Planning The Perfect Honeymoon

Planning the Perfect Honeymoon – Honeymoons are such an exciting experience for newlyweds. Weddings can be stressful and involve years of planning so getting away with your new spouse can help you both to relax and enjoy the early stage of being married. Dating back to the 1820s, honeymoons were originally something reserved for the upper classes but spread in popularity by the late 1800s. Originally, trips were made within the UK, but travelling abroad became more popular as air travel was commercialised.

Every couple has a different idea of what makes a perfect honeymoon, so remember to communicate throughout the planning process.

Choosing the perfect destination

If you look on social media, you will see honeymoons taking place across the globe. It can be overwhelming with the sheer number of options you have.

Making sure both you and your partner are happy is key. One way to narrow down your travel options is to make lists of your holiday likes. If one person wants a beach holiday but the other wants a city break, you could compromise by staying at a resort with excursions to local towns.

Some honeymooners like to go away straight after their wedding, but others choose to wait. Whenever you choose to go, check the season and climate of your destination. Rainy season in Japan, for example, is in June and July so it may be best to visit later in the year.

Setting a budget

It can be easy to imagine a lavish holiday for your honeymoon, but budgetary restrictions can put a damper on those dreams.

Early on in the planning process set a budget. This will assist you in making decisions about flights, hotels, activities, and additional spending money. Although many wedding guests will give financial gifts, do not rely on these in case you come up short and can’t afford your trip.

Booking in advance as much as possible will help you to secure the best deals. Use a reputable comparison site to check you are getting the lowest prices. When it comes to flights you may want to be flexible with your departure airport. Going from Leeds Bradford instead of Manchester, for example, may save you money even if you factor in a night at a hotel before your flight.

You will also need to think about your catering needs. If you want to go out and explore the local area every day, then opting for a self-catered villa may be best for you. Some couples can think of nothing better than having every need catered for so full board sounds great. Naturally, full-board hotels cost more overall, but you save money by not spending on three meals a day.

Creating a flexible itinerary

The core idea of honeymoons should be to spend as much quality time as possible with your beloved. Creating the perfect itinerary should have a mix of relaxation and excitement such as sightseeing and exploration.

When you first arrive at your destination, you may be tempted to jump straight in and experience everything. If you are going straight from your wedding day, you may appreciate a couple of days to unwind and decompress.

Try to have a flexible mindset. You may find that everything you wanted to do when you were planning now sounds less appealing. You could take some time each evening to plan the next day. This gives you a chance to adjust plans for the weather or unexpected events.

Packing smart

Packing for a honeymoon is no different from a typical holiday. It pays to pack strategically to avoid any excess baggage fees at the airport.

Think about versatile clothing such as dresses and skirts which can be dressed up for dinner or dressed down with flip flops for a walk on the beach. Floaty skirts also make great cover-up options around the pool or at the beach.

Don’t forget to pack skincare such as suncream and after sun. Keeping your skin protected prevents sunburn from ruining your trip. Take the climate into account too. Face mists are wonderful for keeping you cool in hot and humid areas.

Travel insurance and safety

Travel insurance is a must for any holiday but especially a honeymoon where you may have spent a substantial amount of money. If your holiday has any hiccups, travel insurance gives you the security to claim back some compensation for the disappointment.

When looking for insurance policies, check the exclusions. Some policies do not cover water skiing accidents, for example, so if you were planning to give it a go find a company that will. It can be tempting to just go for the cheapest policy, but you may end up out of pocket when you look at what is actually covered.

Keeping safe on holiday should be standard for any trip. Make sure you check the safety advice from the government before you book. The list includes terror alerts, scams and any weather events in each country.

Be practical when walking around and stay alert to your surroundings. Don’t keep your money in easy-to-reach places and don’t take your passport with you unless absolutely necessary. You may want to consider getting a dummy engagement and wedding ring too. Thieves can target newlyweds and aim for the sparklers on your left hand. Additionally, depending on the destination, it may be worth considering booking airport transfers rather than getting local transport for safety reasons and to avoid any hassle upon arrival.

Wherever you decide to go, enjoy spending time marvelling at being married. Don’t forget to take lots of photos so you can look back at the incredible memories you made for years to come!