HONEYMOON TIMELINE
1 MONTH AHEAD
1. MAKE A LIST
2. RECONFIRM RESERVATION
Better safe than sorry!
3. CALL THE SITTER
Contact your house sitter, baby sitter, pet sitter, or kennel to make sure they’re available
4. MONEY EXCHANGE
Exchange about $50 (or at least enough to get you to your hotel from the airport) into small bills in the currency of the country you'll be visiting. There is usually an exchange counter or ATM at the airport, but it will cheaper to exchange prior to traveling (it will also help you get used to the exchange rate).
8 MONTHS AHEAD
1. SET A BUDGET
Setting a realistic budget will help you narrow down which of your honeymoon dreams can be made into reality
2. WHERE TO?
Start trading dream honeymoon destinations with your fiancé. Where do you want
to go? What do you want to do? Start researching possible locations online, talk to a travel agent and poll friends for ideas.
3. FIND TRAVEL AGENT
Find a travel agent who specializes: in your destination, activity (maybe sightseeing, hiking or diving) or mode of transportation (like a cruise specialist).
4. TRIP TOO EXPENSIVE?
If the price tag on your ideal trip is out of your range, brainstorm ways to save money. Investigate what your frequent-flyer point balance can buy you, or create a honeymoon registry, allowing your guests to gift money toward your travels.
5. HOTEL
Research hotels, check room availability and reserve a room
6. BOOK FLIGHT
Book your honeymoon tickets, get seat assignments, order special in-flight meals and check luggage allowances, especially if you're carting skis or scuba gear. If you hope to cash in frequent-flyer miles for a trip or upgrade, purchase or transfer points (if necessary) and make your ticket request from the airline ASAP.
7. RESERVE RENTAL CAR
Booking a rental car online well before your trip will save time and money
8. TRAVELING ABROAD?
If you're traveling abroad — and feeling ambitious — sign up for a foreign language class or download a language app on iTunes and start practicing at home or on your way to work.
9. NEED VACCINES?
Ask your travel advisor or visit the CDC Travelers' Health Site to check whether certain vaccinations are recommended or required before visiting your destination. (Some programs need to start months in advance of your trip.)
4 MONTHS AHEAD
1. TRAVEL DOCS
2. TRAVEL SAFE
Consider travel insurance if one of the following apply: one of you has health issues, you're concerned about your safety, or the weather threatens to wreak havoc on your honeymoon (ex. hurricane season). Research travel insurance coverage offered by your credit cards, travel agent or an independent agency. Secure additional coverage for your specific concerns if necessary.
3 MONTHS AHEAD
1. NEED NEW LUGGAGE?
2. WANT EXTRA SPECIAL PHOTOS?
If you want higher quality photos than your phone will provide, buy a camera!
Practice using your camera to make sure it's working properly
3. TICKETS & RESERVATION
Research and book honeymoon tours, theater tickets, hot restaurant seats and any other activities that require advance reservations—earlier if you’re traveling during peak season—via travel agent or soon-to-be hotel concierge (get their name and tip them when you arrive).
4. CERTIFIED FOR FUN
Get certified to scuba dive or begin lessons for any other activity you hope to pursue on your trip
2 WEEKS AHEAD
1. REVIEW WITH TRAVEL AGENT
Pick up airline tickets and all applicable vouchers from your travel agent. Read all materials carefully to make sure the information is correct. If not, your travel agent can correct it.
1 WEEK AHEAD
1. MAIL ARRANGEMENT
Arrange to have mail held at the post office during your trip or have a neighbor pick it up
2. STOP NEWSPAPER DELIVERY
Enter a vacation stop or hold online through your newspaper provider
3. COPY TRAVEL DOCS
Make 2-3 sets of photocopies of your passport, credit cards, insurance, wills—basically any paperwork people would need if your wallet were stolen or something happened to you (better safe than sorry). Give one set each to a parent and/or a relative or friend, pack one set in your luggage and leave one set in your safe at home.
4. MOBILE APPS
Download any helpful travel, budget or guide apps
5. GIFTS WHILE YOU'RE AWAY
Ask stores where you've registered to hold orders so gifts don't pile up on your doorstep, or ask a relative to collect packages.
6. PROACTIVE PACKING
Set out clothes to pack and buy anything you need.
7. DOUBLE UP ON NECESSITIES
Pack extras of everything you can’t live without: migraine tablets, allergy pills, asthma inhaler, glasses/contacts, etc. Carry all medications in their original prescription bottles to avoid questions at customs.
8. FOLLOW UP WITH SITTERS
Touch base with sitters to confirm when they’ll be coming over, hand over the keys, and give them a copy of the vet’s and/or pediatrician’s number & your contact info.
9. INTERNATIONAL PHONE PLAN
Call your cell phone carrier to get an international travel plan if you’re traveling abroad.
3 DAYS AHEAD
1. CONFIRM OVERSEAS FLIGHTS
Better safe than sorry!
2. FEELING BUBBLY?
Order champagne to be waiting for you in your hotel room—not a necessity, but a fun welcome!
3. READING MATERIAL
Buy or download any books and magazines for the trip
4. PHONE NUMBER CHECK
Confirm and sync all important contacts in your phone and any other devices you’re traveling with (in case something happens to your phone). Go a step further and keep a notebook with handwritten contacts, just in case. Transfer the addresses of friends to whom you'll want to send postcards plus important phone numbers (babysitter, doctor) into a little travel-sized notebook or journal.
5. TRANSPORTATION
Make arrangements for your rides to and from the airport
6. SHARE ITINERARY
Email or leave a copy of your itinerary and a set of house keys with a relative or close friend in case of an emergency
7. WEATHER CHECK
Check weather forecasts for your destination (it may affect your packing list a bit)
8. AWAY MESSAGE
Change your voicemail and set an email away message at work
9. HOUSE CHECK
Prepare your house or apartment for your departure—eat or dispose of perishable food, water plants, set timers and security alarms, and turn off recurring clock alarms
1 DAY AHEAD
1. RECONFIRM FLIGHTS
Double-checking now will save you a headache later!
2. LABEL LUGGAGE
Make sure your luggage (carry-on and checked) is labeled both on the outside and inside with your name, hotel address and phone number
THE DAY OF
1. ENJOY HARD-EARNED HONEYMOON
Congrats! And have fun on the honeymoon of your dreams!