Let me start by saying: If I can do it…So can you!

I know what you’re thinking…there’s no way. Each day requires 3 outfit options, 4 pairs of shoes, and not to mention the bulky sunhat with your new last name that you got as a bridal shower gift!

Well, ladies…priorities. I am the first one to pack every item in my closet for a two night trip, simply because options are key. However, when considering the possibility of lost luggage or missed connection flights, I surrender.

I outlined below the tricks I used for packing 12 days in a single carry on and tote, as well as some of my must-have travel items!

Tip 1: Plan Out Your Days/Outfits

This is boring, I admit, but also the biggest hack when it comes to packing smart. Look at your honeymoon itinerary, day by day, and plan which outfit you’re going to be wearing for every activity. Match your sundress with shoes and a bag, and make sure you know what’s going together. If you’re unsure if you’ll want a blue jean jacket or a white jean jacket with a specific dress, TRY IT ON WITH BOTH BEFORE PACKING! This keeps you from making the classic girl mistake of throwing in 5 pairs of shoes because you’re not sure which one will go best with your 3 dress options for dinner on Saturday night. If you know which pieces you’re wearing, you can pack the bare minimum. It also took the guess work out of my morning rituals, since I knew exactly which dress belonged to that day’s agenda (the blue dress went with our walk around Santorini—had to match with the scenery, duh).

Here is a sample of what I’m talking about:

Day 1 - Flight to Italy

Wearing grey sweatpants, white tshirt, black zip up, flip flops on airplane

Day 2 - Arrive in Italy, Lounge by pool, Dinner in town

Change into blue sundress

Red bathing suit and white cover up

Striped maxi dress and wedges
White pj set

Tip 2: Place Items Strategically In The Suitcase

Pack the things you’re wearing first up top, as you’ll be able to easily find them without digging through the whole suitcase. Anything you’re wearing on the last half of the trip can be packed in the second compartment (most suitcases have a zipper compartment on each side). Again, you’ll be able to keep that side completely mess-free by not even touching it until that half of the vaca.

Tip 3: Vacuum Sealed Bags

This is where the magic comes into play. Vacuum sealed bags, people. Go on Amazon and buy them right now. We got the Roomier Life Space Saver Compression Bags, which don’t require a pump. We were able to fit 12 days worth of outfits in two suitcases, and yes each day came with at least 2 outfit changes for each of us! You simply roll the bags to get the air out, and you save so much space. Our clothes didn’t come out wrinkly at all, and when it was time to go home, we simply reused each bag! Make sure to buy the ones without pumps, since you won’t have space to bring the pump and those bags are not reusable.

Also, when packing these, put full outfits together in sealed bags. You don’t want to open up a sealed bag to fish out a pair of shorts if you don’t have to!

Tip 4: Shoes Go In The Backpack

You do not—I repeat—you do not need 20 pairs of shoes! If you’re doing anything active (hiking, working out, etc) you’ll need sneakers. Most nights you’ll likely want wedges to go with your dinner outfit, so find a pair that are in a neutral color (black, nude, white, etc) and that are comfy!!! During the day, you’ll be in comfy flip flops to tour around, shop, hang by the pool, etc. I’d suggest you both wear your flip flops on travel days (easy to slip on and off during airport security and while getting comfy on the plane), and putting the other 2-3 pairs in your S.O.’s backpack, along with his shoes!

In the backpack:

1 pair of her sneakers (if doing something active)
1-2 pairs of her wedges
1 pair of his sneakers
1 pair of his loafers

Tip 5: A Large Carry On Bag

While your S.O is carrying your backpack of shoes, you should take on a large tote of everything else! I’d get one that’s compact enough to fit under your plane seat, but large enough to store all needed items, and possibly to even take to the pool/beach. Here is my packing list for my carry-on bag:

Sleep Pillow (J Pillow is my favorite)
Passport cases
Makeup bag and deodarant
Face wipes
Lip balm
Folder with all hotel/flight confirmations (in case internet issues while traveling)
Sleeping mask
Snacks/bars
Gum
Sunglasses
Kindle
Cozy socks (why are planes so cold?!)

So there you have it! Is this the most exciting way to travel? Probs not. Is it difficult to know what you’re going to want to wear on a certain day? Yes. But I’m telling you…options are the root of all evil when it comes to packing light! Find a few staple pieces (jean jacket, nude wedges, etc) and you can mix and match the sundresses accordingly!

Here are some of my favorite honeymoon items:

White Carry On - Perfect size for an airplane’s overhead bin but still enough room to fit your clothes!

Pom Pom Clutch - Fun for the beach or anywhere tropical! The colors go with absolutely anything, making it a fun accessory with any of your outfits.

White Beaded Clutch - This clutch was perfect for the honeymoon (after all, white goes with everything!), and any/every bridal event (bachelorette, bridal shower, engagement party, etc).

White bikini - Loved the fit of this…hard to find white bikinis that aren’t see-through!

Rainbow bikini - So much fun for a boat excursion or even just lounging by the pool

Woven Bag - This bag was my go to daytime purse. It went with every outfit and was the perfect size. Just a heads up…make sure you get one that’s soft and not a structured, hard material, since those take up a ton of room in your suitcase!

White PJ Set: Eberjeys are my all-time favorite PJs. They’re SOOOO soft and well worth the price! I got a white set for the bachelorette weekend that I ended up bringing with me on the honeymoon as well.

White Sarong: Perfect coverup for beach or pool days

White Maxi Dress: This dress was worn on the Wednesday night family dinner before our wedding (at the resort), and also taken with me on the honeymoon for a dinner at a nice restaurant. It’s sooo flattering and extremely bridal!

Wife of the Party Jean Jacket: Took this with me to the after party and then throughout Europe! The good thing about a jean jacket is that is pretty much works with every outfit, making it a necessity.

Space Saver Bags: THE REASON I was able to pack 12 days worth of clothes into a carry on! These ones don’t require a pump, so it’s easy to travel with, and can be reused on the way home!

J Pillow: A flight necessity! I snapped mine onto my carry on bag so it hung off the side. Save the carrying case so it doesn’t get dirty in between trips.

Teekes I wore these EVERYWHERE. Like seriously, on long walks, on the beach, on boats, by the pool, to dinner, etc. It went with any outfit I packed and were SO comfy…no blisters is key! Mine were the cocoa butter color and were a lot lighter in person than they appear in pictures. The color is perfect—goes with everything.

Passport cases These “Mr” and “Mrs” ones were so helpful with keeping our passports safe yet easily visible when we needed to grab them quickly.

Adaptor Most international hotels have these for you, but some will only provide you with one per room, which OBVS isn’t enough!

TripIt: This app is such a life saver. It lets you upload your itinerary for flights, trains, ferrys, buses, etc and works even without wifi. So, if you’re abroad and needing to pull up a ticket or confirmation code, you’re covered!

My Travel Must Haves And Packing Smart