The Ultimate Honeymoon Packing List!
After the stress of planning your wedding and the whirlwind that is your big day, your honeymoon is that cherished week or two after the wedding where you can unwind with your new spouse and bask in that newly wedded bliss.
Not only is your honeymoon one of the most memorable trips of your lifetime, it can also set the tone for life together with your spouse. But something as simple as forgetting to bring along important toiletries can send you on a wild goose chase in your chosen destination, or force you to shop at pricey resort general stores, can put a real dent in the precious days and hours you have to relax and enjoy yourself on your special trip.
This ultimate packing list will help you plan and pack ahead to avoid any unwelcome snags in your big trip, whether you’re sipping cocktails while enjoying an ocean breeze, adventuring in the tropics, or hitting the snowy slopes on your honeymoon!
Plan to Pack Like a Pro!
Making a list is an underrated, yet super helpful, step when starting your packing process. Start by listing each day of your trip, and then fill in the days with the individual items you’ll need. You already know you’ll need essentials for each day such as undergarments and basic clothing, but by listing the days out first, you can also consider any pre-planned activities or excursions on certain days which will help you remember any special considerations for packing appropriate clothing or accessories.
If you’re going for a low-key trip without any extracurriculars, or are going to figure it out spontaneously while you’re there, keep that in mind when packing as well. For example, if you’re headed to Cancun and you know you have an ATV adventure day planned, you’ll need appropriate footwear and comfortable yet sensible clothing for that excursion.
After initially filling in the list with what you know you’ll need, you can then go back through and add supplemental items in consideration of additional planned spontaneous activities. Once you have your list ready, you can go through and check items off as their packed. This makes for a much easier packing experience and prevents that frazzled state of mind when you have 10 outfits laid out on your bed but no real direction!
Call your bank before you leave and let them know you’ll be traveling. This is especially common for international destinations, but oftentimes, fraud departments will view non-local charges as potentially fraudulent, and you don’t want to get caught in an unfamiliar destination without access to your money while you deal with the bank. Bring at least some cash with you, just in case you do run into any fraud issues, but be mindful of your cash’s location making sure it’s both easily accessible to you, yet safe as well.
Prevent Airport Hassle!
Pre-planning your packing will also help avoid running into any issues at the airport. If you’re flying to your destination, you’ll want to be considerate of what items are and aren’t allowed in your carry-on luggage. Additionally, use Ziploc bags or plastic containers for transporting liquids or toiletries.
There is nothing worse than unpacking at your destination but finding that all your clothes are soaked with foundation or shampoo! You can check with your airline or reference TSA’s website for current airport regulations.
TSA currently allows fluids under 3.3 oz in your carry-on bag. Anything over can go in your checked luggage, but you should consider packing travel or sample sizes anyway as they will take up less space and weight than full-size bottles. You can also toss sample sizes at the end of your trip which leaves more room in your suitcase for souvenirs or memorabilia from your trip!
Each airline has different regulations for bag size and weight, so do your research beforehand learning what your chosen airline allows and avoid being that couple frantically rearranging their luggage in the baggage line. Dress appropriately for airport security lines by wearing shoes you can easily slip out of, and keeping your ID and other travel documents easily accessible.
Every step you take to ensure a pain-free experience at the airport just gets you to your destination faster - and in a better mood!
Carry-On Bags
In addition to any carry-on baggage you’ll put in the overhead plane compartments, many airlines allow passengers to bring a personal item for free, such as a purse or backpack.
Pro Tip: If you carry a smaller purse, pack it in your luggage and use a backpack as your personal item instead. Just check with your airline ahead of time to make sure you’re following their requirements, but this is an easy way to extend your space and might prevent you from having to pay for that extra checked bag!
Cash, ID, travel documents, and passports should be kept in your carry-on or personal item so you have easy access to them as you move through the airport. Try to include any clothing or items such as prescription meds or other valuables that you may need on the first day in your carry-on. This way, if you have to wait for your luggage to be delivered to your room, you’ll still have what you need to start your honeymoon as soon as you arrive!
Where Are You Headed?
Your honeymoon destination is one of the most influential factors of what you’ll ultimately need to bring. Double-check our destination packing suggestions after making your initial list to make sure you don’t miss anything!
Beaching With Your Boo!
