If you could re-do your honeymoon trip . . .
Mar 23rd, 2004, 11:29 AM
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If you could re-do your honeymoon trip . . .
As we all know, there are many postings on this forum to the tune of "Help me plan the perfect honeymoon!" Some of these people seem so worked up, I worry that their heads will explode if every element of the trip is not "perfect." That can be a recipe for disaster . . . and some of the best memories come out of less than perfect trips, right?
Anyway, I also think that most people are so happy and relieved to get to the honeymoon and be done with the wedding, that the honeymoon almost always exceeds expectations!
For all the married folks out there -- if you could do your honeymoon over again, would you do anything differently? Choose a different destination, hotel, itinerary, etc? For me, I only wish it could have been a few days longer. We had a destination wedding, and honeymooned in the same spot after friends and family left, and all we had to do was RELAX. No whirlwind travel itinerary, just rest, relaxation, sun, sand, etc. It was just what we needed.
Anyway, I also think that most people are so happy and relieved to get to the honeymoon and be done with the wedding, that the honeymoon almost always exceeds expectations!
For all the married folks out there -- if you could do your honeymoon over again, would you do anything differently? Choose a different destination, hotel, itinerary, etc? For me, I only wish it could have been a few days longer. We had a destination wedding, and honeymooned in the same spot after friends and family left, and all we had to do was RELAX. No whirlwind travel itinerary, just rest, relaxation, sun, sand, etc. It was just what we needed.
Mar 23rd, 2004, 11:34 AM
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I would do exactly the same thing! We have had the opportunity to travel alot since then and it's been great. Our honeymoon on the other hand was very simple as we stayed in a B&B in a small town and just spent time together!
Mar 23rd, 2004, 11:38 AM
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We'd do exactly what we did almost 4 years ago. We both had plenty of frequent flier miles and used as many as we could to go as far away as we could. We spent 2 1/2 weeks in Asia with 2 days in Hong Kong, 7 in Phuket, 7 in Bali, and 1 in Singapore.
Based on advice we'd gotten from friends, and our own expectation that traveling to Asia once the kids come along will be tough, we wanted to go somewhere that would be difficult to do without the ability to get that much time off. We also wanted to make sure we had plenty of time on the beach to just relax after the months of planning and the events of the prior weekend.
In short, I'd say definately think about a place that may be tough to do if you decide to have a family. Think strongly about planning some relaxtion time in first few days just to decompress from all the wedding activities. Third, think of it as a once in a lifetime trip and maybe splurge a bit more than you might otherwise.
Anyway, good luck and have fun!
Based on advice we'd gotten from friends, and our own expectation that traveling to Asia once the kids come along will be tough, we wanted to go somewhere that would be difficult to do without the ability to get that much time off. We also wanted to make sure we had plenty of time on the beach to just relax after the months of planning and the events of the prior weekend.
In short, I'd say definately think about a place that may be tough to do if you decide to have a family. Think strongly about planning some relaxtion time in first few days just to decompress from all the wedding activities. Third, think of it as a once in a lifetime trip and maybe splurge a bit more than you might otherwise.
Anyway, good luck and have fun!
Mar 23rd, 2004, 11:45 AM
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I would actually take one. We didn't have the time or money for one 20 years ago, but since then, we have done something especially nice every 5 years. A week on a warm beach, great seafood, and a little alcohol, with not much going on would have been very nice.
Mar 23rd, 2004, 11:56 AM
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I would have gone to a different resort. We went to an all-inclusive that friends of ours raved about and we found it disappointing at best.
On the bright side, we went to Key West for our one year anniversary and had a fantastic time and it has become our "special" place that we go back to every year.
On the bright side, we went to Key West for our one year anniversary and had a fantastic time and it has become our "special" place that we go back to every year.
Mar 23rd, 2004, 12:00 PM
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The only thing I would do differently is not leave the day after our wedding. We left Sunday night after a Sat. night wedding for 2 weeks in Germany, Belgium and France and the first two days are a blur because we were so exhausted! Other than that I wouldn't change a thing!
