One of the most stressful aspects of planning a destination wedding is making sure everything fits in your luggage. You’ve come so far in the wedding planning and now you’re sitting there staring at everything you need to bring thinking, “How in the world is all of this going to fit? What if I’m forgetting something?” No need to stress. We’ve got you covered with this ultimate destination wedding packing list and guide.
First and foremost – you’ll want to figure out how you’re going to travel with your dress. Depending on the size and bulkiness, once you figure this out everything else just needs a home to fit into.
Not sure how to travel with your wedding dress? Check out our post, “How To: Travel with Your Destination Wedding Dress” first.
We recommend trying to fit your wedding dress in your carry on. It’s safe, secure, and never leaves your side. Make sure to put it in a garment bag and double bag any travel sized liquids that may also be in your carry on.
If you plan on putting your wedding dress in a Wally Bag (or something similar) and putting it in the overhead bin of the airplane just make sure you check with the airline so they don’t consider this your “personal item.” The last thing you want is to have to check your dress as separate luggage, risking it not making it to your final destination or getting lost.
Personal Item Options:
A personal item is considered a purse or small backpack by most airlines.
I would suggest bringing a small backpack because you can fit more items and always throw a purse or wallet in there that you can use at the resort. Most airlines accept a size that will fit under your seat.
Bride’s Personal Item:
- Passport
- Driver’s license/ID
- Wallet
- Cash
- Credit cards
- Insurance cards
- Airline tickets/confirmation
- Phone and charger
- Camera and charger
- Earplugs
- Headphones
- Hand wipes/sanitizer
Groom’s Personal Item:
- Passport
- Driver’s license/ID
- Wallet
- Cash
- Credit cards
- Insurance cards
- Airline tickets/confirmation
- Phone and charger
- Earplugs
- Headphones
Carry On:
To be considered a carry on it must fit in the overhead bin. Most maximum dimensions for a carry on are 9 x 14 x 22 inches.
You’re going to want the most important items in your carry on so you run no risk of losing anything inside. This will include anything you’re wearing for your wedding day, an extra set of clothes, and essential toiletries.
Bride’s Carry On:
Your Wedding Day Items
- Wedding dress
- Wedding shoes
- Veil/hair accessories
- Wedding day jewelry
- Wedding rings (consider just wearing them during the travel period if you’re worried about losing them)
Essential Items (in case your checked bag is late or lost)
- 1-2 outfits/dresses
- 1-2 bras and underwear
- 1 swimsuit
- Pajamas
- Essential toiletries (glasses/contacts, face wash, toothbrush, deodorant, everyday makeup)
Groom’s Carry On:
- Groom’s suit/wedding day outfit
- Anything from Bride’s carry on that didn’t fit
- 1-2 outfits
- 2 pairs of underwear
- 1 swimsuit
- Pajamas
- Essential toiletries (glasses/contacts, face wash, toothbrush, deodorant)
- Wedding gifts
These luggage organizers may be a good idea to keep the bride and groom’s items separate and organized:
Also make sure your liquid toiletries are in a TSA approved quart sized bag. Here are some from Amazon:
Checked Bag:
For most airlines the checked bag can’t exceed 62 inches total in height, width, and length. This is a pretty standard size luggage bag and can fit quite a bit of your items. Remember all your major liquids can go into your checked bag. Pull aside any essential liquid to put in smaller containers for your checked bag.
Checked bag items:
- Pants/shorts
- Shirts
- Dresses/skirts
- Underwear/socks/bras
- Swimsuits
- Hats/sunglasses
- Shoes
- Shower items
- Hair products (curling iron, flat iron, shampoo, conditioner, etc.)
- Perfume
- Cologne
- Makeup
- Rehearsal dinner dress
- Touch up makeup
- Wedding day emergency kit
- Garter
- Party favors
- First aid kit
- All other jewelry
- Sunscreen
- Aloe vera
These lists may seem intimidating, but you want to be as comprehensive as possible to ensure you don’t forget anything. There’s nothing like that I feel like I’m forgetting something feeling as soon as you leave the house or get on the plane.
We also recommend that you start packing a week before you leave for your wedding. That will give you ample time to make sure everything fits, and potentially give a few items to friends or family if you can’t make something work.
Am I missing anything from the ultimate destination wedding packing list? Comment below or contact me here!