How should I mail decor and other items for my destination wedding?

Ship your wedding decor items ahead of time if possible. Make sure your hotel concierge or your wedding planner knows when everything will arrive and where it will be stored until you arrive. Wrap all the gifts for your wedding party and your parents before you leave, and ask family and wedding party members to take them (and the favors) on the plane with their carry-ons. Your wedding dress will travel with you on the plane. Call your airline or travel agent ahead of time to let them know you’ll be taking it with you -- especially if it’s oversized. When you board a plane, ask one of the flight attendants to store your dress in the first-class cabin (even if that’s not where your seat is). They’ll oblige -- it’s your wedding!

Shipping and traveling with items adds up, so if you can, work with a planner who works with vendors based in your wedding destination. It’ll save you the worries and the inconvenience of bringing everything down.

You can even take care of all your wedding favors and gifts while you’re there. Just arrive a few days earlier to arrange everything. Aug 06, 2009