Honemoon Planning Timeline

At least six months in advance:

• Set a budget and a spending limit for your expenses.
• Decide upon a destination option. Talk to a travel agent, friends, family and scout the net for ideas.
• Book airline tickets and get your confirmation number.
• Reserve hotels and room type (non-smoking, beachfront, suite, etc.).
• Book a rental car (if you need one) and get a confirmation number.
• If you’re going overseas, consider taking language classes or buying instructional CDs.

Four months in advance:

• Get passports and any required visas if you are going out of the country.
• Finalize your reservations.
• Keep your plane tickets and other reservation information organized as it comes in.

Two months ahead:

• Prepare a shopping list of everything you need for the trip (sunscreen, film, clothes, etc.)
• If necessary, get vaccinations (if you are going out of the country).
• Talk to your doctor about a prescription for motion sickness medicines if you are prone to the malady. If you are flying or sailing for the first time, it is best to be prepared.
• Make house/pet/plant-sitting arrangements for while you’re gone.

One month:

Confirm all reservations.

• If you have special meal requirements, speak with the airline.
• Book dinners, massages, tours, theater tickets or other activities that need reservations through your concierge, travel agent or tour operator.
• Be sure to refill prescriptions or medications you’ll need.

Two weeks:

• Get your tickets, vouchers, passes, etc. from your travel agent.
• Purchase traveler’s checks and keep a safe copy of the numbers (not in the same place where the checks are stored) in case they are lost or stolen.

One week:

• Make arrangements for your mail to be held or have someone get it while you’re gone.
• Cancel newspaper delivery for the length of your trip.
• Request stores where you’re registered to temporarily stop delivering gifts or ask someone to collect them.
• Start packing.
• Get your addresses organized so you can write thank-you notes on the plane.

Three days before:

• Reconfirm any overseas flights.
• Purchase and pack books and magazines.
• Arrange for transportation to and from the airport.
• Prepare an itinerary for friends and relatives in the event of an emergency.
• Keep an eye on the weather reports for your destination.

Two days before:

• Reconfirm domestic flights.
• Make sure your house is in order before you leave (take out the trash, adjust the thermostat, set timers on lights, etc.).
• Finish packing. This is not something you want to save till the last minute.
• Be sure to leave plenty of room for gifts and other things that you’ll bring back form your honeymoon.