Are you traveling with your wedding attire to Italy? You’re not alone. Many couples from the US or UK choose to buy their wedding outfits at home and then fly with them to their destination wedding in Italy. It allows for peace of mind, quality tailoring, and the chance to have everything perfectly fitted before the big day.
But how do you make sure your gown or suit arrives safely — without wrinkles, stress, or lost luggage?
As a wedding photographer, I’ve traveled with many couples and seen what works (and what doesn’t).
Here are my best tips for traveling with your wedding attire — so you can board the plane with peace of mind.
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travel with your wedding attire as carry-on
This is non-negotiable: your wedding attire must go in your carry-on — never checked luggage. Lost bags happen more often than you’d think, and this is not the item you want to take a chance with.
Most airlines allow a garment bag in the cabin, as long as it fits within their carry-on dimensions (typically 22 x 14 x 9 inches) and weight restrictions. For example, British Airways and Virgin Atlantic generally allow 1 cabin bag + 1 personal item. American Airlines, United, and Delta have similar rules.
Most planes don’t offer hanging space, so be prepared to fold your outfit and place it gently in the overhead bin.
Small upgrade, big impact: If possible, consider upgrading your ticket to gain extra space, early boarding, or added flexibility — it can make your travel day far less stressful.
I’ve seen many brides in Facebook destination wedding groups rave about these garment bags — they’re breathable, foldable, and designed for larger gowns.
Pack your attire in a proper garment bag
Don’t use plastic! A breathable, durable garment bag helps prevent wrinkles and protects your outfit during travel. Ask your bridal salon or tailor for folding advice — especially if your dress has volume or delicate layers.
Expect some wrinkles — and have a plan
Even with careful packing, folds happen. Most hotels in Italy offer steaming or pressing services — but always check in advance.
Bringing a travel steamer is a great backup (don’t forget an EU power adapter!). A simple hotel-hack? Hang your outfit in the bathroom while you shower — steam often does the trick.
Shipping it ahead? Only with caution
Some couples consider shipping the dress or suit ahead of time, especially if they’ve rented a house or have family in Italy. It can work — but only if you use a reliable courier like DHL or UPS, fully insure the package, and make sure someone is there to receive it.
Avoid shipping in July or August — Italy slows down during the summer holidays, including the postal system.
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Bring a mini emergency kit
You don’t need a seamstress — just a few essentials can go a long way:
Safety pins
Mini sewing kit
Fashion tape
Stain remover pen (think wine, makeup… tomato sauce)
Extra buttons
A backup top or layer, just in case
Tiny, but priceless in a pinch!
Travel early, enjoy the calm
Traveling with your wedding attire gives you the perfect reason to arrive a couple of days early. That gives you time to hang the dress, get it steamed, and settle in. Many couples use this time for a trial hair appointment or a quiet dinner with close family.
Packing list for your carry-on
when you are traveling with yout wedding attire
Bride:
Wedding dress in garment bag
Veil, hair accessories, jewelry
Shoes
Underwear / shapewear
Getting ready robe
Travel steamer (or arrange with hotel)
Emergency kit
Groom:
Suit or tux in garment bag
Shirt (bring an extra!)
Shoes & socks
Tie / bowtie / belt
Cufflinks
Toiletries & hair products
Watch or other details
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Carry-on rules can change — and sometimes be bent if you kindly explain it’s for a wedding. I always recommend contacting your airline in advance so you know exactly what’s allowed.
It’s absolutely possible to fly with your wedding attire without the stress — you just need to plan ahead. ✨
Safe travels, and enjoy your Italian wedding dream!
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Nina & Axel
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“Anna took photos at the wedding and we are very pleased with the result.
She was very easy to deal with throughout the planning process, and was also super good on the wedding day itself.
We received many comments from the guests that the photographer had been so nice, and would highly recommend Anna to other brides and grooms.”
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Åse-marie & mats
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“Anna has managed to recreate the mood of our big day in the pictures. We are very grateful that we chose her as our wedding photographer. She is skilled and extremely pleasant.
A passionate photographer, with a big heart for love..”
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Lotte & Marcus
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“Anna was the photographer at our wedding, and we are very satisfied with the planning before, the communication along the way and the photos we got afterwards. She delivered beautiful photos and faster than expected.
In addition to being a skilled photographer, she is a very nice and warm person. Several of our guests have subsequently mentioned her and said she was very sweet. A big plus!
All in all, a very good experience and can strongly recommend her further.”
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J & J
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“Anna was very good from start to finish. Reassurance that she had an overview and a plan for the day. She was in all the right places throughout the wedding day. Without taking up too much space. Pleasant person to be around. The quality was very good! She captured the important moments very well. Everything was covered and more. The communication and response throughout the process was also very good. I would recommend her!”
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Ida & Robert
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“We had the pleasure of having Anna as a wedding photographer at our wedding. Anna is not only a person with an incredibly pleasant appearance, but also an incredibly talented photographer. Her ability to capture the small, special moments and emotions throughout the day is very impressive. The images are stunning and truly reflect the essence of our big day and we couldn’t be happier with her work.
Highly recommended for anyone who wants a photographer who really knows how to capture the magic of love!”
