How To Plan Your Perfect Honeymoon

An ideal honeymoon means something different to each couple. The most important part of the process is understanding what you’re looking for when it comes to the perfect honeymoon.  Not all couples wish to be secluded or cocooned; some prefer to have a lot of activities available, other people around, and nonstop entertainment.  Some wish for luxury, others eco-adventure. 

Here are the top 5 recommendations for creating your own perfect honeymoon.

1. Deciding on a Location

The first step in planning any honeymoon is determining the location that will make you happy visiting.  Many couples may not even know where they want to go and so discussing where they have traveled before in order to get some insight on what they like is important.  Talking out what you enjoyed about the trip will give insight to your desires.  If there are any specific interests or things that you like to do together or that brought you together, find an appropriate destination that includes those interests.

2. What To Do

Create a list of à la carte activities. It’s your interests that lead you to choose the ideal romance destination; you need to set up activities that include those interests.  Even if you really don’t want to, plan at least one or two activities you’re interested in.  Couples who do nothing but sit on the beach have fewer lasting memories than couples who do some activities together.  Activities can help lend a sense of place to the honeymoon.  It’s about creating memories.  Now is the time to think outside the box.   Not everyone wants to swim in a pool, staying in a secluded cabin in the mountains, touring the art exhibits in Italy or learning a new skill together—horseback riding and scuba lessons or  even baking lessons can be just as romantic.

Make decisions about what you want to do.  One of my clients was adamant about parasailing.  She didn’t care what else they did on their honeymoon, but she wanted to create that memory.  Whether it’s rock climbing, snorkeling or quiet time together, create that image.  After all, a couple that wants romance on a cruise is not going to want a honeymoon that is about camping out under the stars.  Adventure-seeking couples might want to share new experiences like zip-lining, bungee jumping and hiking in a rainforest.   You should be open to new experiences with your new life partner.

3. Keep Track of Your Budget

Determine your budget so you’ll have a better idea what you can do. As you know, this can vary greatly.  Don’t covet a champagne trip if you only have a beer budget.  Also remember that the time for travel is part of the budget process.  Is the date you want to go flexible?   Departing a week or a month later may save you money.  Some honeymooners don’t want to travel the day or two right after their wedding, so figure out what‘s going to be best and most cost-effective for you.

Those looking to save money, especially during these tough economic times, can take advantage of an online honeymoon registry. The more money you get, the less you’ll have to spend out of your own pocket. An online wedding registry, where the guests, friends and family can donate to the honeymoon as a wedding gift, saves the couple money.  Plus they will have those honeymoon memories much longer than a toaster.

4. Vacation Protection

It may be unromantic, but if you’re spending $1,000 or more per person you definitely need it.  For a few extra dollars you will have peace of mind for yourself, your luggage, and your travel connections. You never know what could happen.  I’ve had clients whose luggage arrived in time for their trip home.  If you have to purchase a nightgown, toothbrush and a couple of pairs of shorts, you are covered.  If a broken shell cuts your new hubby’s foot while running in the sand, your employer’s insurance usually does not cover his stitches if you are outside of the USA.   Also, if you live where it snows and you’re taking a cruise, you should leave the day before.  This ensures that you will be there, on the ship, when it departs.  You certainly can’t rely on Mother Nature.

5. Upgrade

This is when you should go for upgrades. Why splurge on Chiavari chairs at your reception when gray folding chairs would do?  Now is the time to splurge on the extras.  Your guests didn’t need sushi to have a great time. But you knew they would enjoy it.  Since a honeymoon is also a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, get that private transfer or the upgraded suite. It will be worth the money in helping you create your valuable memories.

Lastly, contacting a professional is imperative.  The one, singular must-have for the perfect romance honeymoon is an experienced travel agent.  You can have your ideal honeymoon with some careful preparation.

Emma McKnight is a travel agent specializing in cruise vacations.  View her website or contact her by email with your travel questions.

A great way to plan your wedding is by building it around a theme. Whether it be butterflies, the beach or a winter wonderland, picking a theme to sprinkle throughout your day provides you with a focus and can help tie all of the different pieces (from dresses and flowers to ties and favors) together.

Now, a lot of times people gravitate towards a theme that’s concrete. Butterflies are a good example of that. Your invitations, table numbers, and programs might have butterflies printed on them. Your girls may wear butterfly hairpieces or you might somehow incorporate them into your flowers.

