One of the highlights of celebrating your marriage and the start of a new phase of life with your new spouse is the honeymoon! Hollywood paints this as the time where you are so loved-up that you see everything through rose-coloured glasses and spend the majority of your time basking in one another’s company…
But like any other venture into the unknown, there are some things nobody tells you about the magical honeymoon, so we have created a list of eight things to consider before you set off.
You can’t switch relaxation on
If you are stepping onto a plane the morning after (or right after) your wedding day, it would be misguided to think you can immediately switch from frazzled and tired to relaxed and zen the moment you arrive at your honeymoon destination.
It could take a couple of days to come down from the high of the event and you might be purely exhausted from it all. The good news is, once the relaxation kicks in, you and your new spouse will have the time of your lives.
Limit your romantic fantasy expectations
Honeymoons by definition are a chance for you and your spouse to connect on many new levels, but if you think it will be a 24/7 love-in, you might be in for a shock.
For one thing, you will most likely already be tired and most humans need to eat, sleep and drink.
You might also find that you don’t want to spend all of your time in an exotic destination cooped up in a hotel room when you could be taking in the sights.
There are most definitely opportunities aplenty to share some really intimate and special moments together, but you should also enjoy some down time as well.
You might get sick
You know how when you work your tail off all year and then get sick the minute you actually go on holidays? The same phenomenon also strikes newlyweds.
You have spent months planning both the honeymoon and your wedding day and when you combine the exhaustion from this with questionable recycled air commonly found on airplanes, you can often find yourself a little under the weather for the first day or two of your holiday.
Don’t despair though, keep hydrated, rest and eat well and you will quickly bounce back and can fully embrace the honeymoon experience.
Mishaps might happen
Like any holiday that is booked online or through an agent, you might end up playing ‘One of these things is not like the other’ if you arrive at your accommodation and find the advertised images were taken a decade ago.
But in these kinds of situations, it is best to roll with the punches and not let these things get you down. They honeymoon is all about spending quality time with your new spouse away from the day-to-day, so focus on making some great memories instead.
You might fight
The exhaustion card comes into play here once again and there’s a good chance there will be tears, laughter and yes, even fights, during your honeymoon.
Your emotions could be delicate, for both of you, so if you find yourself snapping at the slightest thing, try to dig deep and calm yourself to avoid unnecessary bickering.
If you are both on the same wavelength and are just utterly spent, perhaps scheduling a couple’s massage or other relaxing activity might help you take the time you need to unwind and return your balance.
You might forget to plan some details
It is common for couples to get so caught up in planning for the wedding that the honeymoon can get a bit neglected.
Try to not only determine the destination and where you might like to stay, but ensure that you have travel insurance and at least a basic itinerary lined up so you know where you will be and when.
It can be hard to fill in the blanks in a foreign country where English is not the primary language, so it’s best to have the major things lined up before you get on the plane.
It will be incredibly special
You may have been on several holidays as a couple already, but your honeymoon is a once-in-a-lifetime experience and one that will remain with you forever, so enjoy every moment!
You won’t want to come home
The thought of returning to reality can be disappointing after enjoying this special time together, but try your best not to think about the chores or work that awaits you back home.
Stay in the moment and spend the trip home talking about the next trip you’d like to take together so help you keep the adventurous spirit alive for as long as possible.
