Planning a wedding is hard work and after the excitement of a long anticipated wedding day getting away for a honeymoon is the perfect way to unwind, spend some quality time together and to start getting used to that new surname!

After all of the organisation involved in planning your wedding, honeymoon planning may feel like just another chore to be completed.

Often this is a good job for the groom who may not feel comfortable about contributing to flower, cake, and colour scheme choices but will be happy to undertake the fact-finding mission to the travel agent and the travel organisation.

First things first

  • Like every aspect of your wedding, allocate a budget for your honeymoon

  • If you’ve been living together and have set up house (and Aunty Doris’s generous gift of a new toaster is not required), consider setting up an account with your travel agent for your guests to contribute to. A note on your invitation will send them in the right direction, they will be relieved at the ease of gift giving and you will get a much-needed boost to your honeymoon account.

  • Discuss the kind of honeymoon do you both want, is it a relaxing sun-filled tropical beach holiday or an active sightseeing, tour guided action packed adventure?

  • Within your budget (or anticipated budget) what are your travel options?

Planning Hints

  • Use a travel agent, they will make all the arrangements, make suggestions and will guide you on any requirement for visas or inoculations.

  • It sounds obvious but if you’re traveling out of the country check the validity of your passports. Some destinations require a minimum validity period on traveler's passports and your travel agent will guide you on any of these requirements.

  • Let vendors know you’re honeymooning, often this will result in a congratulatory upgrade, a bottle of bubbly, bowl of fruit or just some considerate peace and quiet.

  • Ensure you have enough cash for frivolous expenditure, that sentimental souvenir or romantic night out and, less romantically, for emergencies!

  • Include a list of what you have packed in your documentation. It doesn’t happen often but sometimes luggage goes missing and this will form the basis of a claim and a replacement shopping list.

Packing

If you are leaving directly after your wedding then packing will take some planning. Check airline baggage limits and pack accordingly.

Make a list and include:

  • Toiletries, including a list of those that will need to be packed at the last minute
  • Medications and a letter from your doctor if required.
  • Sunblock, insect repellent or any destination-specific requirements
  • Money and documents, passport, airline tickets, accommodation vouchers, and itinerary
  • Camera, batteries, and spare memory card
  • Clothing specific to your destination, swimwear, hats, casual clothing – think about what you will * wear when sightseeing or relaxing and add some more formal items for dining out.
  • Basic clothing items, underwear, sleepwear, shoes, socks, workout clothes, hats.
  • A roaming activated phone and photo ID, drivers license for car rentals etc.
  • Save some space in your suitcase for shopping for gorgeous “must have” items at your destination!*
  • Whatever you have planned for your honeymoon, take time to relax, to recharge and enjoy each other’s company and, of course, to reflect on your fabulous wedding day and enjoy the novelty of being a married couple at last!