6 Differences Between A Domestic And International Honeymoon

Planning your honeymoon can be a lot more fun than planning your wedding. You don't have to worry about napkin colors and salad dressings. You really just have to worry about where you want to go to unwind. But then you have to decide between a domestic and international honeymoon.

Pete and I went to this amazing resort in Mexico on our first vacation together. It was probably the best vacation I've ever been on as a couple. Our most recent vacation together was to Hilton Head Island (which was more of a working vacation, actually, but we got a couples massage and there's no way to not feel like you're on vacation when you're getting one of those).

So we know a little bit about both domestic and international travel (especially Pete; before I met him, he both backpacked Europe and drove cross-country living out of his car). Hopefully what we know will help you decide.

6 Differences Between A Domestic And International Honeymoon

Since we are based in North Carolina, I'm considering domestic to be within the United States and international to be anything outside of the US. If you're reading this from anywhere outside of the US, things might be a little different for you.

Also, just as a catch-all: double check any of this information with the country or establishment where you'll be staying. There may be specific rules enforced that I don't cover here.

1. A passport.
If you're traveling within the United States, you can leave your passport at home. If you're traveling outside the country, you need a passport. And that includes if you're traveling to Canada and Mexico, depending on how you travel. You used to be able to walk across the border to Canada with a license, now you need at least a passport card.

If you're even toying with the idea of traveling internationally, double check your passport and make sure it is valid (or get a passport if you don't have one yet). You'll need to collect a few documents, including your birth certificate, plus passport-sized headshots, and head to a passport agency. Your passport will then be processed, and that can take time. You don't want to be stressed waiting for it.

And, if you decide last minute that you want to travel internationally, and you realize your passport is expired, you can expedite it. But that takes time, money, and isn't a guarantee.

2. You don't have to pay for luggage on international.
Your luggage allotment is different based on your airline carrier when you're flying domestic. Many include the cost of a carry on bag in your ticket price, but you have to pay additionally for any checked luggage. And then, of course, you have to worry about the weight of your checked luggage because if you go over, you have to pay more.

When you fly internationally, most ticket prices include the cost of a checked bag. Last time we flew to Japan, my grandma flew first class and she was able to check two bags for free (as long as they were under the airline's weight limit). So you can definitely pack all your cute clothes and shoes if you're going on an international honeymoon.

You can do that on a domestic one too, if you pay to check a bag, but you might be trying to shove everything into a carry on to save on costs.

3. Converting money.
If you're traveling somewhere internationally, you most likely have to change your money from dollars into the local currency. Of course, there are exceptions to this, but mostly, if you're traveling somewhere else, you'll need their money.

If you plan ahead of time, you can start watching exchange rates. We did this when we went to Japan. We monitored for a while before we actually decided to call our bank to exchange dollars to yen. You really want to exchange when the dollar is doing well so you don't lose out. Our bank will exchange money, which is a lot better than trying to do it at the airport. I've always found airport rates to not be as great as the bank.

If you don't spend all your money on your trip, you're going to have to change your money back to dollars. If you can afford to hang on to it until you get a good exchange rate to change it back, go for it. Most people can't afford to sit on foreign currency, though.

4. Are you insured?
You don't want to think about getting sick or hurt on your honeymoon. You just want to think about sipping a fruity drink by the beach. But the reality is people do get sick and injured on vacation. If you're traveling domestically, your insurance will usually cover you. But internationally? That's a different story.

And insurance doesn't just mean health insurance. Decide if you need any traveler's insurance and find out what it will cover. It does, often, cover trip cancellation or interruption. So if there is an emergency where you are and you have to evacuate, or if there is an emergency at home that you have to get back to, travel insurance should cover you.

5. What can you bring back?
The morning we flew home from Mexico, I grabbed some fruit from the breakfast buffet so we could have something to eat on flights. Well, there was a banana I didn't eat so when the customs form came around me being me, I declared a banana. Well, you can't bring fruit back from Mexico. Of course, I didn't know this and got stuck at customs.

It's not just fruit that you have to declare on your custom when you're flying internationally. You have to declare anything you've purchased on your trip and pay taxes when necessary.

If you're flying domestically, you don't have to declare anything on a customs form because you don't have to go through customs.

