Yvette Brown After months of stress, taking a honeymoon is a wonderful way to unwind, celebrate your marriage, and relax. When it comes time to plan your honeymoon, many couples find themselves asking “how long should our honeymoon last?”
The typical honeymoon will last between 7 and 9 days in 2022. The honeymoon week is extended by two days if the couple is traveling internationally.
Honeymoon
The custom of taking a honeymoon is as old as the institution of marriage itself. Although they are now viewed as romantic getaways, arranged marriages were the origin of the honeymoon.
Mead, an alcoholic beverage made with honey, was frequently given to newlyweds as early as the fifth century by guests. Mead was thought to be an aphrodisiac, intended to help the couple consummate their marriage and aid in the conception of a child.
Months were once calculated based on the phases of the moon. The term “honeymoon” comes from the custom of newlyweds drinking mead, an alcoholic beverage made from honey, during the first lunar month of their union.
The concept of traveling came later when couples would frequently travel together after the wedding to visit relatives who couldn’t attend the ceremony.
Things today have undergone significant change. Modern honeymoons are typically much shorter than a full month, and the happy couple will (hopefully) already be familiar with one another by the time they leave for their trip.
During this time, you celebrate your marriage rather than getting to know one another!
How Long Should Honeymoons Last
For most people, the average honeymoon lasts about seven days. Although there are no set guidelines, it is entirely up to you and your spouse how long your honeymoon should last.
While some couples choose to take 10- to 14-day trips, others choose to celebrate their honeymoon over a long weekend.
Seven days is a good middle ground for the typical honeymoon duration. Seven days is a good amount of time to spend on vacation without missing too much work or other activities back home.
You will need to consider factors such as your finances and work schedules before deciding how long you will be away. Some couples are fortunate enough to be able to take a few weeks off work to treat themselves to a dream getaway.
However, many couples can’t afford the time off or the costs associated with a long trip.
What To Consider When Planning Your Honeymoon
Destination
The length of your trip is greatly influenced by the honeymoon destination you prefer. If you will be traveling a great distance, you usually take a longer trip.
The cost of everything, including travel expenses, hotel stays, food, and activities, will depend on the destination. For financial reasons, a more affordable destination might necessitate a shorter trip.
Available Vacation Time
Even in cases of self-employment, the typical person has a set schedule for work. Prior to taking your honeymoon, be sure to take into account things like your paid vacation. Make the most of any extra time by checking the remaining amount of time.
Activities On The Trip
Unexpectedly, longer does not always equate to better. You don’t want to travel and then end up at your destination bored. With everything planned out before you leave, discuss the activities you want to partake in with your spouse. Even some of your activities can be reserved in advance.
Budget
Many aspects of your honeymoon will depend on your budget. Even though a month-long trip to Hawaii sounds lovely, most couples are unable to finance such an extended or expensive vacation.
As you select a location for your honeymoon and determine how long your trip will last, keep your budget in mind.
What Does A Honeymoon Cost
The average cost of a honeymoon is $4,600, according to an internal study of more than 15,000 couples who were married in 2021. This is in addition to the average cost of a wedding, which is $34,000 (including the engagement ring).
With 68% of couples planning a honeymoon in 2021, it is still one of the most common wedding-related events. Sixty-two percent left for their trip within two days of the reception, and 42% of all honeymoons lasted longer than a week.
However, mini-moons continue to be a popular vacation alternative. In place of or before the customary honeymoon, just under 20% of couples last year planned a shorter trip.
For several years, the average cost of a honeymoon had been rising. This price hike is a result of couples wanting to travel more extensively. More than ever, newlyweds are looking to book honeymoons in exotic locations with unusual activities.
Couples leaving the country for their honeymoon decreased slightly this year (41% compared to nearly 60% in 2019), but this is most likely because of COVID-related travel restrictions, which will be lifted in 2022.
However, with 52% of couples planning a tropical vacation, beach honeymoons continue to be the most common choice.
Honeymoon Alternatives
Before leaving for your honeymoon, you must carefully weigh all of your options. Working with a mini honeymoon might be an option if time and money are limited.
Essentially, this is a two- to three-day vacation. This will be less time-consuming and less expensive, especially if your work requires a lot of time.
As an alternative, you might decide to put off buying something a little longer while saving money for your wedding. In this manner, you will have more time to unwind and select a location that is suitable for you.
Honeymoons are very private occasions, just like weddings. You should feel free to make plans based on your preferences, fantasies, and what you and your new spouse find most appealing.
Final Thoughts
Don’t worry about inquiries like “How long is the typical honeymoon?” – your honeymoon is sure to be a great time because you spend it with someone you love! Enjoy the time as newlyweds by organizing a honeymoon that fits your unique circumstances.
