With the wedding industry booming, couples are increasingly led to believe that the success of their big day hinges upon all sorts of extras — from party favours to custom cocktails to photo booths (with props). But while you may not want to give up any of those things at your wedding, there is one major area where the extras just aren't necessary: your honeymoon.
Of course you want your trip to be unforgettable and perfect in every way. After all, you've just celebrated a major milestone, and you worked hard to put together an epic party. But don't let the bridal magazines convince you that you need to buy a brand-new dedicated "honeymoon wardrobe" or reserve the actual honeymoon suite at your destination. Quite frankly, that's a bunch of bullshit.
Ahead, five honeymoon traditions you could totally skip, whether to save money, time, or just your own sanity.
Flying first-class is 100% awesome. There's no denying that. But it's also exorbitantly expensive, and unless you've got money to burn, flying economy (or even business class) could save you thousands. That's thousands that could be spent on a room upgrade, or a bunch of fancy dinners, or just recouping some of the funds you laid out for your wedding. Remember, the main event is the trip itself; the flight is just a way to get there.
Illustrated by Mary Galloway.
We all like to pick up a few new things before a vacation, and there's nothing wrong with that. But some people take it to the next level, buying an entirely new wardrobe just for the honeymoon, as if the act of marriage somehow renders all their pre-wedding clothes non-functional. Again, if you can afford it, go to town. But if not, you might want to rethink whether you really need all brand-new-everything.
Illustrated by Mary Galloway.
There's something about weddings that can turn even the most fiscally responsible people into brazen spenders. It's as if they're worried that the trip won't feel special unless they drop as much cash as possible.
Sure, go ahead and upgrade from a standard room to a suite, and what the hell, make it an ocean view, too. But maybe booking the most tricked-out penthouse with four balconies and three private swimming pools isn't completely necessary? This is just the first of many epic vacations you'll be taking as a married couple, so why are you acting like it's the last?
Illustrated by Mary Galloway.
I love a good rose-petal-covered bedspread as much as the next girl. Fresh flowers and chocolate-covered strawberries? Yes, please. A bottle of chilled Moët upon arrival? Sign me up.
Except more often than not, hotel "romance" packages are just a marketing ploy, designed to bait newlyweds into thinking that overpriced add-ons are integral to the honeymoon experience.
No one is saying you shouldn't infuse your trip with romantic perks, but just think about what you really want. Consider splurging on something of value, like a couple's massage, and skip the pricey clichés like rose petals or elaborate fruit baskets that just sit there.
Illustrated by Mary Galloway.
Planning a honeymoon-caliber vacation — i.e., a long trip with multiple destinations and lots of itineraries to coordinate — is a huge undertaking. But planning it while you're also planning a wedding is, in a word, torture.
Though there are plenty of reasons why you might prefer to dip out of town right after tying the knot, don't do it just because that's how it's usually done. There's no law that says you can't take your honeymoon a few months (or even a year) later, so you can regroup, save some more cash, or just take some time to focus on planning the getaway you deserve — without simultaneously trying to juggle all the logistics of your big day.
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