How to plan an unforgettable Honeymoon!

The vows have been said, the rings have been exchanged, and the guests have said farewell.  You planned an amazing Brides that left you a bit stressed, but also content knowing that it was all completely worth it.  You’re madly in love with your new partner and you can’t wait to get started living life as a married couple. 

 But first it’s time for your hard-earned reward.  The honeymoon! The only draw back?  You have to plan it too!  Unfortunately it’s not as simple as jumping on the  next plane and heading off to a tropical island.  You want your honeymoon to be perfect, just like your Brides, so it’s going to take come time and effort.  But don’t worry, we’ve got you covered! Our ultimate honeymoon planning timeline will keep you on track to pull off a glitch-free honeymoon. 

  

6 – 9 Months or More Ahead

Once you’ve set your Brides date and picked a venue, the next logical step is to start considering your honeymoon options.  Determine how much time you and your fiancé can take off work.  Can you swing a full 7-10 day honeymoon, or will you need to settle for a long weekend trip?  This is also the ideal time to discuss your budget and general wish list.  Find a honeymoon travel specialist, who will help narrow down your destination options and suggest resorts and activities based on your preferences.

___ Pick your dates of travel

___ Set your budget

___  Make a honeymoon wish list

___ Contact a honeymoon travel specialist

___ Choose your destination

___ Book a honeymoon package: airfare, resort/cruise, rental car, and transfers

___ Buy travel insurance

___ Setup your honeymoon registry

3 – 6 Months Ahead

Now’s the time to add all the details that will make your trip special.  Think about excursions and tours that you’re interested in.  Maybe you’ve always wanted to go zip lining, or take a catamaran tour down the coast.  It’s also important to ensure you’re up to date on any recommended vaccinations before visiting your destination, and you’ve obtained your passports or visa, if necessary.

____ Obtain your passport and/or visa (if necessary)

____ Book excursions, shows, and special dining arrangements

____ Visit the doctor for vaccinations

____ Start scuba or language lessons if interested

____ Purchase any specialized items or luggage needed

1-3 Months Ahead

You’re about to get really busy with the final touches to your Brides planning in the next couple of months. So it’s important that you’ve got everything in place for your honeymoon way ahead of time.  During this time frame you’ll take care of final honeymoon deposits and your travel documents will arrive from your travel agent.  Be sure you verify names and dates, and all details match what you’re expecting.

___ Finish booking any tours and reservations for activities

___ Buy a camera or practice using your current one

___ Make appointments for pre-honeymoon beauty treatments

___ Arrange care for your house and/or pets while away

___ Verify names and details on your passports and travel documents

___ Start a packing and shopping list

1-2 Weeks Ahead

It’s almost here! Can you feel the excitement? Your travel agent will be checking in with you to go over final preparations and travel arrangements.  She will likely provide you with detailed information about your destination including suggestions on exchanging money, plug adaptors, drinking water, and other items to keep you safe on your trip.

___ Plan your honeymoon attire and finish your packing list

___ If you’re not staying at an all-inclusive, check your bank accounts and credit       cards for funds

___ Start packing (use that packing list!)

___ Confirm all reservations with your travel agent

___ Make several copies of your important paper work and give to family members

___ Prepare your home for being away (light timers, stop mail/newspaper, etc)

A Couple Days Ahead

You’ve made it! The Brides is days away and you’re ready to jet off into the sunset to a dreamy tropical island. Take care of the last few details and you’ll be home free with an ideally planned honeymoon.

___ Prepare a carry-on for the trip with magazines, books, etc.

___ Check the weather forecast

___ Leave a copy of your itinerary and house keys with family

___ Arrange for rides to and from the airport

___ Secure all travel documents in your carry-on

___ Check-in online

___ Enjoy an amazing honeymoon!

Guest Author Bio:

Summer Tannhauser is a honeymoon and destination Brides travel specialist with Adventures Planned Honeymoons (www.adventuresplanned.com). She designs uniquely one-of-a-kind trips for the modern newlywed. She's all about luxurious adventures, unforgettable memories, and pure and simple fun! 

