Why You Should Go On a Honeymoon

If you’re in the middle of planning your wedding or have already done it, you know that the process can be stressful; and that’s putting things lightly. While it is exciting and euphoric to marry your favorite person, a wedding is essentially a giant party with all of your favorite people. And, like any party, they require a lot of thoughtfulness, time, and money to accomplish. 

A honeymoon gives you a chance to truly unwind and celebrate your marriage. Instead of focusing on the experience of your guests and wedding party, you can focus on the best part of this whole affair – your life partner and now-husband. Even if budgetary constraints, children, pets, or work are keeping you from embarking on a geographically distant honeymoon, there are activities you can do from the comfort of your city or even right at home to celebrate your union. Take it from us – you deserve it!

When Should You Go On Your Honeymoon?

In the movies, couples typically head off on their honeymoon the morning after their wedding. In real life, this strategy isn’t always so practical. You might have family staying at your home, work matters to attend to, or children and pets that need you. Not only that but if you enjoyed libations at your reception, rushing to the airport at 7 AM the next day might feel more stomach-turning than romantic.  After all, nobody likes turbulence when you have vodka-induced flu symptoms to attend to.

While immediately going on your honeymoon is a great way to bask in the glow of your new marriage, there’s no requirement for when you take your honeymoon. If you’re not planning on wrapping your wedding and honeymoon into one continuous event, there are some factors to consider:

• Is there a time of year when your favorite destination is cheaper? Taking advantage of off-season prices on flights, hotels, and resorts can be a great way to get a bigger bang for your buck
• When is it most convenient for you and your husband to take off work? Vacations are always more relaxing after a big deadline or during a lull in your work schedule. If you do seasonal work like a contractor or teacher, this sentiment rings even more true.
• Do you have kids or pets to consider? If you’ll need a babysitter, it might be best to check with family and other caretakers about what dates work for them sooner rather than later. After all, if you’re leaving for a whole week you’ll want to be sure your fur babies and actual babies are in good hands.

Destinations | How To Pick One

With infinite destinations to choose from, picking the perfect honeymoon spot might bring on some serious analysis paralysis. The Bahamas, Cancun, Aruba, and The Florida Keys are just some examples of typical honeymoon destinations. While it might be tempting to pick a random resort and call it a day, you can ensure your honeymoon is a perfect match for you and your spouse by doing just a little bit of research. 

Justin Thompson, writer at Luxtrend, recommends talking with your spouse to gauge their dream honeymoon to better narrow down the overall vision. Thompson goes on to say, “travel sites and guidebooks are a great place to start to better understand local attractions and activities.…but don’t forget to allow for some flexibility in case anything comes up last minute!”

It can be tempting to fall into the vortex of your Instagram feed and book a tropical beach vacation just because. But let’s face it, some of us just aren’t built for the heat and others don’t love the beach. There are a multitude of fun destinations that differ from a stereotypical getaway, such as…

• African Safari: Calling all animal lovers! African safaris are a great choice for couples that like to live on the wild side. Meet giraffes, elephants, tigers, and more, and book a treehouse stay for the full experience. The best part? Many of the places that house the exotic animals are rehabilitation centers or otherwise ethical, making them that much more enjoyable than the zoo.
• Alaskan Cruise: When you think of Alaska, a cruise is probably the last attraction that comes to mind. But cruises are all about scenery and Alaska is one of the most beautiful places in North America. Your trip might be colder and rainier than a cruise from Florida to the Bahamas, but during the right time of year, you can expect sunshine. Plus, the port stops are places you’d never otherwise visit. The quaint and beautiful Juneau, Alaska is only accessible by air or sea. Talk about uncharted territory!
• Cross-Country Road Trip: There’s no better way to sightsee than going on a cross-country road trip. There are a multitude of scenic routes across the contiguous United States that are worth taking, like Highway 1 to Big Sur in California, Route 66 from Illinois to California, or the Blue Ridge Parkway from Virginia to North Carolina. Want to make it extra romantic? Rent a convertible car or decked-out van for an unforgettable experience.
• A Next-Level Staycation: Become a tourist in your own town or a nearby city for a long weekend or even an entire week! You’ll be surprised at how many fun shops and attractions are available during business hours when you’d normally be working or at home. Treat yourselves to a special dinner, spa day, and other luxurious activities for a vacation that’s close to home, but feels worlds away from regular life.
  

What Should You Do On Your Honeymoon?

The possibilities for excursions, activities, and relaxation are endless no matter your destination. Need some ideas to get started? Here are a few ideas of fun activities you can pencil into your itinerary.

• Wake up early and watch the sunrise: Night owl or not, a sunrise can be just as romantic as a sunset. Starting your morning by waking with the sun & having a cup of coffee or tea is a great way to feel rejuvenated before the day even begins.
• Step outside of your comfort zone: Ziplining, bungee jumping, and scuba diving are all popular honeymoon activities that will take you out of your comfort zone. Plus, being a little bit afraid is an easy way to bond with your new husband.
• Include ample downtime: While having an itinerary for every day of your trip may seem like the best way to make use of your time off & hard-earned money, don’t forget to relax, too. After all, what’s better than a movie night or room service with the person you love most?

What To Pack

Depending on where you’re jetting off to, your clothing needs will vary. But beyond that, there are a few essentials you’ll want to make sure you’ve packed before departing. These are the items you absolutely need, no matter what. 

• Your ID/Driver’s License, or Passport if you’re traveling outside of North America.
  
• Luggage tags, because lost luggage is unsexy, to say the least.
• Credit cards, including an extra in the event of emergencies.
• Cash, for obvious reasons.
• Booking confirmations for hotels, restaurants, and excursions. You’ll want to bring both a paper copy and a digital copy stored on your phone.
• Health insurance and prescriptions.
• A hard copy of any important contacts in case your phone gets lost.

Final Thoughts

The wedding gets all the attention, but it’s really the honeymoon that steals the show. Whether you’re staying close to home or flying halfway across the world, make sure to relax and soak in this once-in-a-lifetime moment with your new spouse. Even if travel doesn’t go exactly according to plan, you’ll have a blast as long as you have each other. Don’t sweat the small stuff. After all, you have a lifetime of adventures ahead.