Your honeymoon is the icing on the cake after planning your wedding.
Did you know that honeymoons go all the way back to fifth century Europe? Or that the word “honeymoon” refers to when newlyweds were expected to drink a month’s worth of wine, right after the wedding, to help them become more intimate with each other? Historically, marriage wasn’t always meant for lovers, so the wine was a way for couples to get to know each other.
Over the centuries, honeymoons have evolved, of course, into a time after the wedding where couples get to enjoy each other, and be alone. They allow couples to ease into married life, and are incredibly popular. The best thing about honeymoons is that they have very little expectations, other than to be with your partner and get away. You and your new spouse have the freedom to go wherever you’d like, and that’s what it’s about. They are not meant to impress anyone but the two of you.
HONEYMOON PLANNING: 10 TIPS YOU SHOULD KNOW
In order to maximize your honeymoon experience, it’s vital to understand a few things that may come up. It’s important to know what you’re getting into, before you start planning this customized trip that you’ll remember for the rest of your lives. Your honeymoon needs to have a little extra special care and attention before it’s planned, don’t you think?
Today’s post is going to go into all the things you should know before you plan your honeymoon. Things related to traveling during a pandemic, working with your partner, creating a personalized experience, and sticking to a budget. The goal is to enhance your experience, make planning much easier, and help you create the best trip ever.
Here we go!
1. ANY CURRENT PANDEMIC TRAVEL RULES
At the time of this post, the pandemic is still going on. This means that traveling is an ever-moving target that you’ll have to keep up with.
No matter where you’re headed for your honeymoon, it’s essential that you are paying attention to the rules to be aware of before you travel, and once you get to your location. You may have to get tested for Covid-19 before you go, and when you arrive. You may also have to quarantine in a special location before you can venture out in the world. Once you come back to your home, there could be further considerations for testing and quarantining.
Every location in the world has slightly different requirements during this pandemic, and they can change with a day’s notice. So, if you’re traveling, be sure to look what you need to know every day as you get closer to your trip.
2. BOTH PARTNERS SHOULD PLAN THE HONEYMOON
The wedding isn’t just about you, and neither is your honeymoon. It’s for your partner, as well.
While you may be taking the lead on planning the honeymoon, it’s important to take your partner’s requests and preferences into consideration. Before you decide on where to go, listen to their ideas. Talk about the types of trips you’d like to go on. Discuss the places you’d want to stay at, and go over options together.
Spend some time getting on the same page with how much money you’d like to spend, and what you’d like to do on the honeymoon. Plan it together so you can both enjoy it as much as possible.
3. THERE IS NO ONE SIZE FITS ALL WITH HONEYMOONS
Where you go, and what you do, is very personal when it comes to your honeymoon.
This means that you have the freedom to go wherever works for you. Just because every single one of your friends went to a beach for their honeymoons, doesn’t mean you have. If your parents are pushing you to travel to a foreign country, and you don’t want to, you can decide otherwise. Your honeymoon only needs to impress two people – you and your partner.
So, if you want to go camping, go for it. Or, rent an Air BNB in a city you’d like to explore. Book a weekend at a hotel close to your home. Travel across the world if you can afford it and that sounds appealing. Do what works best for you and your preferences. If you love where you go, and are both excited about it, the romance and experience will follow.
4. HONEYMOONS ARE NOT A REQUIREMENT FOR MARRIAGE
Even though this is a post about honeymoons, I’ll mention this one.
Honeymoons are optional. You don’t have to have one at all. And, you certainly don’t have to make a big deal about it. There is no rule that states in order for your marriage to become official, you must go on a honeymoon after your wedding. That just isn’t a thing.
If you don’t want to go on a honeymoon, or feel that after your wedding isn’t the right time, you can absolutely skip it. Alternately, you can choose to do something right at your own home. This is also referred to as a mini-moon. Maybe this is a romantic date, or you go on a day trip that is meaningful to the both of you. Either option is okay, as long as it’s what you want.
