Weddingbee Blog

Or, “How to Prepare for your Honeymoon”

You know, because Mr. CA and I are still in that blissful newlywed stage between the wedding and the honeymoon where all I want to do is think about what an amazing time I will have on the trip with my fabulous new husband? Yeah, that stage.

{Cappadocia rock column, via Library of Congress}

I already told you where we’re going on our honeymoon (hint: it has the same name as the fowl that most carnivores eat for Thanksgiving), but since we had a month between the wedding and when we leave, and all I can do is think about sweet, beautiful Turkey, I thought I would write up a post on preparing for your honeymoon.

Yes, I realize that I am super anal and type-A, and most people don’t need a post on how to prepare for their freaking vacation, but too bad. I know that some people (anyone?!) are like me and like to get organized ahead of time. Particularly if you’re going on your honeymoon directly after your wedding! You don’t want to have to worry about this stuff when you’re in that yummy newlywed glow the morning after the wedding, so do yourself a favor and think about this stuff beforehand. That way, when you embark on the trip, all you have to do is make sure you catch the plane (or train. or boat. or automobile).

1. Itinerary and Important Information

I am insane. You must already know this about me, yes? I like being organized, and thus I make a little folder for each trip that I take. It doesn’t have to be anything fancy, just a manila folder (mine are a pretty red), but I print out copies of all of my flight information (with confirmation codes), hotel reservations, train tickets, tours I have booked, etc. and stick it in the folder. That way, all of my reservation information is in one handy place in my purse/backpack/carry-on when I finally set off, and I can access it easily and quickly. Need my boarding pass? Oh, it’s right there in the folder! Need to give our hotel’s address to the taxi driver when we land? Yep, that’s there too!

This isn’t necessary, but I also will typically send a copy of my itinerary to someone at home in case of an emergency. I don’t go crazy and type up a super long document detailing my every move, and I am not hugely specific, but I do like to send my mom information on cities I will be in and the dates, just in case anything should happen. Or, you know, in case someone wants to send us newlyweds a bottle of champagne in our hotel room. Ha, just kidding! (Or am I?)

If I am traveling internationally, I will also stick a copy of the front page of my passport in this folder. That way, if my actual passport is stolen I will have the copy to take to the nearest American Embassy. Or however that works—I’ve never actually had a passport stolen (knock on wood!!).

2. Marriage License

Order an official copy of your marriage license and take that with you in your handy folder (see above). There are a few reasons for this.

First, you might want to try for a first-class honeymoon upgrade or other honeymoon perks! I mean, duh, you are going on your honeymoon! You deserve the best, and this is probably the only time in your life where you can shamelessly ask for freebies. Except maybe when you are pregnant.

If you do try for upgrades or perks and the airline/hotel/restaurant is amenable, they may require some sort of proof that you are, in fact, recently married. I have no idea if we’ll try for an upgrade, but it would be awesome if we could pull it off! Mrs. Penguin had some great tips for attempting a first-class upgrade; I suggest you click on over and check them out!

Second, you may have played the Name Change Game and changed your last name after getting married. Depending on how far along you are in the process prior to your honeymoon, this may cause some issues with boarding planes, customs, etc.

For example, all of my current identification is in my maiden name, and our tickets to Turkey are in my maiden name as well. Phew! However, my father purchased flights for a family trip in December, and he used my new, married surname for one leg of the flight. Only problem is, I won’t have officially changed my name by that time. Uh oh! Don’t worry, though—as long as you have an official copy of your marriage license with you when you travel, you should hopefully be fine. This may vary according to airline, though, so you might want to call the airline beforehand to confirm.

3. What to Pack

Well, this will obviously depend on where you’re headed! And I’m sure you all are far more savvy travelers than I. But, a few suggestions:

• Passport (if you are traveling internationally): Make sure the valid-through dates will cover you through your honeymoon, and at least three months after.
• Any necessary visas (if you are traveling internationally): You can find this information here.
• Camera, with necessary batteries, memory cards, and chargers (You might even want to consider an underwater camera!)
• iPod, iPad, etc.
• Books (if you are intending on doing reading, or have long international flights like us): I just finished reading Sophie’s Choice and In the Garden of Beasts, and have loaded Game of Thrones and a few of the Mary Russel books onto my iPad. Woohoo!
• Guidebooks for wherever you’re going
• Foreign currency: Remember, you get the best rates through your bank!
• Sunhat, sunscreen, insect repellent
• Clothes, toothbrush, toiletries, etc.

Do you have any good tips for preparing for your honeymoon? Or do you prefer the more relaxed (i.e., normal) approach?