6. Customs.
When you're flying internationally, you have to go through customs. It's a little more involved than flying through a domestic flight. You have to provide your passport, speak with someone about your trip,  and get an approval to enter the country.

Domestically, you just walk through the airport and you're on your honeymoon.

Customs always makes me nervous, even though I never have anything to be nervous about. I guess I just watch too much television.

BRIDAL BABBLE: What are your reasons for choosing between a domestic and international honeymoon?

Planning your honeymoon?

We have a few other posts for you to check out.

How To Prepare For TSA For Your Honeymoon Flight

Honeymoon Packing Checklist

How To Plan The Perfect Mini-Moon

This How To Plan The Perfect Mini-Moon post is partially sponsored by Kimpton Hotels. 

After you're done wedding planning, you want a break. You don't want to think about table linens or RSVP cards or flowers -- unless that flower is in your hair as you sip a cold drink on the beach.

There's a reason honeymoons exist. Sure, it's great to start your new life together off with a trip, but it's also just a way to relax ... before you get back to real life.

Sometimes, though, you can't take a huge island adventure. You spent a boatload of money on your wedding and sure, it would be nice to put a boatload into a Caribbean cruise with a private butler, but it would also be nice to put that same money into a savings account to make a down payment on a house. And that's what a lot of couples are doing. But they're not giving up a honeymoon although. Instead, couples are opting for a Mini-Moon.

How To Plan The Perfect Mini-Moon

Figure out the timing.
Do you want to head out the day after your nuptials or you do want to take a day to relax, sleep in your own bed, and then go? Or if you have family in town for your wedding, maybe you want to wait until the following weekend. Make sure you set your date first before anything.

• Quick tip: If you're lucky and your dates are flexible, think about going away during the week instead of the weekend. Hotel prices will be cheaper and attractions will be less crowded during the week, making your trip more enjoyable.

Find a place to go.
You want to go somewhere within driving distance. If you're only going away for three or so days, you don't want to spend a day on each side in an airport. That only leaves one day for your mini-moon.

You do want to go away somewhere that feels like a vacation though too, so pick somewhere you can drive on one tank of gas, but not somewhere you can travel regularly. This is not the time you want to plan a staycation.

And decide if you're taking your car or if you're going to rent one. If you're going with a rental, be sure to book that as soon as you can. And be sure to ask if you can take the car to a different state (if that's what your plan is). I know of a company that will charge us an extra $50 a day to go to visit our family in New York, so we don't book with them.

• Quick tip: My cap would be six hours, which for us is Washington, DC. So, we actually went there for a long weekend, mostly for this post. We drove there and back, and it gave us a lot of car time to spend talking. That's so nice. You just got married, you're planning your life together. How fun would it be to spend time in the car planning it? Ah, so romantic!

Book a hotel.
For something as special as this, I wouldn't pick a regular hotel. Even though you're not taking a long trip, you're still taking a honeymoon, so you still want it to be special. You don't want to book the bargain motel just because that's what you usually do. And you don't want to book the same chain you always stay at because it will seem familiar. You want your mini-moon to feel as uncommon as possible.

• Quick tip: Look into a boutique hotel, like a Kimpton. There's something so special about staying in a hotel that has its own character. And if you can afford it, upgrade to a room with a view. We stayed in a City View room at the Kimpton Glover Park Hotel in Washington, DC and man, that view at night, you can't beat it.

Create an agenda.

I know, you just spent so much time planning a wedding. The last thing you want to do is plan one more thing. But sorry, you want to plan your mini-moon. You don't want to waste any of your time sitting around saying, "What should we do today?" or "What do you want to eat?" Take a bit of time to create a plan. Write out ideas for breakfast, activities for the day, lunch ideas, dinner spots, cool bars. etc. You don't have to get to everything each day, but it's a good idea to have a schedule.

Create a Google doc and share it with your spouse-to-be. Fill it out with times and addresses. Then, if you find something else or decide to rearrange a day, it's as simple as cut and paste instead of handwriting your entire schedule again.

• Quick tip: If you know someone who lives where you're taking your mini-moon, or a friend who has been there before, get recommendations. I found a fun place for dinner when we were in DC for night one, but night two's dinner was based on a recommendation. And oh. my. gosh. It was one of the best meals I've eaten in a very long time. If I hadn't asked a friend, I would have never found that restaurant.

