A wedding is a momentous occasion for any couple, and planning it can take anywhere from several months to even a few years. However, there’s more to look forward to after this big day. After all the cake and champagne are gone, and the speeches and the dancing are done, the newlyweds will soon get go off on a romantic getaway — their honeymoon.
Just like the wedding, it takes some serious planning to organize all the details of a en enjoyable and stress-free honeymoon, especially one you and your spouse are planning to have in a different part of the world. If a beach honeymoon in a gorgeous destination is in your sights, then here are the steps you need to follow to successfully put the whole vacation together.
1. Get a good head start
Begin the honeymoon planning and preparation as early as you can. Much like planning for your wedding, this gives you ample time to get suggestions, do your research, search for deals and save up, among others.
This is the best time to check items off your list of necessary travel requirements such as passports and visas since you will be traveling internationally. Passports should be valid for at least six months from the date of departure; otherwise, you might encounter issues at the airport.
Book your tickets to the honeymoon destination and make your reservations for accommodation at least six months before you plan to go. You may need more leeway than that to ensure you get the best rooms and rates, especially when you plan to spend that time together in a luxurious and exclusive beach resort that’s popular among travelers across the globe.
2. Plan the whole thing together
With weddings, couples often decide to split up wedding planning tasks and take care of different aspects of the event separately. Traditionally, women are happy to be more hands-on when it comes to the wedding preparations since they want to make sure that every detail is in place. Of course, men can take on important planning responsibilities as well, such as creating the budget, choosing the best man and groomsmen, and preparing the guest list. And then there’s usually a wedding or event organizer also helping take care of crucial wedding concerns.
When it comes to honeymoons, however, couples often do the planning and make the arrangements together. They discuss how they both would like to spend their first vacation as a married couple, and this often means that they tailor the trip to meet their shared interests or to try something new together.
Couples who love to surf, scuba dive and sip drinks while watching the sunset from a floating pool cabana will surely be drawn to a beach honeymoon, for example. A newlywed pair that loves wine and good food, on the other hand, may feel that a stay at a rustic inn surrounded by vineyards may be more to their liking.
The honeymoon is an opportunity for the couple to spend time together engaging in activities they both love, or perhaps to simply sit back and relax. As such, it’s best to plan this special event together.
3. Take a well-deserved break before diving in
In the movies, couples are often depicted as heading off to Hawaii or another exotic tropical destination even while the wedding reception is in full swing. In real life, however, this isn’t usually the case.
Couples typically need to take care of the last few wedding planning odds and ends before they can jet off to their honeymoon. After the reception is done, for instance, the newlyweds may need to settle any remaining obligations with the hired event planner and other wedding suppliers.
The couple may have arranged a breakfast or brunch the next day so that guests can spend time together one last time. The married pair also may have to help see their relatives off to the airport or transport terminals if they have a lengthy trip home from the destination wedding. And perhaps the bride or the groom would be happy to spend a day or two resting from the whirlwind of activity before heading off to another country.
Rushing off to the honeymoon right away doesn’t always have to be the only option. Give yourself and your spouse time to rest and recharge. By taking a breather, you two are more likely to enjoy your honeymoon.
4. Enjoy every moment of the honeymoon
Finally, once you arrive at your chosen destination and the honeymoon has officially begun, make sure to keep the purpose of the occasion in mind. A honeymoon is meant to be a time for newlyweds to revel in each other’s company. It’s just the two of you, so it’s best to make the most of it and to decide how you will be spending the romantic vacation
Consider checking out the little perks and conveniences being offered by your hotel, like exquisite room service (with special treats for a newlywed couple, like fresh flowers, a bottle of wine or a box of chocolates). Make reservations for a sumptuous dinner at the hotel’s best restaurant and pencil in some time to lounge around the pool with a drink by your side.
Of course, a beach honeymoon entails spending as much time as you can in a gorgeous beach setting. You could swim to your heart’s content, try out some watersports, build sandcastles, have a candlelit dinner set up by the shore, and take long walks with your spouse at dusk or in the early morning as you talk about your future together.
Your honeymoon is an occasion that is just as important and memorable as your wedding. It is the first time you and your spouse will get to enjoy an intimate time together after tying the knot. By following these tips shared by our experts, you can be on your way to planning and creating your own memorable honeymoon with your spouse.
AUTHOR BIO
Soraya Abdul Azis is the Marketing Manager for Saadiyat Beach Club in the UAE, the very first beach club on Saadiyat where guests can enjoy and celebrate a world of fine living, health and well-being. Soraya has worked in Design, Advertising and PR in Dubai and Beirut for the past 4 years.
