A Honeymoon Is Not
Just A Vacation

So... What is a Honeymoon?

ORIGINS

The concept of a honeymoon goes back thousands of years. The oldest records are from Babylonian times. The bride's father would provide the mead (a fermented honey drink) for a month (one "moon") after the wedding. The couple was to drink the sweet brew every day. Mead was thought to be an aphrodisiac and also considered by many to enhance fertility for the newly wedded couple, or at least give them energy to work extensively at producing offspring.

The Modern Concept

Over the centuries, the honeymoon has evolved into a special escape from everyday life and the stress and pressure of the wedding preparations. Today, the honeymoon is an especially sweet period for newlyweds. It is a chance for the couple to be alone in experiencing their first days and nights together as husband and wife. It is a time to relax and revitalize, a time to enjoy each other's company. A time for the couple to think of no one but themselves... to do only what they want to do, when they want to do it.

Once your batteries are recharged, the honeymoon can also be a time for playfulness and even adventure. Although care must be taken not to overdo the number of activities, after a few days of rest and relaxation for most couples it is  time to enjoy favorite activities like dancing, swimming or taking romantic strolls. To be more active, you might want to try something new such as snorkeling, kayaking, parasailing, ziplining, horseback riding in the surf and exploring your chosen destination.

Whatever activities appeal to you, be sure not to overschedule... leave plenty of time for spontaneity... doing what you feel like on the spur of the moment.

Planning A Honeymoon

Planning a honeymoon is not to be taken lightly or left to the last moment. After all, you are likely to spend 10-20 times as many hours on your honeymoon as you did on your entire wedding.

If possible, start planning your honeymoon no less than 6 months prior to departure. Eight to ten months is preferable, often giving you advance purchase discounts and increasing the likelihood that exactly what you want is actually available.

Some people say that because the bride is in charge of planning the wedding, the groom should take care of planning the honeymoon. While this may sound reasonable, it can be a ticket to disappointment. A better plan is for the couple to share in the planning of the honeymoon. After all, the honeymoon must please BOTH bride and groom. If the bride wants to be surprised, the groom should make ceratin he has a thorough understanding of the type of place and activities that will make his wife happy. Of course, the honeymoon specialists at DIRECTIONAL STRATEGIES are experts at helping the couple articulate what they want for a honeymoon and helping them find the place(s) that deliver it perfectly.

You want to make absolutely certain that your honeymoon days and nights are, indeed, the sweetest... the perfect start to a loving life together.