You’re newly engaged, congratulations! We are sure that your mind is swimming with excitement plus a planning to-do list. One of our most fun items on that list is planning your honeymoon vacation! Let us guide you as you get started.

Here are the top 5 things to have in order before planning your honeymoon.

1. Passport

Check your passport expiration date and renew or apply as soon as possible! As a general rule, passports should have at least six months of validity when traveling internationally. Most countries will not permit a traveler to enter their country unless the passport is set to expire at least six months after the final day of travel. Passports can take up to 14 weeks from the day an application is submitted (or LONGER). Expedited passports cost an extra $60 and take up to 10 weeks from submission. The earlier you plan ahead, the less stress you will have! 

2. Budget

Not always the most fun item, but definitely one of the most important! Determining a budget for your trip is crucial for evaluating your honeymoon. How much can you spend on accommodations and flights?

3. Pick 1-2 Destinations

Figure out where you want to go. Sometimes, this isn’t as easy as it sounds. The Caribbean and tropical destinations are very popular for honeymoons. Some prefer cruises and others may want to be on the go and do a European tour. Talk to your significant other about what you want in a destination. Beach? Tropical? City? Nature?

Another thing to consider with your destination is travel time. Some places, like the Maldives, take 24 hours of travel time to get there. Do you want to have a quick half day of flights or do you have time to spend a day or two getting there?

4. Dates

Take into account when your wedding date is and when you want to start traveling. Do you want to wait a day after the wedding before traveling to re-group or do you want the next day at the airport? Perhaps you want to wait a few weeks after your wedding to travel – that’s an option too!

Keep in mind that the number of days you have for your honeymoon may also influence your destination based on travel times. If you have 5 days for a honeymoon, you’ll want a destination that is in close range with only one or two short flights to get there.

5. Experience

The most fun part of getting started is thinking about the experience you want to have. Do you dream of an all-inclusive resort with drinks, dining options, and watersports? Maybe you want a stunning, over-the-water bungalow in the Caribbean at an adults-only resort. Cruises can provide great honeymoons as well because once you embark, everything is taken care of! Decide if having kids and families around you will impact your experience. Do you want to be on the go and see international sites? Perhaps a European tour would be the right fit for you.

What amenities do you want to have on your honeymoon? Think about the experience once you have arrived and what’s important to you – spa treatments, pools, hot tubs, beaches, activities, nightlife, excursions and dining are some things to think about.

There are no wrong answers – we can create a magical honeymoon for you!

Ready to start planning your dream honeymoon? Contact Christy Kammerer today for your custom honeymoon planning.

www.blueshorevacations.com

christyk@blueshorevacatins.com

Written by Christy Kammerer, Travel Agent at Blue Shore Vacations