Honeymoon
Honeymoon

Honeymoons and Destination Weddings

Fly me to the ‘moon

With the whirlwind of planning and parties behind you, it’s time to get away! From the planning stages to the trip itself, here are some of our best honeymoon ideas and advice.

When to Travel

Enjoying the afterglow of the wedding, maximizing time away from work or the best weather conditions are all factors that determine when couples are booking their honeymoon. If you’re traveling to a spot that’s popular with college students or families with young kids, it’s best to time your trip when school is in session. Honeymooning during spring break can change the vibe of your entire trip.

Plan and Prep

Take time to really plan your honeymoon. Here are some things to think about, especially if you’ve never traveled to your honeymoon spot before.

  • Different customs. If you’re traveling abroad, or even to an Americanized resort in the Caribbean, do your research. Find out if there are any words or gestures that are deemed inappropriate, types of dress that are considered unacceptable, and so on.
  • Language. Learn some key phrases and pick up a pocket-sized dictionary or phrase book if you’re going to a non-English-speaking country. There are also apps to help with translation.
  • Tipping. Tipping customs vary from country to country, so find out what percentage to tip and when to do so.
  • Weather. Find out the average high and low temps for the time of year you’re traveling and be prepared for rain or shine.
  • Budgeting. It can be tough to budget for a wedding and a honeymoon all at once. Luckily, wedding registry sites now allow couples to register for monetary gifts that go toward your honeymoon.
Couple swing on tropical honeymoon

Ismail Mohamed-Sovile--Unsplash

Couple laying under palm tree in the tropics.

Adam Juman-Unsplash

Go Tropical

When you say “honeymoon,” most people think of a remote, tropical island that looks like something straight from a postcard. You can’t beat a fruity umbrella-clad drink and romantic walks along the beach. Even for the most active of couples, your honeymoon is one time when it’s okay to sit back and let yourselves be taken care of.

If you choose a tropical destination, an all-inclusive resort is a relaxing way to go. The definition varies from one resort to the next. At some places, it includes the cost of your room and two meals each day. At other resorts, it means three meals each day, unlimited drinks, champagne on arrival, and a trip to the spa.

When it’s time to book your trip, always mention that you’ll be on your honeymoon. Most places offer a honeymoon package.

All Abroad!

A trip abroad is a thrilling way to start a marriage. It’s an adventure and a chance to get caught up in a rush of new ideas and cultures. However, If you’ve never been out of the country before, make sure this is an experience you’re both fully committed to. Planning an international trip for the first time can be stressful, and it could be overwhelming to be in a foreign place when all you want to do is relax and enjoy each other’s company. But if you’re up for going international, the result can be a true test of teamwork and a most romantic, unforgettable experience.

European Getaway

A European honeymoon is a dream for many couples, offering romance, history, and breathtaking scenery all in one trip. Popular itineraries often include the timeless charm of Paris, the canals of Venice, and the rolling hills of Tuscany. Many couples also add stops in Santorini or the Amalfi Coast for sun-soaked relaxation, or Switzerland for stunning alpine views. With so many iconic cities and landscapes close together, Europe makes it easy to combine culture, cuisine, and adventure into one unforgettable honeymoon.

Woman leans over to kisses man with the Eiffel Tower in background.

The Paris Photographer-Unsplash

Honeymoon Checklists and Planners…

Ultimate Planning Guide
Ask the Right Questions
Ask the Right Questions
Kayaking in Door County.

Staying Local

If you can’t get away for a long trip, consider what’s close to home. There may be a quaint bed & breakfast just a few miles from your home, a majestic state park where you can camp out under the stars or a beautiful tourist spot within a few hours travel. Turn off your cell phones and focus on each other. It will seem as if you’re lightyears away even in your own backyard.

Take a Cruise

If you can’t decide on a destination, a cruise might be for you. It’s the best of both worlds! If you want to see Europe but you’ve never been and don’t have time to plan a trip, try a Mediterranean cruise. If you know you want to go tropical but can’t decide on a spot, island hop in the Caribbean. And if you can’t decide whether you want to relax or be active, a cruise offers the chance to do both. Plus, meals, drinks, and entertainment are not only included, but they’re also right outside your cabin door! When booking a cruise, just like any other destination, mention that you’re on your honeymoon and see if the cruise line has a special deal or package.

Make it Romantic

It’s no secret that a honeymoon is all about those intimate moments and fueling the newlywed romance. So be proactive in making sparks fly! Think about packing a secret gift for each other, slipping a sweet note into their bag, or planning a surprise day trip or nighttime adventure they won’t see coming. Maybe it’s a private wine tasting, a moonlit beach walk, or tickets to a show you know they’ll love. These little gestures go a long way in keeping the romance playful, personal, and unforgettable. With a few surprises up your sleeve, the love light will be burning strong no matter where you wander together.

Couple hug on bridge near waterfall surrounded by greenery.

Marcus Woodbridge- Unsplash

Couple celebrates tropical destination wedding on beach.

Macy Roth Artistry

Destination Weddings

More and more couples today are choosing destination weddings over hosting a traditional celebration and a separate honeymoon. With one beautiful setting, you can tie the knot and kick off newlywed life all in the same place. Even better, destination weddings often mean less time stressing over details and more money saved for the dreamy, exotic honeymoon you’ve always imagined.

For Couples with a Sense of Adventure

Destination weddings, once just a choice for brides and grooms walking down the aisle for the second or third time, are now at an all time high for couples getting married for the first time too.

There is no limit to the fun you can have when you choose a destination wedding. That’s why many brides and grooms are no longer taking the traditional church route, but are instead looking for the perfect foreign country, distant mountain or secluded beach.

Easy Choice

One reason that so many couples are choosing destination weddings nowadays is because brides are busy. Most destination wedding resorts around the world have wedding planners who take care of the details so that you don’t have to. Some resorts bring the couple down months in advance to go over the wedding arrangements including colors, special needs and instructions and ceremony location. After the initial visit the couple does not arrive until just days before the wedding and usually with the guests and attendants.

Express Yourself

Destination weddings are, for the most part, meant to be convenient and fun. Often, for the second or third time couple, it is about making a statement and expressing to family and friends an idea of how they see their future together. Having already gone through the pomp and circumstance of a first wedding, relaxation and family are much more important this time around.

Destination wedding part on yacht charter.

Macy Roth Artistry

Destination wedding newlyweds walk laughing on the beach.

Micah and Sammie Chaffin- Unsplash

It’s all wrapped up in one neat package!

Destination weddings come complete with packages that include a wedding professional to take care of every detail. It’s really just up to you to decide on the big picture and the rest will be handled accordingly. Usually, the wedding planner will handle the flowers, photographer, caterer, musicians and reception area, all with your input of course. In most cases the wedding planner will take care of the marriage license too and all you have to do is send the necessary documents.

It’s about having fun!

Another difference you will encounter when choosing a destination wedding is that everyone is in vacation mode. In a traditional wedding, at least one family is in their home territory. With a destination wedding, families come together to celebrate the wedding while also having a chance to spend time doing fun things.

Remember, destination weddings are meant to be profound, but not necessarily solemn occasions. The weddings are about the guests having a good time and the couple remembering their special day for many years to come.