A Wedding Planner’s Travel Guide

At Pop Parties, we travel a lot. Like 18-weeks-a-year a lot, so it’s safe to say we’ve become experts. We meticulously plan bespoke events for a living, so naturally, we do the same with travel! Here, I’ve compiled our years of experience into a travel guide that will change your life — seriously. Read on to start traveling like the pros and stay organized with our tips and tricks, from carry-ons to checklists!

6 Must-Have Travel Essentials

My travel guide starts small. I keep these 6 items on me at all times, and they’ve been lifesavers at the most critical moments. When you have your bases covered, you can focus on what really matters!

• A travel pack of Kleenex
• Advil
• Patchology lip balm — I can’t live without it!
• A sleek, low-profile portable charger
• Noise-cancelling headphones, whether you prefer earbuds or the classic over the ear look
• An extra hair tie or two (where do they all go?!)

Our Favorite Travel Products

We’re always on the go, traveling all over the country (and the world!) to produce the highest-level events for our clients. We’ve packed for every weather event and dress code imaginable, so high-quality products that can get the job done and last for years are an absolute must. These are the MVPs!

• It all starts with a reliable suitcase. My Away carry-on has been through nearly every major airport in the US, and it’s still rollin’!
• Packing cubes are the secret to maximizing your suitcase space. And a cute pattern goes without saying!
• When it comes to travel attire, comfort is key. But when I want to look more put-together, I always go for a matching set. My team can tell you that I’m always on the hunt for my new favorite Amazon set — you can never have too many!
• When I’m on my feet all day for 5 days straight, I need shoes that are both cute and supportive. Nothing beats my go-to sneakers.
• Whether I’m working a 300-person wedding or traveling through the Italian countryside, lugging a purse everywhere may not be so practical. This crossbody phone case is a part of my uniform at this point — it’s easily accessible and goes with any outfit.
• Forget the Stanley…my Simple Modern water bottle goes everywhere with me, from the office to the venue. I love its no-spill suction lid, and it fits perfectly between the plane seat and wall!
• A travel steamer is one of those things that you don’t think you need…until you really, really do.
• I love a multitasker, and this backpack fits the bill. It opens like a suitcase but fits under the airplane seat as a personal item — yes, please!
• You know we’re all about a Gucci moment, so this stylish “wallet on a chain” is a no-brainer.

Shop our full list of faves here!

How I Pack a Carry-On for 5+ Days

It goes without saying that as a planner, having an airline lose my bag is simply not an option. So in most cases, I pack a carry-on. Fitting everything you need into a smaller bag can seem daunting. But with a little bit of outfit planning and reliable travel accessories (see our faves above), you’ll feel like a pro.

I used to be a notorious over-packer, my planner brain trying to prepare for every scenario — “What if it snows in the middle of summer?” “What if the dress code was a lie?” “What if I run out of underwear?” The unexpected does happen, but rarely did I find myself using every item in my suitcase. Enter daily outfit planning! Once you have a template with everything in one place, packing becomes a breeze. We created an example in Apple Notes that lays it all out:

Taking it day by day really makes a difference. A template like this makes it easy to consolidate your itinerary, organize your thoughts, and have fun styling yourself! If you’re a visual person, you can add photos of your clothes and accessories to create the entire look, either pulled from the brand’s website or taken yourself. As a bonus, you can reference it throughout your trip, making getting ready a breeze!

This template can be personalized in a hundred different ways — you can add screenshots to the note to reference the weather forecast, trip itineraries, confirmations, invitations, and so much more!

Copy and customize your very own packing list and outfit planner template here.

My summer travel favorites

An upcoming vacation is always an excuse to go shopping. Amazon and other online retailers make it so easy to find exactly what you’re looking for and get it delivered quickly. I just got back from a trip to Italy and am heading back later this month for a site visit — it never stops! Here’s my Italian summer vacay inspiration!

A reliable travel guide is essential to easing the stress that can come with any kind of travel, whether it be a work trip or your honeymoon. Preparation and organization are key, and all that time you used to spend scrambling and stressing will now become time you can devote to enjoying your trip!

For further curated lists of our must-have products and wedding day essentials, visit our ShopMy storefront here.

Safe travels! ✈️

XO,

Molly & the Poppettes