Honeymoon Planning: The Best Honeymoon Tips and Tricks
A honeymoon is an unforgettable holiday spent between a newly married couple and is the perfect time for the bride and groom to relax. Honeymoon planning can sometimes be as hard as the planning the wedding. Luckily, we have comprised a list of the best honeymoon tips and tricks to make it as easy as possible for you.
We hope to ensure you have the best; stress-free, memorable trip possible.
1) Decide when is best for you both when planning your honeymoon
Many couples choose to follow tradition and go straight to the airport after the wedding. If this is not what feels right do not feel pressured to do the same. Sit down with your partner and agree when is best for the both of you. Maybe you can do a mini-moon and then a longer holiday a few weeks or months later? This option also gives you something else to look forward to when all the wedding excitement is over.
2) Set a budget
When honeymoon planning you must be realistic. Set a strict budget and stick to it. This may sound like a buzz kill but it is worth it. Also, you may want to think about setting up an extra little money pot for unexpected expenditures or activities. This will save you worrying about money during what should be the most relaxing time of your life.
You will talk about your honeymoon for the rest of your life so make it a trip to remember. However, you do not need to break the bank in the process. There are plenty of honeymoon destinations you can visit without going overboard. Do your research! If the difference between a honeymoon that does not excite you and your absolute dream honeymoon is a month’s worth of savings, DO IT. If the difference is a year’s worth, DO NOT.
3) Pack with plenty of time
Your wedding day is supposed to be the happiest day of your life. Packing for your honeymoon in advance will ensure you are able to enjoy your special day to the fullest. If you are planning to honeymoon in the immediate days after your wedding, make sure you start packing a few weeks before your wedding day. When the day of your wedding gets closer you are likely to be overwhelmed with emotions. Packing a suitcase could be just what you need to tip you over the edge!
Packing with plenty of time to spare will also minimise the chance of you forgetting the necessities. Your mind will be all over the place in the lead up to the big day, and you will most likely be preoccupied with a hundred important things all at once. You will have those few absolute essentials to pack, e.g. the bikini you want a beach photo in, your new book, or even your new favourite lipstick. You will not want to forget them so tucking them away in your case weeks in advance is your best bet.
4) Research your airline’s baggage rules
Catching a flight is no longer a simple process! Make sure you know your airline’s rules for carry-on bags as well as suitcases. Budget airlines have recently updated their carry-on specifications meaning only a backpack can be taken on-board without an additional fee. Do your research or call customer services directly to save a hiccup at the airport. Surprises of this kind will not be the ideal start for your honeymoon. A suitcase being overweight can mean saying ‘bye bye’ to the new expensive evening dresses you bought online, OR paying an extortionate fee to fly. This will, in turn, eat into the extra money you budgeted for fun honeymoon activities.
Check out both Ryanair and Easy Jet’s baggage allowance here.
5) Staying healthy abroad
Research to see if there are any specific health and safety advisories which come with travelling to your chosen destination. This keeps you safe and your insurance valid. On this note, make sure you have all insurance documents printed and packed just in case you have no access to the internet or printing facilities at the other end. Provide a loved one at home with the necessary information, just in case.
Pack any medication you may need as not all destinations will have a pharmacy with exactly what you need in stock. Essential medications, of course, should be included in your packing. Why not split yours and your partner’s medication between your suitcases? In this case, if one case goes missing at least you have a few essentials to live off of until the case is found. If in doubt, always research which medications can be taken to your chosen destination, and which are prohibited.
6) Do not be shy, you may get an upgrade
Many hotels and airlines reserve free upgrades and treats for honeymooning couples so shout it from the rooftops! Write in every email you send, every enquiry you fill in, tell travel agents, airline staff, hotel check-in staff etc. Telling people you are on your honeymoon will open doors which would not have been open otherwise – From hotel suite upgrades, upgrades to first class on the plane, petals in the hotel bathtub, breakfast in bed, candlelit dinners, you name it. Being newly-weds is definitely not something to keep to yourselves!
7) Check the forecast
Prepare for any extreme weather conditions likely to happen during your stay. For example, it may be hot but it may also be rainy season. Ensure you pack accordingly or you will be spending extra money on clothes you most likely will not be bringing home, or spending your honeymoon looking and feeling like a drowned rat or an uncomfortable, sweaty mess! Similarly, make sure to pack an outfit suitable for the journey home. There is nothing worse than landing in England at 2am during winter in a summer dress and flip-flops.
8) Sneak in a few surprises
Honeymoon planning is a lovely task to do as a couple, but try to sneak in a few thoughtful surprises along the way. If your spouse enjoys snorkelling, book it as an activity. If they love Italian cuisine, arrange for a pasta-making class. If they love just being with you and drinking a glass of wine with nobody else around, have someone set up a picnic blanket on the beach in the evening and arrange for a couple of local wines to share. The possibilities are endless and this will remind them of why they fell in love with you in the first place.
9) Do not overdo it
Do not forget the dreaded jetlag if you are travelling across time zones – You do not want to come back more tired than you were before! Have a discussion with your partner when honeymoon planning. Work out how much of your honeymoon you want to spend relaxing, and how much time you want to spend exploring and doing activities. Some couples book two locations as they cannot agree; One week of adventure, one week of relaxation. People tend to have the idea that it is a ‘once in a lifetime’ holiday; therefore they try to overbook themselves. Remember to book in some extra ‘leisure’ days, and you can always come back in the future to complete your checklist if you need to.
10) Put the phone away!
Keep your phone on flight mode and enjoy each other’s company without distraction. This is something we all often forget to do. Living in the moment is definitely something you will want to do during the most amazing time of both your lives. Use your phone of course for those special honeymoon photos but otherwise, put it to the side. Life is much more important.
11) Go with the flow – even with honeymoon planning, it can not be perfect…
Things go wrong – That is life. You may miss a connecting flight, there might be an unexpected typhoon, or you may lose your purse in a bar. Grab a cocktail, cheers each other and laugh about it. The most hectic and spontaneous experiences will be stories you will tell for years to come. If anything goes wrong, try your utmost to look at the situation as just that; a funny story!
If you are ready to book your honeymoon, why not check out our list of honeymoon suppliers? Hopefully with these honeymoon tips and tricks you will have the perfect getaway.