Packing properly for your honeymoon will minimize any stress caused by forgetting to pack an essential item or from having too many pieces of luggage to transport. Since adding more than one checked bag on most airlines is expensive, it's a good idea to try and stick with one bag each. You can fit plenty of clothes and essentials in your luggage if you follow these honeymoon packing do's and don'ts from the experts. Here's what you need to know when packing for your honeymoon.
Packing properly for your honeymoon will minimize any stress
caused by forgetting to pack an essential item or from having too many pieces
of luggage to transport. Since adding more than one checked bag on most
airlines is expensive, it's a good idea to try and stick with one bag each. You
can fit plenty of clothes and essentials in your luggage if you follow these
honeymoon packing do's and don'ts from the experts. Here's what you need to
know when packing for your honeymoon.
Do make a list ahead
of time. Instead of assuming you have what you need for your honeymoon in
your closet, make a packing list a month before your wedding. This will help
keep you organized and feeling confident so you can focus on your other wedding
preparations. An excellent honeymoon
packing list is provided for free at HoneymoonPixie.com. This list is comprehensive and provides tips
of what to do before you leave, as well as packing items that are typically
forgotten. Working from a detailed list ahead of time will help ensure that you
have what you need for your honeymoon destination and you can then pack your
bags a day or two before the wedding.
Do learn about all
potential weather conditions in your honeymoon location. It's tempting to
just check the ten-day forecast a couple of days before your wedding, but
weather forecasts are often wrong. Check the weather, but also read up on possible
conditions you can expect at your honeymoon destination. Then, plan to pack at
least one outfit for any conditions you might experience, whether it's
torrential rainfall, snow, or scorching heat. Specific destination weather tips
can often be found at free honeymoon
registry websites.
Do learn about local
customs and expectations before you decide on your outfits. This isn't as
much of an issue if you're traveling to a tropical location, but if you're
traveling to many European, Middle Eastern, Asian, or African countries, you may
want to try to fit in with the locals. This is especially true when it comes to
visiting sacred spaces where women may be expected to wear long pants or
skirts. If you're heading to the Middle East, consider packing a scarf that could
double as a head covering if you chose to visit some of the ancient sacred
sites there.
This "do" also goes for couples going on cruises
or staying on resorts. Some will have rules about how you need to dress for
dinner, so make sure you know what's expected before you decide what to pack.
Do pack less by
choosing versatile outfits and shoes. You can get away with packing fewer
clothes if you make all your outfits mix-and-match. Instead of picking out a
different outfit for every day and ending up with multiple suitcases, think
through your outfits so that you only have to pack a few pieces to get several
days' worth of outfits. It's especially important to choose versatile shoes so
you only have to pack two or three pairs.
Don't forget to make
copies of your important documents for each suitcase. It's essential to make
copies of essential documents like traveler's checks, passports, and visas for
each suitcase. Keep at least two copies on hand in case you lose the original
documents. It's much easier to get a new passport or visa from the local
embassy if you have a copy with you. You can also email yourself this
information and access it from any computer anywhere in the world – which can
be very helpful in an emergency.
Don't pack things you
know your hotel will provide. If you're staying at a resort or a chain
hotel, you can probably count on your hotel to have things like shampoo, lotion,
soap, and robes. If you aren't picky about what you use, you can save space in
your luggage by leaving your own bottles at home.
Don't count on your
destination to have personal supplies like aspirin or tampons. Packing a small
first aid kit can be a lifesaver, especially if you're honeymooning somewhere remote.
Tampons and pads can be next to impossible to find in Latin American, African,
and Middle Eastern countries, and although resorts usually have a shop where
you can buy aspirin, antacids, and other basic supplies, they can be expensive.
About the Author: Andrew Marino is the CEO of HoneymoonPixie.com, an industry
leader in providing honeymoon gift registries for engaged couples. Couples create their free honeymoon registry
website and receive honeymoon planning advice and travel tips. Andrew also serves as a contributing Senior
Travel Editor.
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