Though the idea of spending the week after your wedding exploring Mayan ruins, eating real Italian pizza, or lounging in the Caribbean is fantasy worthy, for many newlyweds the reality is that such extravagant (and expensive) honeymoons just aren't possible. But fortunately, there's still plenty of just-married fun to be had without a plane ticket or months of planning. To see my ideas for honeymooning at home please read more.
- Probably the most obvious possibility is to plan a weekend away that doesn't involve an airport or a $400 per night hotel room. Keep your driving distance to no more than half a day to cut down on extra costs and give you the most time possible to enjoy your time away.
- A great play on the weekend away, but even less demanding, is a simple day trip to a nearby locale. Try a big city adventure, a low-key romp through a small town, or find a nearby lake you can spend some hours sunning on the shore.
- Pack up the car, make a few playlists on your iPod, and hit the open highway — or better yet, the back roads! An old-fashioned road trip can mean serious fun. Come up with a general itinerary, but don't let a schedule dictate your trip. To keep things truly authentic and conveniently cheap, eat at local spots and stay at roadside motels.
- If you really can't take time off or just don't have any extra funds, take turns doing something special for each other each day for a week. It can be a homemade meal, a thoughtful card, or just doing all the cleaning while the other relaxes on the couch. Not only is it a great way to show each other how much you care, but it's also a great pattern to get into at the beginning of a marriage.
- Or, just stay in the comfort of your own home, but make it count! Rent all the movies you've been wanting to see, order you favorite take-out food, and pick up a bottle of massage oil. For a few days, make it just about relaxing and spending time with each other.
Most importantly, just make sure the days after your wedding are a chance to celebrate your newlywed status!
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I know from experience that most people will give you money for a wedding present. Take that money and do something fun. If you don't go now you never will, I've seen that happen a lot. You can do things that aren't too expensive but you really should get away even if it's only for a few days. You deserve it after all the wedding planning and stress. Take a few days off from work and go somewhere pretty close by. Go to a cheaper (but still nice) hotel and relax. Do something you've always wanted to do but never did before. That will give you lasting memories of your honeymoon.
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