Honeymoon Packing Tips: Part II

Now that you know what to pack, here are some tips on how to pack it all.

We look to Martha Stewart for tips on packing your hanging items and toiletries:

Hanging

For the most foolproof wrinkle-free packing, suits and blouses should be stuffed with tissue and encased in dry-cleaning bags before going into a travel garment bag. The tissue keeps the fabrics from crushing, and the plastic reduces friction so clothes can settle into their natural shape. Pack everything else -- shoes, toiletries, books, papers, valuables -- in a separate carry-on bag.

Toiletries

To avoid leaks caused by pressure changes during air travel, fill travel-size plastic bottles partway, squeeze out excess air, and cap them, creating a vacuum. Then double-bag them, first in a cosmetics bag or large resealable plastic bag, then in a plastic shopping bag. Never pack toiletries in the same bag with clothes -- a single spill can cause great damage. Along with toiletries, your carry-on bag should hold your jewelry and other valuables; eyewear; a travel first-aid kit; travel documents; maps; and reading material.

In an article for Apartment Therapy, packing expert Doug Dyment of OneBag.com says "If it's not on your list, it shouldn't be in your bag." "What happens with people is that they pack before their trip, and that packing activity consists mostly of talking to yourself and saying, 'Well I might need this and I might need that and what if the queen invites me to dinner?' And that's death to light packing."

Dyment has two big tricks for packing a bag correctly: Don't let any space go unused, and wrap your clothes in bundles.

"If you're packing a pair of running shoes, say, don't forget there's a lot of space inside those shoes that you can use to pack stuff," he says.

When it comes to clothing, Dyment says travelers who fold items individually, put them in a stack and force them in the suitcase are making a huge mistake.

Instead, he suggests using a technique called bundle wrapping, because it keeps clothes from getting wrinkled and takes up less space.

"You think of laying a shirt flat on your bed and placing this bundle where the chest would go and then gently wrap the sleeves around the bundle, and then bring the bottom up and wrap it around the top," he says. Here is a diagram to help you pack like a pro:

Caio! Bon Voyage! Au revoir!