Prairie HiveAmid all those hectic days of planning your wedding, it would be such a welcome relief to think about your honeymoon. But even this aspect of your wedding also has some questions you should be answering.
Where will you go? When is the perfect time to go? How long are honeymoons typically?
What is the Average Length of Honeymoon?
Although there will always be a few exceptions here and there, 7 days is the average length of honeymoons. This is because most newlywed couples choose to book their honeymoon trips for 7 days.
Another popular option for couples is 9 days that still lets them indulge a bit with no need for them to spend too much money and time. Honeymooning for 7 to 9 days has become the most common choice for modern couples for the past few years.
It is also typical for couples to further stretch their honeymoon schedules if they are traveling away from home. Meanwhile, those who choose to stay local often opt for shorter trips possibly because of work-related or financial reasons.
Factors to Consider When Determining How Long a Honeymoon Should Be
While it can be very exciting to plan your wedding, this also involves lots of stress. Trying to tick off all those checkboxes is definitely not a joke.
This is why it makes perfect sense to carve out some time for you and your partner so you can spend your retreat all by yourself, in a place with no one to disturb you so you can simply enjoy each other’s company as a married couple for the first time.
How long do you need to recover from your busy wedding planning? A couple of weeks? One month? Experts say that it doesn’t really matter because what’s important is for you and your spouse to have some quality time together.
But to give you a good idea, here are some of the factors that affect how long your honeymoon should be:
The Planned Activities for the Trip
When it comes to honeymoons, longer is not always better all the time. The last thing you want is to go on a trip only to find yourself bored during your vacation in the middle of a secluded island for an entire month.
Be sure to sit down and discuss with your spouse the different activities that you want to do together. Having this talk ahead of time ensures that things will be set before you pack your bags and drive or fly to your destination. This is also the best time for you to book some of the activities you like in advance.
When it comes to honeymoons, shorter special moments are often sweeter when shared together.
The Budget
Your budget affects your honeymoon in more ways than one. While it sounds lovely to have a month-long vacation on the Caribbeans, many couples cannot really afford such an extravagant or lengthy trip. Always consider your budget every step of the way, from deciding on the destination of your honeymoon to determining how long your vacation will be.
The Available Vacation Time
Most people today have a specific or set schedule, even for those who are self-employed. And if you are like any average person, chances are you will just get a vacation time that is worth 2 to 3 precious weeks.
You might not have a lot of paid time off left for the honeymoon in the first place. Make sure that you consider these factors before embarking on your honeymoon. Check the amount of available time you have then plan around the extra time you will be taking off for your big day.
If you are lucky, your employer will understand how important this once-in-a-lifetime trip is for you and your spouse.
The Destination
The last but not least, your chosen honeymoon destination will also determine how long your honeymoon should be. If you plan to travel far, it often means that you will be taking an extended trip.
Your destination can also influence your overall expenses, from your travel costs to your hotel or resort accommodations to the cost of activities, food, and other extras.
A more expensive destination also often calls for a shorter trip because of budgetary reasons. If you will travel to another part of the globe, you might also need to take more time to make the best out of your destination and get over your jet lag once you return home.
How Long Should Your Honeymoon Be?
To put it simply, it is up to the newlyweds to decide how long their honeymoon will be. After all, every new marriage comes with its own financial restrictions and obligations, and these can affect the length of time that the couple goes on a honeymoon.
You might want to talk to your partner to decide where both of you want to go, how much budget will be allocated for the trip, how long you can be away from work, and other responsibilities and obligations the two of you have.
After you set some ground rules on the budget and length of your honeymoon, you can then start to finetune your honeymoon’s itinerary. Take note that your honeymoon is among your first expenses as a married couple.
Being smart about the length of your honeymoon and the budget you set aside for it will let you and your partner have some downtime after all the excitement of tying the knot started to fade away.
At the end of the day, the answer to how long honeymoon should be all boils down to one thing: the length is different for every couple so there is no such thing as a one answer fits all for everyone.
Be sure to consider all the factors above so you can plan accordingly and look forward to the most memorable honeymoon you have always dreamed of. Always remember that you and your partner both deserve it after all the hustle and bustle of planning your big day.