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Unknown Brides planning, honeymoon, Honeymoons, Top Tips

Through The Eyes of a Bridesmaid - The Run Up to the Brides - Part 1

Last Saturday 7th September my sister Emma Gledhill married her childhood sweetheart Alex Richardson. The ceremony took place in the beautiful 'All Saint's Church' in Raheny and the dinner in the magical 'Clontarf Castle'. The day itself can be described in one word and that is.........perfect.

As Emma's sister and maid of honour I was able to keep in close with the activities that were being organised for the big day. She had everything very much planned to a T so any ideas I gave were more for inspiration and support. Her organisational skills were fantastic and really shone in the day itself. Watching her organise everything made me appreciate how difficult it must be to organise your own Brides day whilst working, maintaining a relationship and running a household. Quite demanding and you of course want all your own expectations to be met as well as those of others!

 

Most of the planning fell into place bit by bit till we came to the day before the Brides. Both mothers of the newlyweds to be gathered in the church to organise the floral displays whilst the bridesmaids went to the beauticians 'Urban Beauty' in Rathmines for pedicures and manicures followed by a fabulous lunch. We were sent photographs from the church as the day went on, things were starting to look magnificent.

 

 

 

 

A few things to think of the days before your Brides, especially if you are meeting family in the run up and have appointments. Fortunately, we managed all the daily activities ok. Here are a few things that I noted:

 

- Ensure you have all you cheques/cash ready in envelopes for your suppliers

 

- Make sure you are packed for your honeymoon and for the hotel at least a few days before (remember to include a hanger and cover for your dress to bring home - tip direct from the bride!)

 

- Buy breakfast products for your bridal party for the morning of the Brides e.g. juices, yoghurts, muffins, pastries, fruit

 

- Everyone should eat lunch its a long day. We ordered a platter of sandwiches which was ideal

 

- Organise some treats or quiet games for any flower girls or pageboys for the church

 

- Drop any suitcases, favours, bathroom baskets, guestbooks etc to your venue

 

- It is a nice idea to have the church rehearsal two days before the Brides so you don't have to worry about that the night before the Brides

 

- Give a nominated bridesmaids number to any suppliers dropping things over in the morning e.g. florist to ensure the bride isn't getting frazzled by minor details

 

- Update the groom on the bride after they have said their goodbyes. He will want to know how she is. It is the bride's job to be nervous about the Brides and the groom's job to be worried about the bride.

 

 

- Do not fret about the weather, its going to do what it wants but purchase enough umbrellas!!

 

 

That evening there were family occasions on both Emma and Alex's sides as a lot of the guests were from out of town. This was the time Emma and Alex had to say goodbye to each other and this brought me to tears as it was where the nerves really started to show. The next time they would see each other she would be in a Brides gown and they would be leaving that church married! After attending both and having just a few drinks with the bride and other bridesmaids we headed home for some camomile tea and last run though of the events that would happen in the morning. Emma made a schedule of who would get their hair/make up done and at what time. This was such a great idea as we felt very organised. We hung the dresses and prepped what we could for breakfast, both of us very excited.

 

How would we sleep!!!???

 

 

 

 

To be continued!.............

 

 

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Unknown Brides planning, Brides preparations, Clontarf Castle

The Ultimate Brides Countdown! - What to do when?!

Bridess are stressful, no one can deny that! However, they are also meant to be enjoyable, fun and exciting. Planning your Brides is something every girl looks forward to so to relieve that stress and to avoid arguments so that you enjoy every second of all the preparation here is a timeline of what you need to do when. Follow this and you will be sorted OR hire a Brides planner and they can do it all for you! Happy planning!!

 

12 or more  months before the Brides

~  Announce your engagement through whatever means you wish!

~  Decide on a Brides date

~  Hire a Brides planner if required

~  Set a budget for your Brides

~  Make a provisional guest list (numbers may be needed for venue selection)

~  Research Brides venues

~  Decide on a Brides venue and pay deposit

~  Make a decision on the type of ceremony and decide where you would like to have it

~  Book ceremony venue and pay deposit

~  Select people for your bridal party (Best man, bridesmaids, ushers, flower girls & page boys)

 

10-11 months before

~  Select musicians (soloists/organist) for your ceremony and book them

~  Choose a band/DJ, book and pay deposit

~  Book photographer

~  Book videographer

~  Book florist

~  Book transport

~  Research honeymoon destinations

~  Arrange for Brides insurance

~  Choose a theme/colour for your Brides

~  Start shopping for bride’s & bridesmaid dresses

 