If you’re headed to the beach for your honeymoon, swimwear is the most obvious - but you’d be surprised at how many couples forget and get stuck making last-minute and pricey purchases and resort stores. Bring at least 3 swimsuits for a week-long trip, and 1 cover-up.
Pro tip: Find a sundress that can be worn to a casual dinner, but doubles as a cover-up!
Other beach essentials include sunscreen, lip balm, aloe vera, tanning lotion or oil (if you’re into that sort of thing!), flip flops, comfortable walking shoes, and sun hats. It can be tricky to pack for a beach vacation where you plan to chill seaside the majority of the time. Consider what your plans are first, and try to avoid overpacking by choosing items that can be easily mixed and matched. Neutral or denim shorts or pants can pair nicely with a variety of colorful tops reducing the number of items you need to bring.
Sundresses are a fantastic option for beach vacations because they can be thrown over your bathing suit easily but still look fashionable!
Getting Cozy in a Snowy Cabin!
This can be a tough one because winter clothing takes up much more room in a suitcase! We recommend bringing waterproof jackets and ski pants. Thermal undergarments don’t take up too much room and may be able to be re-used during your trip, saving space.
Pro Tip: Wear your bulkiest items like large coats and boots on the plane to try and save some room in your bags!
If you plan to spend time outside skiing or snowboarding, sunscreen is still a must! Rays can be just as brutal as those at the beach, especially when reflecting off of bright white snow. Even avid winter sports participants may also consider renting equipment at the lodge rather than paying expensive fees to check their own equipment.
Don’t forget important winter essentials like gloves, scarves, and hats. Comfortable, oversized sweaters and fleece-lined leggings are perfect for snuggling up to your spouse in front of the fire at night!
Road Tripping!
Road trips can be a great way to bond with your new spouse while making memories, but these trips require careful planning and preparation, especially when packing. In addition to clothing and toiletries, put together an emergency kit to bring along with you.
An old-fashioned map may sound laughable in our digital age, but long stretches of rural road can mean no signal on your devices, and a paper map can really save you in a low-signal jam.
Before you leave, get an oil change and have your vehicle inspected, make sure you have a spare tire, and double-check that your insurance is up to date and that you have appropriate insurance documentation. You may also consider joining AAA or another emergency roadside service if you don’t already subscribe.
Consider any planned activities or desired stops beforehand, both for packing and general trip planning purposes. Since road trips aren’t often pre-paid like a resort-style vacation would be, try budgeting beforehand and setting aside designated dollar amounts for different categories like hotel, food, or souvenirs.
City Slickers!
A city vacation can be a really great way to learn about other cultures, eat great food, and have semi-spontaneous adventures with your new spouse. It can be tempting to dress for the city you’re visiting (Carrie Bradshaw high heeled dreams, anyone?), but pack sensibly and in consideration of transportation modes such as excessive walking or unclean public transportation.
Unless you’re prepared to pay for constant taxis or car service, you’ll likely be doing a lot of walking and you don’t want to wear yourself out or get a big blister on day one!
If you’re traveling to an unfamiliar location, check the weather a week before you leave to make sure you’re packing for the expected climate, and if you have time to rearrange your luggage 1-2 days before you leave, you may consider re-checking the weather then, too. Either way, weather can still be unpredictable, so try to bring items that can be mixed and matched into a variety of outfits. Throw a jacket over leggings and a tank top to switch up your look, or pack smaller accessories that will allow you to change up your outfit without taking up too much room in your suitcase.
Pro Tip: The last thing you should do before moving from one destination to another is complete a scan of the room or area you’re leaving - starting when you leave the house to head to the airport, at all stages of airport security and travel, getting off the plane, moving around your honeymoon destination, and before you leave the destination. This allows you to do one final sweep to ensure you don’t leave anything behind.
Don't Forget!
Talk to your travel consultant about any special considerations for the destination you’re traveling to. Not only will this help ensure you don’t miss anything, they may also be able to provide valuable insight into the cultures of different destinations that may influence the items you pack, or to make sure you’re prepared for dress codes on resorts or cruises.
You’ve got the partner of your dreams, now let’s plan the honeymoon of your dreams! Click here to fill out a short form and let’s chat!
Rosalyn Cooper,
Founder + Lead Travel Consultant, Social Butterfly Express
