Where To Go? What To Do?

Dear YOU + ME*,

I recently got engaged and my fiance and I are trying to plan the wedding in six short months. We've gotten all the big decisions out of the way (date, location, photographer, caterer), but we haven't thought about the honeymoon AT ALL. His parents have generously offered to supplement our honeymoon budget as a wedding gift, which means we could really plan an amazing trip. The only problem is we're paralyzed with indecision; we have absolutely no idea where we want to go or what we want to do. If we can't commit to something we're going to spend our honeymoon sitting in our tiny New York apartment. Please help!

Thanks,
J.

Zoe's Camp, Tanzania

Dear J.,

First of all, congratulations on your engagement! It sounds like you two have been up to your eyeballs in all things nuptial as of late, so spending a little time focusing on your honeymoon might feel like a real treat. 

Post Ranch Inn, Big Sur

The honeymoon gets a lot of build up. Yes, this is your first trip as a Mr. and Mrs., but it is not the be all end all trip of your lifetime together. At least I hope not because you deserve something to look forward to once you settle back into normal life. In fact, I (Elisabeth) can tell you a thing or two about having something to look forward to because my hubby and I took our honeymoon in April . . . three and a half years after we got married.

Auberge de Soleil, Napa Valley

A lot of researching and pondering can happen over three and a half years, so let me spare you some time and share what I learned. It's all about taking the trip that is perfectly suited to you as a couple at this moment in time. Do you find yourselves experiencing a rare confluence of time and money that leaves you considering a luxury train ride through India? Do it, even though it's not typical honeymoon fare (just give yourselves a couple days to sleep in before hopping on a plane, ok?). Do you feel tempted to visit your absolute favorite vacation spot, even though you've been there a million times together or with your families? Book those tickets now. Do you just want to lounge on a beach and have someone serve you cocktails without engaging in even the teensiest bit of sightseeing? You have my permission.

Alila Villas Uluwatu, Bali

Here's the fun part. You and your hubby to be have an assignment: set aside a whole night, pop open a bottle of champagne, have some nibbles ready (because planning a vacation will give you the munchies), and make sure you each have paper and a pencil. Now each of you should make a list of what pops in your head when you think about your favorite trips together, on your own, and in your dreams. It can have adjectives, places, activities, foods, feelings, etc. When you both slow down with the list making, it's time to compare notes. I can guarantee there will be some similarities seeing as how you two have enough in common to commit your lives to one another. For instance, I know based on years of vacations that my husband and I overlap on long runs, good wine, a natural rather than urban environment, and leisurely meals. Sure, we've taken plenty of fun vacations without those things, but that combination tends to make us both extremely happy (and who wouldn't want to be extremely happy on their honeymoon?). This process works just as well anytime you're planning a trip with the goal of making sure all the travelers have a good experience.

One and Only Palmilla, Mexico

If you go through this whole process and you still find yourselves stuck, take a look at some of this vacation eye candy. They are a combination of places that we've saved because they look intriguing, places we've been, or places that come extremely highly recommended to us by people we trust. They're not exactly budget friendly destinations, but sometimes starting with a pie in the sky vision can help you hone in on what you're really looking for. If you hit a wall, please email us for some more personalized advice. We have lots of it when it comes to travel.

xo,
ME*

p.s. If you, dear readers, have a question you'd like us to tackle, drop us a line at hello{at}youplusmestyling{dot}com.