Honeymoon Planning 101

Just getting started on planning your honeymoon? Great! Before you make any arrangements, get the tips you need to make planning a romantic and memorable honeymoon trip a breeze. Welcome to Honeymoon Planning 101.

When it comes to a memorable honeymoon, the most important thing is to do something that you both enjoy as a couple. The beach honeymoon is very traditional, but if neither of you enjoys the sun or water, it would be a poor choice! Perhaps your style is checking out all that a big city has to offer or maybe you have always dreamed of seeing Alaska. A festival could be just your cup of tea or perhaps you have both always longed to see your ancestral homelands. Think about what would make the trip really special, and plan it based on that, rather than tradition.

Knowing what to bring on your trip is also important, as is knowing what to leave at home. Check the local guidebooks for your honeymoon destination to find out how casual people typically dress. Make an effort to look your best; it is supposed to be a romantic trip, after all! A few common packing tips include bringing nice shoes (no sneakers!) and skirts or pants instead of shorts for a tour of Europe. Beach vacations are usually fairly low-key, but you should definitely bring along a pretty dress and some of your wedding jewelry to wear for intimate dinners. Then there is what not to bring: anything very valuable, especially very flashy jewelry or watches. Bring a minimum of jewelry; the earrings and necklace from your wedding jewelry set should be plenty, especially if you will be spending most of your time lounging on the beach.

Finally, be sure you make plans to capture all of those beautiful honeymoon memories. A good camera (bring extra batteries!) is a must. You may also wish to bring a small travel journal to record your memories and impressions, as well as a folder to save tickets and other memorabilia for scrapbooking. Meaningful souvenirs will help you to remember your wonderful honeymoon for years to come. Skip the tacky tourist stuff like t-shirts and pick up one or two really special local items, such as a piece of Venetian glass from a honeymoon in Italy. Even a collection of seashells would make a lovely honeymoon memento when artfully displayed in a shadow box. Choose that special something that will always remind you of your first ever vacation as husband and wife.

Wedding Compromises Worth Considering

When you start planning your wedding, of course you hope to have everything necessary to make your dream wedding come to life. The reality, though is that wedding planning involves a lot of pieces which need to all be fit together, including budget, family, and schedules. The result is that no one gets everything their heart desires, but it is possible to have a wedding that makes you happy even if you might have to make a few changes. These are some  wedding compromises worth considering to get to a final result that is great for all concerned.

The venue is one compromise that is often worth making. It may be that you fall in love with a location that is too small to fit your entire family or one that is so expensive you would run out of money for everything else. In the long run, it makes no sense to stubbornly cling to a venue which does not suit all of your needs. It is far better to find a reception site that has good bones and make it into what you want than to try to change your wedding to fit into a venue which is not right for you.

I firmly believe that no bride should have to compromise on her wedding gown, but the bridal accessories should be open for discussion. Maybe your mom is disappointed that you chose a wedding dress with a sweep train; appease her by wearing the cathedral length veil she loves. Or perhaps your mother had always imagined that you would wear her bridal jewelry when you get married. Maybe you can wear one piece of her bridal jewelry set along with a modern piece of your own choosing to update the style. Sometimes the location of the ceremony dictates compromise; your favorite Jimmy Choo stilettos simply will not be practical for a beach wedding, for example.

Your honeymoon should be a once-in-a-lifetime experience, but that does not mean that the trip will be what you had initially envisioned. Perhaps the plane tickets to Europe are too steep, so you head to Quebec City in Canada for old world European charm instead. Or maybe you picture frolicking on the beach as the perfect honeymoon, but your wedding will take place during peak hurricane season. It might be worth it to choose a different type of trip or to delay your honeymoon until after the hurricane threat is past. As with all of the aspects of your wedding, as long as you are there with the one you love, the rest is really just a matter of keeping a positive attitude and enjoying what you have.

Honeymoons on the Water

A cruise can be a fantastic idea for a honeymoon trip. Most cruise ships are like floating cities, complete with everything from fine dining to swimming to nightlife and sporty activities. There is a huge variety in cruise types, as well. If time is short, take a weekend party cruise out of New York or another major port city. Or take a traditional tropical cruise which visits numerous ports of call all along the Caribbean.

There are more exotic cruises, as well, such as those to Alaska, the Greek islands, or the fjords of Scandinavia. The experience of being out at sea with your new spouse taking in breathtaking sights will truly make your honeymoon memorable. One thing that most cruise lines have in common is the expectation that guests will dress up for dinner, so be sure to pack some pretty dresses, and bring along your crystal bridal jewelry to add that touch of elegance.

