Your first night

Chances are you're not jetting straight off on your honeymoon, so where do you spend your first night together as husband and wife?

Where to stay

If you're holding your reception in a hotel that has a bridal suite, that could be the obvious place to spend your first night. In fact, it could even be included in the price of your reception. Make sure you like the room, and if you have to pay for it, check to see whether you get a reduction as you're having your reception in the hotel. Never assume that you've been allocated the bridal suite just because your reception is in the hotel -- if there is another wedding on the same day, that couple might have beaten you to it.

If you don't want to (or can't) stay at your reception venue, you have some choices to make. Ideally, don't choose somewhere that is too far away from your reception. You don't want to have a long journey, and also may want to return in the morning to see your family or other guests. Make sure that you organise transport to take you to the hotel, and check that your luggage is transported there during the day. It's wise to let the hotel know what time you plan on checking in, especially if you're going to be late.

Decide whether you want to stay in the same hotel as some of your guests, or whether you would like to go somewhere completely different. Some couples like the idea of staying in the same place and being able to enjoy breakfast with their guests the next morning, while others want to be completely alone.

Do look for hotels with a bridal suite and ask whether they offer any special deals for couples spending their first night there. Many will offer treats such as putting a bottle of bubbly on ice and serving breakfast in bed.

What to pack

When it comes to packing, it all depends upon whether you're heading straight off on your honeymoon. If this is the case, you'll need to have your honeymoon luggage taken to your hotel room on the day of the wedding so that it's all there for you the next day. You'll also need to arrange for someone to return any hired outfits and to make sure that your wedding clothes get home safely.

Otherwise, all you have to concentrate on is packing a luxurious overnight bag. Consider packing the following:

• A bottle of champagne to enjoy when you get back to your room (if the hotel can't supply one)
• A couple of romantic CDs in case your room has a CD player
• Luxurious bubble bath and your favourite toiletries
• A new outfit to wear the next morning -- you'll want to feel special, especially if you're meeting family and friends for breakfast or lunch the next day.

When's the honeymoon?

Some couples recommend having a day or two at home before heading off on honeymoon. It can be good to wind down after the big day and sort your packing out, and is also a great idea if you want to be able to spend more time with friends and relatives who have come to your wedding. When to go will also depend on when you can actually fly out to your chosen destination. You may only be able to get there on a particular day of the week, for example.