Planning a wedding is certainly exciting, but it’s also downright exhausting. Fortunately, there’s a light at the end of the tunnel, or rather, sunlight…and perhaps a sandy beach kissed by turquoise blue waters and a hammock built for two, where you and your new husband can melt away all the stress that you endured while planning your dream wedding.
Though it may seem difficult to do in the midst of all of the preparations for your nuptials, you want to make sure you squeeze in some time to between meetings with florists and dress fittings to plan your honeymoon. After all, this isn’t just any vacation, this is the vacation; one that you and your spouse will look back on forever.
Here are some tips to help you plan the perfect honeymoon.
Consider Your Goals
What do you want to do on your honeymoon? Are you and your future spouse going to want to relax and unwind pool- or beach side? Or, are you more of the adventurous type and would delight at the thrills of rock climbing and zip lining through a rain forest? Knowing what you want to do on your honeymoon will allow you to choose a location where you can achieve your goals.
There are plenty of websites you can use to help you book hotels, flights, rental cars, and even activities, such as Expedia and Travelocity. Try using these sites to simplify your planning.
Figure Out When You Want to Leave
Would you like to leave immediately after your honeymoon, or does waiting for a few days or weeks after the big day sound like a better option to you? The advantage to going right away is that you’ll still be on the “high” of the wedding; however, if you wait, you’ll have something else that’s super exciting to look forward to after you say “I do.” And you have time to save up a little bit more money to play around with!
Set a Budget
Like a wedding, the price of a honeymoon can get out of control quickly. To avoid going broke, make sure you set a budget – and stick to it. If you have frequent flier miles, or if your credit cards offer rewards, save them up and put them toward the cost of your honeymoon.
Determine What Type of Accommodations You Would Like
Do you want to stay at an adult-only, all-inclusive resort for your entire honeymoon? Are you looking for a more quaint, bed and breakfast type of vibe? Make sure you know exactly what you would like your accommodations to offer so that you choose something that best meets your needs.
Start Early
The earlier you start planning your honeymoon, the better. You’ll have more time to research all of your options and choose a location, accommodations and an itinerary that best meets your interests. Plus, if you book early enough, you may be able to lock in lower prices at hotels and resorts. Keep in mind, during busy seasons accommodations can get booked up really quickly and you don’t want to run out of options.
Also, it’s important to remember that the type of honeymoon you want to take will dictate when you should begin planning. For an excursion to Machu Picchu, for example, you’ll have to book at least 6 months to a year in advance to ensure you have everything you need and that all accommodations are reserved. Excursions to these types of destinations are limited and book up quickly. However, if you are planning a trip to a tropical island where there are lots of resorts, you might be able to wait a little longer to start planning. As a general rule of thumb, the sooner you start making arrangements, the better off you’ll be.
Find Out About Necessities
If you’re going to be traveling outside of the United States, you’ll need to get a passport. Depending on your destination, you may also need a Visa and certain vaccinations. It’s best to find out all of the necessities that are required to get to your honeymoon location well in advance so you can be fully prepared.
In addition to these tips, make sure you discuss and confirm all plans with your soon-to-be spouse; a honeymoon is for both of you, and you want to make sure that you both get to enjoy it to the fullest.