Work amenities into your plan.

If you're staying at a hotel that offers free coffee in the morning, be sure to grab a fresh cup there instead of heading to a coffee shop. I grabbed a cup at the Kimpton before walking to church at the National Cathedral on Sunday morning. It was great to not have to drive to get a cup of coffee.

What I loved about Kimpton was if you're a Kimpton Karma Rewards member (it's free to join), you get a $10 Raid The Bar credit. It's basically a free $10 to spend on the mini bar in the room. So you can pick out a snack or a drink and, if it's under $10, it's free. If it's over, you'll just pay the difference at checkout.

And, the Glover Park hotel actually had an offer online where you could add a continental breakfast for two at the hotel's restaurant Casolare on to your reservation for only $1. We had breakfast there (and my sandwich was amazing!), and the couple next to us had the continental breakfast. It looked great.

• Quick tip: If your hotel offers a free breakfast, eat it. Saving money on breakfast means you can spend that money somewhere else. If breakfast is too early, you can always wake up, walk down in pajamas, grab some fruit and cereal boxes to bring back to your room, then go back to bed and eat when you wake up. Some hotels may say you can't take the breakfast back to your room (so check on that!), but I've never had any problem doing this (and it's so worth getting to snuggle back into bed!). 

Make reservations before you go.
Is there an excursion you really want to take? A restaurant you have to eat at? Be sure to make reservations ahead of time. You would hate to get there only to find out there's no room for you. So anything you definitely will be broken-hearted to miss needs to be reserved as soon as possible.

• Quick tip: Check places like Restaurant.com for discounts on meals and Groupon for discounts on attractions. If you can save a little, go for it! You did just pay for an entire wedding.

Pack for everything.

You have no idea what the weather is going to be like, and you may not be sure if your new spouse likes to sleep with the AC cranked super high. So pack shorts and sweat pants to sleep in. When we went to DC -- for  two nights in April -- I packed (I kid you not): summer pajamas, sweat pants, gym clothes (because our hotel had a gym), jeans, shorts, a tank top, a t-shirt, a 3/4 length shirt, a long-sleeved shirt, a long-sleeved button up, a sweatshirt, a dress, and a bathing suit. Plus I threw a peacoat in the car. And, at the very last second, when our car was already started, I ran back inside the house to grab sunscreen. I was ready for anything.

• Quick tip: Make a list. Before packing, I always make a list. I write down outfit ideas, items I'll need (like my phone charger), and then a list of snacks I want to pack too. If you're not into making your list, I have a honeymoon packing list post that does all the work for you.

Take selfies.

My favorite photos are selfies. I just love them. Oh sure, it's nice when you can bother the closest stranger to snap a pic of you. But it's even better when you are alone, in your own little world, with a population of two, and snap a shot. Nothing beats that ... not even full body shots where you see more than just a close up of your arm.

• Quick tip: If you're not well versed at selfies, you can always pack a selfie stick with you. It's a great way to get some shots that don't look like you took them yourself.

And just relax. You're on vacation. If you have a plan and reservations and you've packed a beautiful dress to dance in ... but all you do is stay in the room and sleep and eat room service at 2am, that's fine too. I always say the wedding is for your guests, your marriage is for you. Well, your mini-moon is for you too.

BRIDAL BABBLE: Where would you go on your mini-moon?

Who Do You Tip on Your Honeymoon?

When you're on your honeymoon, you're sort of in your own little world. Yes, yes, yes, you're in a state of marital bliss, but that's not what I mean. I mean, you're in a state of decompression where you can just drink mai tais on an island and just forget about the fact that you spent months planning a party for 100 or so of your closest friends. You want to stop thinking about other people  -- and what they might want to eat during the cocktail hour or who they might want to sit next to -- and instead, think about yourself and the really, really good massage you're going to get at the spa during the week.

What you don't think about is the bartender pouring you that drink or the masseuse giving you that massage. Just because you are on vacation doesn't mean everyone is. And just because you are thinking about yourself doesn't mean you shouldn't also take a few moments to think of other people and tip them. Yes, you should tip while you're on your honeymoon, even if you're at an all-inclusive resort.

Who Do You Tip on Your Honeymoon?

