to Get Inspired DreamDifferently

We believe your wedding should be done your way & we are committed to making that happen. We focus on versatility, sustainability, and hand-crafted customization.

As a leader in destination weddings, we pride ourselves on:

• Proving that sustainable weddings are stunning and leading change through responsible events.

• Peeling back the packages to ask you what you want instead of telling you what we have.

• Enhancing the wedding experience for everyone involved by creating week long experiences of bonding and memory making for you and your guests.

For more information: www.iberostar.com/weddings

@iberostarweddings

TRAVEL TIPS YOU DIDN’T KNOW YOU NEEDED

After an overwhelming wedding process, you’ll want your honeymoon to go as smoothly as possible. Being the wedding travel experts, we have some advice for you.

1

Make sure your passport is up to date. This means it won’t expire in the next six months. Some airlines and countries won’t accept a passport that expires within six months.

2 Pack a towel and a facecloth. Some resorts can be stingy with towels, or they are too small. And many downsouth properties don’t even have facecloths!

4 Throw some air fresheners into your bag – the plug-in kind, or even fabric softener sheets. If you’re headed somewhere with high humidity, it helps to cover up the damp smell in the room.

5 When choosing a security or check-in line at the airport, try not to go behind a family, especially if you’re in a rush. Chances are they will take longer getting through.

7 Use your honeymoon status to your advantage and ask about upgrades with your airline and resort. If you can’t be bumped to a suite, etc., ask your resort if they have any special perks for honeymooners. You might score some Champagne and rose petals, or maybe a free couples massage.

Purchase “damp bags” for your clothes. These are bags in which you hang your clothes when you’re in a tropical location. They help to suck the moisture out of your garments, so they stay fresh. You know how some humid locations can be – nothing ever dries! You can purchase the bags on Amazon.

8 left paying for it in cash. Book insurance through your travel agent or through companies like CAA. indulge in some local cuisine and experience life in that country.

Don’t forget a mini first aid kit. Have all the essentials on hand: bandages (in a few sizes), antiseptic, tweezers, etc. You’d hate to have your vacation ruined by a blister on your foot!

9 Use Uber or Lyft to get around. Your app should work in many countries and ride share programs are often much cheaper than taxis. Also, don’t be afraid of public transportation! The Collectivo in Mexico, for example, is a really cheap and efficient way to get from place to place.

10 Bring a reusable water bottle. First place it will come in handy: the airport! Fill it once you’re past security and bring it on the plane. This way, you aren’t at the mercy of the flight attendant and their tiny cups of H2O. You’ll also want it for any resort excursions. When vacationing down south, your best bet is to ask for your bottle to be filled at a bar or restaurant to be sure the water is safe.

13

Invest in a powerbank for charging your electronics on the go. You don’t have to go extreme; a small, lightweight bank will come in handy when you’re off resort for the day and do the trick just fine.

11

Do not skimp on the travel insurance! This is something that will haunt you for life if you require emergency medical treatment and are

14

Get off the resort! You don’t go to a foreign country to stay away from the culture. Speak to your concierge and ask for safe ways to tour the area. Check out the shopping,

15 Always, always pack extra clothes in your carry-on bag. You don’t want to be left high and dry if your luggage is lost. Wear running shoes on the plane and put flip flops or sandals in your carryon, along with a bathing suit and two days’ worth of clothing. Hopefully that will be enough to get you through until your luggage arrives.

16 Always. Wear. Sunscreen. Make sunscreen your new religion. Going to the tanning salon prevacation does not give you a “protective base”. And just because you don’t wear sunscreen at home in Canada (which you should), doesn’t mean you should skip it in a tropical climate. A sunburn can ruin a vacay in a hurry.

Read online reviews, but take them with a grain of salt. We tend to believe the bad reviews and ignore the good ones. Reading negative reviews of a resort you’ve already booked can cause unnecessary stress. So either avoid reviews altogether, or understand that everyone’s travel experience is different, and we all have varying degrees of expectations when it comes to resorts or vacation properties.

17 Create a balance of relaxation and adventure. Yes, take the time to recover from wedding planning. Get a couples massage. Lay on the beach. Suntan. But set aside some time to do something unforgettable, like ziplining, four-wheeling or scuba diving. Have an experience you’ll remember for years to come.

When you get to your destination, make the best of it, whether it’s exactly what you imagined, or not. Flight delays, room mix-ups, lost luggage – it can all put a damper on your festivities. But a honeymoon is what you make of it. Don’t let hiccups bother you and ruin your trip. A positive attitude goes a long way.