WHERE DO 'HONEYMOONS' COME FROM?
- An excerpt from Ring Bound Weddings
In ancient times, many of the first marriages were by capture, not choice. When early man felt it was time to take a bride, he would often carry off an unwilling woman to a secret place where her relatives wouldn't find them. While the moon went through all its phases, about 30 days, they hid from the searchers and drank a brew made from honey. Hence, we get the word, honeymoon.
WHY TAKE A HONEYMOON?
Luckily things have changed a little and now the best reason for a honeymoon is for the rest and relaxation. The rigors of wedding planning are one of the most stressful events in your life. The peace of mind that you will enjoy is worth every penny. A honeymoon is an important part of your wedding. Even if you are living together, you will need to rest and relax after all the planning that has gone into your wedding day. However, it should be approached with a great deal of consideration. Start planning well before your wedding.
You want to say “I Do” in a unique unforgettable way and so, you should celebrate your union together with the same sense of style.
Do not treat your honeymoon like a just another vacation; it is a time unlike any other. You are starting life as husband and wife, not merely living together. This is your time to bond, set off in a new direction, and to renew your romance.
Everyone has a different idea of what their dream holiday would entail and the choices are many. Planning your honeymoon is a big deal, and it's a portion of wedding planning that can really bring forth your true personality. Honeymoons can be exotic, adventurous, or quiet and peaceful, all depending on what type of honeymoon you and your future spouse have been dreaming of. The important factor is that you and your partner agree, since you are bound to have some different ideas. Remember it can even be a combination of things, spend time indulging your individual dreams and also do stuff together, stuff that you will fondly remember and even go back to do to celebrate future anniversaries.
…where to begin?
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Honeymoon planning need not be difficult, confusing or time consuming. If you are equipped with the right information and a clear process to follow, it should flow quite smoothly.
Researching your honeymoon online is a great time and money saver, but when it comes to your final decisions it is reassuring to speak with an actual human being and one who will work with you to achieve that attainable dream.
Visit travel agents, tourist offices and travel expos to collect information on various destinations and types of holidays. Have fun evaluating the options together and you may even be surprised to discover an ideal alternative in the process. Keep an open mind.
As soon as you know when you are going to be married, start planning your honeymoon and here are some points to consider:
- The shorter the flight, the cheaper the airfare
- Overseas sounds terribly exciting but remember that there will always be many opportunities to go there because now you want to spend time enjoying each other, not airports and airline food.
- Look close to home and you will be struck by the amazing places you never knew existed and that the possibilities for a romantic journey are endless.
- Many couples prefer to relax on their honeymoon and beach locations offer an opportunity to truly relax.
- Beach holidays are not necessarily everyone’s first choice and a special alternative is a safari honeymoon. Few experiences and vistas are as memorable as encounters in the wild and many a romantic tale has been penned with a safari theme. It is easy to understand why!
- An international honeymoon destination and the myriad of choices available will be entirely dictated by your taste in vacations.
- Tailor-made travel allows you to specify where you wish to visit, how long you want to stay, the type of accommodation you prefer and which activities you will do. This means that all the details, hotels and transfers are arranged in advance and a good destination expert will be worth their weight in gold because of the complex nature of this kind of trip. Someone who is intimately familiar with the local hotels, restaurants and activities can alleviate much of the planning headache while also providing a sense of security that all the details will work and that your unique itinerary will fall into place
- Cruises come in many shapes and sizes and follow a set itinerary with stops at different ports of call. Normally, cruises are all-inclusive with accommodation, food and activities included in the price of the cruise. Before booking, be sure to check the inclusions and exclusions. Larger ships will provide entertainment; activities and various dining options and smaller ships are likely to offer more privacy and flexibility. Cruises are a great option for people who want to visit a variety of destinations, enjoy the full service facilities of a resort, and who don't want to worry about continually packing and unpacking.
