Planning the Perfect Honeymoon

There is a lot to consider when it comes to planning the perfect honeymoon. Every couple is unique, and therefore every honeymoon should be a unique travel experience. Some couples want to sit back beachside at a luxury resort. Other couples want to take a bucket list trip like island hopping in Greece or wine tasting in Tuscany. As a professional travel advisor, I have helped many couples plan this once-in-a-lifetime trip.

THINGS TO DO

DECIDE ON THE EXPERIENCE YOU WANT
- The first thing to ask yourselves when planning the perfect honeymoon is not “where do we want to go?” The first thing you need to talk about is what type of experience you want. It’s important that you both talk openly about your travel styles. Your honeymoon needs to be a good fit for the two of you. If one person prefers to be adventurous, while the other would like to relax, it’s important to compromise and plan a honeymoon that fits both of your travel styles.
SET A BUDGET
- The second thing to consider is budget. How much do you want to spend on your trip? Remember to consider all travel expenses – airfare, transfers/rental cars, accommodations, activities, food, and drinks. Don’t forget about travel insurance, souvenirs, and leave a little room for unexpected extras.
PICK A DATE
- Next, decide when to take your honeymoon. Many couples dream of jetting off for the honeymoon right after the wedding. My advice here, is to give yourselves at least a full day between your wedding and departing for your honeymoon. Weddings are tiring, and having one day to rest will make the travel day much more enjoyable. Other things to consider:
  - When are the best times for you to travel?
  - What works best for your schedules?
  - What are the busy seasons for the places you want to go?
  - Are there any major events happening that could cause extra crowds and expense?
START PLANNING EARLY
- It seems crazy to even think about the honeymoon when you have so many other things to plan for the wedding. But that’s exactly what you’ll want to do. Ideally, you will want to start planning your honeymoon 8-12 months in advance. Doing so will give you plenty of time to determine a destination, hire a travel agent, and book your air and accommodations. The other things, like activities and excursions can be finalized later.
KEEP AN OPEN MIND
- Your dream of honeymooning in an overwater bungalow in Fiji might be out of the budget right after the wedding. Consider other tropical destinations that offer a similar experience; St. Lucia, Jamaica, and Mexico all have beautiful overwater bungalows. And you won’t have to endure a 16-hour flight.
DON’T OVER PLAN
- Over-planning and over-scheduling can lead to an experience that is anything but the relaxing and stress-free honeymoon you envisioned. When planning what you’d like to do on your honeymoon, both you and your fiancé should have activities that you want to experience on the final itinerary. Pick the things that are most important to you and leave room to relax.
  Also, keep in mind the travel climate is kinda crazy right now, and unexpected delays, cancellations and other mishaps can happen. If your schedule is jam-packed, you aren’t leaving much room for flexibility.
LEAVE ROOM FOR SURPRISES
- Your honeymoon is the perfect occasion to be extra romantic. Make sure to plan little surprises for each other. Ideas could be getting up for a sunrise hike, champagne room service, breakfast in bed, or dinner on the beach. You could also upgrade an experience you have already booked – like a room upgrade or making a tour a private experience.
CONSIDER HIRING A TRAVEL AGENT
- You have enough on your plate planning a wedding. A certified travel agent will help ease the stress and will give you your free time back. Travel agents also have access to tours and experiences that the average person does not – meaning they can create a custom honeymoon that is unique to you and not some mass-produced package found online. You trust other experts. Why not put your honeymoon into the hands of a travel expert that can help you with planning the perfect honeymoon?
TAKE A MINI-MOON FIRST
- If your schedules or budget do not allow you to take your honeymoon right after your wedding, consider taking a mini-moon. A mini-moon is a shorter and less expensive version of the honeymoon. Usually, couples will stay closer to home or where the wedding was, opting for a few nights at a nearby hotel or resort. The travel time is significantly shorter because the goal is to maximize the amount of time you have for the mini-moon.
  More and more couples are taking a mini-moon right after the wedding and saving the honeymoon for a few months to a year after the wedding. There are several reasons for this. It could be schedule conflicts, needing to save extra money for the dream honeymoon, or waiting for the right season in a particular destination.

THINGS NOT TO DO

PROCRASTINATE PLANNING
- The earlier you begin the planning process the better, especially since people are back to traveling. The best hotels and resorts fill up fast, and your honeymoon is not the time to settle for your second-choice option.
LEAVE TOO SOON AFTER THE WEDDING
- Most couples say their wedding day feels like a whirlwind – it’s a long day with all eyes on you. And while it sounds exciting to get up early with your new spouse and head to the airport to jet off for your honeymoon, the reality is, is that it’s not. It’s exhausting.
PACKING LAST MINUTE
- Don’t wait to do this until the week before. That’s when panic sets in. Utilize a packing list to help you stay organized and ensure that you don’t forget to pack any of your honeymoon essentials.