Ready, set, relax! Ahhh, the honeymoon. Your hard-earned reward for months of stressful planning. The only catch? You have to plan that, too! Here's our guide to pulling off a glitch-free getaway.

AS SOON AS YOU'RE ENGAGED OR EARLIER

• Charge everything possible on a credit card that allows you to accrue frequent flyer points. You'll need every point (and likely then some) if you hope to purchase a ticket or seat upgrade for your honeymoon.

SIX MONTHS OR MORE AHEAD

• Set a budget.

Is choosing a honeymoon spot making you dizzy? There are a number of ways to narrow down your choices, depending on whether beautiful weather, cost, or sightseeing is your first priority. Great weather and optimal sightseeing opportunities -- as well as high room rates and more crowds (reserve early!) -- often go hand in hand during a destination's high season. (Low season is when seasonal businesses -- restaurants and island ferries, for example -- shut down and attractions may close for renovations.)

If high season perks are what you seek for your once-in-a-lifetime honeymoon, we'll tell you where to go to find the best weather or, if you have your heart set on a specific place, what to expect during that month.

Too often for couples, honeymoons are an afterthought to wedding planning. Renee Duane of Unforgettable Honeymoons says approaching your getaway in this manner is a mistake. "A honeymoon is an investment in memories for the rest of your life," she says. "Don't take chances with it." Instead, she recommends starting with a conversation. "Sit down and talk about the level of luxury and privacy you want, what you want to do every day, and the type of nightlife you desire," says Duane. But don't despair if you reach an impasse. We've put together several profiles to help you find the perfect escape to fit your personalities.

Globetrotters know how to make the most of their little closets-on-wheels. Here are some tricks to help you maximize space and pack like a pro.

• Do laundry a few days early so everything will be clean and ready for action. Have button-down shirts professionally laundered, pressed, and bagged at the dry cleaner so you can just pop them in your suitcase.

• Start your packing list a week before you leave. Begin early so that you can add items as you think of them and keep an inventory list should the bag go missing.