The wedding is finally behind you, and it’s time for your honeymoon. The last thing you want to do is take care of business and deal with mistakes while you’re traveling. That’s why it’s important to start a list of important tasks way before the honeymoon even starts. And if you’re leaving right after the wedding, that means planning ahead even before the big day. So, what kinds of things need to go on the list? Aside from remembering your passport and luggage, here are just a few important items you should add.
Shop Online
The wedding dress isn’t the only thing you’ll need to shop for. If you’re traveling somewhere with a different climate than you’re used to, you and your soon-to-be spuse may need a few new outfits for the trip. And even if you’re staying in the same climate, of course you will want some new things. You may even have an extravagant night out on the town that you’ll both want designer attire for. An online boutique is a great way to save time and discover the latest trends when picking out your honeymoon wardrobe. It’s also the best way to find discounts and bargains. And if you’ve just spent a small fortune on a wedding, you’ll need all the help you can get with your penny pinching.
Take Care of Your Health
Traveling anywhere, especially abroad, can wreak havoc on your health, particularly your stomach. Because we all tend to get a little looser with our eating and exercise habits while traveling, you will probably be indulging a little more than usual. Not only will you likely be eating more, you will probably also be eating much different food and drinks than your body is used to.
It’s all part of the traveling experience and something no one wants to miss out on, but the problem is it can cause digestive problems like constipation, diarrhea, and heartburn. It can also make certain health problems worse, such as diabetes and diverticulitis, and also cause your energy levels to plummet. Eating the right things in the proper ratios while providing your body with nutrition to support gut health will make all of the difference.
The best precautions to take on your trip are:
- Get plenty of rest before and during the trip.
- Try to keep up your exercise regime, even if you have to modify it.
- Stick to bottled water when traveling abroad.
- Try to limit your fatty food intake to one meal a day.
Contact Your Attorney
This task mostly applies if you are traveling abroad, but if you will be gone for an extended period of time, it’s a good idea no matter where you go. This may be the last thing on your mind, but giving your attorney a heads-up as to your whereabouts could save you loads of time and hassle if something unfortunate happens while you’re away. Aside from that, now is the time to clear up any pending legal matters. For example, if you’ve had an outstanding workers’ compensation suit, look for the best compensation lawyers in Brisbane, or wherever you may be, to handle matters for you while you are away. And be sure to touch base with them at least once during your trip so as to not to miss any important meetings or hearings. It would be tragic to lose a case because you weren’t reachable by the courts.
You will also need to take care of other legal matters ahead of time like checking your passport if you’re leaving the country. Did you take your spouse’s name after the “I do?” If so, you need to consider the fact that your legal name is now different than the name on your other documents. In this situation, make sure you have a certified copy of your marriage license in case it’s needed. You will also, of course, want to make sure your passport hasn’t expired.
It’s likely you have taken care of this with the travel arrangements, but excursions such as cruises don’t always require one. Even if it’s not required, it is always a good idea to have an up-to-date passport just in case you are detained in a foreign country for some reason or run into any legal problems.
Send Your Thank-You Notes
Or at least start writing them. Etiquette says you have three months for sending them out after you’ve received them, but chances are you’ve had gifts trickling in long before the day of your wedding. Start writing them right after the wedding, unless you are leaving right away and it will be one less task to dread when you return. According to Martha Stewart, it’s acceptable for one spouse to write all the notes with just a mention of the other, or for one to write and both to sign. The note should “identify the gift, say why you appreciate it, why it has a personal meaning for you, and how you plan to use it.” You should also thank the gift-giver if they came to your wedding or shower by acknowledging their attendance.
Wrap up the Purchase of Your Home
Chances are if you’ve just gotten married, you’ve either bought a house together or are selling one of yours. If this is the case, you’ll need to contact an expert like a Brisbane conveyancer to make sure all your paperwork is in order so that you don’t miss out on a sale or contract date while you’re away. Ideally, you will have completed any closings and negotiations long before your wedding, but if you’re still wrapping up details, try to finish before you leave.
Delegate Last-Minute Tasks to a Trusted Friend
Lastly, delegate a trusted friend or family member for tasks you don’t have time to complete or last minute details you might have forgotten. This is essential if you plan to leave for your honeymoon right after the wedding. A bridesmaid, best man, or family member is perfect for this job. You will need someone to pick up any gifts brought to the wedding and to make sure the wedding or reception hall is cleaned up, caterers are paid, and any rentals are returned.
You might also need someone to call if the venue notifies you that you left something behind. Or someone to swing by your house and receive any gift deliveries that may be sent while you’re away. Also, make sure this is a person whose phone number you can give to people who helped with your wedding. He or she should be designated as the main point of contact for any wedding-related business while you’re away. This way, you can ask them only to contact you in case of emergency, and you can relax.
The point of all the pre-honeymoon tasks is to make sure you are able to relax and enjoy your spouse during your time away. Handling phone calls and taking care of tedious tasks while you’re on vacation can completely destroy your fun and make you feel on edge for the entire trip. But if you take care of everything you can ahead of time and enlist people to help you, you can free up your mind and your emotions for what really matters most—quality time with your new partner in life.
