Wedding Planning 101:
Honeymoon Basics
Honeymoon Planning Basics-The Top Ten Tips
- Start out by doing your homework. Decide on a location, or a region, review tapes and travel books from the library or your travel agent. Ask friends or relative who have traveled; a personal recommendation is worth more than a brochure.
- Work with a trusted and knowledgeable travel agent. Look for an agency that is a member in good standing with The American Society of Travel Agents (ASTA). Again, agents who have visited a particular location are providing a valuable service. Ask lots of questions and shop around. Decide a budget and know what is affordable. Don’t forget anything, such as medical issues or kosher meals.
- The Caribbean is very popular, as well as the western ski areas, Mexico, Florida, and Europe.
- All-inclusives are just that: everything (that we list here) is included: one fee covers room, meals, drinks (exact rules vary by resort), tips, activities, entertainment, sports, etc. Many packages include airfare and transfers to and from the resort (ask!). Realistically, you still need some money for tours, gambling, souvenirs, some water sports…All-inclusive resorts cover the globe.
- Couples-only all-inclusives offer an all-adult atmosphere with more adult activities, including nightlife. look for names such as Couples (Jamaica), Sandals and SuperClubs.
- Cruises are similarly all-inclusive, but typically do not include drinks and tips. Entertainment is often first rate, including Las Vegas-type shows, you get to visit several countries in one week, and the ocean breeze is irresistible. Again, bring money (or start an on board credit account, tied to your credit card) for excursions, massages, casino, portrait photos and shopping.
- Destination weddings: Plan the wedding like a vacation. Decide what location you want, research it, ask about wedding packages. One couple eloped to marry in Saint Lucia, then had a reception when they returned to Maryland. A Washington, DC couple, now in San Diego, had 26 relatives and friends meet them in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, for a beach-front ceremony. Everyone had a 3-night vacation, and the newlyweds flew to Hawaii for a honeymoon.
- Get Insurance and pay by Credit Card. Stuff happens, such as illness, weather, world events, and dishonest companies. Protect yourself.
- Plan to get a passport. This is currently required for much international travel, and new regulations will require one for all US citizens traveling to the Caribbean beginning December 31, 2006. A passport is a legal document that proves US citizenship; it gets stamped everywhere you go, so its like a mini travel log. It costs least to apply at your local Post Office, but you might wait five and up to eight weeks by mail. Look on the U.S. State Department’s Bureau of Consular Affairs home page under passport information.
- Pack with your location in mind. Do laundry a few days early so everything will be clean and ready for action. Start your packing list a week before you leave and add items as you think of them. Bring suncare and after-sun products if you’ll be at the beach. Pack moisturizer and lip balm if you’re skiing or visiting the dessert. Plan wardrobes to mix and match-some pieces get more than one use on vacation-and bring a few versatile shoes. Do not bring your entire shoe rack, because you’ll either, bust your zippers, bust your luggage’s zippers, or pay extra for overweight baggage (check your airline’s weight limit per bag). Opt for wrinkle-resistant fibers, pack items inside of each other to save space, roll clothing to avoid wrinkles, and double-bag any loose bottles or tubes of liquids.