travel Archives - Bridal Hot List

Top Five Tips for Planning Your Honeymoon

June 24, 2014 Leave a Comment

The best part of planning a party? The afterparty, of course! After your wedding wraps, keep the good times rolling with an awesome honeymoon. Don’t know where to start? We got you covered.

Decide on Old vs. New

Talk it over with the fiancé, and figure out if you want to revisit a place in the world that is special to you, or to explore a new corner of the globe. You may want to go back to the place where you had your first romantic getaway, or go to a dream destination that you haven’t been to yet. While most people tend to try out new places, there can be some stability in going somewhere you’ve gone before. Vegas, for example, can be a great place for both parties and romantic getaways. It’s pretty decent year round and there are always some deals for it. Places like New York City or Miami need a little more thought- they’re not always perfect year round and you’d want to do some research before heading out there.

Define Your Time

Consider what you’d want to do on your honeymoon- are you an adventurous pair that would want to jump off of the faces of mountains? Do you want to eat your way through a foodie paradise? Do you plan on lounging around by the pool? Even if a city sounds like a blast, think about how you want to spend your time. New York City may be fantastic for culture, but if you’d rather hang out on the beach it may not be the dream destination for this trip. Just remember- this won’t be the only vacation you go on! It’s just your first as a married couple. Don’t feel pressured to go to one place because you’ve always wanted to- go where you feel you’d enjoy your time the best! And if that’s Myrtle Beach for the tenth time, so be it.

Plan Before You Pack

Once you have a basic location, it’s good to know what kind of travel to book. Certain locations and areas of the world will be able to do all-inclusive packages, so you don’t need to worry about doing food or any random activities. This is very common in resort towns like Cancun, Cabo, and Playa del Carmen. It’s good to think about how you want to vacation- do you want to explore a city, or do you want to really sit back and relax for a while? Think about whether or not you want to do an all-inclusive package or piece your trip together yourself.

Check Your Dates

Do research on sites like TripAdvisor and the city’s tourism website to find out what times of the year are best to go. Find out if Fridays and Saturdays are super crowded and busy, or if it’s more of a Thursday-Friday town. If you’re planning on doing museums or beaches or even nightlife, think about what kind of experience you want to have. Cross reference your dates as much as you can so you won’t be surprised by long lines or crazy crowds at any point.

Ask for Help

Hit the blogs looking for travel tips and tricks for your destination. It can be a good idea to check out local hot spots through Yelp, check out hotels on TripAdvisor, and if you’re leaving the country, look up any travel tips for getting through customs. Some countries may surprise you by having entry or exit fees that you may not have known about before. You can also ask your friends on social media if they’ve been to where you’re heading and ask for advice. Do some digging just to help anticipate any issues or questions you may have.

Filed Under: General Tagged With: bride, groom, honeymoon, marraige, travel, wedding

Five Tips for Saving on Your Honeymoon

April 10, 2014 Leave a Comment

The big day is just around the corner- but that means the big vacation is too! Whether you’re hopping on a plane right after the reception or getting settled then hitting the road to enjoy your new spouse, you’re going to want to enjoy your honeymoon. A honeymoon is a well-deserved romantic vacation, and it’s absolutely worth saving for. We want to help, so we have our top five tips to help you save on the best vacation you’ll ever take.

Work Seasonally

Plan your trip against the tourism seasons, and you’ll save yourself time, money, and a headache. It’s easy to find out when a city is in high season- just check out their hotel prices in one month versus the next month. The higher the hotel rates, the more popular the destination is at that time. If you’re unsure, just call a hotel and ask their front desk when the best times are to get to that city. As a rule, most travel in July and August will be higher season for more popular areas. If you’re able to travel when it’s not a major school holiday (summer, spring, or winter break), it won’t be as popular a time to travel.

Get Organized

While you’re doing research on where to travel, be organized with all of your findings. If you have your heart set on Maui and plan for an off-season visit, write down the ballpark numbers that you’re seeing. The earlier you start budgeting, the better! You probably already have some practice working on the wedding, so this shouldn’t be a big deal. Keep this budget in mind and give yourself some wiggle room to cover any random taxes, expenses (ever forget your phone charger and have to buy one at the airport?), and souvenirs.

Mark Your Calendar

Once you’ve got your trip planned, try to buy any plane tickets about two to three weeks before your departure date. That’s typically the sweet spot when some fare cuts are made before they go right back up. Airfare is very difficult to get deals on, so you just have to be strategic about when you book.

