No matter your budget, your dream honeymoon is just a few steps away from becoming reality
Once the confetti has been cleared and the dress has been dry cleaned, it’s time to turn your attention to the next big adventure – your honeymoon. After all the anticipation leading up to the big day every bride and her partner deserves the perfect holiday to relax and take stock of this exciting new phase in their lives.
Starting to plan your honeymoon can be a daunting task, particularly amid all the to-do lists and reminder alerts in the run up to the wedding, but whenever and wherever you want to go, it's best to get organised early so you have time to do your research to make it a truly unforgettable trip.
Choose when to go
Deciding when to go on your honeymoon and how long to go for should be the first decision on your list. If you haven’t got much time to play with, think about how far you want to travel and if jet-lag will be a problem.
If you want to visit several destinations make sure your itinerary leaves you enough time to enjoy each place and have a rest after travel days. Always check for extreme weather warnings – you don’t want to arrive unprepared during monsoon season.
Set a budget
Be realistic about how much money you and your partner can set aside for a honeymoon and how long it will take to raise the funds. If you want to travel straight after the wedding start putting money aside before you start planning the big day so you won’t have to worry about spending money when it comes to your departure date.
Look out for deals and sales – January is a great time to bag a bargain on flights and, if possible, avoid travelling in the school holidays. You can also set up price alerts for different journeys so you can be kept up to date with price fluctuations and buy tickets when they are at their cheapest.
Decide your honeymoon style
When you stop and imagine your perfect holiday do you see yourself on safari or the ski-slopes, popping into museums or lying in the sun? Whether you are an adventure-seeker or a beach-and-book style traveller, your honeymoon should be the holiday of a lifetime, so don’t hold back when looking at your options.
Talk to your partner and draw up a list of priorities between you, to make sure you are on the same page when planning, then take a look at our guide to your honeymoon personality.
Pick a destination
Take a look at trending destinations and ask your friends for recommendations. If you really can’t narrow down your options, print off a world map and start crossing off destinations that won’t suit your holiday style – from there, you can draw up a list of potentials. Combine that with your budget and time restrictions and see where comes out on top for the time of year you will be travelling.
Consider alternative transport options - if you are a nervous flyer you could take the Eurostar or a ferry to maximise on the relaxing vibes, for instance.
Decide where to stay
You might already have an Airbnb wishlist of dreamy villas or penthouse apartments drawn up – or perhaps you have no idea where to start. Ask yourself these three questions:
- Do you prefer room service or self-catering?
- Do you prefer to be out-in-the-wild or enjoy a comfortable level of luxury?
- Do you enjoy on-site entertainment or prefer to explore?
From boutique campervans to all-inclusive hotels, there’s no end to the options when it comes to honeymoon accommodation. Keep an open mind and go for something that you and your partner wouldn't normally choose – whether that's five-star luxury or a boutique B&B is up to you.
Be prepared
Depending where you are going, you may need to arrange visas and vaccines, both of which can take several months. Go to foreign travel advice for country-by-country information and check back regularly for updates. Book an appointment with your GP to discuss vaccines and any necessary medication including malaria tablets. Some vaccinations are free on the NHS, others need to be paid for – click here to find out more.
For travel to EU countries, if your EHIC (European Health Insurance Card) is still in date, you can still receive state healthcare at a reduced cost. You can apply for a GHIC (Global Health Insurance Card) if your EHIC has expired via the NHS website, nhs.uk.
Get organised
The name in your passport must match the name on your travel arrangements – so if you are taking your partner’s name, get organised before booking. You can apply for a new passport up to three months before the wedding - click here for the official guidance. Alternatively, if you are jetting off straight after the wedding, travel using your maiden name or apply for a post-dated passport.
Start getting excited
Scour travel blogs and magazines for local tips and recommendations. Keep a list of places to visit and book any restaurants or attractions that sound too good to miss. Make sure your camera has a new memory card and download any books or films to take with you.
Time to go
Whether you have opted for checked luggage or are travelling light with carry-on baggage, use packing cubes to maximise space in your suitcase or backpack. Pack similar items together, rolling rather than folding clothes and separating toiletries from electrical items, and use a packing list as you go. Test the weight of your luggage to avoid any expensive fines at the departure point.
Ensure your phone is fully charged, print your travel insurance documents and save a scan of your passport on The Cloud, just in case of any mishaps. When you finally set off, sit back and relax as you depart for the holiday of a lifetime.
