Everything Couples Need to Bring

Whether you’re jetting off on your honeymoon the morning after your wedding or delaying the trip by a few weeks or months, packing your suitcases for your post-nuptial getaway requires careful thought and consideration. After all, this trip is important, experts agree. “The honeymoon symbolizes a new beginning of life together filled with intimacy, adventure, and shared experiences,” travel expert Dr. Terika L. Haynes says. “This can serve as a catalyst to a lifetime of romance.” Having everything you need is one of the easiest ways to ensure your journey goes off without a hitch, which means you and your new spouse can spend more time soaking up this special vacation and less time stressing about the things you left at home.

Regardless of where you’re traveling or what type of trip you’re planning, filling your suitcases for your newlywed getaway can be especially tricky. For a vacation this important, you’re likely hoping to include multiple outfit changes per day, plenty of accessories, and all your must-have tools and toiletries. And if you’re heading somewhere far-flung or planning a longer-than-usual trip, you might feel inclined to pack more creature comforts than you usually would.

Unfortunately, while you’re busy overpacking your suitcase with items you might not really need, you’re probably forgetting about at least a few that you do. Your work laptop? Leave it behind. Your REAL ID (or passport, if you haven’t made the switch just yet)? Keep it in your carry-on or personal item. Multiple different hair tools? Pick just one (your hotel will have a hairdryer!) and leave the others at home. Paper copies of your important documents? You and your partner should each travel with a set.

To help you avoid any honeymoon packing missteps, we put together a perfect packing list for a one-week-long excursion, which includes everything from clothes, undergarments, and accessories to medications, toiletries, and practical essentials. We also asked travel experts for their best-kept secrets to pack your suitcase in a more organized manner. Ahead, your ultimate guide to packing a honeymoon suitcase in 2025.

Essentials You Can’t Forget

Yes, it would be unfortunate to unzip your suitcase upon arrival and realize you forgot your favorite swimsuit, but that’s the type of item you can replace just about anywhere. Other essentials, like identification, your credit cards, and must-have medications, aren’t easily replaced when far from home.

• Your REAL ID-compliant driver’s license
• Passport (if you’re heading abroad or don’t have a REAL ID)
• Converter or adapter (if your trip is out of the country)
• Chargers (for your laptop, phone, camera)
• Luggage tags
• Credit cards 
• Cash (for tipping) in both your home and local currencies
• 2 paper copies of important documents: passport, ID, credit cards, travel itinerary, health insurance, travel insurance, and prescriptions
• Paper and electronic copies of your hotel booking confirmation 
• Paper and electronic copies of phone numbers of your doctor, sitter, credit card, and health insurance

What to Pack in Your Carry-On

While it may be tempting to fill your carry-on with outfits you really want to wear on your trip, it’s best to fill it with the most essential items you’ll need during your stay—yes, a change of clothes, a set of pajamas, and swimwear are good inclusions, but you should add those only after adding must-haves like prescriptions, everyday toiletries, and items you might need on the plane, like a phone charger and your book.

• Form of identification (driver’s license and passport if needed)
• Credit cards (Remember to tell your bank about your travel plans)
• Cash (or the native currency)
• 1 paper copy of all important documents (see above)
• Prescription medications
• Basic toiletries: face wash, toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant
• A change of clothes (in case your luggage gets lost)
• Cell phone and charger (and an adapter if you’re leaving the country)
• Entertainment: e-reader, books, magazines, and/or a deck of cards
• Travel pillows and sleep masks

Toiletries to Bring

Here is a list of all the toiletries you’ll need to bring with you. Although you’ll want to add a few essentials to your carry-on, pack the rest of your toiletries in a dopp kit and place it in your larger suitcase. 

• Medications: prescription medication in original packaging, pain relievers, fever reducers, antacids, and antihistamines
• Shower essentials: shampoo, conditioner, body wash, razors, and shaving cream
• Hair care items: hair brush, hair ties, hairstyling tools, and hairstyling products
• Skincare products: face wash, face moisturizer, and body lotion
• Oral hygiene items: toothbrush, toothpaste, and floss
• Deodorant 
• Makeup and makeup remover
• Perfume or cologne
• Tweezers
• Nail filer
• Cotton swabs
• Feminine hygiene products
• Birth control and condoms
• Hand sanitizer

Clothing to Pack

Below are garments to pack on your trip for you and your partner, plus the estimated number of each item you’ll need for a week-long stay. Since the climate affects what outfits you’ll wear, add more lightweight clothing for warm destinations, heavier coats for chilly temperatures, and athletic gear for adventure trips. 

