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Jan 13, 2017 • 6 min read
Congratulations! You’ve taken the plunge, tied the knot, sealed the deal and said ‘I do’. You’ve well and truly earned some downtime with your new Mr or Mrs. However, despite what the movies would have you believe, honeymoons aren’t always without their stresses. Therefore, here are our top tips for avoiding honeymoon pitfalls and making your getaway the trip of a lifetime.
Schedule in some downtime
You’ve just thrown the biggest party of your life. You’ve managed warring family members, negotiated with multiple suppliers, and spent evenings hunched over a table plan. Thus, you’re pretty much a multi-tasking superhero. However, even superheroes need to recharge their batteries now and again.
Therefore, even if you’re both full-on adventure junkies, don’t plan to rush into a jam-packed schedule of activities, especially in a new city where you haven’t found your feet. Trust us: leave the first couple of days fairly free. Acclimatise, reconnect in a pressure-free zone and soak in those wedding memories. Your brain will appreciate the chance to catch up before diving into the fun.
Resist the ‘should’ brigade
A two-week beach break doesn’t quite float your boat? Don’t feel pressured to cave to others’ expectations of what a honeymoon ‘should’ be. The wedding business is a booming industry, with countless people ready to profit from your love for one another. If what you both truly desire is an all-inclusive trip to a far-flung white-sand wonderland, pursue it wholeheartedly. If the idea of lying on a beach for longer than five minutes makes you uncomfortable, don’t worry.
Moreover, statistics indicate that more couples than ever before are seeking adventure and activities on their honeymoons. They’ve realized that romance is whatever you make it—whether that’s a dozen roses, an adventurous canyoning day trip, a windy clifftop walk, or maybe belting out Pulp’s Common People at a private karaoke booth.
Make your budget go further
If you’re on a tight budget, the thought of splurging can be a major source of stress. Consider establishing a honeymoon-funding list. Not only will it relieve financial pressure but it’s also a wonderful way to include your loved ones in this special trip. Set up the list to allow contributions to specific activities: your guests will appreciate feeling part of your experiences (especially if you personalize it with a photo of you enjoying their gift), and you can toast each present-giver as you go, creating a sense of togetherness on your journey.
A touch of luxury is justified on a honeymoon; however, don’t forget about budget-friendly options too. You might find that some of the best, most authentic meals are at street stalls, and the most pedestrian experiences could lead to genuine encounters that create lasting memories.
Watch out for decision fatigue
You’ll probably have made a significant number of decisions during your wedding planning. Color schemes, venues, menus, flowers… It’s exhausting. If you jet off on your honeymoon right after the wedding, this can lead to a case of Decision Fatigue Syndrome (DFS). It may hit you unexpectedly; you could be happily exploring when suddenly faced with a simple choice – ‘will it be beer or wine?’ – and BAM. Your mind goes blank. You’re overwhelmed and panicking about a simple decision.
This feeling is entirely normal. It’s beneficial if your partner can recognize symptoms of DFS so they can intervene calmly and help. Remember, you may both need to step in for one another at different times, so it’s wise to act thoughtfully for your partner in such instances.
Embrace the bicker
‘Nothing worth having comes easy,’ goes the saying. Travel, just like marriage, is a test of ourselves and our beliefs. It’s important to remember this when you’re both lost without a map or signal, exhausted, and arguing over how to find the hotel. Ultimately, conventional wisdom suggests honeymooners should spend every second gazing lovingly into one another’s eyes. However, we challenge that notion. Bickering is not a failure; instead, it’s an opportunity to understand each other better. Chances are you aren’t accustomed to spending 24 hours a day together, and this constant company can ignite irritations, especially in challenging travel conditions.
Despite these hurdles, travel makes us better people, and you’ll likely emerge as a stronger couple through squabbles and laughter. Don’t forget the best part: making up afterward!
Coping with the comedown
The weeks following your honeymoon can present a monumental crash back to reality. With the wedding behind you and the honeymoon just a memory, you may find it helps to push rosy retrospections aside and remind yourself of your newfound freedom from planning—well, anything. Those evenings spent crafting wedding favors and lamenting your decisions? They are now in the past.
If this reflection doesn’t suffice, consider planning another trip! While you might currently face a cash-strapped situation, it doesn’t need to be an extravagant adventure. A weekend getaway, whether together or with friends, or even a designated staycation to look forward to, can rekindle that wanderlust. As Paul Theroux once said, ‘Travel is a state of mind.’ Make that state of mind a vital part of your shared lives, start dreaming about your next adventure, and you can’t go too far wrong.
