Your honeymoon is one of the most special vacations of your life.

After months of preparing with all the worries about linens, floral arrangements, and finding the perfect wedding favors, your big day has officially come and gone – in probably a blur, I must add. With all the activity and preparation leading up to your big day, it’s easy to forget about what comes next. The Honeymoon. However, your honeymoon is one of the most special vacations of your life! It’s your first vacation as a married couple and the start of your long lives together.

Unfortunately, though, packing for your first dose of rest and relaxation in wedded bliss is often put on the back burner. For me, it was that last minute “Oh, crap, we leave for The Bahamas today” the day after the wedding. I hate packing. I seem to be awful at those smaller decisions in life. You know the ones – “What do I want to wear?!” The morning after my wedding, my mom came over to my apartment and we ran around packing my suitcase all before she threw us in the car with a kiss and a hug. (What would we do without moms, y’all?)

Packing comes with a very fine line.

Packing itself is such a fine line. You know the basics of what you need to bring to survive. But, what about the rest? If you pack too much, you’re going to be weighed down with a heavy bag. Not to mention, you leave little room to purchase anything for yourselves to bring back. If you pack too little, you’re kicking yourself the entire trip that you forgot something as essential to your vacation as a floppy hat to a beach trip. Plan well for your trip and party often on your honeymoon with this honeymoon essentials packing list.

Honeymoon Packing Essentials

Travel Documents + Itinerary + Identification

Print out your itinerary, airline boarding passes, train tickets, cruise documents, and any other reservation confirmations to ensure that you travel seamlessly whether by air, land, or sea. Also, depending on your honeymoon destination, you will need a passport or visa in addition to your driver’s license. Make photocopies to take along as well, just in case your wallet is lost or stolen. You should make photocopies for your emergency contacts too in case trouble finds you abroad.

Your Honeymoon Lingerie

You had that lingerie shower for a reason, right? “And that’s all I have to say about that.”

Some OTC Medications + Hand Sanitizer

With the stress and adrenaline leading up to the wedding, couples often find themselves feeling less than 100% once they finally relax after the big day. You should always hope for the best, but be prepared for the worst. You never know! Do what you can beforehand and up your Vitamin C and immune support in the last couple weeks before the wedding.

Essential Toiletries + Sunscreen + First Aid

In addition to your OTC medications, make sure you pack all your necessary toiletries, sunscreen needs, and even a mini first aid kit. If you’re spending your honeymoon out of the country, on a cruise ship, or even at a resort, you may be surprised how much these simple must-haves can be up-charged. Save yourself some money and the stress of running around to find them by going ahead and packing them ahead of time. Like I said, you should always hope for the best but be prepared for anything worse.

A Floppy Hat

There’s just something about floppy hats that screams beach vacation. That’s why I knew when I went on my honeymoon to the Bahamas last summer that I needed a monogrammed floppy hat. With that, the obsession was born. Here’s a little photo of my hubby and I in Nassau with my floppy hat from Kailey’s Monogram Shop on etsy.

While I may have stuck out like a sore thumb and looked like a super tourist with my fanny pack, I didn’t care. Let’s be real, you wear floppy hats to make you feel fabulous and put together. That’s exactly what I did on my honeymoon! The only thing I’m sad about is that I didn’t wear it enough from fear it would blow off on the boat. A floppy hat with black poms and “Out of Office” or “Rose all day” would make for the perfect beach accessory with a cute pineapple shaped tumbler or frozen mixed drink.

What would you want your floppy hat to say?

 

Variety of Clothing Pieces

You don’t want to weigh down your suitcase with unnecessary clothing that you packed and are unable to match and wear with everything else you brought. An easy way to pack without overloading your luggage is to pack by putting together outfits. It may be hard to decide what you’re going to wear for each day. But, choosing pieces from your wardrobe that can be mixed and matched to create a number of different outfits is the best way to pack as an indecisive woman.

Especially if you’re going somewhere tropical for your first trip as husband and wife, you might be facing hotter days and cooler nights. Make sure to pack some cardigans or light jackets that are neutral enough to match with a variety of different outfit choices.

Example Bride Clothing Packing List:

• 1 Pair of Jeans or Capris
• 3 Pairs of Shorts
• Shirts + 2 Extra for Options and Changes
• 1 Casual Dress + 1 Evening Look
• 2 Swimsuits + 1 Cover-up
• Cardigans – White/Tan and Black
• Neutral Bras – Strapless and Regular
• Socks and Underwear – always bring extra!
• 1 Pair of Nicer Sandals + 1 Pair of Beach Sandals + 1 Pair Comfortable Walking  + 1 Pair Evening
• Accessories to Multiply Your Outfit Options
• Beach Bag + Purse

Your Honeymoon Specific Purchases

It’s no secret that once you get married, you’re going to be showing off your newly-wed status to anyone that will take a second look at the bling on your little left finger. That means, you need the perfect accessories to show it off. Just like my floppy hat, you probably purchased some of the cutest items to take with you on your trip.

Graphic Tees + Hats

Do you ever wonder where those people get their cute graphic tees on Instagram? Well, I’ve found a few for you. (Thank God for Etsy, right?) Capture your own Instagram-worthy moments from your honeymoon with these super cute wifey and honeymoon vibes tees. I’m even tempted to order them for myself just to have now!

Koozies

You’re probably going to be enjoying some ice cold drinks during your big trip. It is a celebration after all!

Especially in the summer, there’s nothing better than an ice cold beer on a hot day. In fact, sandy beaches and beer kind of go hand-in-hand. Can I get an amen?! (And the readers said amen!) Get in the honeymoon spirit and show off your newly-wed bliss with some Mr. and Mrs. koozies! Just like sunglasses, who doesn’t always need a koozie when you’re somewhere tropical?

Personalized Luggage Tags

One thing that is for sure, regardless of where your honeymoon destination is, you’re going to have luggage. Why not embrace your newly-wed status with the perfect keepsake that you can use for many other vacations to come. Not to mention, personalized luggage tags are the perfect accessory for your cute new luggage you probably received off your registry!

stay organized, my friends.