Not everyone wants to "go someplace warm and sit on a beach for their honeymoon." The prospect sounds great to me because I am a "beach" person, but many couples want something else. Consider your preferences - do you like to be on the go most of the time? Does the climate matter? How about adventure? Maybe you like to skydive? South African safari? The possibilities are endless, bound only by your budget and time.
So where do you start?
John Frenaye, a featured columnist on MSNBC, suggests you “avoid the temptation to book an Internet special to some surprise destination. Instead, sit down with your soon-to-be-spouse and a travel agent. Work together as a trio and your idyllic week or more in paradise will go off without a hitch.”
With the above in mind, here are some tips for planning your honeymoon:
♦ The #1 tip for planning your honeymoon is use a travel agent!
♦ Start planning your honeymoon at least 6 months prior to your wedding. The more popular destinations will book up quickly and you may miss out on specials being offered for early bookings.
♦ Work together on choosing a destination. If you want a relaxing beach honeymoon and your fiancé is thinking of a trip to Alaska, you need to discuss what is most important to both of you and compromise. Or perhaps you can combine both of your destinations in one trip! I think it is nice for a couple to go someplace that is new to both of them. So if you have already been to Bermuda, for example, but you want to go to an island destination, choose a different one so the experience is new and unique to both of you.
♦ Have you considered a cruise for your honeymoon? This option brings you to different ports of call yet you get to unpack once and enjoy being onboard the ship as well as being able to explore different countries. There are cruises to the Caribbean islands, to the Mediterranean, Alaska, Panama Canal. There are ocean cruise ships, masted sailing ships, riverboat cruises; in essence, something for everyone.
♦ Set your budget, but be flexible. You are planning the vacation of a lifetime. You don’t want to try to save a few dollars and end up being disappointed. More people who find “budget” honeymoons will end up being more disappointed than those who did splurge on their honeymoon. Many couples will say they are going to go on a big trip on their 5 year (10 year, etc) anniversary, but in reality that doesn’t often happen. Once children come into the picture, the big vacations are most often put on hold. So don’t miss this opportunity to go someplace you have always wanted to visit and treat yourselves to the honeymoon you deserve. You won’t be disappointed. Then choose how long your honeymoon will be - a week, two weeks, 10 days, etc. Will you be leaving immediately after the reception, the next day, or are you flexible with that as well. It helps to be flexible especially when you have to consider your budget. Being flexible can mean flying on a Tuesday when the airfare is less expensive, or going to your dream destination at a different time of year when the prices aren't as high. It helps to be flexible especially when you have to consider your budget. Being flexible can mean flying on a Tuesday when the airfare is less expensive, or going to your dream destination at a different time of year when the prices aren't as high.
♦ If you are concerned about costs while traveling, why not consider an all-inclusive resort? You will pay just about the entire trip cost up front and the only expenses above and beyond may be for some excursions while on your honeymoon. These can even be pre-planned and paid in advance. You can also use a honeymoon registry for your wedding guests to contribute toward. This will help offset the costs of your honeymoon. After all, how many toasters do you really need?
♦ Make sure your honeymoon is insured! No one plans to cancel their honeymoon, but the unexpected can and does happen. If someone in your immediate family is seriously ill and in the hospital, you might want to postpone your honeymoon. If you are delayed by an accident on your way to the airport and your cruise leaves without you, you will have to get to the next port of call in order to join the cruise. These are just two examples of what can go wrong and if something does go wrong, your investment may be lost. Insurance is something we hope we never have to use, but it is something that gives peace of mind and will help in the event of emergency. Don’t leave your investment unprotected.
Do some preliminary research on the internet, ask friends, get recommendations, but in the end, please call a travel professional!
Bridget Mora published an article for CNN, "8 wedding etiquette dilemmas solved", which has some great advice on wedding etiquette. In today's world there are some new considerations regarding wedding etiquette, such as do you invite someone who does not support your same-sex union. And of course, there are the long-standing problems such as whose opinion wins out in choosing the wedding gown. I especially liked the advice of TLC's "Say Yes to the Dress", Randy Fenoli, in response to this question. 