I'm going to assume you are flying somewhere exotic on your honeymoon. If you're taking a honeymoon road trip, you won't tip the driver because, well, you are the driver. But I'm starting from when you exit the plane until when you're on the way home. The list will go through who you will

The cab driver?
Yes ... unless you know them.
How did you get to the airport? If a friend or family member dropped you off, be sure to pick him a souvenir up on your trip. If you took a taxi, tip the driver.

The receptionist.
No.
When you get to the hotel, you'll check in with a receptionist. Don't tip him or her.

The bellhop.
Yes.As you check in, there may be someone who will take your bags to your room for you. Tip that person.

Room service.
Yes.
If you're like me, the first thing you want to do is unpack and eat. I always want to eat. Instead of trying to navigate to a restaurant while you're hangry (because airlines just serve pretzels now and packing most food is a big no-no according to the countless episodes of Border Security I've binged watched on Netflix this week ... and according to the customs agent who stopped me for declaring a banana on our trip back from Mexico), opt for room service. And tip whoever delivers it to your door.

Bartenders.
Yes.
Relaxing poolside and getting a drink? Tip. Bartender walking around the resort's private beach taking your order? Tip. Heading out to a bar specifically for drinks? Of course you tip.

Hostess.
No.
If you're going out to eat and a hostess sits you, you don't have to tip her. Usually, a percentage is given from the servers to the host or hostess.

Servers.
Yes.
Your waitress or waiter gets tipped.

Masseuse.
Yes.
Getting side-by-side couples massages while you're away? Any type of service like this gets tipped.

Towel boy.
No.
I'm not sure what else to call the person who sits by the pool and hands you a towel. Feel free to call him or her whatever you want, but don't feel the need to tip them.

Shuttle driver.
Yes.
When we stayed at a resort in Mexico, we took a resort-based shuttle downtown. We tipped the driver.

BRIDAL BABBLE: Who else do you tip on your honeymoon?

Have more tipping questions?

Read Who Gets Tipped At A Wedding? (And answers to all your other wedding tipping questions.)

How To Prepare For TSA For Your Honeymoon Flight

Wedding planning is stressful. Trust me, I know. It's why people plan honeymoons. You just need a vacation after all that stress. The last thing you want is to start your honeymoon off with a stressful time at the airport. You just want to get on your flight and get your trip started. You don't want to get stuck. I have a great list with tons of tips for how to prepare for TSA for your honeymoon flight.

How To Prepare For TSA For Your Honeymoon Flight

TICKETS/ID.

Have your information ready.
When you get to security, you'll be asked for your boarding pass and license. If you take those out and have them ready to go, you'll breeze through the first checkpoint. It's so much easier than fumbling through your purse to find your wallet. After you get through, you won't be asked for your ID anymore, so put that away. Keep your boarding pass handy, though, because you will need it at the gate.

(Maybe) pack your passport.
New in 2018 will be the rule that some state's driver's licenses are not compliant with requirements to board a plane. So, if you live in Kentucky, Maine, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, and Washington, you'll also want to bring your passport with you. There is no worse way to start your honeymoon than by not being able to get on the plane (unless your state become compliant with the Real ID rule by then).

CLOTHING

Wear slip on shoes. And socks.
You will still be asked to remove your shoes. So as cute as your wedding heels are, they aren't your best bet for airport security. You'll have to take them off, leaving you with named feet as you walk through security. Eww. Just eww. Instead, get yourself a pair of cute slip on shoes, wear a pair of fun socks, and you won't cringe as you walk through the metal detector.

Empty your pockets.
Before you even get to security, check your pockets. Anything in them -- loose change, lip balm, etc. -- will need to come out and go in a bin. Then you have to collect it all and put it back in your pockets. It's a little bit of a pain. If your pockets are empty to start, you can breeze right through.

Don't wear a belt.
Belts have to come off. And if you are wearing a cute belted sweater dress, well, you might want to reconsider your travel outfit. That belt has to come off as you go through the metal detector, so it's just easier if you choose a belt-free outfit.

Flip around your necklace.
This one was news to me, but I only started wearing a necklace daily in November. If you're wearing a necklace with a pendant, flip it around so the pendant is in the back. That way, if the necklace does set off an alarm, it will be on your backside, so the security officer will wand you in the back, not the front.

