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How to Travel With Your Wedding Dress

April 8, 2024 | kailey

Are you dreaming of a romantic wedding in a faraway destination? Perhaps you envision an adventurous winter wedding amidst the Scottish Highlands or a summer cliffside soirée in Italy. Regardless of the location, those planning a destination wedding will inevitably encounter some obstacles along the way—beyond hiring vendors or finding a venue from afar. 

Planning a wedding from hundreds or thousands of miles away comes with its own set of challenges. And one that’s often overlooked is sorting out travel logistics, especially regarding your wedding dress. Shoving your precious gown into a suitcase and hoping for the best isn’t the best strategy. So, if your destination wedding dreams are becoming a reality, here’s how to travel with your wedding dress to ensure that it makes it safely (and in time) for your big day.

Options For Traveling With Your Wedding Dress 

1. Carry-on

Unfortunately, misplaced luggage happens more frequently than one would hope. After spending a lot of time, energy, and money planning your big day, the last thing you want is to be left standing at baggage claim with no suitcase in sight. The only way to avoid this situation altogether is to opt for the carry-on option. 

Before booking your flight, make sure it’s the approved size and that there will be extra room for oversized carry-on pieces, should you need it. Some airlines reserve space in the first-class cabin area to store larger items like wedding dresses or suits. However, rather than assuming this is the case, we highly recommend calling the airline ahead of time to confirm. 

2. Purchase An Extra Ticket 

When it comes to international travel, spending thousands on an extra ticket may not be the most practical solution. However, consider purchasing an additional ticket for your wedding dress for shorter distances where flights are more affordable. If there is room in your budget, this is a great option for those who want to keep their wedding gowns close and spread out, lessening the chances of wrinkles. 

3. Check Your Wedding Dress

We know that lugging around a bulky carry-on item can add unnecessary stress to your travel journey. You’ve already got a lot going on, so we understand carrying your dress on may not be appealing to everyone. For those who prefer not to hassle with transporting their dress by hand, checking your gown is always an option. However, it’s important to note that this is arguably the riskiest way to get it to your destination. In fact, you’ll find that most bridal boutiques do not recommend this. If this is the route you take, be sure to arrive at your destination early in case of baggage troubles, and consider adding an Airtag to the luggage so you can keep track of it. 

4. Ship Your Wedding Dress 

If the thought of traveling with your wedding dress seems daunting, consider shipping it to your destination. Using a reliable shipping service to handle your gown long before your wedding day can relieve any travel concerns. Plus, many shipping companies offer tracking and insurance, so you can be assured your valuable items will be well taken care of if something goes wrong. 

Image by The Drakes. See more of this real wedding here.

Tips on How to Travel With Your Wedding Dress

When it comes to traveling with your wedding dress, there are more options than you might have thought. Regardless of which one you choose, there are still many preventative steps you can take to ensure your gown is fully protected. Here are a few Junebug-approved tips that will help ease any concerns you may have.

1. Call Your Airline Ahead 

If you’re flying to your destination, call your airline ahead of time to discuss your options. They can clarify any confusion and provide all the logistical and pricing information needed. Plus, they may be able to make special arrangements to accommodate your dress.

2. Steam or Press Before Packing

Before packing your dress, make sure it’s clean and wrinkle-free. Consider getting it professionally cleaned, steamed, and pressed to remove any wrinkles or creases. This is an important step for those having a destination wedding because it saves you the hassle of finding these services when you arrive. If you’re worried about wrinkles during traveling, pack a handheld steamer and do a little DIY touch-up on your wedding day. 

3. Invest in a Quality Garment Bag 

If you’re traveling with your wedding dress in hand, invest in a high-quality garment bag designed for wedding dresses. Finding one that is sturdy, made of good material, and has enough space to accommodate the dress without cramming it is key to protecting your gown. Not sure where to start? Consider Wally Bags, which you can have shipped to your doorstep quickly with Amazon.

4. Watch Tutorials on Folding 

Every wedding dress is unique, so the folding strategy will vary depending on the style and material. For those shipping their wedding dresses or packing their gown in a suitcase, we suggest searching for tutorials on the best folding technique tailored to your dress. 

