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What would you pack?

(39 Posts)
Flaxseed Fri 20-Apr-18 19:52:15

DD1 is getting married abroad in June.
Myself and DP will fly out 5 days beforehand to do some sightseeing in another part of the country.
We will then spend 5 days at the wedding venue which will include time on a beach. We are then off to another part of the country which will incorporate a city break as well as sightseeing in more rural areas.

Everytime I start to write a list of what I will need to pack, I get stressed out and give up!
I am only used to packing for a beach holiday OR a short city break.
I think I will have the opportunity to do at least one lot of washing.

I have a 20kg luggage allowance and can also take a cabin suitcase (which I intend to put my wedding outfit in)

Can anyone please help me get started?! I don’t want to over pack but neither do I want to forget essentials.

My brain is scrambled trying to sort everything I need to do before the wedding and the stress of this is not helping!
Thank you!

GrandmaKT Fri 20-Apr-18 20:26:09

OK, so I would start with shoes -you'll need some comfortable sandals, a pair of walking shoes or trainers for the city, a foldable pair of light slippers and of course your wedding shoes which can double up for evenings out. You don't say what you expect the weather to be like, but I'm assuming hot, so a light jacket, a cardigan and a waterproof. Then I'd say 3 or 4 trousers or skirts and six tops that can be swapped around and quickly rinsed. Shirts that double as light jackets are useful. Two swimsuits for the beach, sunhat, sunglasses. Your wedding outfit of course. A pashmina/wrap is always useful when travelling. Don't take suncreen, towels etc, you can always buy them there. Remember, you can get away with layering a few items when boarding the plane. take a well-stocked kindle instead of books. Enjoy!

Grannyknot Fri 20-Apr-18 22:25:22

GN already did some of the work:

www.gransnet.com/life-and-style/travel/10-top-tips-for-holiday-packing

Enjoy!

Grannyknot Fri 20-Apr-18 22:26:39

GrandmaKT That's a brilliant summary/list. Cut out and keep!

GrandmaKT Fri 20-Apr-18 22:29:03

except I forgot underwear! blush

Cherrytree59 Sat 21-Apr-18 00:56:46

I buy all toiletries at airport as well as suntan lotion and mozzie spray etc.
Perfume and aftershave in duty free.
This saves your precious luggage allowance for your clothes and shoes.

Cherrytree59 Sat 21-Apr-18 01:19:00

Roll rather than fold clothes in suitcase.

Beach - pool
flipflops
2 or 3 swimming costumes or tankinis.
Sarongs
These can easily be rinsed out and dried.
Check to see if hotels provide pool towels.
(If so this will also help re luggage weight).

Evenings:
Dresses and pashmina.
(Reversible are useful).
Light sandals or sparkly flipflops.
Small bag.

City sight seeing:
Dresses
Light weight jacket or cardigan.
Walking Sandals.
Cotton underware.
An across body type bag to carry money safely.
Sunhat
Sunglasses
Camera.

Rural out and about:
Shorts or summer trousers with T-shirts.
Trainers? (Cotton traders do light-weight trainers that can go in water).

Wedding Outfit

Have a lovely time
Don't forget to tell us all about your trip when you get backsunshine

Cherrytree59 Sat 21-Apr-18 01:27:49

Oops forgot beach bag!

You might also want to order your travel money (don't buy it at airport)

anitamp1 Sat 21-Apr-18 09:41:51

Last couple of years I have tried to keep my holiday luggage to a minimum. I many pairs of leggings in various plain colours and various lengths. They are lightweight and don't need ironing and dont take up much room. And several long tunic tops. I have found Asda particularly good for pretty, lightweight inexpensive tops of this kind. Again, they are light and don't need to be ironed and some are really pretty. I have smarter black leggings edged with lace or crystals that can be dressed up with nice top and a dressy pair of sandals for evenings. Skechers footwear are incredibly light and comfortable. And a cardigan. I would say dont stress too much about your day to day wear. Concentrate on your wedding outfit. And enjoy.

GabriellaG Sat 21-Apr-18 09:42:34

It might be an idea to watch one of Dominique Sache's videos on YouTube. She's a 50 something news anchor in Houston and regularly packs for holidays, weddings and occasions that her 5 step-children are involved in.
She has one which incorporates packing for a beach break/sight-seeing/formal party combined and shows how she decides what she is going to pack (including make-up and toiletries) and how she packs it.
All her videos are very watchable and give many hints and tips on all kinds of subjects.
The one I've mentioned is well worth your time and I hope it gives you some ideas.
Enjoy your trip.

dizzygran Sat 21-Apr-18 09:45:52

/ Good list.. Check what is provided by the hotel - most toiletries, dressing gown. slippers and towels are usually included, although not for the beach. Buy suncream at the hotel or nearby shop and mozzie spray at the airport. roll underwear/lingerie and pack into gaps in suitcase with shoes in plastic bags (wedding shoes/sandals/comfy walking shoes for city. I keep small plastic pots bottles for decanting face cream, cleanser - they can be thrown away when packing to come home. Put the makeup you know you will use - mascara / eyeshadow, etc, in a separate make up bag so you can find it when you need it and you don't take too much. This is a lovely special holiday - so don't worry - if you need something buy it and leave it for the maids if it doesn't fit in the case when you come home. . I have bought and left beach towels and sandals before now. It sounds as though it will be hot so you will need cover up lightweight cotton tops and trousers - there are lots in the shops at the moment. Have a lovely time.