A fantastic voyage for sailing aficionados is a sailboat cruise. On many of these excursions, there is a crew, but the newlyweds also get to take part in sailing the boat. It is a great balance between getting the fun of sailing, without having total responsibility for the vessel 24 hours a day. Most of these types of honeymoons will be on sailboats with sleeping cabins, so you will call the boat your home for the duration of the trip. To keep things interesting, plan on visiting a few spots along your journey where you can share a romantic dinner in a great restaurant. Even newlyweds cannot live on love alone, after all.

Finally, thrill seeking newlyweds will find many adventures to share on the water. There is waterskiing, parasailing, windsurfing, and even scuba diving for those who are certified. If a natural time in the water is more your style, book your honeymoon at a resort which offers the chance to swim with dolphins. Or head to the Everglades and see the sights from a fan boat.  Whatever your interests, there is sure to be a honeymoon trip on the water which will be a lot of fun for the newlyweds.

What to Pack for a Beach Honeymoon

The perfect honeymoon vacation all starts with a well packed bag. After all, you do not want to get to your destination and discover that you have forgotten something important, yet nor do you want to lug around massive suitcases stuffed with things you will never use. This is what you need to pack (and leave behind) for a beach honeymoon.

Your swimsuits. Bring a few, so if you go swimming in the morning, you will have a dry one to slip into after lunch. It is a good idea to bring a few styles of swimsuits on your honeymoon. Definitely get one that is a little more daring that what you would wear for a family trip to the beach with your parents. It is your honeymoon, after all! Very cute are those bikinis which can be customized with “Mrs. ____” on the back in crystals; perfect for sipping tropical drinks poolside. If you plan to undertake any sporty water activities like scuba diving or waterskiing, a practical tank suit will also come in handy.

Sundresses and cute sandals. Even if your usual beach attire is shorts and tanktops, it is nice to dress up a little for your honeymoon. It is particularly nice to have something feminine to wear for romantic dinners together. Bring along some sassy strappy sandals (not your beat up flip flops) and any wedding jewelry gifts which he gave you to complete the look. Your new husband will love seeing you tan in a pretty dress, and he will also be glad to see that you liked his wedding jewelry gifts so much that you want to wear them again and again.

A camera. Surely you will want to have lots of photos by which to remember your honeymoon. But don’t bother emailing pictures home to your family and friends during your trip. While on your honeymoon, the focus should be on the newlyweds only. There will be plenty of time to share pictures when you get back home. And last, but not least, remember to pack your sense of romance and adventure to make sure that your honeymoon is the trip of a lifetime.

Honeymooning in the U.S. Virgin Islands

There are plenty of great islands in the Caribbean, each with wonderful unique features. The sister islands of St. Thomas, St. John, and St. Croix make up the U.S. Virgin Islands, which are perennial favorites for honeymooning. The language is English, the currency is the U.S. dollar, and (as of this writing) no passports are required for U.S. citizens, just a photo i.d. and birth certificate. Although they are close together, each island has its own special charm; read on to discover which one of the U.S. Virgin Islands is perfect for your romantic honeymoon adventure.

St. Thomas is the best known and busiest of the three U.S. Virgin Islands. It is a very popular cruise ship destination, so you may choose to make the island either your home base or a stop on a multi-island cruise. Either way, bring your credit card! St. Thomas has lovely beaches, of course, but it is best known as a duty-free shopping mecca. St. Thomas is the perfect place for a new husband to pick out a little honeymoon souvenir for his bride. The island specializes in fine timepieces and jewelry; a special piece to round out her wedding jewelry set would be a wonderful gift for a groom to give his wife.

If you envision a more quiet honeymoon, you will love the serenity and slow pace of nearby St. John. Hop a ferry for a short ride from the St. Thomas airport, and before you know it, you will be on an island paradise. The pace of life on St. John is slow, and the quality of life is high. There are breathtaking beaches, incredible blue waters, and gorgeous natural vistas. St. John is ideal for honeymooners who want little more than to relax on the beach by day, enjoy a leisurely dinner by night, and revel in one another’s company the entire trip.

The third U.S. Virgin Island is St. Croix, and its vibe is in between St. Thomas and St. John. You will not find the bustling shops of St. Thomas here, but there are more activities available than on St. John. Some of the favorite things to try while visiting St. Croix are hiking, biking, snorkeling, and kayaking. This would be a terrific honeymoon destination for a couple who wants a beach vacation with plenty of outdoor pursuits.