The key is to have tissue paper and cardboard on hand to place between folds to keep your dress safe and sturdy, especially if it has delicate beading.

Image by Hakuna Matata. See more of this real wedding here.

5. Pack in a Waterproof Box  

Using a waterproof box is essential for those shipping their dress or packing it in a suitcase. Remember, in these situations, you won’t have complete control over how your dress is handled. That’s why it’s crucial to set yourself up for success, and a waterproof box provides an extra layer of protection. 

6. Arrive Early 

If you’re planning to pack your wedding dress in a suitcase, aim to arrive at your destination early. As we’ve said, lost luggage is not uncommon. Arriving early gives you the extra time needed to address any potential mishaps or, in the worst-case scenario, arrange for a new last-minute wedding outfit. 

7. Pack an Emergency Kit 

You have to be prepared for anything and everything on your wedding day. That’s why we recommend putting together a fashion emergency kit to save the day if anything needs last-minute touch-ups. Having a sewing kit, instant stain remover, and a handheld steamer can be a lifesaver when you least expect it. 

For those planning a destination wedding, ensuring your wedding dress arrives safely is stressful. But you still want to be prepared for any unexpected emergency that may pop up when you arrive. That’s why having a wedding day emergency kit is so important. Not sure what to include our guide breaks down the must-have items that’ll solve almost every problem under the sun.

Image by MemoryBox Photography. See more of this real wedding here.

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Colorful Jackson Hole Vow Renewal Overlooking The Tetons

April 7, 2024 | justine

Cheyenne and Titus felt it was time to reinforce their love and fortify their marriage. So, they opted for a special vow renewal ceremony, selecting the spot where they got engaged near the Grand Teton National Park—a place brimming with meaning. Returning there felt like the perfect way to reaffirm their commitment. In a vibrant Jackson Hole vow renewal, they basked in the beauty of their surroundings, surrounded by awe-inspiring scenery. It was an intimate moment where they shared their love exclusively with each other, reminding themselves of the profound bond.

The stunning setting of the Tetons provided the ideal canvas for them to declare their love anew. With the breathtaking view serving as a picturesque backdrop for their vows, they expressed their deep love for each other in a heartfelt ceremony. Following this touching moment, they indulged in a sweet cake cutting against a beautiful tablescape designed for just the two of them. Wrapping up the celebration, they captured this significant milestone with portraits, ensuring that the love and joy of the day would be immortalized forever.

If you and your partner dream of an intimate celebration embraced by stunning natural scenery, this is the perfect inspiration for you! Every exquisite detail–flawlessly captured by Junebug vendor Foxtails Photography–will inspire you to add these images to your wedding mood board.

The Couple:

Cheyenne and Titus

The Wedding:

Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming, United States

The Special Reason Why They Chose a Jackson Hole Vow Renewal

We got engaged in Jackson, right outside of Grand Teton National Park. It only felt right to return there for the opportunity to renew our vows. It is one of the most unique places on earth with its unparalleled natural beauty. This vow renewal was spontaneous, fun, and modern. There was nothing classic or traditional about it; in this case, that’s exactly what we wanted! It had a very intimate feel, and all the vendors we worked with were instrumental in bringing this artistic vision to life. We loved our wedding, which had a timeless feel, so it was fun and memorable to take an entirely different direction with this.

How The Bride’s Millia London Gown Set the Tone for Their Vow Renewal

My dress was by Millia London, and everything centered around that! It was the inspiration behind the vision, and I loved it because it was very fun and non-traditional, which was perfect for an intimate vow renewal. It gave movement and texture for memorable photos, and the pop of color was stunning with the Wyoming landscape in the spring. We kept the rest of the look classic and elegant—natural glam and sleek, simple hair that balanced everything out beautifully. The dress was the moment. I’m still inspired by it. I loved that while it was out of the box, it still made me feel like a glamorous bride and matched the fun, carefree tone of the day. Our vow renewal was a celebration, just like the dress.

