As far as historians can tell, lovebirds in Egypts presented each other with small circles made of reeds over 3,000 years ago. As can be expected, these rings didn’t last long and inventive souls soon came up with bands made from leather, bone or ivory. Translation of hieroglyphics show that Egyptians believed the rings symbolized undying commitment and eternal love between the couple because the circle has no beginning or end. The center opening is a door to the future. This symbolism still applies to many cultures today.
After all the stress that comes with planning a wedding, it’s no doubt that you’ll welcome your honeymoon with open arms. Just you and your partner against a backdrop of romance, quality time and breathtaking scenery in foreign places. To make things easy and to ensure that you minimise any unnecessary stress from here on out, we’ve listed some useful tips to help you pack the perfect honeymoon suitcase.
Create a packing list:
To maximise on space and save time when selecting outfits, you want to consider a few things when creating a packing list. These factors will ensure that you don’t end up taking unnecessary items that you won’t end up using. Consider the:
- Destination
- Weather
- Itinerary
- Comfortability
- Practicality
What to pack:
After carefully taking into considering what the climate will be like at your honeymoon destination and everything you have set out on your itinerary, don’t forget about these basics:
- Versatile clothing items. These are items that can be worn to any occasion and are comfortable, practical and stylish, like a comfortable pair of pants that can be dressed up or down.
- Try and stick to packing in wrinkle-resistant microfibers and fabrics that don’t require extra care.
- Pack in travel-sized essentials like shampoo, toothpaste and skincare, but also share products with your S.O. where possible.
- All important documents should be kept separate from your check-in luggage, so that you don’t end up looking for them at customs.
How to pack:
Minimising your luggage weight can prove to be a huge benefit. Not only will you be able to move around more freely with less luggage, but you can accommodate space for those souvenirs you couldn’t resist buying.
- Layer the bottom of the suitcase with your shoes.
- On top of the shoes, pack in all folded items. Rolling outfits into tight rolls can create a ton of extra space because you can insert clothing into every nook and cranny in your suitcase.
- For clothing that wrinkles easily, it may be best to fold instead of roll, and then place on top of everything else.
- Once all your smaller items have been packed, you can now pack the bulkier clothing right on top.
- Another option would be to purchase suitcase dividers – this may take up a bit more space but will ensure that your suitcase is more organised, making things easier to find.
What to avoid:
- Refrain from packing in items you’ve never worn before – chances are they’ll never leave the suitcase either.
- Don’t pack in multiple items of the same kind. One pair of comfortable sneakers is enough!
- Don’t overthink your clothing choices – you’ll end up with your entire closet in your suitcase.
By Aadilah Hallam
Feature image: Unsplash
Everyone loves a man in a suit. Grooms have been relying on the old faithful, a classic black tux, for decades. However, today’s groom is one that is…
Who doesn’t love an island getaway? The sea, the sand and a delicious beverage is sometimes all you need to relax and unwind. An island-based honeymoon is especially perfect after the stress of planning a wedding.
If you’re a beach lover, island hopping is an excellent honeymoon option. Rather than settling in one place, island hopping allows you to experience many different locations in one trip. You’ll definitely want to check out these destinations to live out your island fantasy.
Greece:
Live your Mamma Mia life to the fullest in Greece. With 6000 islands to choose from within the Greek archipelego, you’ll definitely need to do your research.
There are a number of Greek Island groups, including: the Ionian islands, the Argo-saronic Islands, the Cyclades, Crete, and the Dodocanese Islands. Within each grouping there are a multitude of islands to sail between.
Some of the most romantic islands are Santorini, Milos, and Hydra.
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Croatia:
Besides offering beautiful old-town culture, Croatia is home to over 1000 islands and close to 6,000 kilometres of coastline fronting the Adriatic sea. Honeymooners can simply hop on a boat to explore the country via water.
A must see is Hvar, one of the country’s most popular islands. It reminds one of a beautiful seaside village, with much to see and do. The city of Dubrovnik’s beaches are a sparkling blue. When there, make sure to take a ferry to Locrum island for a private day in the sun.
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Fiji:
Fiji has over 330 breathtaking islands for you to experience. The Mamanuca and Yasawa Islands are the most popular, and honeymooners can easily purchase a Bula pass to hop between them.
