Wedding Planning Articles
Honeymoon & Travel
...."Let the romance begin"
Your honeymoon is about so much more than simply choosing a destination. It’s also about the overall style of trip you want. Pampered luxury, a wooded cabin, a cultural trip? With your Groom, determine what kind of trip you want your honeymoon to be. Once decided, you can identify your particular destination and your specific hotel.
Who is Responsible Who does the trip planning? Who pays for the trip? While the Bride has input into the honeymoon destination, it is traditionally the Groom’s responsibility to coordinate and finance the honeymoon. It’s a smart idea to begin with a local travel agent, look over their brochures and talk with an agent about ideas. Continue your research on the web. Then once you’ve identified the destination, revisit your travel agent and let them complete your research for you.
Why? Have you ever planned a weekend trip, found a nice area and an incredible hotel at the beach (or at the mountains, on the river, etc) on-line, but then once you arrived you were thoroughly disappointed? Yeah, we have too. Well, this is one trip where you do not want to be disappointed. Also, travel agents are often privy to some great deals and their services are either free or require only a nominal fee. And Grooms take note: unless your Bride truly wants an adventurous honeymoon rafting down the Amazon, opt for the relaxing luxurious vacation at a quality hotel or resort for this one trip! If you can, pull out all the stops and make this the trip of your dreams!
Planning & Timing When to start your honeymoon planning? Start at least six months before the wedding and finalize about two months later. Maybe earlier if your destination is extremely popular. Obtain (or renew) your passport about 9 months in advance. And brides, be very careful with the name you use on your airline tickets…this name must match your passport and your driver’s license. Seriously, we know a bride who missed her honeymoon because the airline would not allow her on the plane under her new, inadequately documented married name!
When to start your actual honeymoon trip? Many couples take this trip a week after the wedding, providing time to decompress after the hectic build up to the wedding. This also gives you an chance to spend more time with those who traveled from far away to be with you at your wedding. Plus, many families now have a brunch the day after the wedding where wedding gifts are opened while everyone looks on. You might want to consider this delayed honeymoon approach when planning your honeymoon. Discuss the possibilities with your spouse-to-be and see what best fits your personal style.