Get a Room

Reach out to the resort or hotel that you want to book and tell them it’s your honeymoon. Sometimes that magic ‘H’ word can make miracles happen. Hotels want to accommodate you so that you have the best time of your life and want to come back. Call ahead, speak to a sales manager and tell them your story. Mention how much you’ve wanted to come out to their city and how much you love the property. They may be able to lower your room rate, upgrade you to a better suite, or even comp some champagne to celebrate!

Plan Your Meals

One of the biggest expenses you may not budget properly for? Food and entertainment. Before hitting the road, do some research on sites like Groupon or LivingSocial to see if there’s restaurants that you’ll want to check out. It’s an easy way to save yourself money before you even start, plus it keeps you from being indecisive and wasting time searching for restaurants that you’d want to try once you’re there. Show tickets, museum admission, meals, and even transportation can be found for discounted prices online. Plus, most sites let you download the app and use that to redeem your vouchers- less to lug around while you’re traveling!

Filed Under: General Tagged With: bride, groom, honeymoon, tips, travel, wedding

10 Helpful Honeymoon Packing Tips

February 23, 2014 Leave a Comment

The wedding is over and now it’s time to bask in the warmth of newlywed bliss. It’s honeymoon time! The last thing you want on your honeymoon is to worry if you packed adequately for the trip. Just like planning a wedding, getting ready for the honeymoon will ensure you are prepared and leave you stress free. It’s important to start packing early and research your destination well before hand in case you need to buy any additional items. We’ve compiled 10 useful tips to help make packing for your honeymoon a breeze!

1. Check the weather. Research your destination to get a sense of the weather during the season of your visit. This way you will not be caught off guard by the variances in your destination’s weather

2. Expect the unexpected. The thing about traveling is that you can never be certain of what to expect when you get there. That is why it’s important to pack at least one out of season outfit. If you go to a tropical place pack a warmer outfit just to be safe, etc.

3. Chargers! Do not forget your chargers. Whether they be camera, computer or phone chargers make sure you pack the right chargers. You will want to capture every special moment exploring a new place with your husband, so pack those chargers.

4. Check in with your family. Before you leave, send your family members the itinerary for your trip. This ensures they know where you will be should any unforeseen incidents occur. This will ease the worries of loved ones while ensuring your safety as well.

5. Medicine cabinet. You don’t know how your body is going to react when you visit a new place so it’s nice to have some basic medications on hand. Travel size aspirin and allergy medication. Tums and Eye drops are a great start to a basic medicine travel kit. Feel free to add other medicines, depending upon your location and the activities you have planned.

6. Get organized. A few days before the wedding gather all the necessary paperwork, tickets, identification, and money you need for the trip. Pack it into your honeymoon suitcase so you guarantee you won’t forget anything.

7. The great outdoors. Pack the clothes you will need for any outdoor activities. That could be hiking, biking or even just laying by the pool. Don’t forget your running shoes! Not only are they practical but they are so comfy!

8. Toiletries. Designate one of your carry ons for toiletries. Must haves: toothbrush, hairbrush, sunscreen, toothpaste, lotion, tampons, hair products and razor. Try to buy travel size when you can and pack well because you don’t want to be left searching for a store.

9. Contraception. This is important if pregnancy is not on your immediate to do list. Assure your prescriptions are filled and the proper contraception bought ahead of time.

10. Store the bling. Bring something to store your rings in when you have to take them off. For example, you might not want to wear your ring while snorkeling or doing any sort of strenuous activity. Bring something you use to hide your ring inside your suitcase or hotel safe.

Happy Honeymooning!

Filed Under: General Tagged With: bride, groom, honeymoon, honeymoon packing, honeymoon tips, travel, weddings

Five Tips for Planning a Destination Wedding

January 16, 2014 Leave a Comment

If you have your heart set on somewhere beautiful outside your neighborhood for your wedding, no worries. Destination weddings are a great option for couples who can afford it and have the will to travel. Before you start spinning the globe and day-dreaming about currency exchange stations, check out our top tips for planning your destination wedding.