BAGGAGE

Laptop out.
If you're bringing a laptop with you on your honeymoon, it has to travel separately through security. The charger and other electronics, such as a phone and iPad, can stay in your carry on. But the laptop has to come out. So make sure you have it accessible. Maybe stick it by itself in your purse. That way, when it is your turn, you can quickly place it in a bin instead of spending time digging for it at the bottom of your luggage.

Put liquids in a separate bag.
You're allowed to bring small liquids on the plane, as long as they are 3.1oz or smaller. So if you are bringing any in your carry on, put them in a separate quart-sized plastic bag (preferably one with a zipper top). Have it ready with your laptop, so when you take your laptop out for the X-ray, you can also grab your liquids. Efficiency is key.

Don't lock your carry on.
When you go through security, there might be a chance that your bag will need to be searched (like if you forgot you packed a full water bottle). Security will need to open your baggage. If it's locked, it's an unnecessary delay for them to wait while you find the key or enter the code. When you get to the gate, you can lock it there if you feel more comfortable, but I wouldn't do it earlier than that.

BONUS TIPS.

Remember your name.
If you're flying immediately after your wedding, and you plan on changing your last name after you get married, the chance of your name change going through before your trip is very slim. So remember to book your flight with your maiden name on the ticket. Your ID will still have your maiden name on it. Yes, I know, you will be super excited to be Mrs. New Last Name. And, when you're on your honeymoon, you can introduce yourself that way. But when you're at the airport, you have to be your old self for a while.

Be careful what you bring back.
If you're flying internationally, you'll have to go through customs on the way back. And that means filing out a customs form on the plane, declaring anything you purchased when you were away. So sure, maybe it seems like a good idea to pack fruit if you get hungry on the flight. And then it seems logical to declare it on your customs form if you never get hungry and don't eat it. But you may not be able to bring produce back in the country. And then you become me get detained at customs for declaring a banana on a flight back from Mexico. Learn from my mistakes and double check what you're able to bring back before you buy anything to bring back.

Always check your flight.
Every time I fly, I make sure to sign up for flight alerts. I get a call at specific intervals with any information: if the flight is on time, delayed, canceled, gate changes, etc. This helped me avoid a three hour delay in an airport once and it helped me to know about a canceled flight and be first in line for a flight change another time. If you book via a method that doesn't offer text or phone updates, check yourself. Go online and search your airplane carrier and flight number to get up to date information. You don't want an unknown (to you) delay to ruin the start (or end) of your honeymoon.

BRIDAL BABBLE: Do you fly often? What other tips do you have for couples preparing for their honeymoon flight?

Getting ready for your honeymoon?

Check our Honeymoon Packing Checklist.

What To Do Before Taking A Honeymoon Road Trip

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #FallForPennzoil #CollectiveBias

Honeymoons are changing. While there are couple who are still jetsettting off to some island with good weather and great drinks, so many couples are opting for a road trip honeymoon. It's such a fun way to get in good quality time and lots of sightseeing.

If you're planning a road trip honeymoon, there are a few things you need to consider and take care of before you go.

What To Do Before Taking A Honeymoon Road Trip

Buy Cozy Clothes
We road trip a lot and I always make sure to wear cozy clothes. It just makes the car ride so much better. Now, I'll be honest. I was definitely one of the "leggings are not pants" people ... until someone sent me a pair of leggings. Now I'm a "legging are the perfect road trip pants" person. They're so comfortable. And if you pair them with a loose top, it's such a good outfit to drive in.

Be sure your fiance has an equally comfortable outfit. A pair of bagging cargo shorts might be best for him. And pack sunglasses, especially if you're driving during the day. Those are definitely key.

You also want to pack ahead of time too, obviously. Be sure to check out our honeymoon packing checklist to help you figure out exactly what you need to pack and what you can leave home.

Plan Your Stops
Before you go, be sure to map out your route. If you like breweries and zoos, mark down the ones along your path. If you have destinations to stop at along the way, you won't be wandering aimlessly. Of course, if you see an attraction sign along the way that jumps out at you, make an impromptu stop.

Have fun with your road trip and leave yourself room to relax along the way. You don't want to spend the entire time going from tourist attraction to tourist attraction. Schedule in some down time, but also set it up with pit stops. Definitely go with a balance.