 

 

8-9 months before

~  Choose a Brides cake supplier

~  Purchase/order/hire bride’s dress and accessories

~  Purchase/order/hire bridesmaid’s dresses and accessories

 

6-7 months before

 

~  Book honeymoon

~  Book pre-marriage course

~  Purchase/hire groom’s, best man’s and ushers attire

~  Purchase page boy/flower girl outfits

~  Arrange your gift registry (if having one)

~  Book any equipment rentals (e.g. for a marquee – candelabras, fairy lights, chair covers, if not included with your venue)

~  Select and order invitations, R.S.V.P cards, thank you cards, order of service cards, save the date cards, cake boxes etc.

~  Send the save the date cards

~  Book first night accommodation for bride and groom

~  Book accommodation for out of town guests

~  Book hair stylist

~  Book make up artist

~  Arrange trials for both makeup and hair

~  Plan hen & stag parties

~  Order your Brides cake

5 months before

 

~  Visit florist, select and order flowers

~  Plan the reception (centrepieces, favours, themes)

~  Finalise music for the ceremony

~  Finalise music with your DJ/band

~  Finalise guest list

 

  4 months before

 

~  Review budget

~  Choose and purchase Brides rings

~  Organise legalities and paperwork (baptismal certs, confirmation certs, letters of freedom etc)

~  Give notice to registrar/Catholic Church(at least 3 months prior to Brides date)

~  Organise prayers, music, readings for mass booklets with your Church

~  Check passports are in date, order new ones if necessary

~  Organise travel vaccinations if required for honeymoon

~  Plan rehearsal dinner if having one

 

3 months before

~  Attend menu tasting at venue

~  Attend cake testing and finalise cake decision with cake supplier

~  Book any beauty treatments for upcoming months

~  Arrange to order any additional liquor if required

~  Bride and Groom to start writing their vows if writing their own

~  Prepare any information sheets for out of town guests

~  Prepare Brides day itinerary including sequence of events (e.g. cake cutting, throwing of bouquet)

~  Finalise guest list and send invitations

~  Set rehearsal date and time

 

2 months before

~  Attend dress fittings and arrange any alterations if necessary

~  Select gifts for bridal party and parents

~  Select going away out for the bride

 

 1 month to go……..

~  Follow up any unreturned RSVP’s

~  Finalise guest lists from RSVP’s and give numbers to your reception venue

~  Confirm any arrangements with ALL your suppliers and brief them about the day

~  Prepare seating plans for reception

~  Prepare place cards

~  Begin preparing speeches

~  Attend any final dress fittings

 

 

 

 

 

Oh Wow….only 2 weeks!!

~  Make any arrangements for your honeymoon e.g. currency, taxis, print tickets, any final shopping and start packing

~  Pick up Brides dresses and accessories (if applicable)

~  Do a test drive to the church

~  Wrap any gifts for your bridal party

 

The last week….the official countdown!

~  Confirm rehearsal date and time with your bridal party

~  Make arrangements for any gifts at the reception

~  Organise the final payments to your suppliers

~  Confirm final numbers again with reception

~  Pack your bag for the first night

~  Review your seating plan

~  Have any essential beauty treatments (waxing, tan, manicures etc.)

~  Do a full dress rehearsal from underwear to veil

~  Arrange collection of groom and groomsmen attire if hired

I’m getting married in the morning!!!!!

 

~  Ensure cake has been delivered to venue

~  Relax have a glass of wine (don’t over indulge)

~  Get a good night’s sleep!!

 

THE BIG DAY (no turning back now!)

~  Allow plenty of time for hair and makeup

~  Eat a breakfast

~  Try not to be nervous this is hopefully one of the best days of your life

~  Ensure flower’s are delivered on time

~  Enjoy every minute of this special day!

 

 

After the Brides

 

~  Arrange for dresses to be cleaned and stored

~  Return groomsmen attire

~  Arrange for flowers to be preserved if required

~  Send thank you cards to your guests & suppliers

~  Place a Brides announcement in the newspaper

 

 

Images are courtesy of Pinterest.

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Unknown Brides Countdown, Brides planning, Brides suppliers