Don’t forget this when honeymoon planning!

There are a million and one details to consider when it comes to the wedding, but just as many when it comes to the honeymoon. Here are some key points to keep in mind as you begin the planning process.

✓ Right Away vs. Delayed?

While it’s romantic to be swept right from the ceremony on to the plane for your honeymoon, more and more couples are opting for a delayed departure – anywhere from a few days to a few months! As you begin planning, consider which option would be right for you, and how it affects your budget, timeline, and if visiting a destination at a different time works out better overall.

✓ Decide On A Budget

Working with a travel advisor is a great way to sort out what destinations are a good fit for the amount you’re willing to spend. To make the budget more accommodating, consider traveling during the off-season or shoulder seasons for the destination of your choosing. Make sure you budget for all of the components of your honeymoon: from flights to hotels, dining and souvenirs, and everything in between. Be sure to discuss how your budget will be used, too. Do you want to splurge on 5 star accommodations or would you rather reserve funds for private tours, for example?

✓ Choose A Destination and Length of Stay

Some newlyweds want to go all out, and opt for far-away exotic locales. Others prefer to stick close to home. No matter what you choose, it’s important that the destination suits both of your interests, falls within your budget, and matches your desired itinerary and pace of travel. If you’re both beach bums, then an active destination may not suit you. On the other hand, if you’re looking for adrenaline inducing adventure, it’s best to stay away from places lacking in those areas. Want to do more than one destination? Be sure they align with one another logistically and complement each other well. Along with choosing a destination, decide how long you’d like to stay, being sure to factor in travel time if needed.

✓ Plan In Advance

Be sure to give yourself – and your advisor – plenty of time for planning. Ideally, 6 months or more is best, especially when you’re in the thick of wedding planning. You’ll want to make sure you’re getting first dibs on your dream hotel, the best tours, and ideal flight prices, so planing in advance is key. Planning with more time to spare also eases the financial burden, by allowing components to be booked over time instead of a in a rushed frenzy weeks before departure.

✓ Get Your Documents In Order

If you’re traveling internationally, be sure that passports don’t get lost in the shuffle of planning everything else. Make sure they have at least 6 months validity past your date of planned return. For partners who plan on changing their last name – make sure everything is booked under the name that will be on you passport at the time of travel!

For one reason or another, honeymoons inevitably fall to the bottom of the list – an afterthought that many don’t think of, even though we’d argue it’s the best part of the entire wedding planning process! Reach out to your preferred CTC advisor to begin planning your honeymoon today.