21 expert top tips to help you plan the perfect honeymoon

1. Tick off a new destination
You want your honeymoon to be special and unlike any holiday before, so scratch off any destination or hotel you’ve previously visited from the list of honeymoon options.

2. Be original
Who said honeymoons need to by idyllic private island resorts somewhere remote? Holiday somewhere that is authentic to you and your other half.

3. Timing is everything
Choosing when you want to travel may limit your destination choice. For example, the Caribbean’s tropical climate means that between June and November it’s considered the wet season so it would be advised to travel outside of these dates. 
 

4. Use a personal travel manager
Let us take the strain and organise your dream trip on your behalf… it’s one less task on the wedmin that way. Simply put your pin in the map; tell us your wishlist; call, email or WhatsApp us as much or little as you want; and we’ll present the perfect honeymoon for you. All you need to do is pack your suitcase.

5. Travel in style
Now is the time to sample business class… and make sure you let the cabin crew know you’re celebrating so they make an extra special fuss.

6. What’s in a name?
Remember to book your honeymoon in the name that will be on your passport at time of travelling.
 

7. Never compromise
You’ll only get this experience once. Make sure it’s everything you want.

8. List the experiences you’d like to try
When planning your honeymoon, jot down three experiences you would like to enjoy such as stay in an overwater villa, try an authentic cookery class or go wine tasting. This will then help narrow down your choice of destinations based on what you’ll be doing on your honeymoon… not just on the postcard-perfect setting.
 

9. Surprise and delight
Just because you’re married doesn’t mean there shouldn’t be any more surprises. Book a hot air balloon flight, a private dinner in a lovely restaurant or a deep-sea fishing experience. Anything that your other half will love and will not be expecting.

10. Make it a mini-moon
If you’re still saving for that big trip of a lifetime, why not invest in a romantic weekend break as a little taster before the main event? Whether you opt for a British countryside bolthole or a short European city escape, a mini-moon is the perfect way to connect as newlyweds and take a little timeout to celebrate, just the two of you.
 

11. Book early to guarantee availability
The best hotels and resorts get booked up, much like wedding venues and great photographers. Booking early will ensure you secure your dream boutique resort and the right room with the best view.

12. Be flexible
Sometimes something so simple as travelling on a different day in the same week can reduce the cost of your flights. Try to be flexible on your departure date to get the best value for money.
 

13. Plan an itinerary
Of course you still want some spontaneous moments, but a few restaurant reservations and a pre-booked experience or two will help make sure you don’t miss out and will encourage you to see as much of your chosen destination as you wish. Winged Boots’ concierge can help with first-hand recommendations and can pre-book everything from spa treatments and tee times through to airport lounges.
 

14. Entertain the kids
If you’re honeymooning with little ones in tow, try to pick a resort with excellent kid’s facilities so you can find a few hours to nip to the spa. Or, even better, one with babysitting services so you can enjoy dinner alone.

15. Decide on a budget
Planning a wedding can easily see costs spiral. Set aside your honeymoon budget and do not dip into it for the wedding fund. We’re sure those evening-only guests will be pleased that you got the honeymoon you had dreamed of rather than feeding them a three-course meal.

16. Research together
This is when the excitement will truly begin. For inspiration, why not browse our magazine section or click here to request a copy of our award-winning Lifestyle Brochure.

 

17. The sky is the limit
Can’t decide between beach and city? We say you don’t have to. Twin two destinations into one trip to create the holiday of a lifetime. Some popular options include Dubai and Maldives for a fusion of city action and beach relaxing. But you can still enjoy a juxtaposition of cityscape and beach escape with a much shorter travel time. A tour of Thailand is a great way to experience the bright lights of Bangkok, the remote beaches of Koh Samui and a range of other islands and provinces in between. Or why not fuse a safari getaway with a trip to the winelands in South Africa? You could even get to grips with the open road with a road trip down California’s Pacific Coast Highway. The world is your oyster!

18. Plan ahead to save
To get the best price and biggest saving, it’s usually advised to book ahead and secure those early-bird offers. These include complimentary room upgrades, discounted savings and additional extras such as resort credits, spa treatments and complimentary bottles of champagne upon arrival. It pays to be organised.

19. Ask your guests to contribute to your honeymoon
You’ve already got a toaster… but you don’t have a two-week tour of South Africa in the kitchen cupboard. Ask your guests to contribute to your honeymoon fund for your wedding gift. At Winged Boots, we even provide travel vouchers so your guests can directly pay off some of your holiday and share a voucher in your card to let you know of their generosity. 
 

20. Share your cost expectation
When planning your honeymoon with one of our personal travel managers, sharing your budget is the perfect way for us to narrow down your options. That way, we don’t tempt you with a hotel that’s too far out of reach or underwhelm you with a holiday that isn’t your dream. Plus, we often have offers and exclusive discounts that we don’t advertise so we may be able to make your ideal escape happen for a fraction of the cost.