The honeymoon

Don't leave arranging your honeymoon too late. As soon as you have set the date and secured a venue, start planning. You will be glad later that you took the time to get it right and allocated funds when budgetting for the rest of the wedding. Traditionally it is the groom's responsibility. If he is happy to take the lead, it's another task delegated so let him! If he wants the destination to be a surprise, ask for an indication of what to pack.

Co-ordinate your schedules to determine the dates to book. The tradition of dashing-off to catch a train, boat or plane before the reception is over has long passed. Consider allowing a couple of days before departing on honeymoon to climb down from your wedding day high, and enjoy a lazy day or two at your first night venue.

Officials are under no obligation to accept your marriage certificate as proof of identity if your tickets do not match the name in your passport. If you want to travel in your married name, apply to the Passport Office for a new passport not earlier than three months before the wedding day, and not less than a month before. Your registrar will need to sign the application form to confirm the wedding date, and your passport will not be valid until then. Check visa and inoculation requirements in good time, order foreign currency and tak-out travel insurance (if you already have a policy which includes free cover for a spouse, advise insurers of your pending change in marital status to ensure you are both covered). Always stress to tour operators, travel agents, airlines and hotels when booking that you will be on honeymoon as they may offer upgradesor special packages. Take your marriage certificate with you in case you need to prove you are honeymooners.