Lately there is a growing trend in weddings: the “mini-moon”. Wondering what a mini moon is? As the name suggests, a minimoon is a mini honeymoon, a short vacation usually lasting 1-4 days, followed by a longer honeymoon at a later date, usually within 6 months. For great tips on how to plan your own mini moon, read on.
Why a mini moon instead of a traditional honeymoon right after the wedding? There may be several reasons. A big one is financial. When the bride and groom are paying for their own wedding, when they have purchased everything from the food and liquor to jewelry wedding gifts, funds for a trip can be very limited. Most couples believe it’s better to allocate more to the wedding itself (after all, you’ll want to treat your bridesmaids like royalty by giving them fabulous wedding jewelry gifts!), than skimp on the main event to allocate more of your budget to a honeymoon trip. Hence, a mini-moon! A romantic getaway to enjoy while the newlywed shines bright, followed by a dream vacation after you’ve had time to save more money for a longer honeymoon.
Another reason to have a mini moon is time. In any profession, there are certain times of the year when it’s difficult to be away for an extended period of time. Not only that, but most brides and grooms end up missing work during the week leading up to their wedding, so vacation days can be scarce, making a short trip the best option. There may also be seasonal issues related to your dream honeymoon trip. Maybe you have planned a wedding in June, but you are dying to go to Oktoberfest for your wedding. Or maybe you and your fiance have a fall wedding, but you love the idea of going to a tropical island in the dead of winter when you really could use a getaway. Having a short mini-moon right after the wedding is a great way to get some alone time as newlyweds before diving back into the mundane of everyday things, but it allows you to have the vacation you really want. at a later time.
Since mini moons are by their very nature short, choosing a nearby destination makes a lot of sense. You don’t want to waste more of your valuable time on travel than is necessary. There will always be a romantic destination within walking distance of any wedding. Let’s say you’re planning an urban chic wedding in New York City. A fabulous minimoon would be a few days at Mohonk Mountain Resort, a relaxing Victorian retreat in the Hudson Valley, just 90 miles north of the city. Take a stroll through the beautiful scenery, relax in the rocking chairs on the front porch of the grand hotel, or work off the wedding stress at the spa. Another idea would be to visit a cozy bed and breakfast in your part of the country.
Festivals and events also make great mini-moons. Maybe you’ve always wanted to go to the Newport Jazz Festival in Rhode Island or the hot air balloon show in Albuquerque. This specific type of long weekend adventure would be perfect for a mini moon. If your time is really short, skip traveling altogether and book two nights at the most luxurious hotel in your city. Enjoy your first nights as husband and wife reveling in a glorious hotel and dining in fancy restaurants. It’s a great way to spend some quality time alone after the hustle and bustle of a wedding, and every couple deserves the star treatment when they’re newlyweds!
