Getting married in the USA

My kid brother went through it when he married an american, it took longer than he expected and involved a huge number of steps (interviews, medical, references from work and home.. the works). I think it took about 6 months. He's living 5 minutes walk from the beach in california now, the git.

When l got maried in Las Vegas l opted for taking it on as carry on luggage in a special wedding dress box. Check the size restrictions of your airline and you can order the boxes online.

Thanks! I'll look into special boxes. I never knew such a thing existed!

I think for the BA flight it should be fine but I'm more worried about the Alaska Airlines plane onwards as it is a small prop plane and they are very strict on baggage because the plane is so tiny.

I travelled to New York with united and packed my dress carefully into my hand luggage because I didn't want to let it out of my sight and couldn't guarantee it could be hung up in the first class closet! As soon as I arrived I hung my dress up and the creases dropped but I guess how well would depend on the material.

this might help: https://www.facebook.com/alaskaairlines/posts/10151125360257486

Thanks for that but the Alaska Airlines flight from Seattle across the mountains to Eastern Washington is a small 40-seater with no first class or any closets. It's a little prop plane and they have to make you sit in certain seats to balance the weight out so it can take off. Quite bizarre.

It's a 50-minute flight or a 3.5 hour drive so I think I'll just get him to drive to Seattle and collect me there. Just hope they haven't closed the moutain pass already.

I just got home from a visit to the USA to see my family, on which I bought my wedding dress. I brought it back rolled up in a duffel bag as my hand luggage. (I rolled it up, still in the garment bag, from bottom to wear the corset starts). It's a big dress with train, but rolled right up and was fine {and I was very dubious about it!). You would need to get it steamed once you get to your destination to ensure the creases dropped out, but it can definitely be done within hand baggage restrictions.

Thanks for that! I really hadn't thought of rolling it but it makes sense. I think I should put tissue paper in the rolls. I've heard this helps with minimising creases.