As special as your wedding day will be, don’t forget to dedicate plenty of time to planning your honeymoon! Wedding preparations range from booking a venue to choosing a photographer, which can take significant amounts of time. However, this doesn’t mean you can wait until the last minute to plan your honeymoon. Just like you’ll need to start making arrangements for your wedding in advance, it’s important to get a jumpstart on honeymoon planning.
Your honeymoon is the perfect time to get away from the hectic nature of wedding planning, and you and your partner can enjoy some time relaxing as newlyweds. It’s easy to overlook honeymoon planning in lieu of wedding planning, so we’ve got it covered for you by breaking down some of the major topics when it comes to cost, timeline, and destinations.
How Much Does a Honeymoon Cost?
The cost of your honeymoon depends on a variety of factors, like location, time of year, and the duration of your stay. One of the first things you should do as part of the planning process is to set a budget. When it comes to budgeting your honeymoon, plan as if you’re budgeting your wedding.
Start by setting a maximum price, but be prepared for any surprises. You never know if you want to take an additional excursion spur of the moment, and having an emergency fund is always a good idea when traveling.
While setting a price of your honeymoon, consider what’s most important to you. Do you want to splurge on a luxurious meal? Or stay in an all-inclusive resort? You may want to save your money and put it towards spa days or thrilling day trips. Before you begin to look at hotels, flights, and more, set a limit on how much you want to spend on your honeymoon.
Average Honeymoon Cost
Since there are so many factors that go into planning a honeymoon, the cost of an average honeymoon has an extremely wide range. Thumbtack estimates the average honeymoon costs between $3,500 to $20,000. For many couples, a $20,000 honeymoon is way of their budget, but don’t worry. Forbes puts the average honeymoon cost at a more reasonable $4,466. You can plan a wonderful honeymoon for a lower price than average.
If the average cost is out of your price range, then you’ll be able to work around your budget by finding killer deals and picking an affordable destination. Start planning early and be ready to be flexible about dates and destinations if you’re trying to save on your honeymoon.
How Long Is a Honeymoon?
Typically, honeymoons are anywhere between one to two weeks. However, don’t feel limited by this time frame. Your honeymoon can be as short or as long as you and partner desire.
Shorter honeymoons include a five-day cruise or a few days at a resort while longer honeymoons include whirlwind trips around Europe or a road trip across the United States. The most important thing is to take the time you need to recuperate from your wedding as well as enjoy the company of your spouse!
Although some couples choose to leave for their honeymoon immediately after their wedding, it may be a better option to wait. Whether it’s a few days, weeks, or even months, setting some buffer time between your wedding day and honeymoon is a great option. This gives you the time to rest and recharge. Couples may also wait to go on their honeymoon if they find better prices on hotels and flights.
When Should You Start Planning Your Honeymoon?
Honeymoon planning often takes a backseat when wedding planning is such a momentous task, but planning early is a huge advantage. If you start planning early and run into any issues, you’ll have plenty of time to resolve them rather than scrambling to book a room right before your wedding day. Start planning at least six months in advance. It doesn’t hurt to begin preparing even eight months before your trip.
Although this seems in the distant future, having more time to plan will be essential when it comes to looking for the best deals. Booking a hotel can be tricky during peak seasons. For example, if you’re having a winter wedding and hoping to unwind on a beach in Mexico, you’ll need to have a reservation months in advance. Exclusive resorts and restaurants will require reservations, and you want to be able to have those spots for the limited days you’ll be relaxing at your honeymoon destination.
For trips out of the country, be sure to renew your passport. This process can take a few weeks. Before leaving, take the time to confirm your reservations and double check that you have all the documents you need to travel.
If you plan on leaving for your honeymoon immediately after your wedding, you may want to pack a few days earlier, so you don’t need to take care of packing right after the excitement and rush of your wedding day.
Finding a Honeymoon Planner
With so many online resources, it’s easy to plan a vacation yourself. However, travel agents can be immensely helpful while planning your honeymoon. Often, travel agents are aware of fantastic deals, and they can find special packages. They also have relationships with hotels and other venues, so if you have a dream location that’s hard to snag, consider asking a travel agent for some help with booking a hotel or resort.
Plus, you can take some stress off of you and your partner by hiring a travel agent or honeymoon planner. Since a travel agent should be familiar with your destination as well as packages and activities in the area, you and your partner won’t need to spend as much time researching. Instead, you can focus on planning your wedding.
Even after you’ve started your honeymoon vacation, your travel agent can be a great resource. If there are any delays or complications, some agents are willing to lend a hand to ensure the rest of your trip goes smoothly. For example, if there’s a flight cancellation, you can ask your travel agent to book a new flight.
A travel agent can even help you get started with basic questions. If you aren’t sure where to go for your honey, you can consult a travel agent who will find your dream destination. Although there are fees with hiring a travel agent, you can also save big on special deals while also gaining insider knowledge on hotels, packages, flights, and more.
Where Should I Go on my Honeymoon?
When you start planning your honeymoon, one of the first things you’ll likely discuss with your partner is where to visit. There are a variety of top honeymoon destinations, and popular locations include white, sandy beaches in Hawaii or stopping by the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre in Paris, France.
Honeymoons are usually associated with beach trips or touring Europe, but if these trips aren’t your style, then find another destination that fits. When you’re deciding on a honeymoon destination, think about what you and your partner would enjoy the most.
If you prefer nature and long hikes, consider exploring parts of Alaska or visiting some of the U.S. national parks. Aside from being a honeymoon destination, national parks can also be an innovative and more unique wedding venue.
Affordable and fun destinations outside of the United States include Thailand or Costa Rica. Should you choose a popular spring break destination like Costa Rica or Cancun, you may want to consider the timing of your trip. Popular spring break locations may be overrun with rowdy college students.
If you are hoping to stop by Europe, Portugal tends to be more affordable than other European countries. Canada is also an excellent location for a honeymoon trip.
You don’t need to jet away to a foreign country or an exotic location for a honeymoon. If there’s a state or city in the United States that’s been on your bucket list, consider making that your honeymoon destination.
What Do You Do on a Honeymoon?
During your honeymoon, take time to relax with your spouse! Even if your honeymoon is well after your wedding, this is a great time to decompress and connect with your partner. All-inclusive resorts often have spa packages, so book a couples’ massage or a spa day.
While taking time to relax is essential, make sure you don’t miss any sights your destination has to offer. Whether it’s just wandering around and soaking in the feel and culture of your destination or selecting specific excursions, there are plenty of ways to stay busy.
Feeling adventurous? At some beach resorts, you can find scuba diving, jet skiing, parasailing, and other exciting activities. Other classic honeymoon activities include wine tours or watching sunsets and sunrises on the beach. For an upbeat night, stop by a nightclub and go dancing. If you’re looking for activities specific to your honeymoon destination, search online for local events or ask a travel agent for some recommendations.
There’s no pressure to go out every single day, either. Your honeymoon is also the perfect time to take some down time in your hotel room. You can continue getting to know your partner and spend some quality time with each other before returning to your hectic lives.
Making memories with your spouse is a large part of your honeymoon, so bring a camera and take plenty of pictures! Overall, it’s important to find a balance between downtime and experiencing all that your honeymoon destination has to offer.
Conclusion
With careful planning, your honeymoon can be one of your most memorable trips! Just remember to start the planning process early, set a reasonable budget, and do some research before picking your destination. Communicating your plans with your partner is key, but don’t be afraid to slip in a surprise during your trip. Whether it’s a reservation at a high-end restaurant or an extra spa package, treating you and your partner is a guarantee to make this trip truly special.
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