The Honeymoon
At long last, the time for your honeymoon arrives. You and your groom should view the honeymoon as the beginning of a life-long adventure together, not just the end of a hectic wedding schedule. It should be one of the most memorable of journeys, not only in destination, but in learning more about each other — how to plan together, play together and explore the many opportunities that lie ahead for both of you.
It is important that you and your fiancé discuss honestly with one another what your expectations are for your honeymoon. Do you want a quiet secluded destination with plenty of time alone or a trip to Europe touring new sites and meeting people? Do you want your honeymoon to include activities that you both enjoy such as skiing or scuba diving, or do you simply want to relax? Would you enjoy a resort or perhaps a cruise? Sunshine or snow? Beaches or mountains? City or countryside? The choices are many.
You should also be clear as to what your desires are in regard to creature comforts. Your fiancé may find a rustic cabin ideal, while you dream of a luxury hotel with room service and a whirlpool bath.
Whatever choices you discuss, be confident that you and your fiancé will know when you've found the perfect honeymoon just for the two of you.
Once you have decided on the type of honeymoon, the dates you wish to travel and your budget, consult a travel agent. This is the best thing you can do for yourselves! The travel agent can handle all the details of the honeymoon, and there is absolutely no charge to you for the services.
A travel agency with experts in honeymoon planning will not only help you with the best destinations, accommodations and travel arrangements, but will assist you in all areas of planning. They will give you top-notch advice regarding money exchange, insurance needs and packing. They will also inform you of necessary documents such as passports or visas, records of inoculations you might need to have, and provide you with travel confirmations. Your travel agent can make all the difference for smooth sailing on your honeymoon.
Traditionally speaking, your fiancé should handle all the finances of the honeymoon with the travel agent, including necessary deposits. He will want to be careful to stay within the guidelines of the budget so there are no unexpected bills to pay when you return home. A week before the wedding he should make a final check with the travel agent to confirm that all is in order.
Remember, your honeymoon does not have to begin immediately after your reception. If you are planning a long honeymoon or going to a remote destination, you might want to allow yourself some time between the wedding and the honeymoon. If so, you can still make your wedding night a special occasion by staying in a nearby bed and breakfast or a luxury hotel.
Wherever you go, make it an adventure that is only beginning!
Setting the Scene for Romance
It's after midnight and you've finally arrived at your wedding night destination. The day was wonderful, but you're exhausted and just want to crash. Still, it is your wedding night and you'd really like to feel romantic, at least for a little while. Prepare ahead of time and you won't be disappointed.
Start with a snack. Ask your hotel or bed-and-breakfast if they can provide this service, or let one of your attendants do the honors. Champagne, cheese and crackers, and chocolate-dipped strawberries are classics.
Put on some mood music. From the sweet love songs of Johnny Mathis, to the sultry sounds of Carly Simon, to the classical sophistication of Debussy, the choice is yours. Be sure to arrange for or pack a small c.d. player or iPod and bring along your favorites.
For a still more inviting ambiance, place several glowing, scented candles around the room. Is there a fireplace? Light it. Even if it's the middle of August. Then share a kiss in front of the flames. Now that's hot!
Take a warm shower or a bubble bath — together, or not. You may prefer to wait for the lingerie show. But a bath will both refresh and relax you. And by the time you get into that gorgeous, sexy lingerie, you'll find that maybe you're not quite as exhausted as you thought you were. Have a good night!
Cruise through Your Honeymoon Planning — With a Travel Agent at the Helm
Today, with the overwhelming number of resources offered to you, it's no wonder you may find yourself confused and asking: "Why should I use a travel agent when I can plan my honeymoon myself?" Besides being educated and certified to assist you, agents can provide important services that are usually offered to honeymooners free of charge. So just what can a travel agent do for you?
• Is it difficult to find time to plan your wedding events, let alone your honeymoon? A travel agent can take the pressure away by planning for you with your specific interests in mind. Plus, your agent can clue you in on all you need to know — from insurance protection to foreign travel requirements — to help make your honeymoon travel not only fun, but also safe!
• Travel agents can save you money by packaging trips with airfare, car rental and other miscellaneous services. In addition to the monetary savings, a travel agent can help to procure value-added benefits and amenities that you may not otherwise be able to obtain as a regular consumer. The relationships they have forged with travel suppliers are key to the savings offered to you.
• Travel agents are traveler advocates and are there to protect the best interests of their clients. In the event something goes wrong, your agent is available to act as the point person between you and the travel suppliers, helping to resolve issues quickly and effectively without too much effort on your part. You can just relax and have fun!
• By staying abreast of the most current travel options, the professional travel agent will be able to help you plan the honeymoon of your dreams. Also, because agents participate in familiarization site visits, called FAMS, they may have been to the destination you are requesting and will be able to answer your questions based on their own experiences.
Can you plan your own honeymoon? Of course. But with easy access to these friendly, helpful, knowledgeable professionals, why not contact a travel agent to show you the way? It could just be the best trip of your life!