Book Hotels Beforehand
You don't want to drive long into the night and then have to find a hotel with vacancies. You might not find the best hotel or the best deal that way. Instead, book your hotels before you go. Since you're already planning your stops, you can find hotels around them. You can check into your hotel, drop off your luggage, and then drive around a certain city.

I always use cash back sites when I book hotels too. You'll get back a percentage, so it'll save you money. Plus, you will usually pay less if you book ahead of time rather than if you just walk into a hotel and look for a room.

Pack Snacks
I always pack snacks before we leave for a road trip. It's just such a waste of money to pick up a snack when you stop at a gas station because they're so overpriced. You'll have to stop for meals because you don't want to lug around a cooler all honeymoon, but you can pack nuts, chips, granola bars, and sweets.

I make sure to pack one snack for each of us for every day. If I buy something like nuts, I'll also pick up plastic snack bags. I'll divide the nuts into bags. They're a lot easy than packing a huge container of nuts, plus it's cheaper than buying a bunch of small bags.

Pick Up Maps
I remember when we were young and would drive to Florida, my parents would get an entire map of our route. That way, we knew how to go. With a GPS in many cars and most phones, it seems like an atlas might be a bit archaic. But it's not! You might get stuck in traffic or around a closed road and need an alternate route. Or maybe the map has a landmark on it that your GPS would never make you aware of.

You can keep this in your car, under a seat or in the trunk, for whenever you decide to take another road trip. It'll be fun to even draw on it and attach photos to the cover, turning it into a travel diary too.

Get Your Oil Changed
You want to make sure that you and your car are ready for your road trip. If your car needs any maintenance done, be sure you do it before your trip. Fill up your tires, get a tune up, and have your oil changed. Those are the big ones that we do ever time we road trip.

Speaking of an oil change, you can get it done your local Walmart Automotive Care Center. And now, you can get your oil changed with Pennzoil® Platinum Full Synthetic Motor Oil. We knew all about Pennzoil when we lived up North, so I'm excited to know Pennzoil Platinum Full Synthetic is an option in Walmarts in the South (Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, and Tennessee). It's usually $49.88 on Rollback to $44.88 through December 27, 2016.

We actually went to Walmart recently to check this out. The Rollback was advertised all over the Automotive Care Center. And with our oil change, we also got our fluids topped off. It was so easy to drop off the car and go about the rest of our afternoon. When it was ready, we got a call and picked it up. Simple -- and perfect for peace of mind!

BRIDAL BABBLE: What would you do to prepare for a honeymoon road trip?

Ways To Save When You're On Your Honeymoon

You don't have to go on a honeymoon the morning after your wedding. There's no rule that says 24 hours after you say, "I Do," you need to jump on a plane headed towards a tropical island. But the truth is, most people do. After spending quite a bit of money the day before, couples leave for a romantic vacation ... with lighter wallets.

So you need to save a little bit while you're on your honeymoon. That's definitely possible. If you've been a bride on a budget, you can be a honeymooner on a budget.

Pete and I followed all these tips last summer when we went to Japan and it really helped. Plus, during our three week trip, I never once worried that we were overspending. So to help you, I put together a list of ways to save when you're on your honeymoon.

Ways To Save When You're On Your Honeymoon

Pack your own snacks
Before you leave for your trip, head to the store and pick up your own snacks. We used our extra free money from Walgreens for walking (if you don't know what I'm talking about, read this post) to pick up granola bars, peanut butter crackers, a large container of peanuts, and sandwich bags. When I got home, I packed about two ounces of nuts in each sandwich bag. I made sure to pack one snack each for every day of vacation. I would pack them in my purse when we went out and if we started getting hungry, I would grab one. That way, we didn't run down to the local convenience store and spend money on an overpriced snack (although I did grab a potato croquette or two because, well, when in Japan).

If you're making wedding welcome bags and have a couple snacks left over, this is a great way to use them too.

Bring a water bottle
Buying water every time you're thirsty can get expensive. And if you go somewhere warm for vacation, you'll definitely want to stay hydrated. Instead of buying water at every turn, bring your own. I'm not suggestion you stuff your suitcase with water. Rather, pack an empty water bottle (preferably a nice hard one, like these or this type with a built in filter in case you're filling up at public water fountains, instead of a used plastic one you're trying to reuse). Fill it up at all times and you'll save quite a bit.