- A package vacation is one in which a variety of components including travel, food, accommodation, tours and activities are bundled together for a single price. The main benefit of opting for a package honeymoon is that it is usually more economical than if you purchased each piece a la carte, that is, went the tailor-made route. What you may sacrifice, however, is choice. So, bear in mind that you are paying for most of your trip elements in advance, if you decide to participate in activities or dining outside of the hotel, you will be "paying double".
- Escorted tours need not mean traveling on a bus with a group of 70-somethings! It refers to traveling on a set itinerary with specific dates, usually with a group of people but you can check out ‘who?’, in advance and if you are into meeting interesting people this is a great way to go. These trips are entirely hassle-free as your escort takes care of everything and are a great option if the logistics of your journey are difficult - no need to worry about travel
schedules, tickets, transfers and so on.
THE BUDGET?
The honeymoon should be a fantasy trip that the couple has always wanted to take, but not at a cost that will put a strain on their budget. There are fie major cost components to a honeymoon - they are travel, accommodation, dining, activities and the trip length. Your budget will ultimately affect where you will go, what you will do, and how long you will be able to stay away.
But don’t let go of your dream straight away. Avoid basing your choice on cost alone. Ultimately, your honeymoon budget is a very personal decision that is completely dependent on your financial situation and your travel interests. Starting with a general idea of your preferences, limitations and desires will help streamline the planning process and make it easier to choose the best combination for you.
Some cost saving techniques …
- When planning your honeymoon, remember, the total expense is more than travel and accommodation. Meals, getting there, touring, souvenirs, activities, tips and special luxuries all need to be considered.
- If you are planning to fly, track down the best airfares
- Instead of flying a major airline, check out no-frills, low-fare carriers or consider the scenic views of a train, bus or car
- Driving can be great fun provided you break up the travel time and plan some sightseeing stops along the way.
- Look out for any special offers and package deals as they offer good value and usually cover travel, accommodation, airport transfers and some or all of your meals.
- Always examine the fine print of any package to be sure you know what it does and does not include.
- Prices are naturally much higher during peak tourist months and off- or shoulder-season (the period right before and after high season) normally mean very different prices. And best of all, off-season is not synonymous with bad weather
- Consider a destination with a weak local currency so you have a favourable exchange rate.
- Play with your itinerary and mix types of accommodation. Include some luxury and some decent but inexpensive B&B’s or guesthouses for short lay-overs. These are very honeymoon-friendly and will be sure to add value to your memories!
- Make that credit card that you've been abusing to pay for your wedding work for your honeymoon and use air miles for airline tickets, upgrades, hotel rooms, and car rental.
- Many trips today offer insurance in case you need to cancel. Be sure to check this out. Always read the fine print when making reservations.
- Don’t be shy to shout about the fact that you’re on honeymoon. Special deals, gifts and treats will always be in store so share the joy and reap the rewards!
- If what you’d most like as a wedding gift is a great honeymoon, help your friends. Save them the ‘great gift’ guesswork and save yourself from opening yet another well-meant set of queen size linen that doesn’t fit your king-size bed! Set up a honeymoon registry and get friends to pay for bits of your honeymoon expenses. Tour travel consultant should be able to assist you here.
Most important - It's your honeymoon; don't skimp in areas that are important to BOTH of you!
COUNTDOWN TO YOUR HONEYMOON...
Before you book that romantic travel package, ask your travel consultant if they have actually been to that the special spot that they are recommending. Have they been there and done that. If so, you’ll get an honest insider’s report on what to do, what to pack and what to happily expect about everything from local customs to health risks.
Organise something for the night of your wedding. Begin your honeymoon period with the ultimate romantic treat. Whatever you decide for the night, make sure you pamper yourself! This is a very special night, it is a chance for the two of you to unwind and release the built up stress of the entire event. Treat yourself; you deserve to be handled like royalty. Such treatment will help you to gain your strength for the honeymoon to come.
It’s traditional for brides and grooms to present each other with wedding gifts, so why not make yours a hint of how wonderful married life with you is going to be?
Whether this is your first opportunity to be alone or you have been together for years, the honeymoon is a great time to make some of his or her favorite things, your favorite things. Find joy in this journey of discovery and whatever it is that makes your new mate happy.
