My mother and I will be attending my cousin's wedding reception in Rome this June. We have to wear formal dress for the occasion and I wondered if anyone had suggestions about how to get the dresses, shoes, etc. to Rome. The way I see it we have two options. 1)Take an extra suitcase and check it (we have two connections on the same airline and will go through customs in Canada before we get there) or 2)Ship them to ourselves or even to my cousin's husband's family who lives there (I haven't asked thier permission yet but I would). What do you think?
Posted by
Seattle, WA
1317 posts
If the cost isn't outrageous, I'd ship it in advance. That way you know the clothes are there if things go wrong (miss a connection, they lose a bag, etc.) You don't want to be running around Rome looking for formal wear at the last minute.
Posted by
Ottawa, Ontario,, Canada
521 posts
Hi Sarah,
Customs will not be an issue for you with the extra suitcase - so long as you are able to haul it around and it will not cost you extra to bring the extra bag on the plane. Realistically, the extra bag will not slow you down at Canada customs one bit.
Posted by
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
180 posts
Personally I have found any time guaranteed shipping costs to Italy very expensive. Maybe it's because the quotes were all to smaller cities then Rome, but they were extremely high. Unless you find a good price, I would suggest packing the extra suitcase.
Pete
Posted by
Northern VA, VA, USA
121 posts
Sarah - I would never check luggage unless it is a non-stop and I am homeward bound. That said, I would ship at any cost. Have fun in Rome!
Posted by
Delft, Netherlands
242 posts
I would just take the money you were going to spend checking another bag or shipping and it put towards the cost of buying a dress in Rome. It will be a great souvenir.
Posted by
PNW
194 posts
Our daughter got married in Rome in July 2007, so we also had 'wedding clothes.' We packed a little larger suitcase (not our usual 22") and I think my husband put his suit in a space bag with all the air smooshed out of it. No wrinkles! Even though her wedding gown was wrinkled in transit, it was very easy for her to find a cleaners to press it in a day. Remember that it will be hot in June, so something thin or breezy...silk?...which would not take up much space. Are you doing any extra travel after the wedding? That's when a larger or extra suitcase may be cumbersome. That would be a time to have the relatives store or ship any extras.
Posted by
OP
Aurora, CO, USA
10 posts
Thanks for your help! You've all given me lots of new ideas and things to consider.