Don't forget essentials
One of the biggest tourists traps is sunscreen. Forgot yours and now you're on a small island? A small bottle will cost you a small fortune. Personally, I'd rather spend my money on a nice lunch than a travel-sized bottle of aloe.

So, when you're packing, be sure to check and double check your list to make sure you're not forgetting any essentials. To help you out, we actually put together a really comprehensive Honeymoon Packing Checklist. Just click that link, scroll to the bottom, print it out, and then cross off items as you're packing.

Set a budget
Before you go on your honeymoon, set a daily budget. I knew exactly what I was comfortable with us spending per day in Japan. I knew Pete would want to try Japanese beer and I have a weak spot for Japanese cold coffee. So it was easier for me to give us each an allowance. I actually did call it an allowance.

I separated our money into fifteen different "days." Each was separated by sticky notes with the date and our names on them. Every morning, I would open the main envelope that held all our money and I gave Pete and myself our allowance. Anything that was left over from the day before could be carried over and kept, but we could never dip into the main envelope until the next morning. It worked perfectly. Knowing exactly what we "could" spend each day limited so we never overspent. We actually ended up spending only half of what I allotted, so this was perfect.

Use gift cards to pay for meals
At our shower, a lot of guests gave us gift cards. It was very sweet of them and I was so grateful that people showed up, let alone brought generous gifts to help us celebrate our upcoming nuptials. Did any of your guests give you Visa gift cards? That's money that you basically have to spend. You can't deposit a gift card in your bank account. So make a game out of them.

Pack those gift cards for your honeymoon and use them to pay for meals. If you have a $50 gift card, know that you have $50 to spend on a nice dinner out -- including drinks and and dessert. If you set your budget before you walk into a restaurant, you'll pick a restaurant that fits into your budget and you won't overspend.

Weigh your luggage
On your way home from your trip, be sure to weigh your luggage. Most hotels will have a scale you can borrow. Check with your airline to see what the weight limit is for your checked bags. If your bag weighs a little more than your husband's, take out a bit of yours and stick it in his. If you're both overweight, take out your heavy items and pack it them your carry on.

Bring home memories, not mementos
Skip the cruise photos. Yes, they're nice. And sure, one is okay to bring home, but you definitely don't need to buy them every night. That will get really pricey. Instead, make friends with another couple on the cruise and ask them to take a photo for you. Or ask a complete stranger. Or pick up a small Bluetooth remote control to take selfies (seriously, this thing is great and much better than a selfie stick since it's so compact).

Skip the souvenirs
You don't need tchotchkes. One of the last things you want to bring home from your honeymoon is clutter, so don't feel the need to bring home every cute trinket you see. I had a few things that I had to have when we went to Japan (before we went, I knew I needed Japanese door curtains. After shopping around, I ended up needing two pink cherry blossomed domburi bowls -- which we use every week actually. And after using the black cotton swabs the hotel provided us with every day, I ended up needing those too). Maybe you'll see a dress that you just can't live without and that's okay. But maybe all you really need to bring back is some sand from the beach.

BRIDAL BABBLE: What are your ways to save when you're on your honeymoon?

Honeymoon Packing Checklist (With A Free Printable!)

If you and your fiance can make it through your wedding unscathed, you deserve a vacation. I feel like honeymoons had to stem from that. After months of planning and stressing, you just need a few days to wear a large brimmed hat on the beach and sip a drink that a waiter brought to you on a tray.

That's not too much to ask.

But when you're there, relaxing on a tropical island, you don't want to think, "Shoot, I forgot a razor. So much for these cute bikinis."

With so much planning, though, you're bound to forget something. But don't worry. I won't let you. I put together a honeymoon packing checklist. You can, literally, print out the version at the bottom and cross items off as you pack them (that's what I do before trips) or you can just read it below and print this entire blog post so you can have room to write your own notes in the columns. Whatever keeps your sanity.

