The Honeymoon

Courtesy The King and Prince Beach and Golf Resort

The Details

You’re engaged! You’re thrilled. You’re in love. You’re ... overwhelmed. Whether you’ve dreamed of the big day your whole life or never thought about it until the moment you said yes, the actual process of planning your wedding is uncharted territory. Let this guide be your road map — and leave the details to us.
With all of the excitement and buildup surrounding your wedding day, it’s easy to treat the honeymoon as an afterthought. Do yourself a favor: take a break from planning and daydream about that vacation. When deciding on your honeymoon destination, consider first what type of travel appeals to you and fits your budget, says Carolyn LeFleur, leisure travel advisor at Four Seasons Travel in Savannah. Are you and your fiancé looking for warm and sunny tropical relaxation or perhaps something a bit rugged with opportunity for exploring? Maybe a bustling city is more your speed. No matter what, think carefully before you book.

“Honeymooners and travelers in general are more focused on experiences,” LeFleur says. “Younger generations are planning trips around experiences they really enjoy, like hiking or horseback riding, which dictates the location of their honeymoon.”

How long you have to spend on your honeymoon will further narrow your loca- tion choices, according to LeFleur, as you want to avoid any trips with an extended amount of travel time. The Caribbean continues to be a much sought-after destination for Southern honeymooners, particularly for its close proximity and direct flights.

THE RISE OF THE MINI MOON

Many couples are now electing to postpone their honeymoon and instead have a “mini moon,” or a shorter honeymoon at a local destination where they’ll spend a few days together right after the wedding. From the Lowcountry to the Golden Isles, there are myriad options for a quick getaway after your wedding. The King and Prince Beach and Golf Resort on St. Simons Island hosts many honeymooners, says Bud St. Pierre, the resort’s director of sales and marketing. The resort offers individual beach residences ideal for honeymooners who want a private respite with a beautiful view. The Beaufort Inn, located in Beaufort’s historic downtown, is another popular option, says Lindsay Blackmon of The Beaufort Inn, as it is conveniently located near the riverfront and downtown restau- rants, art galleries and shops.

TAKE A BREAK

Note the time between your wedding and honeymoon departure — and your inevitable level of fatigue. “A wedding is exhausting, no matter how much time and effort you’ve put into planning it,” LeFleur says. “I suggest that couples may want to think about waiting 24 hours before leaving for the honeymoon as you don’t want to spend your first day exhausted.” If your trip requires a passport, make sure your travel documents are up to date. When traveling to some countries, TSA prohibits travelers from boarding their flight if their passport expires within six months of the trip. Visit tsa.gov to understand all regulations and ensure smooth sailing for you and your partner through security and on to your honeymoon destination.