How Long is the Average Honeymoon?

After the whirlwind of stress associated with the wedding planning, some time to take a breath is a welcome idea. Your honeymoon is a great way to unwind, celebrate your marriage, and relax after months of stress.

When it comes time to plan your honeymoon, many couples find themselves asking “how long should our honeymoon last?”

It would be great to splurge and indulge in things that you don’t do on a regular basis. In today’s read, we will take you through everything you need to know about this special vacay, including the average duration it should take. 

How Long Should Honeymoons Be?

For most people, the average honeymoon lasts about seven days. However, there are no rules about how long your honeymoon should last, and it is completely up to you and your better half.

Some couples choose to celebrate their honeymoon over a long weekend, while others opt for trips that last 10-14 days.

The average length of a honeymoon, seven days, is a good middle ground. Seven days is long enough to enjoy your vacation, but not so long that you’re missing too much work or other events at home.

You will need to consider factors such as your finances and work schedules before deciding how long you will be away for. Some couples are lucky and can afford to take a few weeks off of work to splurge on a dream vacation. Many couples can’t afford the time off, or they simply can’t afford the expenses of a long trip, however.

How Long Should My Honeymoon Last?

Your honeymoon should be a fun celebration for yourself and your new spouse. Don’t stress about how long your honeymoon should be – instead, simply plan a trip that works for your life, budget, and work schedule.

 

What to Consider When Planning the Length of Your Honeymoon 

Not sure how long you should book your honeymoon for? Consider these factors while you plan your honeymoon.

Destination

Your preferred honeymoon destination goes a long way in determining the duration of your travels. If you will be traveling far, this usually means that you take a longer trip. Destination will also affect the cost of everything from travel costs to hotel accommodations to the cost of food and activities, so an expensive destination may call for a shorter trip for budgetary reasons. 

Available Vacation Time

For most people, work has a specific schedule, even in the case of self-employment. Be sure to consider factors such as your paid time off before you go for your honeymoon. Check how much time is available and make the best out of your extra time. 

Activities on the Trip

Surprisingly, longer does not necessarily mean better. You do not want to take a trip and find yourself bored at your destination. Talk about the activities you would want to indulge in with your spouse so that everything is all set before you leave. You can even book some of your activities in advance.

Budget

Your budget will determine a lot about your honeymoon. While a month-long Hawaiian vacation sounds lovely, most couples simply can’t afford that long or extravagant of a trip. Keep your budget in mind as you choose a honeymoon destination and as you choose how long your trip will last.

 

History of the Honeymoon

The tradition of going on a honeymoon is as old as that of marriage itself. While modern honeymoons are viewed as romantic getaways, their history goes back to the time of arranged marriages. 

As far back as the 5th century, newlywed couples were often given mead by guests, which is a honeyed alcohol. Mead was believed to be an aphrodisiac, meant to help the couple consummate the marriage and help with conception of a child. 

In olden times, months were measured by moon cycles. Newlyweds were meant to drink mead, a honey-based alcohol, for the first month, or moon, of their marriage, which gives us the term “honeymoon”.

The idea of traveling after the wedding came later, when couples would often travel together after the wedding to visit relatives who weren’t able to make it to the ceremony.

Today, things have changed considerably. Modern honeymoons are generally much shorter than a full month, and the happy couple (hopefully) already know one another pretty well by the time they go on their honeymoon. Instead of getting to know one another, this time is used to celebrate your marriage!

 

Honeymoon Alternatives

You will need to consider all your available options before you can set out for your honeymoon. If time and money are constraints, you could choose to work with a mini honeymoon.

This is basically a vacation that lasts for two to three days. This will be cheaper and it will not take so much of your time, especially if your work is demanding in terms of time.

Alternatively, you could choose to wait for a little bit longer, while saving up after all those wedding expenses. This way, you will have more time to relax and choose a destination that works best for you. Just like weddings, honeymoons are quite personal. Feel free to make plans based on your preferences, fantasies and what most appeals to you and your new spouse. 

 

Final Thoughts

Don’t stress about questions like “How long is the average honeymoon?” – your honeymoon is sure to be a great time because you spend it with someone you love! Plan a honeymoon that works for your specific situation and enjoy the time as newlyweds.