Airport International Travel Must-Haves
Hello, fellow adventurers and lovebirds! If you're like me, a woman embarking on the most exhilarating journey of eloping (because why not make life and love an adventure?), then you know the journey begins long before you say "I do." It starts at the airport, the gateway to your love story's next chapter. So, grab your passport and your partner-in-crime, because I'm about to spill the tea on the ultimate airport international travel must-haves for your elopement!
*all pictures are clickable with a shoppable link
1. The Magical Document Pouch
First things first, your passport is your golden ticket, and losing it is like dropping your ice cream cone before the first lick –TRAGIC. A sleek, stylish document holder that holds your passport, boarding pass, and marriage documents (because you're running away to tie the knot, remember?) is non-negotiable. If you’re not legally getting married in another country (like us), skip the physical boarding passes, go digital by downloading them or using your airline’s app, and get a cute little passport holder instead. My Sister in Law got us Mr + Mrs matching ones, but I ordered this one for myself before she surprised us with the ones I linked below.
These are the cute passport holder sets my SIL got us for our trip. Click on the picture to take you to them :)
2. Comfort Meets Style: The Travel Outfit
Let's be real; airport fashion is a thing, especially when you're eloping or visiting other countries. You want to be comfortable enough to sprint through the terminal but stylish enough to sip champagne in the lounge (if that’s your thing. I don’t drink alcohol, but I like to look good eating that croissant). Think chic joggers, a comfy top or matching hoodie, and a jacket that screams "I woke up like this”, we’re talking a wool overcoat like this. And shoes you can slip on and off? A must for those pesky security checks. Me? I opted for some cute Nikes on travel day with a matching light beige/tan jogger set. My fiancé (now hubby) surprised me by matching me the day we flew out in a cute and comfy outfit from Target. However, Amazon has a ton of cute options, too!
This is the cute sweatshirt I wore with the matching sweats. However, it seems they are out of stock of the pants online and in-store. I’ll link some other options.
3. The Ultimate Carry-On
Your carry-on is your lifeline. It should be a Mary Poppins bag of essentials – snacks for sustenance (I brought chocolate covered pretzels, chips, nuts, protein bars, etc), entertainment (laptop or iPad with music and movies downloaded), and skincare (because arriving glowing and hydrated is a priority). We flew Delta, and they provide a blanket and small pillow, otherwise, I would definitely recommend taking a travel pillow and small blanket. We also made sure to have plenty of drinks. While they did provide drinks on board, they were limited (you have to think how long of a flight and how many people there are-the plane can only accommodate so much). Please don’t make my mistake and choose style over practicality. I went for a cute matching backpack and carry-on, and the zipper kept getting stuck in the puffy edges of the backpack. If you’re wanting some good options, these are way better than what I brought.
The puffer tote is from Target. I actually liked this a lot! It fit a ton of stuff and was squishy so when the overhead bins were tight, I could stuff it in there.
Something like this would have been a much better option.
4. Noise-Canceling Headphones: A Must-Have Accessory
Airports are noisy. Kids scream, announcements blare, and there’s always that one person talking way too loud (it could never be me lol). Enter noise-canceling headphones, the accessory you didn’t know you needed (or maybe you did, but in any case- bring them). Listen to your favorite songs, podcast, or audiobook. It may be the only escape you’ll have on the very long, upcoming flight. We love our Apple AirPods Max, we have the space gray ones. Honestly, nothing beats them.
They have renewed ones for cheaper. Honestly, getting something refurbished isn’t a bad thing. Oftentimes, It goes through a more rigorous inspections process when it’s refurbished than it does coming off the line. At least that’s what we were told back in the day about Apple’s phones when I worked at AT&T and Verizon. It could all be lies though lol
5. The Portable Charger: Stay Connected
If you have ever traveled, you know a dead phone is a nightmare, especially when you're trying to capture every spontaneous moment, want to doom scroll, or whatever you like to do. A portable charger ensures you’re always ready to snap a pic, pull up your e-tickets, or send a text to your friends or family. My husband likes the big charging block like this, and they work so well. There are always cuter options, but when you’re traveling overseas, you want something that will last.
6. Travel-Sized Skincare for the Bride-to-Be
Looking fresh after a long-haul flight is a skill, and travel-sized beauty products are your toolkit. A hydrating face mist, lip balm, and dry shampoo can take you from sweaty and tired traveler to glowing and refreshed in minutes. Plus, you never know when you'll need to touch up for an impromptu airport photo op! My favorites are Sunday Riley Good Genes and the Luna Sleeping Oil as well as the Tatcha Rice Cleanser and Dewy Skin Mist. Of course, always carry some pimple patches because we inadvertently touch our face when traveling and we know how nasty airports can be. These from Mighty Patch are my favorite!
7. The Not-So-Secret Weapon: Snacks
Never underestimate the power of snacks. If you know me, you KNOW I’m a snarky gal. They’re the ultimate comfort and can turn a travel hiccup into a memorable part of your story. From gourmet nuts to those gummy bears you both love, snacks are essential for keeping the travel spirits high and your belly’s content. I love chocolate covered pretzels, but don’t make my mistake: make sure you don’t forget they melt and have a napkin close by! I got chocolate ALL OVER my cute beige colored outfit.
8. A Sense of Humor + Some Patience
Lastly, but most importantly, pack your sense of humor and grab an extra ticket for patience. Not everything will go as planned – flights get delayed, luggage gets lost, but at the end of the day, you’re embarking on the biggest adventure of your life with your favorite person. Laugh through the mishaps and remember why you’re doing this in the first place. I am super impatient at times, and traveling internationally definitely had its challenges- I wouldn’t have been able to do.
TIPS + TRICKS:
Pack as light as you can.
Bring adapters. We liked these best and the 2 pack comes in clutch
Learn basic words and phrases from the Native language of the country you’re visiting and download google translate
Don’t expect to get places early
Exchange your money beforehand or you’re going to pay astronomical exchange rates
Keep passport on you at all times
And there you have it, my fellow elopers! Armed with these must-haves, you're all set for the airport leg of your elopement journey. Remember, the destination is love, but the journey there should be just as fabulous. Here's to passport stamps, pre-flight butterflies, and beginning your forever story with a dash of adventure. Wheels up, let’s elope!
*This post contains affiliate links, I use these products, and if you buy them (at no extra cost to you), I’ll probably earn a small amount of money.