Elevating Their Celebration with Pops of Purple

We planned this based on the spring lilacs and pops of purple. Purple can be a challenging color, and we wanted to showcase how you can make it a bit more luxurious. Along with the shades of purple, we added some blues and greens to tie into the mountains and accent the ombre of the Millia London gown. The gown also inspired the cake, and Madeline created a stunning textured cake in the lilac shade with a fun party cake flavor and color pops.

Heartfelt Vows Amidst Jaw-Dropping Views

Our favorite part was definitely our intimate vow renewal overlooking the Tetons. The sky had cleared, the snow stopped, and everything felt peaceful, surreal, and magical. The location was jaw-dropping, and everything culminated in that short, perfect moment. It was such a celebration. Doing an intimate vow renewal didn’t subtract from that; it added to it because we could focus only on ourselves and the fun and spontaneity of the moment. We loved celebrating with our friends and family with a traditional wedding, but this was the perfect way to refresh our commitment for a vow renewal. It was out of the box and an absolute dream.

Tips for a Stress-Free Celebration: Focus on Your Top Three Priorities 

Our greatest piece of advice is and will always be: choose a few (three or fewer) things that are very important to you. These are your highest priorities, which must happen exactly as planned, or you will feel upset about them. If anything else happens on the day/weekend of your event and it’s not on your list, let it go! It’s not worth getting upset about. I’m a very type-A personality, and this helped me be in a relaxed state the day of. I wasn’t worrying about the tiny details or things I couldn’t control. For example, the day of our vow renewal was so cold and snowy. Of course, it would have been more convenient if the sun had shined all day and it had been warm, but the cold actually served to make it memorable in the end, and now I wouldn’t change that factor because I was able to accept it and move on with the fun while it was happening. 

Prioritizing Memories: Investing in Photography and Videography for Their Jackson Hole Vow Renewal

When crafting our wedding budget, we knew prioritizing our photographer and videographer was essential. After all, once the festivities end, all that remains are the cherished memories captured in photos and videos. We firmly believe that investing in top-notch photography is one of our most significant decisions. Thanks to this prioritization, we have no regrets. Additionally, we found that hiring a planner or day-of coordinator was invaluable. Attention to detail is crucial even for intimate events like elopements or vow renewals. With someone else handling logistics, we could fully immerse ourselves in the joy of the moment, focusing solely on each other.

The Wedding Team:

Photography + Videography + Event Planning + Floral Design + Rentals – Foxtails Photography
Venue – Grand Teton National Park
Cake – Sprinkle & Crumb
Makeup Artist + Hair Styling – Teton Valley Beauty Co.
Wedding Dress – Millia London

 

Congratulations to Cheyenne and Titus for their vibrant Jackson Hole vow renewal! A heartfelt thank you goes out to Junebug vendor Foxtails Photography for immortalizing this unforgettable moment. For more intimate celebrations like theirs, don’t forget to explore their profile in our directory of talented photographers from around the globe.

A vow renewal like this is a fantastic way to break free from traditional wedding norms and create a celebration that truly reflects you as a couple. And with such breathtaking scenery as your backdrop, the memories and photos are guaranteed to be extraordinary. Are you looking to infuse the outdoors into your big day? Explore our list of the most beautiful national parks to find the perfect location for your special celebration!

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This Pastel Villa Valentini Bonaparte Wedding is the Epitome of Romantic

April 6, 2024 | justine

Choosing the right venue for your special day is crucial as it sets the mood for the entire celebration. It influences everything from the color palette and decor to the overall atmosphere, and this was the case for Savannah and Bennett’s Villa Valentini Bonaparte wedding. They envisioned their day as a charming garden dinner party, with only their nearest and dearest in attendance. With the help of Junebug vendor and planner The Tuscan Wedding, they absolutely nailed it!

At their garden ceremony, a gorgeous pathway lined with pastel flowers led to a gazebo overflowing with blooms, creating a lovely setting for their heartfelt vows. But the floral influences didn’t stop there.  The party afterward featured tables adorned with lush arrangements and the soft glow of candles. Adding to the enchantment, sparkling fairy lights wrapped around, making the whole celebration feel like a magical storybook scene.

