You've just tied the knot, more than likely you haven't stopped smiling since you said "I do"-- I know that I sure didn't. The smile still hasn't left my face and my husband and I will be married for two years in December. The only time I wasn't smiling? The planning portion of the wedding. Some say it's super fun and exciting. While it is exciting, I couldn't help but feel overwhelmed and stressed out.
What stressed me out even more? During the year of planning, I totally forgot the part that would probably be a close second to saying, "I do". The honeymoon. Don't make these mistakes when you plan your getaway with your new spouse.
Let's Set The Scene
You can't wait to get out of those wedding garments to go celebrate your love in an amazing place. Right? I can just feel your joy. But before you step out and jump on that plane to fly to your intended destination or hop in the car to get where you want to go, you might just want to make sure you are set, completely set for the whole experience.
Rewind
During the planning phase of your big day, you'll more than likely skim over your honeymoon planning-- You'll buy the tickets and book your hotels, but will you really remember all the other important details? Whatever you do, don't do this. Don't skim over this part of the planning or you will be sorry. And by sorry, I mean, you'll more than likely have no money left over in your budget, you won't have a clue what to pack, and there won't be any spending money for you to enjoy yourself with your new spouse. So let's start from the very beginning.
Make a List
More than likely you've got a lot of stuff to do to complete your wedding planning. Maybe you've got a project to do each night until the big day finally arrives or maybe your booked solid with last minute fittings, cake tastings, or food tastings.
You should just sit down, you and your spouse, and jot all the things you know you will need. What I did was write down each day that we were going to be there. I checked the weather so I had a tentative idea of what it was going to be like. Then I put my outfits together. That way, I didn't overpack and was able to have room for souvenirs.
The best way to write a list, is to categorize your list. Have categories like:
• Her Stash
• His Stash
• Bathroom Items
• Goody Extras (workout and rain gear)
• Essential Things to Leave With Family and Friends (place you are going, contact information, sealed copies of your will, insurance, and any other important things )
Once you've completed this list, be sure that you have all the important documentation that you need in one area. If you're flying, be sure that you don't change your name to anything different than on your plane ticket or passport. You don't want to have any confusion. As excited as you may be, be sure that you wait to change your name.
Prepare
Now you have everything jotted down. You should now divvy out the categories. One at a time, for the both of you. After you are done with a category, make sure you have packed everything and remember to check off the item on the list after you've packed.
One of my favorite tricks that could come in handy for you is to complete your list of categories and once you are done, swap the categories and go through the list again, so that each of you makes sure all is in there. It will save you time and reduce the chances of forgetting stuff.
Then, be sure to give the important things you feel your family and friends should have at this point. If you've got a house or a pet sitter, be sure to give them detailed instructions on how to care for your home or your pet. Leave a contact sheet of vet info and a letter stating that you place your pet in their care.
Check Your List Twice
You will want to make sure that you have not left anything out, both in the bags and in the list itself. So you should go through the list again. Use the visualization method, it will help you see things more clearly. You could even speak the whole process out loud together, it's way more fun this way. You'll want to do this a couple of weeks before the wedding.
Once You're All Packed
Once you've got your bag packed, leave everything in a common place where it will be accessible to the pair of you or accessible to the person fetching your luggage for you. Remember, you can delegate jobs off to others in your wedding party or your family so you don't have to have a care in the world for your big day.
After the Wedding
This period is usually very "crazy". You have just tied the knot and you are both very happy and flirting with each other. Now you need to prepare for the long travel you are about to make. Although it's hard to see it this way, you should see yourself as travelers at that time. Ideally, you simply want to have a relaxed calm mind before you do this.
To take some stress away from the pending travels, be sure that you ask for help where you need it. For example, if you're leaving right from your venue, be sure to have your luggage and everything you need taken care of. It's probably best to pawn this duty off to someone that will keep track of everything. This way, you've got someone to worry about grabbing everything for you and getting your stuff to you before you depart from your venue.
Remember
Once you're on your honeymoon, more than likely you'll realize that you'll want to take home souvenirs or things that you'll be able to keep to remember this magical vacation. When you're packing your suitcase, think about leaving a little room for trinkets.
If this is something that is totally impossible for you, try mailing the trinkets to yourself from your honeymoon location. It may be more expensive to do this, but you'll have plenty of room in your suitcase and you'll be able to get a fun package after you've arrived home.
So moral of the story... Don't pack last minutes, don't over-pack, and don't lose your luggage before you leave. Seems pretty simple, right? It may seem that way, but getting everything ready to go and getting everything done for such an important trip is harder than you think. Make sure that you just breath. You've go this. Happy planning!
Photo from : Our Canary Islands Vacation
Guest Post By: Kayla Rigler From Our Start Website. Kayla is a content writer for OurStart at the Income Store, located in a small town in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. When not working, you will often find her trying new foods, cuddling on the couch with her pup, or on adventures with her husband!
Photo from : Our Canary Islands Vacation
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