Packing or Shipping the Wedding Dress

[JennF]

To pack or not to pack...

I just checked the BA webpage and I found the following information:

As British Airways does not have onboard storage within their Domestic, Economy or Club cabins it is not possible to take your wedding dress as carry on baggage. If you are travelling as a First Class passenger you can make a request through your local British Airways office to take your dress as carry on luggage, as this cabin has limited onboard storage.
We suggest that the wedding dress is packed appropriately to be checked in as part of your luggage allowance.
Needless to say, we're not flying first class, so now I'm faced with the decision to pack my dress and check it or to ship it overseas. :bbeek:

Both choices leave a bad taste in my mouth. Right now I'm thinking that I'll probably ship it and insure it. What would you do?

[Orgirl1969]

I'm with you about shipping and insuring it. Make sure you get a tracking number from your shipper, so you can see where it is from time to time. I don't know about some of the others, but UPS and DHL both offer online package tracking. At least that way, you have something to keep an eye on, unlike your luggage (waiting on your luggage to show up after the airline misplaces it SUCKS). Also, whatever you decide to do, you may want to contact your destination to see if they have a steamer, or know where you can use one. Packing or shipping your dress is going to cause wrinkles!

[JennF]

Also, whatever you decide to do, you may want to contact your destination to see if they have a steamer, or know where you can use one. Packing or shipping your dress is going to cause wrinkles!
We're going to arrive a month before the wedding, so I'm planning on having my alterations done there. So that's always been to be a consideration. But that's a really good advice for anyone planning a destination wedding. Good thought! :)

[Kacie_bride]

Neither of those options sound like something I would want to do, but you have to pick something. I would go with shipping with shipping insurance. I'm sure it will still cost a pretty penny, but it seems like the safest choice.

[Valmai]

Hiya we also have to travel for our wedding and we fly with BA, after looking thru the options im packing our clothing in a suitcase and hoping for the best. That way im only gonna have to wait a couple of hours rather than a few days to know if it gets there safely! Antoher option available to us (dunno about American flights) is unaccompanied baggage. This is handed in at airport and is insured etc but doesnt then come under your baggage allowance. Good luck with it xxx

[ladymelissa]

I would probably ship it insured with a reputable company and sparing no expense; get tracking and delivery confirmation. I have never had a problem with checked bags on a flight, but I would imagine the possibility of something getting lost is higher that way esp. if you have to change flights.

Do you have family where you are going or will it be delivered to a hotel? I would be more concerned that it would get lost in the shuffle at a hotel, but if you can have it sent to someone's residence that would be optimal.

[JennF]

Yeah..I've never had luggage lost before, but Murphy's law dictates that this would be the trip. We're flying straight through, but I'm still not really comfortable checking it. (Although I totally understand where you're coming from Valmai.)

We do have family there. We're going to be staying with Jonathan's brother (faster internet connection which I need since I'll be working...transfering databases back and forth would be unworkable on dialup.) but I'll probably ship the dress to his parents' house.

I'm sure it'll be fine. I should have been expecting this. :)

[ladymelissa]

Also, ship it as soon as possible to give you as much reaction time in the unlikely event something does happen to it and if Jonathan's parents don't have a problem holding it for you.

I would look into shipping options about now, things take longer to get overseas.

[JennF]

Also, ship it as soon as possible to give you as much reaction time in the unlikely event something does happen to it and if Jonathan's parents don't have a problem holding it for you.

I would look into shipping options about now, things take longer to get overseas.

Thanks! Yeah, it pretty much has to be this week since we fly out next Wednesday. I'm finding that I'm not even thinking about the wedding...All I can think about is getting there!