The special touches, paired with the beautiful setting, made this event truly remarkable, filled with love and individuality. For a closer look at all the beautiful moments and unique details from this romantic celebration, continue scrolling through these stunning photos captured by Elle Reaux.

The Couple:

Savannah and Bennett

The Wedding:

Villa Valentini Bonaparte, Italy

Bringing their Dream Villa Valentini Bonaparte Wedding to Life With the Help of Trusted Vendors

Our design evolved over the almost two-year planning process. The villa was such a huge focal point that we wanted to keep our color palette within the same family and add complimentary pops of color. Overall, we wanted our day to feel like a romantic garden dinner party with an intimate guest list of only our closest friends and family. From the lush garden-style ceremony to the al fresco dinner overlooking the Tuscan hills, our team of vendors helped us bring our vision to life!

Personalizing The Ceremony Through Collaboration With Their Officiant and Custom Vows

We personalized our ceremony by working closely with our celebrant, Diana, to write vows reflecting our love for each other. Diana also met with us multiple times to better understand our love story and put it beautifully into words in our ceremony. We worked on these vows separately and heard each other for the first time at the altar. They were also beautifully transcribed by our talented calligrapher, Asha. After the ceremony, we were driven away in a white Maggiolone convertible, a personal touch that added some fun to our day.

Crafting a Personalized Wedding Fragrance

We worked with our wedding planner and florist to create a personalized wedding fragrance, which we provided to each of our guests to create a scent memory and allow them to bring the experience home.

Defining Priorities and Collaborating With a Trusted Vendor Team

Set your priorities early and decide what is and isn’t part of your dream wedding. For example, we compromised by having a small guest list (less than 40 people total) and getting married earlier in the year, before peak season. Having the right team makes all the difference. Our wedding planner connected us to some of the top vendors and explored our ideas with complete transparency and her knowledge of the wedding industry. Our photographer had an uncanny sense of our wedding vision. 

Villa Valentini Bonaparte: A Venue Steeped in History and Romance

Villa Valentini Bonaparte is both a beautiful venue and a love story. One of Napoleon’s nieces constructed it to be closer to her husband, who was in exile in Florence. Savannah and I connected to this history because we spent years apart due to our careers, as we each knew we would build a villa for the other.

Setting the Scene with a Romantic Welcome Party Dinner

We would be remiss not to mention our welcome party dinner. Set in the evening, as our guests arrived, the atmosphere was relaxed but lively. The vibe was more earthy and organic, with a nod to the Tuscan scenery. All guests were seated around one long table, making the night feel like a long-awaited return home of loved ones. We wrapped up the night, joining in on a long-standing Italian tradition, the making of the Millefoglie.

The Wedding Team:

Photography – Elle Reaux
Event Planning – The Tuscan Wedding
Ceremony + Reception Venue – Villa Valentini Bonaparte
Floral Design – Flowers Living
Catering – Preludio Catering
Cake – Tuscan Wedding Cakes
Officiant – Blessings from Italy
DJ – DJ Matthew
Live Music – Musica evento
Videography – Aberrazioni Cromatiche
Invitation Design – Babooche Calligraphy
Makeup Artist – Cherie Lee Spisso
Wedding Dress – Pronovias Austin
Bridal Accessories – Verstolo
Bridesmaids’ Apparel – Liza Lieberman
Groom’s Apparel – The Black Tux
Rings – Calvin’s Fine Jewelry
Transportation – Salijevic Saban
Favors – Flowers Living

 

Congratulations to Savannah and Bennett for their beautifully romantic Villa Valentini Bonaparte wedding. A huge thanks to Elle Reaux for capturing all the dreamy moments couples can use as inspiration. And a special shout-out to The Tuscan Wedding for planning the whole thing perfectly. To see more amazing events they organize, check out their profile in our directory of the world’s best wedding planners.

This wedding shows how important the venue is in creating a memorable celebration. As you plan your big day, remember that where you choose to have it matters. Check out our complete guide for helpful tips and advice on picking the perfect spot. Your path to a dream celebration starts with finding the right backdrop!

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