Viti Levu is the largest island, and offers sea and city life. Savusavu is just a few hours away, and offers quiet contemplation and relaxation. Lose track of time while admiring the little shops in the quaint city centre.
For a private island experience, take a trip to Savasi Island. The island is made up of lava rock, and honeymooners can enjoy an array of activities such as hiking, kayaking and snorkeling.
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Thailand:
Thailand has quickly become a popular honeymoon destination for its affordability and beautiful beaches. Take your pick from its over 1000 islands. Phuket, Krabi, Koh Phi Phi, and Koh Lipe are the most popular destinations.
Honeymooners often favour Koh Yao Noi for its idyllic setting and stunning scenery. Most accommodation on this island is quite luxurious. Scuba divers will love the Similan Islands, where you can visit Richelieu Rock and Elephant Head Rock.
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Philippines:
The Philippine archipelago comprises of over 7000 islands clustered into the three major groups of Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.
Palawan, the largest island in the Phillipines, has been voted best island in the world for many years, and we can see why. With jungles, mountains and white beaches, honeymooners will love the variety of experiences from just this one island. The Twin Lagoons in Coron, Palawan are incredibly popular with tourists for its towering cliffs and crystal clear water.
For something more remote, Palaui Island is perfect for nature lovers wanting a break from fast-paced city life. Hike through the vibrant green rice fields one day, explore caves and waterfalls the next.
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The Bahamas:
With over 700 islands, The Bahamas is an ecological paradise boasting some of the clearest water on the planet.
The country’s capital, Nassau, is the perfect mix of city and island life. From here, take a trip to Paradise Island. The Abacos island is popular with tourists for its swimming pigs attraction. While here, enjoy one of the four national parks on the island. Andros is the largest island in The Bahamas, and is home to the second largest coral reef in the Western Hemisphere. Divers will particularly enjoy this island.
Honeymooners will love Harbour Island’s rose tinted sand and its peaceful atmosphere.
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Image: Unsplash
You know how it goes: Photos or it didn’t happen. Recently, it has almost become a competition, with some couples going to extreme lengths to do certain poses…
Congratulations, you’re engaged! Now it’s time to announce it to the world. While the majority of engagement photos show off the engagement ring, it is not obligatory and you should not feel that you have to include a picture of your ring when you announce.
Here are 10 beautiful engagement photos that don’t focus on your engagement ring:
Hold on tight
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Have fun
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Through the trees
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Embrace your inner nerd
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Show that your love is the bomb
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Do a dance
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Include your pet
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Be extra
Bird’s eye view
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Submerge yourself
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Feature image:
Writing your wedding vows but lacking inspiration? Turn to the literary giants. Let these words of love get your romantic juices flowing. https://www.instagram.com/p/B4TklRXHVFQ/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link “Whatever our souls are made…
With endless designs, materials, shapes and sizes, rings are quite a big deal. People gush over it, spend crazy amount of money on it, and flaunt it for all to see. But where did it all begin, and why did societies across the globe agree that it should be worn by engaged and married couples?
Where it started: Ancient Egypt
Where it continued: Ancient Rome
It seems that grooms would present their brides with iron bands to wear. The iron symbolized steadfastness and stability. It is also believed that the Romans were the first to have their rings engraved. The ring was placed on the lucky lady’s fourth finger, which was believed to contain the vena amoris, or the vein of love, that connected to the heart. Today, of course, we know that it’s not quite medically true. However, romanticism led us to stick to the practice anyway.
The reason behind why it’s specifically worn on the left hand, is apparently that most people are right handed and so the ring would be out of harm’s way and not be as likely to get damaged.
Where it is now: Modern times
Before the onset of World War II, it was customary for only the woman to wear a ring. We’re not sure why. It could be for financial reasons, or even sexist reasons. During the war, however, some soldiers chose to wear rings their wives would give them as a reminder and symbol of commitment. A few years and few wars later, wedding ring sets became more popular among civilians as well.
Today, it’s a multimillion-dollar industry and most couples choose to both give each other rings as a symbol of love, commitment and security.
Picture: Pexels