• Bottoms for her: 1 pair of jeans, 1 pair of leggings, 1 skirt, 1 sundress, 2 pairs of shorts
• Bottoms for him: 1 pair of jeans, 1 pair of khakis, 1 pair of dress pants, 2 pairs of shorts
• Tops for her: 4 casual shirts
• Tops for him: 4 T-shirts, 1 or 2 short-sleeve button-downs, 1 or 2 long-sleeve button-downs
• Swimsuits and coverups
• Jackets for her: 1 light jacket or cardigan
• Jackets for him: 1 sports jacket 
• Shoes: 1 pair of sneakers, 1 pair of walking shoes, 1 pair of evening shoes
• 8 pairs of underwear
• 2-3 pairs of socks
• Bras: strapless bras, sports bras, and regular bras
• Lingerie
• Pajamas
• Accessories: scarves, earrings, necklaces, bracelets, purses, clutches, hats, sunglasses, and ties
• Workout attire

Miscellaneous Items to Have

Although we’ve mostly covered everything you’ll need for your trip in the above sections, there are a few miscellaneous items you should throw into your suitcase:

• Plastic bags (for wet or dirty clothes)
• Stain remover pen
• Umbrella or rain gear
• Small backpack or fanny pack for day excursions
• Tote bag for the beach or pool

Location-Specific Items to Grab

Whether you’re visiting a tropical island or staying on a snowy mountain, you’ll need a few specific essentials based on the locale and the activities you plan to do during your say. The following essentials are a good starting point based on location, but always inquire with your hotel about what they think you need, too.

• Beach, resorts, or cruises: bathing suits, cover-ups, beach towels, sunscreen, bug spray, aloe, watersports attire
• Safari or adventure trips: binoculars, hiking shoes, flashlight, extra socks and underwear, athletic pants
• Cold weather or ski vacations: heavy jackets, sweaters, mittens or gloves, hats or earmuffs, waterproof snow pants, long underwear, scarves, waterproof socks, boots, ski equipment, hand warmers

Items to Leave at Home

You might be tempted to fill your suitcase with all of your favorite things or lots of extra comfort items, but there are a few valuables or unnecessary items to keep at home. Remember: You want to leave a little room for souvenirs and items you pick up along the way.

• Expensive jewelry (including your engagement ring)
• Sentimental items
• Work laptops
• Full-size toiletries
• New shoes
• Too many clothing options

Expert-Approved Honeymoon Packing Tips

Figuring out what you need to bring for your honeymoon isn’t that hard part—fitting it all into a suitcase (or two) is. To help you maximize every inch of your carry-on and checked luggage, we asked an expert to share their top tips for arranging honeymoon essentials in your suitcase in an organized, streamlined way.

Do Your Research

Before you start throwing objects into your suitcase, set aside some time to research the destination and the hotel or resort you’ll be staying at. Haynes says doing this will help you identify any specific dress codes you’ll need to follow and familiarize yourself with the types of activities the place offers, so you’ll get a better idea of the attire you’ll need to wear. For instance, if the resort has a fancy dining room for dinner, you’ll want to grab a nice dress or sport coat. If your hotel is by the ocean with opportunities to surf and sail, you’ll want to pack multiple bathing suits.

Book Activities Ahead of Time

After you have a general idea of the excursions, activities, and restaurants that are available, plan a loose itinerary in advance. Not only will you avoid the stress of making plans at the last minute, but you’ll also have a more seamless time packing for your trip. By booking a few dinner reservations in town, a tour of the Vatican, or a surfing lesson, you’ll know exactly how to dress, Haynes notes.

Pack Before the Wedding

Jessie Ladipo of Trips to Cherish recommends packing your bag before you swap vows, especially if you’re leaving town the following day. Since you won’t be in a mad rush to fill your suitcase, you’ll be more likely to remember everything you’ll need. “Packing before also gives you a couple of extra days to add anything you forgot,” she mentions.

Maximize Your Space

You might think you’re saving time by throwing your clothes and toiletries into your suitcase, but you’ll have more trouble finding what you need once you’ve reached your destination. For a more organized method of packing that uses every inch of space, Haynes advises purchasing packing cubes “to compress your items and take advantage of all available space in their luggage.” She also encourages couples to add their outfits to vacuum bags, so you can pack more with less. According to Ladipo, another way to fit more into your suitcase is by rolling your clothes rather than folding them. Not to mention, this technique will avoid unwanted wrinkles. 

Avoid Overpacking

Since your honeymoon is a once-in-a-lifetime vacation, you probably want to bring all of your favorite outfits and items. But before you know it, your suitcase has exceeded the maximum weight. To avoid overpacking, Ladipo suggests noting how you will use every piece you plop into your suitcase and whether or not it’s practical to bring. “Before you pack that fancy cocktail dress and Jimmy Choos, please stop and think about why you are taking it,” she advises. “Is there a specific occasion? Is it comfortable? Can you walk long distances in those shoes? When in doubt, leave it at home.”