1. Set Your Date Wisely

Have you dreamed about Hawaii in the summer? You’re not alone. Aiming for off-seasons can help cut your costs considerably. If you’re planning on taking anyone with you (such as family or friends), you’ll want to find a property that can accommodate everyone. If you’re unsure about when the off-season is, look at hotel rates for different dates on hotel booking sites like Expedia or Hotels.com. If you’re noticing a pattern of lower rates one weekend over another, that’ll be a more cost-effective time to get hitched. Since you’ll most likely have guests going to the wedding with you, you should ensure that it will be as affordable as possible for them as well. Keep in mind that there may be local events going on that could cause a busy weekend; for example Washington D.C. has a cherry blossom festival annually which causes just as much tourist traffic as the summer does. Do your research and your wallet will thank you later.

2. Warn Your Family

It will be smart to plan very much ahead for destination weddings- we’re talking a few months. Not everyone may be able to afford to travel for a wedding, but if you give your loved ones enough time they may be able to save. If you price out flights, hotels, and rental cars (if needed) in advance and show the costs to your guests, they will be more likely to attend. If you’ll need to save extra, your family and friends may need to as well.

3. Do Your Research

It is wise to at least have visited the place you’d like to get married before you get there. You may day-dream about Cabo and not feel the magic once you hit the beach, and you don’t want to risk that. Be sure it’s a place that you and your fiance both love. If it’s been a few years since you’ve visited your dream destination, take a weekend off with your love and check it out. It’s a nice excuse for a vacation (but honey- it’s wedding research!) plus you may find some unexpected finds nearby.

4. Block It Out

If you’ve settled on a location and a hotel, get in touch with the sales manager at the hotel. If you contact them directly and let them know that you’ll have some friends and family coming out with you for your special day, they may do some extra work for you. A hotel sales manager wants to make sure that your (and your loved ones’) experience is as excellent as possible- they want to make it easy on you. They may be able to set up a block of rooms so your guests are all on the same floor or area. They may also (and this may be an advanced move- but it can be done!) be able to set up special lower rates since you’re guaranteeing them a solid amount of room nights. It’s not a guarantee, but it’s worth a shot. If they are unable to accommodate you, they may be able to offer suggestions for other properties as well.

5. Plan Ahead

If there’s one unexpected storm, you and your wedding party are landlocked. It may be a long shot if you’ve got your dates planned right, but there’s no harm in setting up a safety net. If you’re flying or driving, plan on leaving at least 1-2 days before your wedding events start so you have that time to settle in and get ready. Do what you can to not book the last flight of the night- if an earlier one gets bumped you can always go stand-by on the next one. Have a few hundred on retainer in case you need to move your flight with short notice. You would not want your luggage to get lost and show up to your wedding a day late.

Filed Under: General Tagged With: destination, organization, planning, travel, wedding

Top Nine Holiday Travel Tips

December 13, 2013 Leave a Comment

The holidays can be such a beautiful time, particularly here in sunny Southern California. We may not get snow, but we are keen to head towards it for the holidays. If you’re traveling for the holidays whether it be for family or if you’re just heading south for the winter, be sure to check out our travel tips.

Plan Ahead

Being organized is more important now than ever! Keep all of your travel itineraries together, and know when you can check in to flights. Sign up for text alerts on all your flights so you know immediately if there are any changes. Call and confirm any hotel or car rentals about a day or two in advance. Sometimes during busy seasons (like holidays), things can get overlooked and overbooked. Don’t worry about bothering anybody; make sure you and your loved ones are taken care of. It may be useful to do a weather check before you leave to make sure you packed the appropriate clothes. If you and your honey are spending the holidays apart, be sure to have some scheduled time to chat and catch up.

Make a List

And be sure to check it twice! Go over everything you’ll need while you go over your itinerary. Write down how many outfits to pack (and which ones- if you’re that meticulous!), what shoes you’ll need to stash, and any necessary accessories to bring. If go see grandma while wearing the necklace she sent you last year, it’ll make her smile. Think ahead so you can relax once you get to your destination. It can be helpful to share your list with your fiance to ensure you’re both prepared. An organized couple is an efficient couple!

Practice Your Story

If you’re engaged, newly married, or even just getting there, chances are you’ll end up telling your story to family members and old friends. It may be commonplace to you, but hearing a real life love story is exciting. Be sure you get your ‘how we met’ or ‘how he popped the question’ story down to an art. Keep it short, simple, and focused on the best details. You also may need to go over the story with your loved one to ensure only the necessary details are shared.

Give Yourself Time

The holidays are a busy season for a reason- everyone’s moving around all at the same time with the same dates in mind. What may have taken a two hour drive in traffic may be a four hour drive in even worse traffic. Airports are going to be busier than ever, and security will have to be more diligent due to the higher volume. Whatever time you would normally allot for travel, make sure you plan for extra delays. If you’re driving, also plan for weather like bad rain or winds to affect your commute. Winter may mean family time, but it can also mean harsher weather. In Los Angeles, a little rain can turn an hour commute into a two hour commute very easily.

