The Honeymoon

The honeymoon is when a couple goes on vacation together following marriage. It’s a time to relax and bond, especially after spending a lot of time planning showers and engagement parties leading up to the wedding planning, there is so much to do, and can be stressful at times.

There are many stories relating to where the honeymoon tradition started, and one of the first mentions of the honeymoon was in a 1546 love poem by John Heywood, a British writer of plays and poems. He used the phrase “it was yet but hony moone” – spelled differently until 1804 when the first mention of the word honeymoon as we know it today was published in an English newspaper. The newspaper read that a young couple went down to Margate in the south of England to spend their honeymoon in style. So, in the early 19th century in the western world, the custom of newlywed couples going on holidays began.

The honeymoon phase is when the newly-married couple is still on a very emotional high that could last for a few months or a few years. As the marriage progresses, some of the feelings that were present during the earlier days are not as strong. This doesn’t mean you are no longer in love; it just means you’re going through another phase. After a wedding, early 19th century upper-class couples would take long visits to their relatives who could not attend the wedding, called the bridal visit. A Scandinavian honeymoon tradition is when the bride and groom drink fermented honey for the first month after marriage to increase the chances of becoming pregnant. The word “honey” is explained as a sweet period, and moon, because it takes a month for the new moon to wane. Some may consider the month following a marriage to be the honeymoon.

Today’s honeymooners have lots of choices depending on their budget. There are all-inclusive vacations on a sandy white beach, which can appeal to the adventurous with activities such as deep-sea diving, zip-lining and white-water rafting. On the other hand, there are package vacations to Europe, Greece, Italy, Spain or the U.K. Others may prefer an African Safari, perhaps? Whichever one you choose, just remember to get the proper travel information in regards to food, water, and cell phones for the countries you plan on visiting, as you may need vaccinations. It may be helpful to consult a local travel agent, who will have all the up-to-date information you will need.

Not all couples take a honeymoon out of town, many may prefer to put the money towards a new house, new furniture or simply to save it for a rainy day. After all, there are lots of things to do close to home! Some ideas for a fun day trip include picnics in the park, a spa day, or a trip to the winery.

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