Down to the Wire Wedding Planning

No matter how organized you are, there will always be numerous last minute things to be done before your wedding. If you have not been a super-organized planner, well, there will be even more things that need to be checked off of your list in the final weeks before you walk down the aisle. Lest you get to your wedding day with some important loose end left hanging, here is a guide to down-to-the-wire wedding planning.

If you do only one thing from this list, it should be to get your final head count to the wedding caterer on time (the exact deadline will vary by caterer, but it is usually about a week before the wedding date). The last thing that you want is to end up with too few dinners or paying for extra meals that go to waste. At least a week before your head count is due, either the bride her mother, or the maid of honor needs to get on the phone to track down any guests who have not yet responded.

Something else which is not usually done until the final days before the wedding is making the programs and wrapping the wedding favors. If at all possible, save yourself some stress and try to get these two things done at least three weeks before the wedding. You would not believe how many brides stay up late the night before their weddings assembling programs (it invariably takes longer than you expect).

When you are handling the last minute details, don’t forget about planning a bridesmaids’ luncheon. The ladies’ luncheon is usually held two or three days before the wedding, and it is the perfect time to thank all of your attendants for being in your wedding and to give them their bridesmaid gifts. If the bridesmaid gifts are something that you would like them to wear in your wedding, like a piece of jewelry, you might decide to present them to your attendants before the luncheon so that they will know they do not need to buy any special accessories for the wedding.

Finally, in the rush before your wedding, remember that you have to be prepared to leave for a honeymoon. Make sure that your bags are packed, someone is assigned to water the plants and collect the mail, and that your tickets and passports are handy. With all of the details for your wedding in place, you should be able to relax and actually enjoy the day!

Cruise Ship Weddings

If you love the adventure of traveling by ship, a wedding aboard a cruise ship might be just perfect for you. It is a fun take on the basic destination wedding, as you and your guests will get to enjoy a variety of destinations as part of the wedding weekend (or however long you choose). These are some of the things that you will want to keep in mind while planning a cruise ship wedding.

First of all, it is a myth that any ship’s captain has the authority to perform a marriage ceremony. The truth is that most do not, unless they are also a justice of the peace or a judge. If you have your heart set on being wed by a ship’s captain, there are at least one or two cruise lines who do offer this service, having made sure that their captains are legally authorized to do so.

Most cruise ships will have all-inclusive wedding packages in place. These usually cover all of your basic elements, such as the chapel, flowers, food, music, and photographer. Each ship will have its own style, so do a lot of research before settling on one for your wedding. Be sure to get plenty of pictures and recommendations from weddings they have previously arranged. As with any destination or long distance wedding, it is also important that you feel comfortable with their coordinator, as you will be putting a lot of faith in them.

A wedding on a cruise ship is a great excuse to dress up, both for the bridal party and the guests. A long train might be cumbersome, but you can still choose a very elegant and sophisticated bridal gown accented with dazzling crystal jewelry. When you are shopping for your wedding dress and crystal bridal jewelry, think of the debonair style of an old movie. Of course, if you are being married on the beach instead of the ship, you might go with a more simple windswept style of gown. Don’t forget to pack your white bikini for the honeymoon portion of the cruise!

Honeymoon on a Budget

Everyone is looking for ways to cut their wedding costs these days, and the honeymoon is no exception. Happily, there are plenty of ideas that can help you have a memorable romantic getaway without spending a fortune. Here are some great ways to honeymoon on a budget.

First of all, consider the season. If you can visit a destination in its off-season, you will save a bundle over the peak prices. In addition, you will not have to battle crowds at every popular tourist spot. This strategy works better for certain locations than others. For instance, if you visit Italy in the winter, the weather will be cool, but all of the wonderful museums, shops, restaurants, and other attractions will still be as incredible as ever. On the other hand, if you are a serious sunbather, it won’t do you much good to book a trip to a beach that is likely to be cold or rainy.

Another money saving option is to vacation closer to home. It is all about your priorities. If you and your future spouse love fine cuisine, forget about a trip to a far-flung locale and book a hotel in a city within driving distance of your wedding. With the money you save on airfare, you can treat yourselves to dinner in a top-notch hotel. It is a great excuse to get all dressed up in a fancy dress and to wear your wedding jewelry again! Then for the rest of the trip, check out local and neighborhood favorites that might be less elegant, but where you can find affordable and delicious meals.