Have Back Ups

It’s the season of giving, and you don’t want to end up empty handed anywhere. Stash an extra gift card for a store everyone loves (like Target, Best Buy, or Amazon) in your purse, just in case. Some people may be offended if they give you a gift and you don’t have anything to give them. It may seem a little silly, but it’s true. It’s always better to veer on the side of polite and grateful, than forgetful. Keep a pen on hand too so you can put their name on it.You may also want to have a few extra save the dates on hand, just in case you run into a family member you couldn’t get a hold of.

Read Up

If you’re taking a long drive, consider swapping out the road trip mix for an audiobook. You’ll get a chance to catch up on the books you’ve been meaning to get to, plus it’ll be more engaging for your brain than your high school throwback songs. You’ll also have something new and exciting to talk about when you hit the holiday party circuit.

Catch Up

Before you head out, have an idea of what you’d like to get accomplished. If you’re waiting on RSVP’s, keep a list of the people you need to touch base with. Just because it’s a holiday doesn’t mean that the work is over, a wedding takes a lot! Keep your eyes on the prize, ladies. If you need to, use this holiday time to get plus ones and dinner orders in order.

Get Charged Up

Chargers, chargers, chargers! It’s not just that we love San Diego; we also love all of our electronics to be juiced up. This can be one of the easiest things people forget, and one of the most crucial. It can be useful to invest in a 4-USB port charger, so you can just take your cords together with one charging device. There are also charger key chains available for some phones, and you can always pick up a backup battery. If you forget your chargers, you may end up overpaying for one. Airports can charge as much as twenty-five dollars for phone chargers. Yikes!

Pack Smarter, Not Harder

Try to put the heaviest items towards the bottom of your bag. Putting heavy things at the top creates more pressure than is necessary and can wear you out. Try to leave yourself some room in your bag for anything you may pick up along the way (like books or presents). Put a reusable water bottle in your purse to refill at the airport so you don’t end up buying overpriced disposable bottles. Stick as much in your checked baggage as possible so you don’t have an overflowing carry on purse. Little tricks you find along the way can save you time and energy. If you have any awesome tips, please feel free to share them in the comments section below!

Filed Under: General Tagged With: bride, groom, holiday, organization, tips, travel, winter

Seven Travel Tips for the Traveling Bride and Groom

September 1, 2013 Leave a Comment

We love destination weddings and honeymoons. There is something fun and exciting about packing your bags, and traveling to a new place to enjoy your special day, or relaxing days as husband and wife. So if you a destination bride, planning your honeymoon, or perhaps you are a travel newbie, you will want to read on. Whatever the case, we have seven amazing travel tips for every type of traveler. It’s important you plan ahead, so you know you will have enough time for all the fun things you want to do, so take these tips to heart, and learn how you can do just that. Share this with your guests and bridal party!

When traveling by air, you need to plan ahead. Many of the major airports are situated in and around big cities, so you need to plan ahead to avoid any delays, especially during heavily congested periods like rush hour. You should have your suitcase packed the day before you leave, so on the day of your trip you are totally ready to go. Complete and execute all of your plans well in advance of your flight. It feels terrible to miss your flight.
Be aware that in some foreign cities many criminals will pose as policemen. Do not let anyone have your passport unless you are sure they are legitimate. If they state you must go to an office, offer to walk the distance with them. Do not get into a vehicle with strangers at home or abroad.
If you have to drive a distance to the port to get on a cruise,drive there the night before and stay at a hotel that has free parking. You may want to contact the hotel administration about potential deals that they offer on parking even if it doesn’t look like any are available.
Keep close track of your belongings while traveling, especially important things like money and identification. If you’ve got a purse, keep it tucked under your arm neatly. Do not use bags with zippers that provide easy access to people near you that could easily take your stuff. Always consider these things before purchasing your travel bags.
Always remember to wear light, comfy shoes for air travel – shoes which you can slip off easily. They will have to be taken off when you reach the security checkpoint. It is important to be comfortable. You are not going to have to do as much walking as you will sitting in most cases, so the heavy-duty support isn’t really that necessary. Sandals and flip-flops are best for traveling.
You will be able to observe incredible animals and plants. Deserts are a special kind of place that everyone should get to experience at some point in their lives.
Start by subscribing to e-newsletters from the major airlines. The airlines use these newsletters to give you opportunities for deals that are not available elsewhere. Even though these e-newsletters can contribute to the congestion in your inbox, the money they can save you is well worth it.

