Your Ultimate Guide to Planning a Romantic Honeymoon
After saying the “I do”s and dancing the night away, your wedding day may have come to an end. But your marriage is only beginning! So, let’s kick it off with a honeymoon you’ll never forget.
But your honeymoon can quickly go from a romantic daydream to any old blah trip if you don’t plan it properly. But who has the time to invest in planning an extravagant honeymoon while you’re also planning the biggest party you’ll ever throw? It can be tempting to let that post-vow vacation drift into the background until the last minute. But there are a few things you can do to ensure a wonderful honeymoon experience without spending TOO much time on it.
Let’s break down some of the best ways to plan a romantic honeymoon you’ll thank yourself for later!
Pick the perfect spot, even if it means going against what’s considered “normal” for a honeymoon
When you think of a “honeymoon,” you probably imagine tropical beaches, gelato in Rome, or those turquoise Santorini rooftops. While that all might sound amazing to one person, it could be uninspiring or even stressful to another. So, instead of letting Pinterest or TikTok choose your honeymoon destination for you, make sure you pick a place that’s truly right for you.
There are tons of options for different types of honeymoons, so let’s talk about a few options.
Adventure honeymoon: backpacking, camping, skiing, and all the fun outdoors stuff!
Relaxing honeymoon: beach trip, lake trip, spa trip, or anything relaxing.
Staycation honeymoon: spend a relaxing week at home together or exploring your local area.
Remember, you don’t have to hit the beach for your honeymoon if that’s not your style. Make your honeymoon into whatever makes the most sense for you, no matter what everyone else does!
2. Make reservations, but leave room for exploring and spontaneous fun
I’m all about having a mix of highly-planned activities with open-ended days for just hanging out or diving into the unexpected.
Consider planning activities for every other day of your trip so you have a set plan for half of the time you’ll be away and open-ended relaxing time for the other half. Remember, this trip isn’t like any other—the priority is the quality time you spend together.
It’s also important to be aware of the local tourist season. Depending on the time of year you’re traveling, it can be hard to book activities in popular locations. Make sure to have the absolute necessities figured out in advance, then add on your excursions.
3. Plan a romantic highlight, like a super fancy dinner or an epic night out
I recommend giving your honeymoon a bit of extra spice by planning one big event that anchors the whole week. Get dressed up and head to a super fancy dinner. Plan an epic snorkeling trip with the sea turtles. Rent a car and drive out on a day trip somewhere special. Whether it’s a daytime activity or a fun night out getting fancy cocktails, I love it when couples plan something they’re really looking forward to on their honeymoon!
4: Leave space for rest and relaxation
After spending months planning and then one crazy whirlwind wedding weekend, you’re going to feel extremely exhausted. You may need to decompress and recover, especially if you struggle with nerves or anxiety. Don’t step from one overwhelming experience straight into another! Make sure to plan some relaxing parts of the trip so you can truly enjoy it to the fullest. Days to just be lazy or treat yourself with a massage or mani-pedi can work wonders. Your honeymoon is about resting up, too! And, of course, don’t forget to sleep in!
5: Do something exciting, like planning a surprise for your new spouse!
Consider throwing in an extra surprise for your spouse on your honeymoon! Whether it’s a gift, a fancy night out for dinner, or a night in a super unique hotel, planning a little surprise can add an extra spark of magic and make the whole week that much more romantic!
Some of my favorite ideas for surprises include:
One night in super cool lodging, such as a treehouse, a yurt, or a penthouse.
Dinner on a rooftop or in a particularly unique location
An excursion or activity they’ve always been dreaming of
An additional gift
A surprise extra-leg of the trip
Surprises keep the spice and fun in your honeymoon! But of course, make sure your spouse is someone who likes being surprised!
A romantic honeymoon is the icing on a great wedding cake. So, take some time in the lead-up to your big day to plan the perfect adventure for you and your spouse-to-be. Or, if you’re planning to incorporate a honeymoon into a destination wedding and you’re still searching for a photographer, I’d love to hear from you!
While I primarily serve the St. Louis area, I also build packages for brides all over the world. My passport is current and my camera gear is packed, so let’s plan the photography experience for your destination wedding today!
