The Travel Business, Inc.

Honeymoon Planning Checklist

A bride has enough on her mind with all of the many details involved in planning her wedding, so trying to also deal with planning a honeymoon at the same time can be very stressful. Often the honeymoon planning winds up being left until the last minute.

It's never too early to start planning a honeymoon vacation, and working with an agent to ensures that no detail will be overlooked. Whether you use our services, or do all the honeymoon planning yourself, staying organized will help ensure that you enjoy what should be one of the most memorable trips of a lifetime.

Feel free to use this checklist of Honeymoon Planning To-Do's to help you at this very busy time:

6 - 12 months prior:

Discuss your Honeymoon ideas with your fiancé. Be sure to talk about your budget, where you might like to go, and what activities you might like to do - anything from sightseeing to sports to spa visits.

Discuss which locations you can consider that will accomodate not only your budget, but what you both want, even if you want different things.

Now is also a good time to begin working with a Travel Consultant at The Travel Business, Inc, who is experienced and can help you choose the ideal location based on your budget, needs, and desires.

Also, if you don't have a passport or need to renew your current one, now is the time to do it. Don't wait until the last minute, as it can sometimes take more than six weeks to get a new or renewed passport, unless you pay extra expedite fees.

3 - 4 months prior:

Confirm your Honeymoon reservations and send in any required deposits.

Consider sending out "Save The Date" cards to those you intend to invite to your wedding - also, your out-of-town guest may appreciate knowing that if they book their travel arrangements through The Travel Business, Inc, they can take advantage of our convenient monthly payment plans.

If you're using our Honeymoon Registry, begin notifying your guests that they can contribute to your Honeymoon as a wedding gift (we can provide you with complimentary cards to mail, or to slip inside your "Save The Date" cards or wedding invitations).

Start thinking about your packing list (clothes, items necessary to the climate to where you're going), and find out what travel documents will be necessary, etc.

If you're going to another country, be sure to: Check with your bank to be sure your ATM card will work if you plan to use it to withdraw cash while you're traveling. Ask if there are any fees and request a list of ATM's at your destination.

Find out if US credit cards are commonly accepted where you're going.

Ask your cellular company if you can use your cell phone abroad, what the fees are, what the access codes are and if you will need to rent a different phone altogether.

2 months prior:

Get written (faxed) confirmation numbers for hotels, car rentals and airlines tickets.

Many destinations require final payments 30 - 60 days ahead of arrival - be sure these are done and that you get confirmation of payments made.

1 month prior:

Make sure you have the luggage you'll need, and the camera you'll want to take.

Photocopy itinerary, travel documents (tickets, passport), and leave copies with friends or family at home. Take one set of photocopies with you and keep these separate from your purse, then store them in the hotel room safe.

Arrange for someone to care for pets, garden, plants and other responsibilities while you are gone.

1 week prior:

Start packing. Now is the time to make sure that everything will fit in your luggage and what you need to adjust in your packing. Don't wait until your wedding night, when you'll be exhausted.

If you're considering sending your luggage ahead, call to make or re-confirm those arrangements.

Arrange for someone to pick up your wedding clothes at your hotel, and return your groom's tuxedo if it was rented, so that you can just leave for your honeymoon.

Purchase your traveler's checks and get your travel cash.

Check your camera and be sure it has a fully charged battery - don't forget to get extra batteries and film or memory cards.

Arrange to have your newspaper delivery stopped the day you leave and started the day you return.

Important tip - if you shop online or by catalog, be sure that deliveries won't arrive while you're gone, or arrange to have them delivered to a friend or family member.

Day of Departure:

Double-check to make sure you have your passport, driver's license, currency, lots of one dollar bills for tipping, and your airline tickets and hotel confirmations securely in your purse or carry-on bag.

Call your airline to re-confirm your flight one last time before you leave.

Allow plenty of extra time for security check-in procedures (at least 90 minutes), due to all the new regulations.

Don't forget your driver's license! If you're planning to drive in a different country, you will need it to apply for a temporary international driver's license.

We hope you'll find this checklist helpful, and remember - our Personal Honeymoon Consultants are here to help too, and can handle many of the details for you at no charge - so you'll have less to stress about!

Is a Beach Wedding Right for You?

So are you thinking about a beach wedding in Hawaii , Mexico or in the Caribbean? There is nothing more special or memorable than having your wedding on a beach. Many couples who choose to get married on the beach do it for that very reason; it’s something different. Something you and the guests you have will surely not forget. However, a destination wedding at a beach is not for everyone. You will need to consider the following pros and cons to having beach wedding.

Why a Beach Wedding is Right for You

It’s a chance to do something different, something memorable for you and for your guests. A chance to make your wedding day stand out. A beach wedding allows you more creative freedom.
It’s a chance to actually spend some quality time with your guests. Depending on how the wedding is ultimately organized you might have up to 3 to 4 days with your guests before the wedding. Imagine spending several days with your family and best friends on vacation leading up to one of the most exciting days of your life.
You might save some money in the long run. It’s not always true that a destination wedding on a beach will be cheaper than a wedding at home, but it many cases it will be. Read here to get a better idea of how you can both save money and the extra expenses associated with a beach wedding.
As soon as you are pronounced husband and wife you will already be on your honeymoon. No waiting, no travel time. You are already there!
You have freedom to make your wedding truly your own. It can be tradition, very untraditional or a little bit of both.

Why a Beach Wedding May Not be Right for You

You probably will not have as many guests at your wedding as you would at home. Not everyone will be able to take the time or have the money to spend on the trip. (If you are trying to have money, this might be a good thing). But if you have dreamed of the big wedding with hundreds of guests, you might be disappointed.
You will have to learn to be more laid back and relax about some of the details. Unless you can afford to make several trips to the location that you will be married, you will have to leave some of the details up to persons that are far away and possibly in another country. You will have to be comfortable using e-mail to plan your wedding. A destination wedding on the beach is not always stress free. Bridezillas should think twice before they undertake a beach wedding.

You may have some extra tasks such as organizing extra events for guests at the wedding location.
You will have to consider the weather and have contingency plans made. If you cannot accept that you wedding location may have to change due to weather then a beach wedding may not be right for you.
So, given the pros and cons, if you think a beach wedding may be right for you, read our FAQ for more information about having a beach wedding.