Hopefully you now have a lot of very useful ideas on how to successfully compile a fascinating travel itinerary. One that you and your guests can really enjoy! Happy traveling!

Filed Under: General Tagged With: bridal party, bride, destination wedding, groom, guests, honeymoon, opinion, seven travel tips, travel

Five Fabulous Travel Tips

August 4, 2013 Leave a Comment

Are you itching for a little trip like we are? Summer time is the perfect opportunity to do a little getaway. If you are a travel newbie or a travel junkie, we have some amazing tips that everyone needs to know about traveling. Whether you are a bride going on a trip with the gals, or a couple who wants one last trip before you are man and wife, the tips will assist you in making the best choices when it comes to planning your trip. Planning ahead will go a long way in improving the quality of your trips, so keep an open mind as you check out these tips.

Look for a hotel that offers free parking and stay the night before leaving from a port city, on a cruise. You can check with staff at the hotel for unpublished parking deals.
Purchase tickets online for any attraction you may be visiting. You will generally pay a nominal fee for this service, but you won’t have to wait in ticket lines when you arrive. Some parks now have tickets that contain a specific time in order to avoid lines.
The markup on these small products is ridiculous. Try to be more efficient in how you pack instead. These minimizing tricks will allow you to pack more in a smaller space.
Try opting in to e-newsletters of major airlines. E-newsletters show you any special discounts or last-minute offers they have available. Yes, they will fill your inbox more, but the rewards and savings can be worth it.
If you enjoy visiting the gorgeous National Parks and plan to do so often, consider investing in an affordable National Park Pass. They are only $50 and can be used for one year at all of the parks.

These suggestions should have helped you find the information you need to plan your next trip in a way that will allow you to have the most fun you possibly can! We all want to have a great time when we travel right? It is the time to be happy, relaxed, and enjoy an awesome trip! So get ready to pack your bags and enjoy an amazing time.

Filed Under: General Tagged With: bride, bridesmaids, groom, opinion, travel, travel trips, traveling, trip, wedding

Tuscany Honeymoon, Italy

January 30, 2013 Leave a Comment

It is obvious that we at BHL are obsessed with everything that is wedding. We are also in love with travel and honeymoons. What we absolutely adore is a Tuscany honeymoon. The Tuscany region of Italy’s central west coast is absolutely breathtaking. It features rolling hills, beautiful vineyards, lush greenery, a vast history, stunning architecture, and arts. Not only are we head over heels with Tuscany’s lush landscape, but we crave the delicious cuisines and fantastic shopping that it offers.

Tuscany is the place to be with the one you love. It is so romantic. Imagine holding hands as you walk down the streets of a small historic town, sharing a delicious pizza, and surrounded by beautiful architecture from the fifteen century. Feeling romantic like we are? We have found the most perfect way to discover Tuscany and all that it can offer for you and your love. Get ready to be romanced!

Villa Rosa dei Venti is tucked away in the beautiful Tuscany country side in the city of Lucca. Only two miles from the city’s center, this villa is absolutely gorgeous. It offers two private apartments which can accomodate up to six people in each. Each apartment features two bedrooms, two bathrooms, with fine Italian furnishings, and a spacious separate living and sleeping quarters. The living room features glass doors leading to a private balcony which overlooks breathtaking views of the Tuscany hills. The amenities included are a fully equipped kitchen, towels, sheets, flat screen TV and Cable, Heat/AC, Wi-Fi, Bikes, Safe Deposit and Utilities. Renting a car? No problem. This villa has private parking and direct access to the apartment. Wonderful right? We think so.

Are you in love with these fabulous accommodations in one of the most beautiful spots in Italy? Villa Rosa dei Venti offers you a little more than these amazing accommodations. Your luxurious experience can continue with taking part in a private and special tour just for you and your husband. So if you want to taste the fine cuisines that Italy offers, or explore the arts and museums, or enjoy the vineyards, a customized tour package can be created just for you. Whatever your heart desires, Villa Rosa dei Venti can make it happen. It is about being in love, relaxing, and having an unforgettable honeymoon.

Are you ready to escape to Tuscany to enjoy it all? Grab your passport, pack your bags, and say ciao.