Honeymoon Hotel May 20, 2009

This really applies to before the wedding, but it’s in preparation for after the wedding. Have the groom or the best man or someone you trust check you into the hotel you’ll be at on the wedding night, unless you are traveling out of town. This makes things go much smoother when you get to the hotel–especially if you’ll still be in your wedding dress. People will want to stare, unless you can skip the front desk and go in the back way. You should also have all your bags packed, at the latest, by the day before the wedding and have them taken to your room at check-in. Now, I say choose someone you trust, because there are many people out there who will want in on a wedding prank and I’ve heard horror stories about pranks you don’t want to be part of your wedding night. So, unless you don’t know anyone who has ever pulled a prank before, keep the location of your first night a secret.

The groom should also tell the hotel that you will be on your honeymoon, because you may get some freebies or upgrades. Be sure to drop that information at each place you go on your honeymoon. Many people are happy to celebrate with you by giving you free perks. Don’t expect it, because many won’t give you more than a smile, but it doesn’t hurt to try. For more advice on your honeymoon, click on the ‘Honeymoon’ category to the right of this page.

Budget Honeymoon February 26, 2009

Designer Events specializes on budget weddings. I am here to help you find a good budget and stick to it. This includes your honeymoon. So, how does one (or two) take a vacation with little means to get there?

Borrowing a few ideas from weddingchannel.com:

Plan for it:  Start saving money for it when you get engaged and put all your extra cash, even if it’s 20 bucks at a time, into that pot. You can also use the cash and checks many people will give you instead of a gift.

Drive:  Yes, gas has been outrageously priced for a while now, but it’s still cheaper than flying.

There’s no place like home: Don’t go too far. Exotic locations and foreign countries will suck your wallet dry…unless you live near the border and can drive.

Ask: One of you is bound to have a friend with a time-share, summer home or extra cabin. Ask if you can borrow or rent it for a week. Of course, you should always give them a very nice thank-you gift.

And a few ideas of my own:

Don’t pay full price for your hotel room: Use priceline.com or a similar service to get nice rooms for the cheapest available prices.

Walk: Find a location that has entertainment and restaurants close-by and plan to walk a lot (bring comfy shoes!). You can save a bundle by avoiding cabs, buses and trains.

Set your honeymoon budget. Then reserve a few hundred dollars for emergencies and souvenirs. If you still don’t spend it all, you can use the extra cash for your budding marriage when you get home. And if you do, it’s still wise to have a little cushion.

Get a reservation: If you set reservations for theaters, museums and events before you leave home, you may be able to save more money than if you get tickets when you get there.

My Honeymoon Pictures February 25, 2009

My parents’ wedding gift to us was the honeymoon–in Italy. As an artist, Italy has always been my dream destination. My honeymoon was a dream come true, not only because I got to go on a wonderful vacation with my new hubby, but because I got to see great works of art that I had been studying for the last several years. I even got to see the house where Michelangelo grew up, then the place where he worked and became famous, then the place where he was buried.

Here are some pictures from the trip.

First, we stayed outside of Milan in the lake country.

 

Favorite…

Then, we moved on to Florence. I couldn’t tell you which location I liked best.

Don’t forget your camera as you pack!

How to Pack February 24, 2009

 

Suitcase from Couverture

Find the above suitcase at Couverture. 

 

Of course, honeymoon packing differs depending on the destination. However, there are a few key things that you won’t want to forget. 

• A map and travel book on the area. You can get great entertainment ideas from these little guys.
• Travel pharmacy. This is more for those going out of country. If you don’t know the culture, and especially if you aren’t fluent in the language, take everything you need that would prevent a honeymoon disaster. This includes Pepto Bismol, Monistat, AZO Standard (A must for newlyweds…by the way, this won’t cure you, it just dulls the pain until you can see a doctor), Airborne or some kind of cold-prevention, and extras of any prescription medicine you and your new hubby take.
• Important documents and copies of them. This includes a copy of your marriage certificate, passports and driver’s licenses, airplane tickets and confirmations, reservation confirmations for your hotel, as well as any activities that you’ve planned ahead of time, phone numbers for your credit card company in case they get lost or stolen, and your credit or debit cards. Personally, I recommend debit cards. You don’t want to start your marriage in debt. Also, don’t take too much cash, because the exchange rate is generally better electronically than with cash.
• Your trousseau. This is French, derived from a word meaning ‘bundle’. It is actually the clothing and linen of a bride, traditionally provided by her family. Today, this can simply mean the wardrobe purchased for the honeymoon. If you are trying to pack light, think layers. Take a swimsuit, even if you are going to a cold area of the world. You never know if you’ll want to visit the hot tub. Take a light sweater or shawl that can be dressed up or down. If you can, try to pack in generally the same color (black or brown). This way you won’t have to take so many pairs of shoes and accessories. Be sure to pack a pair of comfortable walking shoes for sightseeing and some strappies for a nice dinner out. Try rolling your clothes instead of folding them. This saves space. If you will be traveling from city to city or switching hotels at some point during your honeymoon, it’s a good idea to get a suitcase with wheels. It’s no fun to carry around a big duffel bag on your back, even if it’s just from baggage claim to the cab to the hotel.
• Pack your carry-on as though it’s your only bag. Put an extra set of clothing, any important documents and valuables in your carry-on. This way, if your checked bag gets lost or is just late, you won’t be at a total loss.
• Extra space for bringing home tangible memories.

How to Honeymoon February 23, 2009

Don’t get too caught up in the wedding itself! Remember, this one day is in preparation for a lifetime. The honeymoon is the beginning of that life together. It is traditionally the groom’s job to plan the honeymoon, which I think is a fantastic idea since the bride generally has so much to do with the wedding. However, many couples are working together these days. Either way, you want to have a wonderful honeymoon with lots of great memories. Here’s how.

Determine what kind of honeymoon you both want. Do you like to do all the touristy activities and see all the sights all day long? Do you like to relax in the hotel with tea and a good book? Do you look for night life? Think about what you normally do on vacations and what you always wish you could do on vacations. Answering these questions will help you decide on a location as well as an itinerary. If you are going to an unfamiliar area, especially out of country, I highly recommend using a travel agent. This will ensure things go smoothly and you don’t forget any major details.

While planning the honeymoon, look for special romance packages. You can sometimes get extra luxuries or even a better room. Be sure to take a copy of your marriage certificate (an official copy, preferably).

Sign up under your maiden name unless you have enough time to change your name on all your travel documents before the honeymoon. 

Have fun! Your honeymoon will be the best vacation you’ve ever had, but travel can put a lot of stress on a relationship. Decide ahead of time that you will compromise and not be easily offended. If you aren’t determined to go with the flow, then the first thing that goes wrong could turn into your first married fight.