Mar 23rd, 2004, 12:06 PM
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swalter518, that's a great tip. I've heard from many friends who left right after the wedding (morning after) and were totally frazzled trying to get to the airport, say goodbye to people, etc.
That was a nice side effect of my destination wedding, we were already IN our honeymoon location so there was no packing or travel after the wedding! But it was certainly a bit stressful traveling down before the wedding . . . making sure we had everything we needed for the ceremony, reception, honeymoon, etc. etc.
That was a nice side effect of my destination wedding, we were already IN our honeymoon location so there was no packing or travel after the wedding! But it was certainly a bit stressful traveling down before the wedding . . . making sure we had everything we needed for the ceremony, reception, honeymoon, etc. etc.
Mar 23rd, 2004, 12:12 PM
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I would love to re-do my honeymoon trip! It was 43 yrs ago and we have traveled many places since, but to feel that newly married joy? That is what was special, not where we went, but to be Mr and Mrs. If I could re-do my honeymoon trip? Yes, in a minute.
Mar 23rd, 2004, 12:30 PM
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I would go back and change the NFL schedule so the Dallas Cowboys and New Orleans Saints wouldn't be playing in New Orleans on the weekend we got married, so we would have actually been able to go to New Orleans for our honeymoon like we wanted!
We ended up going to a friend's timeshare resort in Hot Springs, Arkansas. It was nice, quiet, and very relaxing, which was what we needed after the wedding. (I think too many newlyweds overschedule their honeymoons!)
We're making up for lost time this year, which is our 10th anniversary. I've already booked our trip to New Orleans!
We ended up going to a friend's timeshare resort in Hot Springs, Arkansas. It was nice, quiet, and very relaxing, which was what we needed after the wedding. (I think too many newlyweds overschedule their honeymoons!)
We're making up for lost time this year, which is our 10th anniversary. I've already booked our trip to New Orleans!
Mar 23rd, 2004, 12:48 PM
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Thats a great answer CD!
ChristieP, have a great time! You'll love NO! Your answer reminded me of a guy I work with though! Every year he complains because he is a huge baseball fan and he was married during the world series! I feel really bad for his wife of 21 years!
ChristieP, have a great time! You'll love NO! Your answer reminded me of a guy I work with though! Every year he complains because he is a huge baseball fan and he was married during the world series! I feel really bad for his wife of 21 years!
Mar 23rd, 2004, 01:16 PM
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I would have added 4 extra days and gone to Kauai AND Maui. We spent 7 days in Maui and loved every minute of it, but after hearing such great things about Kauai, I wish we would have gone there, too! Oh, well...maybe for the 10 year anniversary!
Mar 23rd, 2004, 01:50 PM
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Tansy:
Wonderful travel question!
In a word: NOOOOOOOOOO...
Prior to our honeymoon we remember an exquisite 3 day wedding which was proceeded by a full year of pre-wedding parties!
[We started the parties with an elaborate Engagement Party, in the wine country, given my both sets of parents...followed that with a Co-Ed Wedding Shower hosted by both sets of sibblings...then had a Bridal Shower Tea hosted by fantastic women/colleagues in the business world...then my mom, aunts and sisters threw me a Bridal Shower Pool Party at the club for associates and other friends.
After these wedding showers came the Bachelorette Bashes...The first was a unbelievable Bachelorette Party in Lake Tahoe...the second was a over-the top Bachelorette Party in Las Vegas and we ended the year of parties with a WILD Bachelorette Party in the Greater Bay Area...]
I had a month before the wedding to be HOME and party free...the wedding was a full time job as was planning the honeymoon.
Our incredible honeymoon was as follows:
We got to our lovely hotel for the night at around 3:00am (numerous after-parties and we had to change our clothes, pick up our packed bags etc.)
One of my uncle's picked us and our 6(!) pieces of luggage up at 5:00am...We had to be at the SFO by 6:00am for our 8:00am flight.
We flew to Athens, Greece and slept for a few hours...I kept getting up and looking at the Acropolis from our balcony...
We then spent the next 4 magical and dream filled weeks in Athens, Santorini, Mykonos, Kronos, Corfu, Rhodes, Skiathos, The Peloponese(sp) and more...