All-inclusive resorts can be another money-saving option for some couples. It really depends on your vacation style. These resorts will often be expensive up front, but if you plan to spend your trip celebrating with many tropical cocktails, an all-inclusive that includes alcohol may end up being a good deal. The types of amenities that are part of the package price will vary considerably from one resort to the next, so do some research into which activities and services are a part of the deal. Some resorts will include access to sailboats, jetskis, and the like for no additional fee, but others will charge extra for certain sports. If luxury is your top priority, and you want a hotel where you can dress for dinner in a gorgeous dress and your wedding jewelry every night, look into booking at a really fancy resort at a less glamorous island like Jamaica or Puerto Rico, which may be less costly than a similar resort in a place like Bermuda or Grand Cayman.

Finally, wherever you decide to go for your honeymoon, make sure to spread the news that you are newlyweds. People love honeymooners, and it can result in free upgrades for anything from your plane seats to hotel rooms to free Champagne or dessert at dinner. With these tips in mind, you will be able to plan your dream vacation at a price that gives you peace of mind.

Romantic Italian Honeymoons

There are a number of excellent reasons to choose Italy for your honeymoon destination. For one thing, it is exotic enough to feel like you are really trying something new, but it is also a very easy place for Americans to get around. The people are very friendly, and at least in the metropolitan areas, most speak English (but they do still appreciate it when tourists make an effort to learn at least a few Italian phrases). And then there is the food, the art, the culture, the countryside, and the shopping; need I say more?

Each part of Italy has something interesting and unique to see. The breathtaking beauty of Tuscany makes it one of the top destinations for newlyweds. You can spend leisurely afternoons enjoying the Tuscan countryside and visiting world class vineyards. A cooking class is a fun way to spend an afternoon in Tuscany, as well.

Pay a visit to the Duomo, the impressive cathedral that is a central feature of Florence. Then hop over to the Ponte Vecchio, a famous shop-lined bridge. This is the perfect place to pick up romantic jewelry gifts for your new bride, perhaps something to complement her wedding set. If her wedding jewelry was created in gold, you will find it especially easy to buy coordinating gifts at this iconic shopping district. Speaking of shopping, no trip to Florence would be complete without a trip to the flagship Ferragamo store.

Venice is one of the most romantic cities in the world, making it a perfect stop for an Italian honeymoon. Stroll arm in arm alongside the famous canals, and take a ride in a gondola. Sip an espresso in St. Mark’s Square. There are beautiful hotels and inns in every corner of Venice, but for the ultimate experience, book a room overlooking the splendid Grand Canal. Music lovers will enjoy an evening spent at La Fenice, the famous grand opera house. And for one-of-a-kind souvenirs, head over to the island of Murano for hand-blown glass.

Rome is another popular destination for honeymooners. It offers incredible architecture and ruins dating back thousands of years. Many of the most famous sites in the world are here, including the Colosseum and the Pantheon. While in Rome, also take a side trip to the Vatican to view St. Peter’s Square and the Sistine Chapel.Italy is such a romantic and fascinating place to take a honeymoon that the only hard part will be leaving!

Florida Destination Weddings

Brides and grooms have always loved warm weather destination weddings. Many couples today, though, are not interested in the expense or hassle of getting married in a far-flung exotic island. For a warm and sunny wedding destination that is close to home, why not think about Florida, the Sunshine State?

Couples who are looking for a beach town that is all about having a good time can consider Key West. This little paradise on the Southern tip of Florida is known for its laid back vibe, tolerant attitude, and fascinating locals. Oh yeah, and don’t forget the key lime pie – yum! For a Key West wedding, a simple chiffon or organza wedding gown with unique handcrafted bridal jewelry would be ideal. Plan your wedding to take place during one of the legendary Key West sunsets.

If an urban beat is more your style, then you will love the chic flavor of a Miami wedding. This is the perfect spot for couples who love the nightlife. Serve up local Cuban-inspired food at your wedding and hire a great dance band with a Latin flair to give your guests the full Miami experience. For your honeymoon, stay at one of the renowned Art Deco or modern boutique style hotels. You can spend your days sunning yourself on South Beach, and your nights dancing at fabulous clubs.

And finally, no discussion about Florida wedding destinations would be complete without mentioning Disneyworld. This is a popular wedding destination for brides and grooms from around the world. If it has always been your fantasy to feel like a princess on your wedding day, then Disney is for you. Choose a Cinderella-inspired ballgown and top it off with fabulous handmade crystal bridal jewelry for a fantasy look as you marry your Prince Charming. A Disneyworld wedding is sure to be a dream come true.