The Couple’s Guide to Planning a Honeymoon

Your honeymoon is an exciting bonus on top of getting to marry your best friend. But with wedding-planning tasks ever-looming, organizing your first trip as a wedded couple can take a backseat to debating cake flavors and deciding whether you really need favors. (You don't.)

Consider this your couple’s guide to planning a honeymoon, so you can come together on big decisions like timing, locale and budget.

The average couple spends between $3,000 and $5,000 on their honeymoon.

1. HAVE A HONEYMOON-PLANNING DATE

As soon as you have your wedding date and venue locked down, you can start thinking about your honeymoon. Set aside an evening to talk about where and when you might what to travel — checking your available PTO and respective calendars for potential conflicts — and how much you would like to spend. According to Megan Velez of Destination Weddings Travel Group, the average couple spends between $3,000 and $5,000 on their honeymoon. By budgeting early, you can make your honeymoon a priority. Booking it far enough out can save you money, too.

2. CONSIDER A MINI-MOON

Post-wedding mini-moons are becoming trendier for couples short on time (and funds). "A shorter, romantic honeymoon will be just as wonderful while you plan and save for a future anniversary trip," Velez says.

However, she cautions against traveling far for a mini-moon if you're going on a longer honeymoon within the next year. "If you want to do a mini-moon, stay close to home and do one or two nights away," she advises. "Then, save up for the one lavish vacation to do what you’ve always dreamed of."

3. NAME YOUR TOP TRAVEL PRIORITIES

Come to your honeymoon brainstorm session with your top three travel wishes so you're prepared to discuss your options. Then, decide the best timing and location.

A few considerations, suggests Tracie Domino of Tracie Domino Events: What do you want to do on your honeymoon? What will the weather be like? How much time do you have, and how long will it take to reach your destination?

4. CHOOSE A MULTI-FACETED DESTINATION

Perhaps you're into active, sightseeing vacations while your partner just wants to lounge by the pool. If you have different travel styles, pick a destination that has the best of both worlds.

"You can combine relaxing and fun water sports at almost all tropical destinations," Domino says. Or, stay in a culturally rich city with easy access to off-the-beaten-path day trips to get away and chill.

Take Italy, for example: “A week-long trip could include a bike tour through the streets of Rome and sunbathing on the beaches of the Amalfi Coast, while enjoying fabulous food and shopping in both locations,” Domino suggests.

5. GO ALL-INCLUSIVE

If you're short on planning time (or simply aren’t the planning type), consider an all-inclusive resort or a cruise, both of which offer local excursion options, unlimited food and various on-site activities. "Also look for added values at all-inclusive resorts, especially the honeymoon package itself," Velez says. "It could save you money and also get you some additional romantic perks such as a candlelit dinner on the beach or complimentary couples massage."

6. ENLIST A TRAVEL EXPERT

If you're really stumped, don’t be shy about asking for help. "A seasoned professional will take your wants and needs and tell you where you can get the type of destination that fits the bill most closely," Velez says. Explain what's most important to you about your honeymoon, what you couldn't live without and what would be nice to have — a travel expert can compile a list of options that will fit your priorities (and budget!) best.