Book your honeymoon: The complete guide to your wedding trip

For many people, booking a honeymoon is the highlight of the whole wedding planning process. It’s your first time as a married couple and a memory to last a lifetime, but with thousands of destinations and booking options, it can feel overwhelming.

How do you strike the right balance between budget, romance and adventure? In this guide, we’ll go through everything you need to know to book your honeymoon the right way – from timing to hidden costs.

When should you book your honeymoon?

Timing is everything when it comes to travel. To get the best price and ensure that your dream hotel is available, you should plan to book your honeymoon around 6 to 9 months before departure.

FLIGHTS: Prices are often at their lowest when tickets go on sale (usually 11 months in advance).

HOTELS: Popular wedding suites get booked up quickly, especially during peak season.

LAST MINUTE: If you’re feeling brave, you can wait, but when it comes to a honeymoon, most people want the peace of mind that comes from having everything sorted well in advance.

Set a budget for your honeymoon

Before you start looking at luxury resorts in the Maldives, it’s important to know what you’re working with. When booking your honeymoon, your budget should cover more than just flights and accommodation:

1. TRANSPORT: Transfers to and from the airport, hire car or local trains.
2. FOOD & DRINK: If you’re not opting for all-inclusive, allow for a daily budget for dining out.
3. ACTIVITIES: Excursions, spa treatments and romantic dinners.
4. HIDDEN COSTS: Tips, visa fees and travel insurance.

Package holiday or book your honeymoon independently?

There are advantages to both ways of booking your honeymoon.

• TRAVEL AGENCY/PAKKAGE HOLIDAY: Offers great peace of mind and you’re covered by the Package Travel Act. If there are any issues with your flight, it’s the travel agency’s responsibility to help you.
• BOOKING IT YOURSELF: Gives you complete freedom to combine different hotels and destinations. It requires more research but can often work out cheaper and be more personalised.

Practical checklist before you book

PASSPORT VALIDITY: Many countries require your passport to be valid for at least 6 months after your return.

NAME CHANGE: If you change your surname upon marriage, bear in mind that the name on your ticket must match the name in the passport you are travelling with. Many people choose to travel under their old name to avoid the hassle of getting a new passport straight away. Read more about the rules regarding passports and name changes on the Police website.

VACCINATIONS: Check well in advance whether your destination requires any specific vaccinations.

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