Honeymoons seem like an antiquated concept in 2023 – a holdover from an age when weddings signalled the first time a couple spent time alone together. Obviously, that’s not how modern relationships work. Still, you can’t throw the proverbial baby out with the bathwater. Honeymoons might not serve the same function today, but they’re still a fantastic excuse to get out into the world, celebrate your love for another person and unwind after a wild wedding.
Like any trip, it pays to strike a fine balance between preparation and spontaneity. You want to pack smartly enough and plan meticulously enough that you aren’t stranded outside a “no vacancies” hotel, sweating through your shirt. At the same time, you don’t really want to plan the trip to death; there have to be small surprises along the way.
Let’s strike that balance together. In this post, we tackle how to honeymoon in style: top destinations depending on your mood, advice for the best travel clothing, tips for elevating your honeymoon experience and more. Here’s everything you can do after saying “I do.”
First, let’s make a short case for why you should honeymoon. Some couples are justifiably burnt out after a wedding. Their energy levels – not to mention their bank accounts – are depleted. But a honeymoon is more than just a hollow tradition. Here are a few reasons to take your love on the go:
As if you needed convincing, those are our best reasons for honeymooning. Now, let’s tackle the how and where portions of our guide. Next stop, your honeymoon destination.
Truthfully, it depends on what you want from a honeymoon. No two couples are alike. Similarly, no two honeymoons should be alike. Don’t go for the stereotypical destination just because you feel like you should. Sure, you might ultimately choose Paris or Venice, but choose it because it’s right for you.
In this section, we break down our top honeymoon destinations by “genre”: relaxation, adventure and romance. If you don’t find your exact destination below, hopefully this list at least sparks the right kind of brainstorming.
Most couples opt for warm travel destinations, which makes perfect sense. As mentioned, weddings can tax your emotional, physical and mental capacity. At the end of it all, you might just want a warm breeze, white sand and a cold drink.
Here are a few of our favourite spots:
If you’re heading into the heat, check out Unbound’s comfortable travel pants for men or leggings for women (covered in the packing section of the article).
Credit: ramann Via Freepik
Then again, some couples don’t miss an opportunity for adventure. Some couples’ idea of a restorative vacation involves scaling mountains, hiking trails or urban adventuring. If you’re not the “sit idly by the beach” type, consider these adventure-forward destinations:
Most of the natural destinations above stay relatively chilly throughout the year, so pack those men's travel hoodies and long sleeve shirts for women.
Then, there are couples who don’t want the lackadaisical beaches or natural wonders. They want romance – pure, uncut romance. What exactly constitutes a “romantic” destination is subjective, mostly dependent on your personal notions of passion and intrigue. Still, here are some solid choices for a romantic honeymoon getaway:
This is an incomplete list, obviously. If you can think of an ultra-romantic destination we didn’t cover above – perhaps somewhere you went on honeymoon – share it in the comments section below.
It doesn’t matter if you’re scaling the Rocky Mountains or lounging on a Mexican beach – you should be comfortable on your honeymoon. You shouldn’t feel sweaty, smelly, sticky or otherwise uncomfortable. A honeymoon is a significant moment in your life, immortalized in pictures and enjoyed in memories. For most people, it’s also a rare foray into the luxurious life.
Below, let’s explore how to pack for a comfortable honeymoon, how to (hopefully) upgrade to first-class, and how to vie for free stuff on your honeymoon.
Credit: sorapop Via Freepik
As mentioned, we need you comfortable. We also want to ensure that you look classy enough for at least a couple of fancy dinners on the town. The goldilocks option is Unbound Merino’s line of minimal travel clothing.
Our clothes are sleek enough for a cocktail bar, soft enough for a day spent in bed, insulating enough for a mountain trek and breathable enough for a sweltering beach day. We built them for versatility. Crucially, merino wool stays fresh and wrinkle-resistant despite sweat and transit. Because merino wool is naturally antibacterial, it actively resists odours – so you never feel less than sexy on your honeymoon.
Men only need a couple of Unbound tees, a couple pairs of underwear and socks, and maybe a hoodie (depending on the weather). Women can pack a couple of our merino crew neck tees, women's merino wool leggings, and maybe a mock neck long-sleeve for nights out.
Aside from Unbound Merino, pack sun-safe gear for a warm weather destination; sunburns put a damper on a romantic getaway. Or pack a warm outer layer like a down jacket or rain shell for colder spots. If you have room, pack one utilitarian pair of footwear (like sneakers, flats, loafers or sandals) and a slightly upmarket option for fancy excursions.
Finally, we’ll leave the electronics up to you. Some couples like to unplug for their romantic vacation. Others can’t fathom being far from social media and streaming sites. Talk it over with your significant other to decide what’s best – it might be the first of many compromises in your marriage!
Long gone are the days when you could surreptitiously tell a gate attendant that it’s your honeymoon and expect a first-class upgrade. Some airlines consider it a punishable offense for attendants to upgrade passengers for “personal” reasons. So, don’t expect preferential treatment – even if you flash your new wedding ring.
However, you can eke through to first class a couple of other ways. If you have some lead time before your big trip, consider stockpiling points on your credit card or Air Miles. Put every single wedding expense on your card; the thousands of dollars you spend on catering, photography, flowers, etc., should earn you enough points for an upgrade.
If you’re short on points (or your card doesn’t feature a rewards structure), you can sometimes upgrade to first class with patience. When airlines overbook a flight, they ask for volunteers to delay their flight. Often (though not always), they reward those volunteers with a business class upgrade. Depending on the flight length, it can be worth delaying your trip by a few hours longer to live in luxury for eight-plus hours.
You should never expect free stuff on your honeymoon. But when it happens, it’s a beautiful perk. The key here is to be brazen about telling people it’s your honeymoon. If you book a hotel over the phone, tell them it’s your honeymoon. When you reserve a table for dinner, let them know the occasion. When you get gelato, tacos, cocktails or surf lessons – tell them it’s your honeymoon. At worst, they’ll smile and congratulate you. At best, you’ll enjoy a few special upgrades befitting your special trip.
Wedding season is fast approaching, which means that honeymoon season isn’t far behind. Plan your post-wedding jaunt soon, and stockpile your merino wool travel clothing for a comforting first trip together.