Honeymoon planning: what sets it apart

How it differs from other trips

The basics, such as buying flights or packing, are the same as for any trip. A honeymoon differs in three ways: the departure date is tied to the wedding and cannot move freely, you set off exhausted after months of preparation and the ceremony itself, and it is the first big travel decision you make together. This guide covers only what follows from those three. For general preparation such as flights, lodging, insurance and currency, see the other guides in the travel topic.

The date picks the destination

Usually you choose the timing to suit where you want to go; a honeymoon works the other way. Once the wedding date is fixed, the departure follows, and you need somewhere with good weather at that time. So when shortlisting, first check for a rainy season, storm season, or extreme heat or cold that month. Even in the same place, seas can turn rough or some facilities close depending on the season. Overlapping with peak season changes prices and crowds a lot, so thinking about honeymoon timing when choosing the wedding date widens your options.

Matching your preferences

A honeymoon is often where your travel styles first show in a big way. One of you may want rest while the other wants to see as much as possible. Before choosing a destination, each of you write down what you really want to do and what you would rather avoid, then compare. Build around the overlap and alternate days for the differences, so neither of you spends the trip just putting up with things.

• Closer to a resting trip or a sightseeing trip
• How much time you want at the hotel
• How adventurous you are with food, and what you avoid
• How much travel time you can tolerate
• One experience you most want to remember

Leaving straight after the wedding

Flying out on the wedding day or the day after is harder than it sounds. The ceremony is a full day of nerves from early morning, and the weeks before tend to be short on sleep. Add a long-haul flight and you may lose your first day to sleep. So keep the first day or two free, or plan them as rest days at the hotel. Resting at home for a day before leaving is another option. If you plan to fly the night of the wedding, allow generous time in case the ceremony runs late and for getting to the airport.

Documents and names

Documents cause surprisingly frequent honeymoon problems. Both of you should check the remaining validity of your passports against the destination's requirements, and confirm that the names on the tickets match your passports exactly. When one person books for two, it is easy to misspell the other's name or swap the order. Check official sources for whether you need a visa or electronic travel authorization. Some hotels ask for proof of marriage before giving honeymoon perks, so if you are counting on them, ask when booking.

Leave and scheduling

The length of the trip is set by where your time off overlaps. How many days of wedding leave you get, when you can take them, and whether you can add annual leave all differ by employer, so check your own rules and then match your schedules. Going straight back to work the day after you return tends to pile on fatigue, so leave a day to rest if you can. If you have thank-you visits, marriage registration or a move to fit in, sketch out how they sit before and after the trip.

Keep it apart from the wedding day

There is so much to carry on the wedding day that honeymoon items can get mixed in. Decide that one person holds the essentials such as passports, tickets and payment cards, and keep them separate from the bags going to the venue. If you leave that night or the next day, have your luggage fully packed the day before. If family or friends are moving things for you after the ceremony, tell them in advance what goes where.

Lowering expectations is preparation too

The higher your hopes for the honeymoon, the bigger the letdown from small setbacks. Flights get delayed, weather turns, or the hotel is not what you pictured. With both of you worn out, minor things can spark arguments. Leaving slack in the schedule and setting off without needing everything to go to plan usually makes for a happier trip. It is enough to agree who handles what if something unexpected happens. If you are injured or unwell while away, do not push through; get help from local medical services.