>> 101 BEST WEDDING TIPS - SMART IDEAS FOR YOUR WEDDING AND HONEYMOON
(FROM EDITORS OF BRIDAL GUIDE MAGAZINE)


Bridal Guide Magazine, the bridal source for women in America, listed tips for Wedding and Honeymoon in its small booklet
"101 Best Wedding Tips". You will find below some of these tips for Honeymooners. If you are interested in all of the 101 wedding tips please contact Bridal Guide Magazine and ask for copy.

85. Destination Dilemmas
Deciding where to go on your honeymoon? Begin by keeping a file of possibilities (scope out stories that appear in Magazines and newspapers for ideas - the Sunday edition of most dailies devotes an entire section to travel). Also, you should each prepare a wish list: tropical climate, water sports, whatever you desire. Then combine your two lists into one - but be prepared to compromise - to come up with a honeymoon that pleases you both.

86. Agent AdvantageIt's always smart to enlist the help of a travel professional (it won't cost you extra) when booking your honeymoon. A good travel agent will ask lots of questions to get to know what interests you. Many also stock videotapes of popular resorts so you can see them before you decide. Ask friends for a travel agent referral. And remember that there are also some agencies that specialize in honeymoons.

87. Word to the Wise
Beware of the misleading travel-industry lingo you're bound to find in brochures. A good travel agent should be able to help you navigate your way through this confusing world of words. For instance, did you know that an oceanfront and an ocean-view room are two very different things? The first refers to a room smack on the beach, the second describes a room that affords you a look at the ocean from afar - and in some cases you may have to crane your neck considerably before catching a glimpse!

88. Paradise Found
What kind of accommodation is suitable for you? Usually, the momentum for making this crucial decision will come from your pocketbook. The more you can afford, the more upscale the hotel. When comparing hotels, decide whether it's action you want. Big resorts usually offer guests a lot of nightlife and diversions; smaller properties tend to be more intimate and quiet. If it's a hassle-free honeymoon you crave, an all-inclusive resort might be an answer. One pre-paid price covers all meals, accommodations, activities, transportation, gratuities and taxes so that you never have to deal with money on your vacation. But read the fine print, just in case.

89. Room Service
There are some common denominators that most honeymooners want in a hotel room: a private bathroom and all the comforts of home. When it comes to hotel rooms, you get what you pay for. If you'll be staying in a high-rise hotel, consider booking a room on the club floor (which will have its own concierge, and a lounge in which continental breakfast is served, as well as late-afternoon cocktails and hors d'oeuvres). Consider what you'll save on breakfast and cocktails alone! If you'll be staying at a resort, the better the view or closer the proximity to the beach, usually the higher the price of the room. Worth noting: Many hotels have non-smoking rooms you can request (at no extra cost).

90. Package Deals
Most honeymoon packages are very enticing: You receive pampering and a lot of goodies, all for one price. But read the fine print, and decipher whether or not you want all the extras-sometimes you end up paying more things that aren't really important to the success of you honeymoon. Other times, honeymoon packages offer the best bang for your buck.

91. When to Go
If you travel during a destination's peak season, expect to pay higher prices because that's the most popular time to go; off-peak travel usually means lower prices on everything from airfare to hotels. It can also mean fewer crowds. And it can mean less-than-desirable weather in some parts of the world.

92. Airborne Amenities
When booking your flight, you can order a special meal (vegetarian, kosher, law salt), but you must do so at least 24 hours in advance. You can also request the type of seat you'd like (usually in advance)- the bulkhead, aisle, exit row or window. Plus, some airlines offer honeymoon packages (champagne on board, upgrade to first-class or business), while others provide newlyweds with congratulatory perks (seat upgrades, free drinks, free movies).

93. Do Your Homework
Once you've selected your honeymoon destination, learn as much as you can about it ahead of time. For instance, you'll want to predetermine the best places to eat, swim, shop and museum hop, so that you don't spend half of your vacation deciding where to go. Bookstores and libraries are loaded with guidebooks (make sure any book you consult is a recent edition, as destinations are ever evolving).

94. Special Treatment
When you book your room, inform the reservations clerk that you two are on your honeymoon. Most properties will treat you with a little extra tender loving care when you arrive-complimentary champagne, chocolates-so take advantage!

95. All Aboard
A honeymoon cruise does wonders for keeping romance afloat. The all-inclusive cruising concept is especially popular. Expect to pay for drinks, though, as well as for land excursions and gratuities. Just as at a hotel, if you pay a little more, you'll get a lot more. (For instance, it'll cost more for a nicer cabin, but it can make a world of difference.) There are cruises to just about everywhere (and cruises to nowhere; some ships take people to sea and back just so that they can gamble offshore!). Your best bet: Go with a couples-only cruise line. There are many cruise-only travel agencies that can steer you the right way.

96. In the bag
At most beach resorts, casual clothes are the uniform of choice (shorts, T-shirts, sneakers, sandals). Still, for many destinations, you'll want to pack a tie and jacket or that sexy cocktail dress for special nights out. While the daytime dress code is equally casual aboard a cruise ship, nights tend to be much more formal, so do pack some fancy clothes (suit or tuxedo for men, gown or elegant dress for women) for the captain's dinner.

97. Economic Eats
If you're on a tight budget, get a room with a kitchen so that you can eat fewer meals out and instead indulge in just one or two special dinners that you'll always remember.

98. Making Change
If you'll be traveling overseas it's always best to exchange money at a bank abroad rather than at home or at your hotel because you'll get more favorable rates. Also, don't worry about withdrawing money from ATM's. Check with your bank before you go, though, to make sure your card doesn't need to be modified (in some foreign countries you can't access a PIN number that has more than four digits).

99. Proper Papers
If you'll be traveling to a foreign country, make sure you find out what documentation you'll need to enter (passport, birth certificate, photo ID). Ask your travel agent or call the tourism office for the country you'll be visiting.

100. Traveler's Insurance
There are three basic types of traveler's insurance: medical-expense insurance, which covers the costs for treatment of an injury or illness that occurs while abroad; baggage insurance, with covers items that are lost, damaged or stolen; and trip-cancellation insurance, which reimburses you if you unexpectedly need to cancel a nonrefundable trip or if the travel supplier fails to fulfill its obligation. Expect to pay anywhere from $5,50 to $6,50
per $100 of coverage. Also make sure you're aware of what coverage you already have-either through your employer, homeowner policy or credit-card company-so that you only purchase what you need. Most couples already have some form of insurance for medical expenses and lost or damaged luggage.

101. Quality, not Quantity
Don't try to cram too much into your honeymoon itinerary. Take it easy and pace yourselves-after the stressful big event (your wedding!), you'll probably need some downtime to sleep in or just take it easy by the pool, at least for the first day or so.

SOURCE : 101 BEST WEDDING TIPS, SMART IDEAS FOR YOUR WEDDING AND HONEYMOON (page 27-32)
FROM EDITORS OF BRIDAL GUIDE MAGAZINE