Your honeymoon begins the moment you start packing

Packing for your honeymoon marks the end of a hectic period – the wedding may be over, but the journey has only just begun. The honeymoon is the first time you’ll get to enjoy life as newlyweds, without timetables, suppliers or planning.

Whether you’re heading to an Italian coastal town, a tropical island or a mountain ski resort, there’s something liberating about zipping up your suitcase and knowing that the only thing that lies ahead is time together. Here are our top tips for packing smart, travelling in style and making the most of your first adventure as newlyweds.

Once the last guests have gone home and the wedding dress is hanging back in its wardrobe, a feeling often sets in that many aren’t prepared for: a sense of calm.

After months of planning, there’s suddenly nothing left to organise. Just the two of you and a trip that marks the start of a new chapter. Perhaps that’s why the honeymoon feels so special. It’s not about seeing as many sights as possible or booking as many activities as you can. It’s about settling in. About taking a deep breath. About, for the first time in a long while, having nothing else on the agenda but each other – and perhaps that feeling begins as soon as you start packing.

It’s easy to want to take ‘a bit of everything’. An extra dress just in case, three pairs of shoes to be on the safe side, and that jacket you might need. But pack for the experience, not for every conceivable scenario.

The most experienced travellers rarely pack the most; they pack the smartest. Think about what you actually want your days to be like. Will you be spending your mornings by the pool and your evenings over long dinners? Will you be exploring new cities, hiking along coastlines or checking into a boutique hotel where life moves at a slower pace? When you pack with the experience in mind, your suitcase becomes both lighter and much more thoughtfully organised.

Build a holiday wardrobe rather than packing more clothes. The best-packed suitcases rarely contain the most items. The secret, instead, is to choose pieces that work well together.

A linen shirt can be worn open over your swimwear during the day and paired with a pair of smart trousers for the evening. A silk dress works just as well for a long lunch as it does for a dinner at sunset, simply by changing your shoes and jewellery. When every item can be worn in several ways and mixed and matched, you can pack lighter whilst still always having something to wear. Plan a few complete outfits in advance!

TIP: Pack a small travel steamer. It takes up very little space in your suitcase, but is invaluable when your linen shirt, summer dress or dinner outfit needs freshening up.

STEAMERY

Cirrus Lite Travel Steamer

Your ultimate travel companion. Compact, portable, lightweight and designed for versatility.

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5 smart packing tips for your honeymoon

1. Think in terms of outfits, not individual items. Instead of packing a new change of clothes for every day, plan a few well-thought-out outfits where the items can be mixed and matched. A linen shirt, a silk skirt or a pair of stylish trousers can be worn in several ways and will make your suitcase considerably lighter.
2. Make sure your essentials travel with you. Passports, travel documents, medication, chargers and a change of clothes should always be in your hand luggage. If your luggage is delayed, you can still start your honeymoon without any unnecessary stress. Remember to check all your travel documents well in advance to ensure your passports are valid for your honeymoon.
3. Choose your shoes carefully. Shoes often take up the most space in your suitcase. Opt for a few pairs that work for multiple occasions, such as a pair of comfortable sandals for the day, a pair of trainers for excursions and a pair of smart shoes for evening dinners.
4. Leave some space in your suitcase before you even leave home. A honeymoon often involves spontaneous purchases. Everything from local wine, handicrafts and ceramics to clothes or little souvenirs from your trip. A half-full suitcase is much nicer to travel home with than one that’s already packed to the brim when you set off.
5. Don’t forget the evenings. It’s easy to focus on swimwear and summer clothes, but many of the trip’s finest moments happen after sunset. So pack a couple of outfits that feel a bit extra special for romantic dinners, wine tastings or spontaneous evening walks.