How to: Planning your Honeymoon

While plenty of emphasis is placed on the wedding plans, the task of planning your honeymoon often doesn’t get quite the same attention to detail. But considering that the honeymoon will last far longer than the wedding, and that it’s one of the only occassions where you can indulge yourself for weeks on end, it probably should get a little more attentiveness! We’ve mapped out (yes, four sentences into the article and I’ve already resorted (ha! again) to puns) the fundamental tools you need and actions to take when planning your once-in-a-lifetime trip!

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Planning your trip

Work out a suitable budget for your honeymoon. Remember to include all the expenses. These will include: airfare, accommodation, car rental, meals, souvenirs, sightseeing trips and taxes. You might be able to subsidise a few costs with any frequent flyer points you might have stored up. Use these points for your air fares, car rentals or hotel room upgrades.

Once you have decided on your destination, be sure to book your plane tickets and accommodation. Make a note of all reservation and receipt numbers so that you will always have a point of reference if anything goes wrong. You might also want to set up a manila folder in your filing cabinet or a folder for all the paperwork relating to your honeymoon. Include a list of phone numbers for all the places you will be staying during your trip and all other related services.

Requirements

If traveling overseas, you’ll need a passport. Make sure yours is valid and remember that the names on your plane tickets must match the names on your passport. When booking your plane tickets, be sure to use your maiden name.

There may be visas required for certain destinations so be sure to apply for these if you need to. You may need to meet certain pre-requisites before traveling overseas. For example, if you are traveling somewhere exotic, you may need to have vaccinations before you leave. Be sure you know what is required of you for the trip.

Final Preparations

You might need to buy luggage. Also purchase any travel accessories you might need. These could include: electrical adaptors, film for your camera, batteries and sunscreen.

Organise your credit cards and make sure they are valid. You’ll need to have enough money or travelers cheques for the trip. It is a good idea to purchase some currency of the country you are visiting. It is always a good idea to have a little cash on hand when you arrive.

Make sure that all your reservations have been confirmed and give a copy of your itinerary to a friend or relative. Include a list of phone numbers so that you can be reached in a case of emergency.If you are going away for more than a month, arrange to have your bills paid and make sure any outstanding bills have been paid for.

Make sure any pets are taken care of while you are away. Ask a friend to keep an eye on your house and to stop by to water plants and pick up any mail. Alternately, you can get your mail forwarded to a friend or relative’s house for the duration of your trip.