The honeymoon is a much anticipated time for a newlywed couple; a chance to relax after stressful months spent
planning the wedding . And though the wedding will most likely go off without a hitch, most couples cant wait to get away for at least a few days after the festivities are complete.
Some couples plan their honeymoon together, but in many cases, the groom grabs the reins and surprises the
bride with an exciting trip to a great destination. But while all that suspense and mystery sounds like fun, the planning of the honeymoon must be done carefully with lots of thought about a number of factors.
The first issue to consider is how much time can be allotted for the trip. If you can only get 5 days off at work, you probably wont want to travel to Europe but will need to stay closer to home. A destination that can be reached by car or via a short plane trip is a good choice for a short honeymoon. This way, travel time is kept to a minimum and there will be plenty of time for enjoying each others company.
If you have more flexibility, the possibilities are endless. Consider the places youve been. Do you wish to return to one of them that holds a special meaning for you and your bride? If so, choose that location. Or perhaps theres a place where both of you have always wanted to go. Now would be the perfect time to choose that location. Take time to research the location carefully, however, so that youre not arriving during monsoon season or when everything is closed due to a legal holiday.
Also think about the kinds of activities you and your bride enjoy. Do you prefer to be active at all times? Do you like to sightsee? Are you an urban junkie or do beaches and mountains excite you more? Youll want to choose a destination that best fits your personalities. Cruises are often a good choice because they combine leisure time with sightseeing and other activities and nearly everything is included and at your fingertips, making it unnecessary to carry lots of extra money with you.
Speaking of money, budget should be a major consideration when planning a honeymoon. While you may be tempted to go all out and book a luxurious vacation, remember that youll need to deal with the bills when you return. Debt can cause a huge strain on a marriage, so its best to decide on a reasonable budget and stick to it, even if the exotic, expensive honeymoon is calling to you! This trip can be special, even without spending thousands of dollars.
Be sure to have all the pieces in place long before youre ready to leave, including transportation to and from home or the reception, transportation to the destination, accommodations, travel documents (visas or passports), and other essentials. Remember to tell the bride how to pack (even though that may provide her with some hints as to the destination) because shell want to be appropriately prepared when she reaches the destination. You may also want to have a special gift waiting for the bride when you arrive, such as
flowers and chocolate in your ships cabin or champagne and strawberries in your hotel room.
Be sure to keep all the travel documents in a safety deposit box or other secured place until the day of the wedding. When the wedding day arrives, ask the best man or a trusted family member to hold onto them until its time to turn them over to you.