Honeymoon Packing Checklist

In your carry on:

• Flight confirmation
• Hotel confirmation number
• ID (passport or driver's license)
• Credit cards
• Cash
• Phone
• Camera
• Sunglasses
• Lip balm
• Gum/candy
• One pair of underwear (just in case they lose your luggage)

In your checked bag (with a cute luggage tag on it):

• Chargers (phone, camera, etc.)
• Sunscreen/Aloe
• Copies of your credit cards/license/travel documents
• Umbrella

For the bride only:

• Clothing:
• New lingerie
• Bra/underwear/socks
• Bathing suit
• Shorts/capris (two pairs for a week)
• Tops (three per bottom)
• Just married or wifey top
• Jeans (one pair)
• Nice dress for dinner out
• Sundress/beach cover up
• Pajamas
• Light cardigan
• Shoes:
• Flip flops
• Sneakers
• Cute heels
• Etc.:
• Tampons/pads
• Makeup 
• Jewelry

For the groom only:

• Clothing:
• Boxers/socks
• Bathing suit
• Shorts (two pairs for a week)
• Tops (three per pair of shorts)
• Jeans (one pair)
• Nice top for dinner out
• Belt
• Pajamas
• Shoes:
• Flip flops
• Sneakers

In a cute travel bag (in your checked bag):

• Body wash
• Shampoo/conditioner (in case)
• Razors
• Toothpaste
• Toothbrushes
• Contacts/solution/case
• Glasses
• Vitamins/prescriptions
• Q-tips
• Hair ties
• Nail clippers/file
• Brush
• Deodorant
• Mini first aid kit (with band aids, aspirin, etc.)

The printable above is formatted to fit perfectly on a sheet of 8.5x11 printer paper, so that should make it easy for you. Just right click the image, save it to your computer, and print it when you're ready for it.

We have a few other wedding printables available for free, too. They're all listed below:

• Bridal Shower Word Search
• Mason Jar Hot Chocolate Mix Favors
• Be Wise, Don't Drink & Drive Owl Printable
• Lucky Duck Wine Rehearsal Dinner Gift
• DIY Bridesmaids Cards
• DIY Thanks A Latte Coffee Wedding Favor
• DIY Bridesmaids Wine Bottle
• Famous Couples Bridal Shower Game
• Thank You For Being My Groomsman Cigar Gift
• DIY Wedding Sparklers & Free Printable Tags
• Tears Of Joy Envelopes
• Bridal Bingo

BRIDAL BABBLE: What would you add to the honeymoon packing checklist?

I'd Like To Buy A Vowel ...

If you know me in real life, you know I stress out. A lot. Over everything.

I can't help it. I mean, I try not to worry and stress but it's just part of my DNA. It's how I'm wired.

I stress, and then I get overwhelmed, and I flirt with the idea of having a panic attack but since I don't actually know what exactly that entails, instead I just let my thoughts spiral into some sort of crazy place and it usually ends up so far from where I even started anyway. For a little taste of this, check out my centerpiece dilemma post (if you weren't around to read it originally).

Yesterday, I sat down to look at honeymoon ideas. I heard the Maldives is gorgeous and it's on every honeymoon top ten list I've read.

Photo credit

I'm sure you can see why.

I want a bungalow in the ocean where no one but a private butler can reach us for a week. I know, it sounds like something for only a celebrity (and in fact, Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes honeymooned at the Maldives), but I want it.

I was looking at prices and resorts like the Lily Beach Resort and Spa in the Maldives are booked all of next year it seems. No worries. With the cost about $1,600 a night, I was okay to look somewhere else.

That somewhere turned into somewheres and it turns out that it would be $3,000 minimum each to honeymoon in the Maldives.

I told this to my bridesmaid Michelle who told me that I should probably go on Wheel of Fortune because the night before, someone won $25,000.

I actually watch Wheel of Fortune nightly and I always ask Pete if he would do couples Wheel of Fortune with me. He says yes. So it looks like we will be auditioning for Wheel of Fortune.

Realistically, we'll probably get to the Maldives before we get on Wheel of Fortune. And that's okay. Is $3,000 a person a lot of money? Absolutely. But is this a once in a lifetime experience that I will never do again? Yes. We're on a budget for our wedding. And I am doing everything possible to stay under that budget without cutting corners. And all that money we're saving here and there (by doing things like DIY'ing our favors instead of buying them on Etsy), that adds up. And all that money we save is going towards the honeymoon fund. And that's how we'll make it work (unless Pat Sajak calls, of course).

BRIDAL BABBLE: Do you ever dream about going on Wheel of Fortune or is it just me?