After months and months of planning, your wedding day is finally drawing near. You’re getting more and more excited to marry the love of your life, surrounded by friends and family. And you’re both counting down the days till your first official adventure as newlyweds: your honeymoon! Whether you’re a travel addict, like me, or this is your very first time traveling; or whether you’re honeymooning across the state or across the entire world. These traveling tips from a destination wedding photographer (and travel enthusiast) will help to ensure your honeymoon is fun and stress-free!

Traveling Tips

For a Fun + Stress-Free Honeymoon

Tip #1: Pack in advance

This first traveling tip might seem silly, but for the procrastinators out there, it’s mighty! If you’re taking off on your honeymoon right after your wedding – you’re already going to have a lot on your plate! Making the effort to set aside items in advance and get as much of the packing done as you can before your wedding day will reduce a lot of stress.

If you can’t pack something right away, at least write it down! Getting things out of your head and onto lists will be your best friend during this season.

Bonus Traveling Tip: Regardless of where you’re headed, if you’re traveling by plane, be sure to throw in an extra warm sweater or blanket for the flight. It can get pretty chilly sometimes! Also, if you don’t already use them; noise-canceling headphones are a game changer!

Tip #2: Check your passport

Ever made it 80% of the way to the airport, just to realize you forgot your passport at home and then had to cancel your entire trip last minute? No, just me? Well, I hope to help keep it that way! Always quadruple-check that you have your passport on you at all times when traveling internationally. Let’s just say that it’s not a fun mistake to learn the hard way.

Also, many countries around the world require that your passport be valid for up to 6 months AFTER your departure date. Because passports are valid for 10 years as adults, it’s common to forget to check the expiration date until it’s too late. And that is another position you do not want to find yourself in as you’re checking in for your honeymoon.

So, take a quick minute to ensure your passports will be valid for a bare minimum of 6 full months from the date of your departure. Otherwise, send it in for renewal ASAP! And if you don’t already have a passport, what are you waiting for?? ;)

Bonus Traveling Tip: Make sure that your flight and/or hotel reservations match the exact name on your passport for stress-free traveling!

Tip #3: Alert your bank + phone provider

You finally made it to your honeymoon destination! The last thing you need is to be in a brand new place or country and have your credit card frozen due to “suspicious activity” or “fraud”. Notifying your bank in advance of your travels will help to avoid this!

When traveling internationally, be sure to also ask about exchange rates and ATM fees for the country you’ll be in. Pulling out cash in advance and taking it with you is great to be able to fall back on. Plus, not everyone accepts credit cards. So, having some cash on you will help reduce stress if you find yourself in a pickle!

Bonus Traveling Tip: Look for a credit card that doesn’t have foreign transaction fees!

Ask your phone provider if your current plan covers phone calls, text messages, or the internet in the country you’re traveling to. If not, ask if they offer any travel plans. Most phone companies will also, at least, have helpful instructions on how to properly disable your data so that you aren’t unknowingly racking up international fees.

Tip #4: Plan entertainment

Sometimes the entertainment available on flights is jam-packed with great options. And other times, you’ll find yourself twiddling your thumbs for hours on end. So, I recommend bringing some backup – especially if you’ve got a long flight ahead of you! Some ideas: books, cards, coloring books and/or downloading your favorite movies and tv shows onto your iPad or phone! Did you know that you can download content on most streaming services to watch offline? So, you might as well come prepared! That is what these traveling tips are all about, after all!

Tip #5: Create a travel itinerary summary

This is a traveling tip my mom has drilled into me over the years. And that is to print and create a folder of all your trip’s most important information to have on you at all times. What should you include you ask?

• Any and all travel information. This includes flights, trains, car rentals, and hotel reservations with corresponding times, check-in information, reservation numbers, phone numbers and addresses.
• Also, I recommend including print-offs of any tour confirmations or activity reservations so you aren’t trying to frantically dig through your emails last minute. You just never know what your cell service or internet connection will be like! This will help give you peace of mind that you’ll be at the right spot at the right time. Plus, you’ll have everyone’s contact information handy and at your fingertips should you need it.

Tip #6: Stay Hydrated

Your honeymoon is finally here and the last thing you want is to waste the first few days being painfully exhausted. Whether you’re traveling overseas and have jetlag to adjust to. Or are just severely dehydrated from wedding stress and/or partying your butt off (rightfully so). Make sure you’re really mindful about staying hydrated! This seems like a silly one, but it’s also one of the most overlooked!

One of my favorite ways to stay hydrated is to drink plenty of electrolytes! My personal favorites are Dr. Price’s Electrolyte Mix (I love the Lemon Lime flavor – especially if you squeeze some extra lemon in it – while my fiancé prefers the Blueberry Pomegranate.) and Liquid I.V. (we both love their Passion Fruit!) They taste delicious, are in very convenient to-go packets and are the most healthy and hydrating ones I’ve found so far.

(This is very much effective for helping to combat jetlag as well! You’d be surprised at how dehydrating flights are – which only makes it worse!)

Tip #7: Watch your valuables

Never pack any valuables in your checked luggage (honeymoon or not). If you aren’t willing to lose it, keep it with you in your carry-on. This includes, but isn’t limited to, your passport, essential documents, credit cards, medications, jewelry, cash and electronics. If your hotel room provides a safe, I highly recommend taking advantage of it. Lock up any valuable items you don’t need to have with you during the day.

