Special requirements: Travelling to a wedding

Opening a suitcase to find wedding garb crushed beyond recognition certainly isn't ideal, particularly if the ceremony is not far off. But don't worry, pack carefully and you'll arrive looking smart. If it's your wedding and it's overseas, be sure to get any necessary jabs and take relevant documents with you.

USEFUL REMINDERS

When you're in a hurry

• Get ready in transit if you're cutting it fine to get to a wedding. Put smart outfits in a suit carrier, with a zip rather than slit opening, which can fold and clip in half for easy carrying. Ask for it to be hung up if you've no room by your seat
• Dress sensibly. Wear clothes and shoes that suit your destination - or even forget the shoes if you are on the beach. If you're getting married somewhere hot, don't bother with stockings or waistcoats, as the heat will become unbearable
• Put small items - such as underwear and ties - in the suit carrier
• Wrap delicate clothes in plastic to reduce wrinkling
• Pack hats in tissue in a hatbox
• Put bagged shoes, toiletries, grooming products and accessories in hand luggage
• Tuck small, fragile wedding gifts in hand luggage
• Keep a camera loaded with film handy
• Don't overload yourself with too much luggage

For your suitcase

Choose luggage that is the right size for your needs. Smart clothes should be folded with tissue paper and put at the top of the suitcase. Shoes should be wrapped in plastic bags and tucked around the sides of the case. Jackets go in last as a lid to keep things in place.

• A towel is great cushioning in a suitcase for large, fragile wedding gifts
• Tissue stuffed in the toes of shoes helps maintain their shape
• Pack hats upside down, with paper in the crown to reduce crushing
• Use a circle of cardboard to support a fragile hat brim

At your destination

If you travel abroad early for a wedding, check in advance whether clothes can be steamed or ironed where you are staying.

• Hang up clothes on arrival and leave tissue paper in hats and shoes until the big day
• Before you come home consider having delicate garments cleaned, to preserve them
• Keep for the return journey paper and plastic bags used for packing crushable items

HONEYMOONERS

When you combine a wedding trip with your honeymoon, you're really packing for two separate occasions. It's tempting to load up on belongings, but try to resist. Packing light makes travel more enjoyable.

• If you're going somewhere hot or at high altitude, take sun cream, shades and a hat
• Carry a first-aid kit, with hangover cures
• If necessary, carry contraceptives if you're going anywhere remote
• Pack sanitary pads/tampons whether due a period or not - travel may affect your cycle.