Vaccinations! Make sure you get this done way ahead of your wedding day when you want to be feeling as fresh as a daisy! I felt groggy for a good two weeks after my yellow fever jab, but thankfully there was still plenty of time until the wedding.
VISAS! Arrange these with plenty of time. Embassies can become incredibly busy during the summer months and its best to avoid any last-minute panic by arranging VISAs with lots of time to spare in case you have a few delays.
Check your passport! Many countries will have entry restrictions on passports that are about to expire. If you have less than six months – get a new one! You don’t need any mad panic’s close to your wedding day or at the airport!
Take out travel insurance! There are plenty of circumstances that could cause you to cancel your trip, despite us hoping this won’t be the case. Travel Insurance protects your travel investment in case an unfortunate situation arises!
Hotel Rooms! Make sure you check the type of room you have selected in each hotel! The difference between a king bed, sea view room and a queen bed, garden view room can be huge, and you don't want to have any disappointments on arrival! These are all small details that make a significant difference on the day.
Pre-plan honeymoon outfits: Whether you are going to the beach or on an African safari pre-plan your outfits and order in a new wardrobe to ensure you feel your absolute best every day that you are away! I promise you; you won’t regret it when you are there!
Check your baggage allowances! You don’t want to be paying extra on the day! When it comes to African safaris, make sure you have soft bags - I overpacked (just slightly) for Botswana and had lots of embarrassing moments with the crew shoving our bags into the tiny planes! In some cases, I even thought we might not be able to fly!
Leave space in your luggage for souvenirs! You will pick up plenty of goodies along the way. I am a fan of a fridge magnet (honestly!), but sometimes you may like to bring a bottle of wine from a region, you have visited, artwork etc.
Take a copy of your marriage certificate (not the real one!)! I suggest doing this just in case you are asked to confirm your marital status to receive honeymoon treats – believe me, this happens!
Make sure you get enough quiet time for yourselves! Many couples (I am also guilty of this!) get overly excited by the fact that they are in a new place and try to cover too many things in a short amount of time. Don't underestimate how exhausting this can be. The point of your honeymoon is to relax and reflect on the fantastic time you've had together!!
