1. Decide together

Traditionalists might be tempted to let the husband-to-be plan the whole vacation by himself. Big mistake! Both people really need to agree on these details in order to avoid  disappointments and unmet expectations. Problems can happen when both spouses have a different idea of the “ideal honeymoon”.

Communication and compromise are needed, with the goal to make your honeymoon romantic, memorable and stress-free. Consider these questions as soon as honeymoon talks begin:

• What is most important? Laying on the beach, or the adventure of a cozy mountain retreat
• Are you looking to experience new cultures in distant lands, or do you just want to get away from it all?
• How far do you want to travel, 500 miles or 5,000?
• Do you want to spend more on the wedding or the honeymoon?
• What sounds better: a cruise, a package vacation or an allinclusive resort?

2. Decide when to go

First, fi gure out how many vacation days you have and how many of them you’ll need before the wedding for last minute planning. Then decide when you want to go. Do you want to leave the morning after your wedding? Or, do you want to have some time after the wedding to unwind and pack when you’ll be more focused on it, and take your honeymoon a few days later?

How much time you have to travel and your budget will help narrow down your choices. For instance, fi ve nights is perfect in the Caribbean or Mexico, but a trip to Europe requires about ten days.

3. Set a tentative budget

Talk about your expectations and priorities, so you can agree before you go about what you’ll splurge on and where you’ll economize. That way, you’ll avoid money hassles during your trip. Suggestion: Splurge on your accommodations, because…

4. Your room can add extra romance to your stay

I smile to myself when an excited couple sits down with me to plan their perfect Honeymoon trip of their dreams and says “We won’t be in the room very much, so the room category doesn’t really matter.” I am not discounting their opinions, but I have learned from experience how very important the room truly is to honeymooners. When I check in with my clients after their trip, the very fi rst thing they want to tell me about is the room. It’s also the very fi rst thing someone will complain about on a honeymoon.

The room matters! Why choose to spend time in a boring room when there are so many affordable and fantastic options that offer a jacuzzi, in-room bar and dining, hammocks on the terrace, private balconies, direct access to the beach, or something as simple as a couch and satellite TV? This is one time you will be sorry if you don’t book a special room.

If going on a cruise, book the best cabin your budget will allow. Try not to book an interior cabin, as the experience is not nearly as enjoyable as other cabins. Tip: The cheapest room in the house often has a street view, even if the description is “garden view”.

5. Travel Agent or booking online?

Online travel bookings are very commonplace, but be careful that all the special touches you want are reserved correctly. Honeymoon travel agents will double-check your reservations and make sure that everything you want is there.

If you are overwhelmed, not sure what  destination to choose (for example, just wanting to be on the “beach” gives you hundreds of options alone), or fi nd yourself busy with other things (like planning the wedding!), a good travel agent can be priceless in eliminating your stress. Not only will he or she have ideas about places you might not have thought of, but they’ll be familiar with those details like if a visa is required and when the rainy season is. They might also have special packages or extra amenities you would not be able to get on your own.

If you book online, call the resort directly after the reservation is made and right before you debark, to verify ALL aspects of your stay (room view, in-room amenities, excursions…). Packages are often the way to go to get more for your money.

6. Looking to save money? Consider off season travel

Regardless of the month you plan to take your honeymoon, it’s always low season (in other words, a cheaper time to visit) somewhere. For instance, instead of paying top dollar at a ski resort after a December wedding, you can get bargain rates — and fi nd plenty to do on the slopes — in July. If you’re beach lovers, don’t let the words “hurricane season” completely scare you off of visiting Florida or the Caribbean between June and November. Plenty of people live in those places year-round, and more often than not showers are brief and the sun soon emerges.

Tip: Do remember to add on a good “cancel for any reason” travel insurance policy, just in case of weather-related issues.

7. Get your passport in order

Brides will most likely be traveling with a passport in their maiden name. Make sure the airline tickets are booked in that same name.

Passports can take up to 3 months to receive. If you already have a passport, check the expiration. To leave the country, your passport must be valid for 6 months after your return. For passport information visit http://travel.state.gov/passport/passport_1738.html.

8. When to book

You should book your trip six to nine months in advance if you want to take advantage of “early bird” savings and package deals. The days of waiting until the last minute so that air prices can drop are long gone. Many destinations, like Hawaii, have limited fl ights and seats. Regardless of the destination, the law of supply and demand exists - meaning the longer you wait to book your fl ights, the more money you could be spending. Plus, booking early allows you to book with a smaller deposit if using a travel agent. Online bookings will want the entire package price at the time of booking.

9. Packing List

Leave plenty of time to pack so nothing is forgotten. Leaving off essentials like sunscreen can cost you a bundle!

10. Tell the world it’s your honeymoon!

The best travel agents will make sure to suggest resorts with fantastic honeymoon packages. There are free massages, bottles of champagne, and upgrades to be had just by speaking up! Don’t hesitate to tell restaurants, tour operators and the hotel bar that you are celebrating. It will make the trip more memorable with free desert, gifts and drinks!

There’s no better start to a marriage than a romantic, stress-free and unforgettable honeymoon! I hope these tips help you have the perfect one!