JackyB Sat 21-Apr-18 09:49:09

I'll be following this thread because, although I am an experienced traveller and packer, I am invited to a Sikh wedding which involves 5 different ceremonies (fortunately not all in formal attire) and will be adding a few days staying with my mother at the beginning or end of the stay.

I'm used to just putting enough pairs of knickers for the days I'm there, phone, purse (not forgetting a second purse for Sterling) and passport and go!

NanaVal1946 Sat 21-Apr-18 10:12:01

I pad. Phone. Charger!!

tonibolt Sat 21-Apr-18 10:12:59

I would say buy suncream (if required) at the airport. There is usually a Boots. I’ve found it can be quite expensive in resort.

glammanana Sat 21-Apr-18 11:07:50

Don't do what I did last holiday and forget favourite hair products rather expensive abroad and sometimes not available.

sarahellenwhitney Sat 21-Apr-18 11:28:20

Roll between layers of tissue paper. Never use thin plastic which I did once. Our luggage had been left overnight in tropical 80degree temps before loading into a long haul hold.Arriving home and on unpacking found my clothes were 'drenched.'

Madmartha Sat 21-Apr-18 13:42:46

Make 2 lists on your phone/ipad/laptop - one for hot holidays, one for city breaks. Just add things as you think of them and print off and tick off when you’re ready to pack. Mine have been going for years with regular updates, no last minute panics for me now ?

margrete Sat 21-Apr-18 13:46:11

Have a look at David Nieper's website. Enough ideas for any occasion. www.davidnieper.co.uk

All his clothes are very packable and non-creasable. And suitable for older ladies.

Barmeyoldbat Sat 21-Apr-18 15:30:08

Where are you going?

newnanny Sat 21-Apr-18 15:45:53

I cheat because dh always lets me put all my shoes, sandals, wash bag, a cotton nightdress and a few other bits into his case as he tends to travel light. Don't forget a sun hat, sunglasses and make up bag. I always pack Compeed blister plasters and a new pair of gel insoles too, in case my feet ache and I just move them from show to shoe as needed.

grandtanteJE65 Sat 21-Apr-18 16:57:27

Three or four sets of underwear that can be washed by hand. Comfy walking shoes or sandals. Two t-shirts, or three if you want to use one as a nightie, cardigan or light-weight jacket. Disposable rain-poncho. Wedding outfit, camera, phone and charger, if really necessary. Makeup, toothbrush and toothpaste hair-brush and comb.

I would only take two skirts, one I travel in and one to change with, or slacks if you prefer them. Light-weight shawl or large scarf, if you will be visiting churches where bare shoulders are frowned on. Swimsuit and beach towel. Plasters for blisters! Sun glasses, reading glasses if applicable. Perhaps a dress? One or two blouses.

Remember not to pack anything metal or fluids in hand-baggage if you are going by plane.

grandtanteJE65 Sat 21-Apr-18 16:57:51

Sorry, forgot to say congratulations, have a really wonderful time!

grannyjean09 Sat 21-Apr-18 20:02:56

grandmaKT list is good. After lots of practice and experience my suitcase on my last 10 day holiday weighed only 13 kilo. My tips are to weigh your trainers or shoes and only take lightweight ones eg running trainers or Clarks Trigenic range (v comfy for walking).Do not take heavy handbags - take a lightweight cross body fabric one with lots of pockets ,and big enough for camera, water bottle, suncream, passport etc. Take v small plastic bottles containing just sufficient of your fave toiletries if you dont want to use those provided at hotels. Most holiday hotels are quite casual in the evenings so you could dress up a day outfit with pretty earrings or scarf. I never take towels but if you feel a need, then some outdoor shops like Milletts sell micro fibre (very lightweight) towels For casual warmth try a lightweight thermal zip up from a shop like Milletts or Blacks. Take a few medicines like Ibuprofin, Diarrhoea relief, insect repellent wipes (Boots )if in mozzie area, and anti histamine tablets if you react to mozzie bites. Hand wipes like Wet Ones are handy to protect you from self inflicted tummy upsets. Dont forget phone and charger. It would be useful to know where you are going in case I can offer some local knowledge of what you might need (in your rural area maybe). Best wishes for a lovely trip

grannyjean09 Sat 21-Apr-18 20:04:28

forgot to add to my post that you should use a lightweight trolley suitcase and not one of the ones that weigh 5 kilo when empty.

grannyjean09 Sat 21-Apr-18 20:15:02

another afterthought - keep your clothing colour schemes simple with some neutrals so that almost everything can be mixed and matched. And dont forget some socks if wearing shoes or trainers. If you choose easy wash stuff that dries without creasing then you can wash stuff in the evening and it will be dry by morning in most hot countries unless they are very humid countries.