Arguably as important as the wedding itself, the honeymoon is an essential aspect for some couples. As your first holiday as husband and wife, it’s likely to be one of the most memorable holidays you’ll ever take, an epic adventure you’ll look back on for years to come.
Honeymoon planning tips
Just as planning a wedding takes preparation, your honeymoon will also require some thought, and not at the last minute. There’s nothing worse than discovering your dream trip is unattainable because you left it too late to book the passports. The perfect honeymoon will require some organisation but don’t stress, we’ve put together some tips to help ensure your honeymoon goes according to plan:
It’s all in the timing
One of your first considerations is going to have to be the timing. How much time do you have for your honeymoon? What time of the year can you go? You might find that a honeymoon straight after the wedding isn’t entirely possible due to work commitments, or lack of budget. If the timing isn’t convenient, you can easily postpone your honeymoon for a couple of months and take a short weekend getaway, a ‘mini-moon’, straight after the wedding. Your choice of destination will also play a part in the timing, some destinations have certain times of the year that are more optimal than others, which might not align with your wedding date. There are no rules about when you take your honeymoon, so be sure to choose the best time for you and your destination. Also, consider how long you have to spend in relation to how long it takes to get there. If you only have week don’t pick a destination that requires days of travel time to reach, you’ll end up wasting your precious time in airports.
Budget
The budget is going to play a big part in your honeymoon decisions. Getting married is an expensive affair and costs can get out of control very quickly. The best idea is to include your honeymoon in your overall wedding budget, that way you can keep an eye on the costs and allocate money accordingly. There are always options if you do find yourself short of funds, postponing the honeymoon to save some extra cash is always an option, or you could ask your guests to contribute towards the honeymoon in lieu of gifts. This is a common practice these days, so don’t be shy, some guests might even be relieved to avoid the struggles of shopping for a gift. Don’t forget to keep an eye out for holiday deals and packages, these tend to be cheaper, especially if they include the flights. Booking in advance can greatly help your honeymoon budget as well, as travel costs are inclined to increase closer to the day of departure.
Destination
The big one. Where to go? Deciding on the destination can often be the most difficult part of the whole process for many couples. Your ideas on the perfect holiday might be vastly different. The best approach is to decide what kind of experience you want to have. Do you want to be relaxing on a beach, exploring ancient streets, or is it the nightlife you’re after? Once that decision is made it will make it much easier to pick a destination that fits the bill, and don’t forget to compromise, spend time on each other’s interests. You might also want to consider where you will be staying. Do you want to remain in one place, or travel between different locations? Your budget will be a factor in this decision, but knowing if you’re happy to stay in one place or would prefer to explore multiple destinations will help pinpoint where you want to go. Remember, you’re honeymoon is for you. Don’t get stuck thinking you have to go the traditional route, pick a destination that suits your shared passions and not other people’s expectations.
Don’t forget the details
One of the most important tips to remember when planning your honeymoon is to make sure your booking details and documents match. Being the new Mr. and Mrs. may be all very well and exciting, but if you book your hotel under your new married name and your passport still has your maiden name you might have a problem when checking in. Make sure all your bookings are made under the same name as your travel documents to avoid any hassles.
The most important thing to remember is to have fun. Your honeymoon should be a time to relax and revel in the thrill of starting a new chapter in your relationship. Hopefully, with these tips, your honeymoon planning will be as stress-free as possible. Pair your honeymoon with the perfect wedding, take a look at The Collisheen’s website to learn more about our wedding venues to ensure your special day is as spectacular as the getaway afterwards.