Bonus Traveling Tip: Remember to watch for pickpockets – especially in crowded touristy areas. Keeping your purse, phone and wallet on the front of your body (including your front pockets) helps to reduce the chance of theft.

Tip #8: Eat local

If you are anything like me, you might agree that food is a huge part of any traveling experience, right? So, you want to make sure you’re actually experiencing the best the area has to offer, right? So, instead of going to the busy tourist trap of a restaurant, I challenge you to find a local – someone who actually LIVES in the area – and ask them where they would go to eat. If you want to really embrace the culture’s food, eat where the locals eat. I promise, your tastebuds will thank you!

Tip #9: TSA PreCheck or Global Entry

This tip is one that I personally wish I had jumped on a lot sooner. If you like to travel and don’t already have one of these, I’m about to change your life. And if you’re new to traveling, let’s get you started on the right foot! TSA PreCheck (and Global Entry) are the greatest things that have happened to air travel in the past 10+ years. If you haven’t heard of them, let me explain:

What is TSA PreCheck:

TSA PreCheck is a program that offers quicker security screenings for flights departing from U.S. airports.

• It allows you to go through a separate line at security. Which, more often than not, is substantially shorter. They say it’s on average a 5-minute or less wait time – if there’s even a line at all.
• You also do NOT have to remove any of the following: shoes, electronics, liquids, belts or light jackets. You simply place your bag on the security belt and walk on through. It’s a traveler’s dream.

Applying for TSA PreCheck is an extremely easy process and goes like this:

1. Click HERE to start the application process.
2. Click on Apply Now and submit the online application. It only takes 5 minutes.
3. Next, you’ll schedule an in-person appointment at any of their enrollment centers (they have over 380 locations to choose from nationwide, including in most airports).
4. During your appointment, they’ll get your fingerprints for a background check and you’ll pay the $85 fee (which covers a membership for 5 years.) Most people are in and out in under 10 minutes.
5. If/once approved, you’ll be alerted via email and sent your unique Known Traveler Number (aka “KTN”).
6. Lastly, be sure to add your KTN to all airline reservations departing the U.S. to enjoy the benefits! OR, if you have an account with an airline you fly with frequently, add it there directly! This way it will automatically be applied to all future flights so you don’t have to worry about it.

What is Global Entry:

Global Entry is another program offered by U.S. Customs and Border Protection. It provides all the same benefits of TSA PreCheck, plus faster U.S. customs screening for international travelers arriving at U.S. airports.

• You have the same exact benefits as TSA PreCheck, listed above.
• But when you travel internationally, you will have the added benefit of a quicker customs process. (There’s an entirely separate line that takes you through an automatic kiosk – and I have never seen more than 1 person in line for it before). It’s absurdly fast. And if you’ve ever spent more than 2 hours waiting in line at customs before… then you know that’s an experience you really don’t want to have twice.

Applying for Global Entry is a bit more tedious and requires some extra steps:

1. Start by visiting HERE and select Global Entry.
2. It will direct you to create a Trusted Traveler Programs (TTP) account.
3. Once logged into your account, you’ll be able to complete the application.
4. A $100 non-refundable fee is required with each application (and also includes a 5-year membership, if accepted).
5. Your application will then be reviewed. If you’re cleared for the next step, you’ll then make an appointment for an in-person interview. (They have fewer locations for this – most will be at the airport – and will have less frequent availability as well. You do also have the option to do this interview upon return from your next international trip, however. Simply tell customs you’d like to do it once you’re back on U.S. soil!)
6. For the interview, you will need a valid passport and your I.D. with you.
7. If you pass, you will be emailed a confirmation and your unique traveler number.
8. Lastly, this program refers to the Known Traveler Number as PASSID, but the number is used the same way. So, be sure to add it to your account!

In Summary:

I travel all over the world, but, didn’t understand that Global Entry had both in one. So, I had to re-do the entire process and pay the additional $100 fee – and I’m still kicking myself for that. Don’t make my mistake! Select the one that fits your traveling habits the best.

In short, if you’re only traveling throughout the U.S.:
TSA PreCheck is the way to go – it’s cheaper, easier and faster to get.

But, if you’re also traveling internationally:
Global Entry is the better option – you get all the same benefits as TSA PreCheck + a speedier customs experience for only $15 more.

Tip #10: Tell people you’re on your honeymoon!

And last, but certainly not least: tell everyone that you’re on your honeymoon! Notify your airline and hotel that you’ll be traveling for your honeymoon! Share that you’re on your honeymoon during excursions and at restaurants. You never know what surprises someone might have in store for newlyweds! People love to celebrate a happy couple, so shout it from the rooftops!

There you have it! 10 of my best traveling tips for a fun and stress-free honeymoon! Now you’re ready to rock this honeymoon planning out of the water – I am so excited for you!

* All the travel images in this blog are my own personal travel photos. If you loved them and are interested in seeing more, you can head to my travel and landscape website here. They are also available for purchase.

In the meantime, comment below and let me know which tip has been the most helpful! Congratulations and best of luck!