In this second edition of Destination Wedding Planner Safety, now that you have safely arrived to your destination, lets chat through everything you need to do and know to keep you safe while away (to see part 1 of our Travel Tips, click here):
First and foremost, do your research! Before going anywhere that is new, be sure to familiarize yourself with the areas you will be visiting. Aside from visa requirements, the local culture, and temperatures; look for any areas or places to avoid or any events taking place during your visit that could pose a potential threat to your safety. During your research, be sure to also find local phone numbers for your closest police station, as well as your country's closest embassy or consulate.
Plan for emergencies. In addition, consider having a handful of family members, or close friends (no more than 3 people), marked in your phone as “ICE- Insert Name” in the event local authorities need to reach your emergency contact. ICE stands for “in case of emergency”. Keep in mind, anyone on your “ICE” list are not ones that are on the trip with you.
Take care of your health.Carry a small first aid kit with you (you can find many options on Amazon)Make sure to check and see what/if your health insurance covers any treatment while abroad. If your personal policy seems lacking, I highly recommend obtaining travel insurance before each trip for added protection.
Your mobile plan. Know your mobile provider's international plan and/or their offerings, and have this set up before you depart. You don’t want to return home and realize your bill has tripled because you weren’t covered,, or worse yet,thinking you had international service, and then finding out you didn’t once you arrived.
Plan your route. Map local transportation and determine how you will travel during your trip. Pre-book rides to and from the airport using only accredited car, ride-share, or car rental services. If you are unsure of who to hire, contact the concierge of wherever you are staying or a local welcome center to the area. If you plan to use public transportation, familiarize yourself with the options and best routes available, as well as how to obtain tickets or passes. Pre-plan your itinerary for the day (preferably your whole trip) - know where you’re going and the best routes to take. If you need to plan, do so while sitting in a restaurant or park, or even within a shop itself, just not while walking around.
Be cautious of local scammers. - Whether you're asked to buy a single floral stem, or someone offers to take a picture for you, among other seemingly harmless acts, these are a tried-and-true scams targeted for tourists. Be hypervigilant of the people around you.
Keep your items secure. Always secure any valuables, credit cards, cash, and passports/IDs to prevent strangers from having easy access. Be sure to only carry a small amount of cash with you at all times. It's best to keep these items in a pack (crossbody bags, cash belts, or fanny packs) attached to your person, so that you can see it at all times (I.E. something other than a backpack or a traditional purse).
Monitor your alcohol consumption.We all want to relax and have a great time, but don’t over indulge so much that you make yourself vulnerable.
Beware of public wifi. Avoid using public or free wifi networks, as these are notoriously insecure. If you have to use public wifi, be sure to use a VPN to protect your personal information. I recommend ExpressVPN.
Be sure to digitize any important documents.Travel documents are like liquid gold when abroad. I like to keep the original copies in a safe place like a hotel safe or a locker, and then carry copies with me. Carry only one or two credit cards with you, and leave the rest in the safe; so in case of an unfortunate event, you still have a form of currency and identification for the rest of your trip.
Consider traveling with a portable lock for your hotel door and/or a door alarm, as you can never be too safe! These items fit easily within a carry-on or checked bag and add an extra level of security to your room while you rest.
Enroll in STEP! STEP is a state-department program for all U.S. citizens traveling abroad, that ensures you receive safety updates from the country you are visiting, and that the Embassy or Consulate has your information in the event of an emergency.
Share your plans. Consider sharing your itinerary (as well as any updates made to it during the trip) with trusted loved ones back home.
Trust your gut! If something doesn’t feel right, or safe, or maybe seems to-good-to-be-true, it probably is! Trust your instincts, and pay attention to physical cues around you.
Happy travels, and stay safe out there!
Content provided by Courtney Justice owner of Just Us Weddings & Events and Certified Educator for the CWP Society. She holds the following certifications: Certified Wedding Planner, Certified Wedding Design Consultant, Master Certified Wedding Planner. Awards: 2022 Wedding Planner of the Year
Content provided by Courtney Justice owner of Just Us Weddings & Events and Certified Educator for the CWP Society. She holds the following certifications: Certified Wedding Planner, Certified Wedding Design Consultant, Master Certified Wedding Planner.
Awards: 2022 Wedding Planner of the Year