How To Pick The Perfect Destination For Your Honeymoon

Everyone has their idea of what the perfect destination for a honeymoon is. Some couples enjoy the excitement of the great outdoors and plan RV adventures, go rock climbing and jump out of planes. Others prefer something a bit more laid back and plan honeymoons on tropical islands where they can sit on the beach and get a massage. No matter what your ideal honeymoon destination is, steps to picking the perfect destination are the same for every couple planning to get married.Here are some tips to help you pick the perfect honeymoon destination for you and your future spouse:

Brainstorm

Sit down with your fiancé and come up with a list of destinations the two of you would love to visit. Also, share with one another why you want to travel there, including atmosphere, sightseeing, amenities and anything else there is you will want to see or do while on your honeymoon. Do not forget to find a destination that allows the two of you to get a little romantic and celebrate your new life together.

Rank these in order of which destinations are most important for you to see down to the least important ones.

Related: Tips For Hosting A Destination Wedding

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Budget

You may find yourself limited to where you are able to honeymoon based on your budget. A lavish island getaway will be more expensive than a quiet retreat to the mountains. Your budget will also determine how long you be able to go on a honeymoon. Sit down and write up a budget, including costs for all the little things such as food, souvenirs, spa treatments and excursions.

Check with your destination to see if they offer honeymoon registrations. This offers the opportunity for your wedding guests to pay for your honeymoon and all of the little extras associated with it in place of your traditional wedding registry for housewares and home décor.

Activities

Knowing what you want to do while away on a honeymoon will help you narrow down which destination is perfect for the two of you. Things to consider include:

• Adventure: Does the location offer plenty of opportunity for adventurous couples to go thrill seeking?
• Connection: Does the location offer plenty of time for the two of you to connect, such as being able to relax in the spa together or get a couple's massage on the beach?
• Intimacy: Does the location offer plenty of time for romantic activities, including privacy, time and space for intimate moments?
• Relaxation: What opportunities does the location offer for sitting back and relaxing?

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Time

Many couples prefer to take their honeymoon immediately after they tie the knot. However, depending upon when you are getting married, it might be best to wait a few weeks to a month to go on the honeymoon to save money and avoid heavy crowds. If you want to travel on your honeymoon immediately after the wedding, look into destinations that are not going to be crowded during this time of year.

Related: Baltimore's Best Wedding Registries

Help

If the two of you are still having trouble selecting the perfect honeymoon destination, consider seeking the assistance of a travel agent. He or she will be able to offer expert advice and tips for planning a honeymoon. They do this for a living and might be able to offer some insight about destinations that you might not have thought about.

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Weather

Look into what the weather is like during the time you will be on your honeymoon. The last thing you want to do is have your outdoor beach getaway ruined by rain and storms the entire time. Or if you are planning a ski honeymoon you will want to make sure there will be plenty of snow on the slopes.

Getting married is an exciting time in both of your lives. The days following your wedding are the first moments you will share in your new life together, which is why you need to take the time to select the perfect destination for your honeymoon.

Heather Landon (Heather Leigh Carroll) is a freelance writer with more than 20 years of experience. She has combined two of her passions - writing and travel - to share her experiences with others. You can read more of her articles at Examiner.com.