Cleaners to have their experts pack your gown for you and preserve it when you get back.

Glyndon Lord Baltimore Cleaners is Baltimore's leader in wardrobe & home textiles care. They've been keeping Baltimore Looking its Best Since 1921 and have convenient and free pick up and delivery service.

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