So much goes into planning a wedding that often times the smallest issues can be overlooked. One such example is that of bridesmaids who must travel to reach the wedding. What is the best way to pack a formal bridesmaid dress when traveling by plane? And how do you avoid losing your dress in transit? Below are some suggestions for showing up in your bridesmaid dress as if you just stepped out of the showroom.

o Roll your dress and pack it like a sleeping bag in your suitcase. Once you arrive at your destination, unroll your dress and hang it up.

o Use dry cleaning garment bags, a regular garment bag, or the dress bag that the dress maker sent the dress home in to transport your bridesmaid dress with ease. These kinds of bags are designed to keep wrinkles in clothing to a minimum.

o If extra reinforcement is needed, wrap the bridesmaid dress in a large cotton sheet before placing it in the garment bag.

o When traveling during inclement weather, add a large industrial garbage bag on the bottom to prevent the dress from accidentally dragging on a wet or dirty floor. Do not pin the bag to the dress; instead, pin or tape it to the garment, dry cleaning, or dress bag already covering the bridesmaid dress.

o Call the airline ahead of time and ask if there is any way they can offer a cabin closet for you to hang your dress. They are usually happy to hang a wedding or bridesmaid dress in the first class closet if there is room.

o Consider taking your dress as your carry-on item. Again, check with your airline ahead of time to make sure that the bag with your dress in it will fit in the overhead compartment.

o Rolling your dress up in a carry-on bag is another way to make sure it doesn’t get lost en route and remains wrinkle-free. Not only do you get to keep your it with you for the flight, you can make sure that it’s not getting unnecessarily dirty, tossed about, or trampled upon.

Once you arrive at your destination, unpack your dress immediately. Minor wrinkles should come out by hanging it in the bathroom while you shower. The steam in the bathroom will help the material loosen and creases should disappear. If, however, you still further help, most hotels, cruises, and laundry services offer pressing for a reasonable price, usually under $20.