5. YOU CAN GO ON YOUR HONEYMOON WHENEVER YOU WANT
There may be a lot of pressure for you to leave for your honeymoon immediately after getting married, but you can go whenever works for you.
This may mean leaving the day after your wedding. Or a week later. Or the next year. It all depends on your work schedule, budget, and personal preference. Perhaps the place you want to go to is just better to see in another season, or you’d like to experience an event that happens there that doesn’t line up with your wedding.
Another reason you may want to wait to go on your honeymoon is so you can experience a little more time with wedding guests, after your wedding. You may have people who traveled in for your wedding, and would love to explore your location a bit more with you. Plus, it’s nice to have some space to regroup and take care of after-wedding items. No matter the reason, know that you can leave for your honeymoon at a time that works for you.
6. DON’T OVERDO THE HONEYMOON PLANNING
Traveling can create a lot of pressure to do and see it all. Your honeymoon is no different, especially if you are going somewhere far away.
Give yourselves permission to relax and settle into your trip, rather than overdo it with the activities. The wedding itself can be very busy and overwhelming. Try and make your honeymoon a bit more easy-going. Tell yourselves that you will return to this location one day, if that helps. Just take advantage of spending this special time with your new spouse, instead of stressing about doing and seeing everything.
7. STICK TO A BUDGET
As you know, traveling expenses can add up. And, when you add a trip right after a large expense like a wedding, the overall costs can be incredible.
This is why it’s important to set and stick to a budget for your honeymoon. As with anything, set aside some money up front that will help pay for travel expenses. Plan on contributing to that amount as you get closer to your honeymoon. If you end up getting any money from wedding guests to help pay for your honeymoon, add that to the fund.
Just make sure that you don’t splurge on a trip you can’t afford. As with your wedding, it’s best to avoid going into debt or creating financial hardships over this. In the long run, it’s not worth it.
8. IF YOU’RE OVERWHELMED, TRAVEL AGENTS CAN HELP
Most people don’t realize this, but travel agents can take a lot of stress out of planning a trip.
These agents, or planners, can work in a couple different ways. They may get paid by the businesses that you book through them. Or, they may be paid directly by you, their client. The benefit of working with a travel agent is that they will be able to refer you to great accommodations. They can also help you find places to eat and stuff to do once you are on your trip.
Using a travel agent can even help you save money in the long run, because they know how to get discounts, negotiate, and the best times to travel. Plus, they can tell you up to date travel requirements and considerations. So, if you aren’t into planning this trip, or just need some professional help, look into this as an option.
9. KNOW ANY TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS
As I just mentioned, a travel agent can help you understand travel requirements, but it’s still important for you to beware of certain things that can come up.
For example, you may be planning on changing your name after you get married. If you do so, make sure that the name you book any plane tickets with matches your identification or passport. It takes time to change your name, and to get a new passport, so plan ahead on when your honeymoon will be and if you should wait to change your name.
Additionally, if you are traveling internationally, research any needed visas or immunizations. Some of these things can be tricky to schedule and obtain. Be sure to make some calls instead of just going on Google, so you can enter and leave countries without any unnecessary drama.
10. TELL EVERYONE IT’S YOUR HONEYMOON
Alright, so you’ve figured out where you’re going, when, and what you’ll do once you’re there.
Now is the time to keep in mind that you should be proud you’re on your honeymoon. When you book flights or accommodations, make reservations at restaurants, or go anywhere, tell people you’re on your honeymoon. It will make other people happy and excited for you. You could even get complementary upgrades or discounts. At the very least, you’ll get better service when you go places.
Be proud and excited, and others will share in that with you.
CLOSING THOUGHTS
I hope this helped you start thinking about a honeymoon that is special and fitting for you and your partner. Remember, it’s all about making it into something that works for you. If you have an unusual plan or idea, don’t worry about what others think about it. As long as you love it, and it will help you enter your marriage with a great experience with your new spouse, that’s all that matters.
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Tips For Asking Family To Help Pay For Your Wedding
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