Choosing a concrete theme makes things easy for you, but it also makes it really easy to overdo it (you don’t want your guests hating butterflies for the rest of their lives, do you?). By choosing a less concrete theme, you’ll remain centered while giving yourself much more wiggle room.

So how the heck do you do it?

Pick Your Theme

Think of something that is significant to you as a couple. Is there a place that’s special to you? Maybe somewhere you met, a vacation you took, or the place you got engaged? Is there an inside joke that the two of you have that could work? A shared hobby? These are all good starting places.

Let’s say you choose Greece. The two of you had a romantic vacation there and you were both completely taken by the sights and the culture. It holds a special place in your hearts. OK, so now what?!

Brainstorm

An inspiration board is a great jumping off point. What does Greece automatically make you think of? For me it’s whitewashed buildings and deep blue water. It’s also mythology and laurel wreaths. There are so many other things that come to mind, but believe it or not, this is more than enough.

Collect some pictures and/or objects that are evocative of the kind of feeling you want to go for. This will really help you focus.

Make it Work!

At this point, you should have a pretty good idea of what you want—you just have to bring it all together.

The first thing that jumps out at me is a color scheme. Blue and white are the perfect color combo for a Greece-inspired wedding. From the flag to the gorgeous seaside villages, this combination of colors screams Greece! Next, you need to decide how literally you want to take that. You can do an all white wedding (think white tuxes, bridesmaids dresses, linens, everything!) with blue accents. Or you can mix in other colors. The guys could wear slate gray suits accented with blue ties and white boutonnieres. The girls could wear flowy blue gowns. There are so many options!

I also think it would be fun to incorporate some mythological and historical elements. Take these Grecco-Roman Coin Cufflinks by AristoCrafty. Replicas of an old coin, they add a rich historical detail in an unexpected place.

By using gold accessories and laurel leaves, you can create a Grecian goddess vibe for yourself (and possibly your bridesmaids). This Athens necklace by JooJoo Land is a great starting point. Elegant with a real old-world feel, this piece would fit in perfectly.

And what about the gown? Think togas. Flowy, drapey, and dramatic is the best way to pull off a goddess vibe. This gorgeous Grecian wedding dress by Sash Couture is a really playful example. The shortened front and the gold flower on the shoulder are fun details that add to goddess look.

Sample Greek Wedding Fashion

If I were doing a Greece-inspired wedding, these are some of the fabulous pieces I would include! They may not be your style, but my hope is that they provide you with a great jumping off point to planning a wedding that is uniquely you.

I would start off with a gorgeous drapey dress like this stunning handmade beauty by Bridal Bliss Designs. From the cascading neckline and shoulder to the assymetrical shape and flowy back, this dress was made for a goddess. And isn't that really what every bride would like to feel like on her wedding day?

I would also have to find a killer pair of golden shoes. Nothing yells "Greek Goddess" quite like a pair of strappy sandals. I love these beauties by Chinese Laundry. I love the strap details. They're everywhere! From the layered straps around the toe to the ankle strap and the straps around the back, this is one seriously fabulous shoe.

Next, I would seek out golden accessories to play up the goddess feel. Pomp and Plumage has some awesome handmade options available. I'm partial to their Athena II Grecian headpiece, which is a gold laurel headwrap that can be made with or without a ribbon tie. I also love their Grecian Laurel Leaf Wrap Bracelet. Made of brass, this flexible bracelet can be be shaped to conform around your wrist and then ties with a pretty piece of ribbon in the color of your choice. Together they make a lovely little set.

I would focus on bridesmaids after I finished my own look. It's important that their dresses don't clash with yours in fabric or style. This option, made by After Six, is made of chiffon, just like the bridal gown pictured above. It also manages to be flowy while being fitted, a detail which your bridesmaids will love (often times flowy can look a little maternity). Obviously the color doesn't go with the scheme we've decided to use, but this dress is available in a gorgeous deep blue color that would be perfect.

Once these fundamental pieces of your wedding fashion are figured out, the rest should come quite easily. Choose ties that play off of the girls' dresses (in this case a blue and white stripe or pattern might be fun). Look for boutonnieres that play off your gold accessories--although white would work really well too!

Whatever you do, have fun with it! The great thing about planning your wedding is that it's yours. There are no rules; just the ones you set.

Jennifer Garry is a writer and accessories designer living in Westchester, NY with her husband and daughter. When she's not up to her ears in kiddie crafts, you can find her swimming in a pool of beads. Her obsessions include tea, chocolate, sarcasm and her daughter's giggle--any of which can be used to coax her from her little jewelry-making fantasy world.