7 Tips to Plan the Perfect Honeymoon

A Jessica White Travel Guide

Photo: Ardensea

Are you getting ready to plan the perfect honeymoon? We got the inside tips on creating the best possible honeymoon from our go-to travel guru Jessica from Jessica White Travel. She will take you through the steps of picking out your dream honeymoon. Trust us, we may have already taken our honeymoons but we are ready to pack our bags for a re-do!

Your perfect wedding requires a lot of planning, and is something you dream about for months (maybe years) before the day you say “I Do.” But what about your honeymoon? At the end of the day your wedding is probably 5 – 8 hours, whereas your honeymoon may be 7 – 15 days and be the first time you get to relax and spend quality time as newlyweds. Your honeymoon is a once-in-a-lifetime trip, so why not make it a trip that you and your new spouse will remember for the rest of your lives? Here are her 7 top tips on how to create a honeymoon that’s not only spectacular but perfectly designed for you!

Photo: Ardensea

Don’t Wait

The earlier you begin planning the better. Depending on the time of year, starting at least six months before you want to go is ideal, if not 9 – 12 months for certain vacations like a safari or river cruise. If you have a specific resort or destination in mind, don’t drag your feet –get to it!

Close Your Eyes & Imagine The Honeymoon

What are you doing? Are you relaxing on a beach, exploring somewhere exotic, or wandering through city streets? What do you want to be doing together as a couple? Brainstorming not only where you want to go and what you want to do, but how you want to feel on your honeymoon will help you find the perfect place for you.

Decide Together

It’s great practice for married life! You want to make sure you pick a vacation that both of you will enjoy. Are you fast-paced or more relaxed? Do you want to go for five days or three weeks? Do you care more about stunning views, great food, incredible nature or unique experiences? How far are you willing to travel? These are all questions that you should answer together. A travel advisor can also help by asking probing questions to figure out your travel style and match you to a destination that fits your individual travel needs and preferences.

Timing is Key

When it comes to real estate, people always say “Location! Location! Location!” When it comes to travel, I always say “Timing! Timing! Timing!” Tourism is seasonal. It is cheaper to go to Europe in the winter and the Caribbean in the summer. There are holidays to navigate, availability to consider, weather patterns to watch and more. So finding the right time and place to go on a trip is like a jigsaw puzzle. If you are on a budget, maybe consider going somewhere during the destination’s shoulder or off-season. There’s always the option of going on a mini-moon right after your wedding and then delaying your honeymoon until travel time is ideal.

Photo: Ardensea

Find Balance

One of the biggest mistakes I see with honeymoon couples is that they try to fit too much into their honeymoon vacation. They attempt to visit too many places, and don’t have the opportunity to truly relax. Or they are an active couple but think a honeymoon is supposed to be a fancy resort on a beach and find they do not have enough to do. Finding that balance is both a science and an art, so making sure you have a destination that will fit the mold for what works for you is important.

Determine & Set Aside a Budget

The oh-so-illusive “budget” can sometimes be hard to nail down for a trip. Most people have no idea where to start. Even if you can’t think of an exact amount you want or have to spend, come up with a range you would feel comfortable with. Or think of a price per night on a hotel you feel comfortable with. Another option is to work backward and determine exactly what you want, how much that will cost, and then set aside that amount for the trip. Either way, figure out a ballpark range of how much you want to spend and go from there.

Don’t Try To Do It Alone!

There’s so much to plan with a wedding, so if you’re feeling even a little stressed about the honeymoon process, or you just want to check one thing off your list with confidence – it might be worth hiring a travel advisor to help. Not only does an advisor take care of all the little details, but they can also ensure you get the VIP treatment everywhere you go (trust me, the honeymoon VIP treatment is amazing). It’s your honeymoon after all, and you will likely be planning the wedding at the same time, so you want to make sure the process is as stress-free as possible!

Photo: Diamond Eyez
Want more planning tips? Check out The Perks of Booking an All-Inclusive Wedding Package!