Tips For Planning A Honeymoon

Thinking of Booking Your Honeymoon? Behold Top Tips For Planning A Honeymoon. Here’s What You Really Need to Know (from an Award-Winning Honeymoon Specialist)

When I sat down to chat with Susan Ryan, a multi-award-winning Honeymoon Specialist and Travel Counsellor, I knew I was in for a proper education. Planning a honeymoon might sound dreamy in theory, but as someone who’s been through it myself, I vividly remember the overwhelm — endless scrolling on booking.com, constantly second-guessing if I was missing out on something better (or cheaper), and wondering if I was doing it right.

And that’s the thing…honeymoons aren’t always as straightforward as booking a quick trip to the sun. According to Susan, it’s not about overcomplicating things, it’s about making decisions that are tailored to you as a couple.

Tips For Planning A Honeymoon

• Start with What’s Important to You Both

The first thing Susan advises is to focus less on the destination and more on your shared priorities.

“Ask yourselves, do you want to travel around and explore, or relax in luxury?” she says. “Maybe one of you wants to sip cocktails by the pool while the other’s itching to hike volcanoes. There’s no reason you can’t combine both.”

It’s about finding that sweet spot between adventure and downtime…a balance many couples don’t realise they can achieve in one trip.

Conrad Maldives

• There’s No Right or Wrong Time to Go

Gone are the days of dashing to the airport the day after the wedding. According to Susan, more and more couples are delaying their honeymoon and that’s completely fine.

“Some go a few days after, others wait a few months or even until the following year. What matters is your budget, the time you have, and the season you’re travelling in,” she explains.

If you’re booking a multi-stop trip? Pay attention to the weather in each destination.

“One common mistake is combining New York and the Caribbean in January,” Susan notes. “Sure, it’s perfect timing for the Caribbean, but it’s the middle of winter in New York. You’d have to pack for both seasons. Something like Las Vegas or Miami works much better for a stopover that time of year.”

• Planning Early = More Value & Better Options

We all love a good deal, but Susan explains that waiting for last-minute magic might not be the smartest move when it comes to honeymoons.

“Long-haul airlines usually release seats around 10 months in advance, and cruises can go on sale up to two years out. The earlier you book, the more options you have in flights, upgrades, deals and you can spread the cost over time.”

And when it comes to five-star destinations like the Maldives?

“You can split your stay between a beach villa and a water villa to save money, or choose a speedboat transfer instead of a seaplane,” Susan adds. “In cities like Cape Town or New York, pay for location rather than views and save the big splurge for a beach resort in Mauritius or Mexico at the end.”

• Don’t Overpack Your Itinerary: Literally or Figuratively

Many couples (especially those heading to far-flung places) want to tick off as much as possible. But Susan recommends factoring in downtime.

“Take into account jetlag, internal flights, and travel time. You don’t want to come home more exhausted than when you left,” she warns. “Try to stay a few nights in the same place at the beginning and end of your trip to reset.”

• Paperwork Pitfalls: Watch the Details

This is a biggie… passports, visas, vaccines, travel insurance….it’s all important.

“Most countries need six months’ validity on your passport,” Susan says. “And if you’re changing your name after the wedding, make sure the name on your booking and passport match.”

Also? Double-check what’s included in your travel insurance.

“If you’re skiing, make sure winter sports are covered. If you’re cruising, you’ll want cruise connection cover too.” (Ohhhh that’s a good one!)

Why Book with a Honeymoon Specialist?

Of course, some honeymoons can be self-booked if it’s a simple getaway. But when there’s multiple stops, different climates, visa rules, or you just don’t have the headspace?

“Booking with a licensed and bonded travel agent like myself gives couples peace of mind,” Susan says. “I’m independent, which means I’m not tied to any supplier so I can tailor your trip based on what you want, not what I need to sell.”

Susan always starts with a call to figure out what matters most, and from there, builds out a honeymoon that’s designed for you as a couple not just as a pair of passengers.

Whether you’re dreaming of Bora Bora or a big-city-and-beach mix, there’s no one-size-fits-all approach. What Susan makes clear is that honeymoon planning is as much about peace of mind as it is palm trees. Take your time, ask the right questions, and lean on people who know what they’re doing.

Because when it’s all said and done, the honeymoon isn’t just the holiday, it’s the first chapter of your new married life. (Pure cheese!)

Check out Susan Ryan recommended supplier feature here and for more, you can listen back to my episode with her on my Podcast.

Susan Ryan Honeymoon Specialist