- Make sure your passports are in order.
- For the bride, have your airline tickets reserved in your maiden name so they will match your passport.
- Ask about any immunizations that may be required. Do this at least four weeks before your departure.
- It helps to have a synopsis of your health on your person if you take any special medications, or oral contraceptives, or have allergies. Include any immunization records.
- Use travellers’ cheques, but keep the list of numbers and denominations of the cheques separate from the cheques themselves so if they are lost or stolen you have all the information you need to make a claim for reimbursement or replacement.
- Make sure you check your credit limit before you leave. You might even like to ask your bank to temporarily extend your credit limit just to be on the safe side. Credit cards are not only convenient but they are also good to have in case of an emergency.
- Don’t overlook travel insurance. You can never really anticipate what can happen. Though you may be fit and well as you embark on your journey, illness or an accident can happen. Loss or damage of luggage can leave you stranded at the worst possible time. Travel insurance provides you with a comprehensive safety net that can ensure you get back in good condition.
- Good luggage is crucial and it is important to plan for your destination and the type of honeymoon you are planning. Keep your luggage within your airlines weight restrictions and make sure they are comfortable to carry, pull or ‘wear’. Attach strong, reliable nametags to all your bags. If you don’t already own good luggage, put it on your bridal registry.
- Approximately one month before your wedding, call and confirm all reservations. Be sure to check all tickets and your itinerary thoroughly.
WHAT TO PACK?
Ask your travel consultant to help. They will tell you what you can expect to find such as an iron, hairdryer and alarm clock, availability of laundry facilities as well as what you will definitely need to take along. You will also need to know what type of weather to expect and what sorts of clothing are commonly worn and whether or not you need to bring along formal wear.
- In room tea/coffee making facilities, if that is important to you
- Hair dryer, internet portal, electric shaver, cell phone reception
- Adaptors? No point in carrying useless gadgets!
- A clothes brush/lint remover
- Manicure set and miniature sewing kit but no sharps object in your carry-on bags
- Sun block and appropriate hats
- Spectacles, contact lens solution, good sunglasses
- Birth control (!), plus any prescription medications, all packed in your carry-on luggage in their original containers.
- Comfortable walking shoes and Flip-flops
- Razors, brushes, toothpaste and floss, after-sun lotion, cotton swabs, makeup and small versions of all the stuff you simply cannot live without. Even in paradise, you’ll want to condition your hair, have sexy smooth legs and he may need to trim his moustache, or whatever!
- A small first-aid kit with alcohol wipes, antiseptic cream, bandages, aspirin, elastic wrap, insect repellent, sunscreen, antacid, mild laxative and a decongestant
- Gum and survival sweeties
- Batteries, film or sufficient memory for your camera. You really cannot run out of any of this on this once in a lifetime trip.
- Travel alarm clock
- Small denomination cash for the country you’ll visit to use for tips, taxi fare, curios etc. You will often not get change for purchases back in foreign currency and you will not want to collect pockets full of small, useless coins.
THE TIME HAS COME TO SAY 'BON VOYAGE'...
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At last you can relax! The exciting rush of caterers, couturiers and champagne has given way to the idyllic days of the honeymoon. This is your own personal celebration, the time to begin a new life together.
- Don’t drink much alcohol and eat light if you’re flying.
- After you arrive, get some rest before you become active.
- Peel all raw fruit or vegetables.
- Drink plenty of bottled water and any beverage made with boiling water, like tea.
- Check every credit card slip to ensure you are signing for the correct amount.
- Have a little local currency on hand to pay departure taxes. Often only local currency is accepted as payment.
- Carry your money and important documents in a pouch under your clothing.
- When travelling as a couple, divide the papers and money between the two of you.
OUR FINAL WORD....
Just have a fabulous time together and individually, this is the one time that is ‘exclusively yours’! Savour every moment.
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Submitted by Suzette Bouwer, Sensational South
info@sensationalsouth.co.za
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