Before you drop the dog off with the new in-laws (thanks, “mom & dad!”) or update any one of the ten social media profiles, lets go over a few potential buzz-killers that could really throw a wrench into the mix.

If you’ve planned and survived your own wedding, chances are you can probably handle the contents of your purse, so we’re considering issues of a far more potent nature here in this online honeymoon registry guide; the kinds of things that a margarita and aloe-gel will not be able to fix.

Honeymoon Hang-up #1 – Location

Number one on the list of honeymoon hang-ups: Location, location, location! Yes, we’d all like to visit the island where they filmed The Beach, ideally with Leonardo DiCaprio as a tour guide, but like all too-good-to-be-true locations, the pitfalls will soon outweigh the glamour. Go for locations that have the amenities you need to be comfortable. Pay especially close attention to the bathroom facilities. Don’t like the idea of a “shared” shower? Better check first! We have seen everything from rationed toilet paper to bathrooms so small the toilet was in the shower, so don’t take anything for granted.

Electrical outlets can become an issue as well. What kind of power does your destination use? Do you have the extension or converter that fits? Will there even be a working outlet? Think ahead and pay close attention to reviews.

Deals and Deal-breakers

Second on the list of honeymoon hang-ups: Deals of any kind. Nobody is saying that you shouldn’t be frugal, but for the love of Tom Brady, signing yourself up for an 18-hour layover that breaks up a 6-hour flight makes about as much sense as putting a pair of gloves over a set of freshly painted nails- yes, even when it saves you $100.

You can’t put a price on sanity, but if you could it would be far greater than $100. Besides, when your beach days are limited you’ve got to make them count! Trust us when we say that, after about 6 hours in any airport, you’ll start dipping into the money you “saved” on the flight tickets for things like beer, magazines, massages, and Starbucks- all of which you can get at the mall when you come back from vacation.

Love those Logistics.

Let’s play a game:

The clerk says… “Your last name please, Mam?”

You… proudly state your married name.

The clerk answers… “I’m sorry Mam, we can’t seem to find your reservation.”

You… freak out.

Game over.

It may seem like a no-brainer, but this rookie move is actually quite common and quite lethal to romantic moods all over the world! Please don’t confuse this for a passport check. Of course you’ve already put both passports in your carry-on bag, next to your new copy Nicholas Sparks novel. This is a “your passport isn’t going to do you much good if the name on it doesn’t match the one on your hotel reservation or your flight reservation or the rental car reservation; you get the point.

Remember these three lessons, have fun, be safe and don’t forget sunscreen!