My darling hubby decided that we should spend two more weeks exploring Turkey and so we did.
I would not re-do a thing!
Thanks for the great question.
Ahhh...
Oaktown Traveler
Wonderful travel question!
In a word: NOOOOOOOOOO...
Prior to our honeymoon we remember an exquisite 3 day wedding which was proceeded by a full year of pre-wedding parties!
[We started the parties with an elaborate Engagement Party, in the wine country, given my both sets of parents...followed that with a Co-Ed Wedding Shower hosted by both sets of sibblings...then had a Bridal Shower Tea hosted by fantastic women/colleagues in the business world...then my mom, aunts and sisters threw me a Bridal Shower Pool Party at the club for associates and other friends.
After these wedding showers came the Bachelorette Bashes...The first was a unbelievable Bachelorette Party in Lake Tahoe...the second was a over-the top Bachelorette Party in Las Vegas and we ended the year of parties with a WILD Bachelorette Party in the Greater Bay Area...]
I had a month before the wedding to be HOME and party free...the wedding was a full time job as was planning the honeymoon.
Our incredible honeymoon was as follows:
We got to our lovely hotel for the night at around 3:00am (numerous after-parties and we had to change our clothes, pick up our packed bags etc.)
One of my uncle's picked us and our 6(!) pieces of luggage up at 5:00am...We had to be at the SFO by 6:00am for our 8:00am flight.
We flew to Athens, Greece and slept for a few hours...I kept getting up and looking at the Acropolis from our balcony...
We then spent the next 4 magical and dream filled weeks in Athens, Santorini, Mykonos, Kronos, Corfu, Rhodes, Skiathos, The Peloponese(sp) and more...
My darling hubby decided that we should spend two more weeks exploring Turkey and so we did.
I would not re-do a thing!
Thanks for the great question.
Ahhh...
Oaktown Traveler
Mar 23rd, 2004, 02:01 PM
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We had a wonderful honeymoon, also. We went to DL, then to Las Vegas and then finally ended up for a week in San Diego at the Rancho Bernardo Inn which was wonderful!!
We also spent a few days on Coronado Island at the El Cordova Motel. Well, I guess staying at the Del would have been nice, but we were right across the street and used the beach there a lot!
AFter we were home for two weeks, we then spent another two weeks in Puerta Vallarta, Mexico in a hacienda right on the ocean. It was wonderful! We were with my husband's entire family and made some great memories there.
I do kind of regret the parasailing there, since I didn't know how to get back to shore and almost landed in the ocean. Was in tears when I finally landed, and very embarrassed. I married into a very adventurous family!
My in-laws are in Mexico City right now for a month and loving every minute of it! ***kim***
We also spent a few days on Coronado Island at the El Cordova Motel. Well, I guess staying at the Del would have been nice, but we were right across the street and used the beach there a lot!
AFter we were home for two weeks, we then spent another two weeks in Puerta Vallarta, Mexico in a hacienda right on the ocean. It was wonderful! We were with my husband's entire family and made some great memories there.
I do kind of regret the parasailing there, since I didn't know how to get back to shore and almost landed in the ocean. Was in tears when I finally landed, and very embarrassed. I married into a very adventurous family!
My in-laws are in Mexico City right now for a month and loving every minute of it! ***kim***
Mar 23rd, 2004, 02:49 PM
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I would change our location. We got married during the spring break season (our anniversary is this weekend!) and really wanted to go to Mexico-so to avoid the huge crowds and kids, we chose Hautulco on the Pacific coast. There were still many kids there (not college age, though, which may have been much much better) and the beach and activities were just not what I had hoped for. I've heard the other coast is a whole new ballgame. Oh well!
Mar 24th, 2004, 08:42 AM
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25 years ago we went to Disney World and had a ball chasing Mickey Mouse all over the place. Course we were pretty young then and hadn't traveled at all. We drove from Indiana and even took the wedding flowers with us - what dorks. But it was nice to get out of the snow for a few weeks. I wouldn't do it over again because it was a special time, and now we're planning trips back to Disney with the grandkids. But our special place is now Maui - where we just spent our 25th.
