Image via Powerscourt Hotel
There is no doubt that organising your honeymoon will be one of the more exciting elements of wedding planning! Pulling together your first holiday as a married couple conjours up visions of tropical islands or snowy hilltops, relaxation in a spa or on a hike and most importantly, time away for you to unwind from the busyness of your wedding and start life together as husband and wife.
When planning your honeymoon, there is a lot to consider to ensure this particular holiday goes smoothly. Read on for some tips on how to plan a honeymoon you’ll remember for all the right reasons!
Don’t leave it until the last minute
It’s safe to say that in the lead up to your wedding, your days will get busier and busier with last minute details. Having your location chosen and transport and hotel booked several months in advance of your wedding day will take the pressure off. If you’re stuck for ideas, perhaps pop into a travel agent and ask for some advice. Make sure you do your research well in advance, as this will give you time to enjoy the planning and deal with hiccups along the way.
Image via Fourcorners
Transport
Will you need to fly to your new destination? Or are you staying closer to home? There are so many beautiful places around the world to see, the options are almost overwhelming! If you’re staying in a hotel or your reception venue on your first night after the wedding day, there are a few practicalities to consider.
You may need to leave your wedding outfits with the hotel concierge to be collected by family or friends the following day if leaving straight for your honeymoon in the morning. Ensure this can be organised by your hotel, and that they are confident of storing your items securely until collected.
If flying to your destination, consider booking an airport transfer. Your hotel may offer this service, so check to see if this is included in your stay. And if you’re planning to drive off in the morning to an equally stunning but much closer destination, ensure the venue you’re staying with offers parking.
Image via Lauren Wells
Relaxation or adventure – or both!
You will know exactly what will suit for your honeymoon, whether that is a spa hotel on a tropical island, extreme sports in the rugged countryside, or a mixture of both! If you are heading straight away on your honeymoon the day after the wedding, be aware that you will likely be exhausted after the planning and partying. If it’s at all possible, try to plan a day or two where you can unwind and recover.
Discuss with each other what you’re hoping for on your honeymoon, whether that is luxury or travelling on a shoe-string budget, lying on a beach with cocktails or skiing the slopes, European or your own backyard. Don’t forget, if there’s a great idea you love but it won’t fit for your honeymoon, perhaps plan for a five year anniversary trip (or one year anniversary trip if you’re better at saving than me!)
Image via Country Living
One week or longer?
There are many factors that will influence this decision, and you will need to discuss this early on. Consider how much time you will be able to take off work, not forgetting days you will likely need away from the office in the lead up to the wedding. If you have children or if you are a carer this will affect the length of time you are able to take, and you may need to also consider financially how long you can afford to be away for.
Once you return from your honeymoon you may also want to enjoy a day or two before heading straight back to work to unpack, sort through gifts (if they’ve arrived – best day ever!) and settle into your home.
Start planning sooner rather than later, remember the practical details, discuss all of your options and talk with your boss early in the process. This will allow you to focus on the fun in the lead up to your wedding, and rest easy knowing that you’ve planned an incredible honeymoon for your first trip as a newly married couple!
Ms Chinoiserie Says: Such wonderful advice to ensure that your romantic honeymoon goes perfectly to plan!
About Nicola Goring – I’m Nicola, the florist and crafter behind rubyandjoy. I’m a gardening, fabric loving, mint tea drinking, brownie baking, book obsessed maker! I love a good adventure having just moved back from five years in Scotland (with my lovely Scottish husband).
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