When you’ve been planning your wedding for what seems like ages, the honeymoon can easily become an after-thought. You know you need to pack in the weeks leading up to the wedding. But you find yourself inundated with vendor calls, last-minute DIY projects, and wedding party coordination. Despite the busyness, there are several things to be sure to put on your honeymoon packing list!
While swimsuits and flip-flops may be the first things you stow in your suitcase, there are a number of things to have on your honeymoon packing list. You want to ensure that your vacation is an enjoyable experience that you deserve, and you don’t want to forget any must-have things for honeymoon success!
Honeymoon Packing List Essentials
Pack Medications
Prescription medication should, without a doubt, be at the top of your list. Whether it’s for a medical condition, mental health, or simply because you don’t want to come home with a bun in the oven (honeymoon essentials for her!), be sure to pack all of your prescriptions in an easily-accessible location. Keeping them in a pouch in your carry-on is a convenient way to keep your meds within reach.
Likewise, consider what over-the-counter medications you may need on the other side. Pepto-Bismol, Alka-Seltzer, and other stomach soothers can be a lifesaver for meals that may not sit right. Ibuprofen is essential for travel-related headaches. These OTC medications may not be readily available at your destination, so be sure to pack some extras with you. At the end of the day, it’s much better to be prepared and not need them than to not have any when you need it most.
Bring Along Emergency Information
Preparation is key and, when you’re traveling to a foreign place, it’s essential for potential emergencies. This may not be one of the fun things to bring on honeymoon trips, but it is important! Designate a folder for all of your emergency information and documents. Include insurance cards, emergency contact info, a copy of your passport, and documentation that confirms your flights and accommodations. Pulling out your folder while traveling is much easier than scrolling through your emails for that one email from several months ago.
Put Date Night Attire in Your Luggage
While your ideal honeymoon dress code may include only swimsuits, flip-flops, and hiking boots, it’s worth bringing some nicer clothes with you. Many resorts have onsite restaurants and bars that require semi-formal wear and will turn you away if you turn up in a sarong and a sun hat. Likewise, you may find an offsite restaurant that you’d love to try on a date. Add a sundress or a nice blouse to the mix and you’ll be free to dine wherever you want. Add a sport coat to a honeymoon packet list for grooms.
Don’t Forget to Pack Essential Backups
There are some things that, if lost, can ruin your vacation. How can you enjoy sightseeing if you lose your only pair of contact lenses? What happens if your sunglasses fall overboard? Think about what you can’t live without and tuck a backup into your suitcase. You may never need it, but you’ll rest easier knowing you won’t have to deal with the repercussions of misplacing something important.
Put The Necessities on a Honeymoon Shopping List for Brides
There are some things that go hand-in-hand with traveling, like sunscreen, bug spray, and aloe vera. While these are available for purchase in most popular destinations, you will likely be up-charged for the convenience and find yourself paying double for a simple bottle of shampoo. Unless you definitively know these essentials are included in your accommodations, buy your necessities stateside and pack them to go with you.
Bring Along a Plug Adapter and/or Converter
If you’re heading overseas for your post-nuptial vacay, do your research ahead of time to see if you need to get an international adapter or converter for your phone, computer, camera, and other digital accessories. What’s the difference? An adapter allows you to plug into different-shaped outlets, whereas a converter actually adjusts the voltage output of an outlet to match your device. Check to see if your devices are dual-voltage or multi-voltage (most are these days), in which case you will only need an adapter. If they are single-voltage, you will need to find a converter as well.
Put a Notebook on the Honeymoon Checklist for Brides
While not an essential, per se, there’s never any harm in having a notebook. After all, this may be the first time in a while that you and your partner get to hide away from the rest of the world. Whether you want to jot down creative ideas for married life or keep a record of notable people and places that you encountered, keeping a small notebook accessible allows you to make memories that you can look back on for years to come.
With these essentials packed up and ready to go, you can free your mind for all of the last-minute wedding details and enjoy the path to married life. After all, it only happens once and you deserve to revel in every second of it.
Want to save up for your honeymoon? Check here for a fabulous idea on how to do it!
Amanda Zack is a freelance writer and content marketing specialist based in Roanoke, VA. She specializes in weddings, travel, and lifestyle, with a special knack for social media.