So As with the wedding itself, it is advisable to plan well in advance for the honeymoon. Germany’s largest tour operator TUI, for example, recommends at least six months’ notice.
This not only has to do with the early bird discounts, which are usually available for bookings with a long advance notice, but also with the availability on site – special honeymoon suites in hotels, for example, which are offered at reduced prices for newlyweds, could otherwise be available on site Your dream vacation destination may already be gone.
What the bridal discount is all about
Regardless of whether you book through an organizer or request your hotel yourself: couples should make it clear that they will be newlyweds on the trip. Some hotels offer “bride discounts”. These can be discounts of up to 50 percent of the room price, says Jörn Krausser, director for the Indian Ocean region at DER Touristik (including Dertour, Meiers Weltreisen).
Sometimes there are also honeymoon gifts on site – be it a candlelight dinner or massages. For others, “only” a bottle of sparkling wine is included in the price as a goodie, says Krausser.
According to TUI, most of the specials are offered by hotels in Mauritius, the Maldives and the Seychelles, which are among the classic but also high-priced honeymoon destinations.
How long after the wedding you get the discount
Depending on the hotel and country, the waiting periods differ until which date after the wedding such discounts and special honeymoon offers are granted, according to the Munich organizer FTI.
Some only offer it three to six months after the wedding, others up to twelve months. This is interesting for everyone who doesn’t want to get married immediately after saying yes.
Important: If you take advantage of a bridal discount, you should pack a copy of the wedding certificate. This allows the bride and groom to identify themselves as such when checking in, says Krausser. It may well happen that the hoteliers ask about it.
What tips do travel organizers have?
According to TUI, popular honeymoon destinations are often romantic beach destinations such as the Maldives, Mauritius, the Seychelles, Bali and countries in the Caribbean. Cities like Paris and Venice or the Greek Cyclades island of Santorini are also in high demand.
The tour operator also recommends Bora-Bora in French Polynesia – another option for those who want a dream beach vacation for their honeymoon. Water bungalows and turquoise lagoons await here. And the mountainous region of Sa Pa in Vietnam is perfect for couples who like trekking and exploring mountain villages.
FTI brings Cyprus into play as a European destination. Thanks to mild temperatures all year round, the Mediterranean island is a good choice for a honeymoon even in winter. A large number of hotels here specialize in wedding celebrations and travel.
Petra Gollan-Riedel from honeymoon specialist Honeymoon Travel highlights Mauritius as a classic honeymoon destination: “It’s not a bargain destination for the general public,” she explains. “The local hoteliers are vying for holidaymakers who fly in.” They are particularly targeting honeymooners. “Also because they are extremely pleasant guests that you enjoy having in your house.” That’s why, among other things, so many hotels there offer specials.
But even discounts don’t change the fact that you have to be able to afford Mauritius. Jörn Krausser from DER Touristik has a price tip ready: If it suits the couple’s schedule, you could spend your honeymoon between June and August on the west coast of the island. “This period is part of the low season in Mauritius, as it is winter time there – so the prices are relatively cheap.” The weather during this time on the west coast could still be considered summery.
It is generally advisable to focus on the off-seasons when you don’t want to put as much strain on your wallet. In addition to our summer for the islands in the Indian Ocean, FTI mentions the European spring season for destinations in the Caribbean as another option.
Possible alternatives to a long-distance trip
Of course, it doesn’t always have to be far away. Newlywed couples have every option to spend their honeymoon nearby – whether on the coast, in the mountains, in an exciting European city or simply in a romantic country hotel almost around the corner.
In fact, long-distance honeymoon trips are still “very popular,” according to FTI. Even in times of climate crisis, when such trips are viewed critically by more and more people.
“Climate concerns play less of a role on a honeymoon,” says Petra Gollan-Riedel. Honeymoon Travel has no serious concerns about demand, even though it specializes in long-distance travel. She explains this with the special type of honeymoon. “For many people, this is something you only do once in your life.”
However, the expert notes: “We notice that people often stay longer when they go on a long-distance trip.” From a climate protection perspective, it ultimately makes more sense to fly far away for a longer period of time than for several short trips. And who has anything against a particularly extended honeymoon?
Getting married on vacation is possible in many countries
If you don’t want to go on vacation until after the wedding, you can also get married on a trip. In fact, in many countries it is legally possible to tie the knot. “Then you get a certified wedding certificate in the country in question, which you can use to go to your local registration office and have it registered,” says Petra Gollan-Riedel from Honeymoon Travel. This is all doable, but of course involves paperwork.
Copies of passports and birth certificates, translated divorce papers if necessary – you should make sure you have all the necessary documents you need for the wedding in your holiday destination. You or the tour operator who organizes everything usually has to submit it in advance and register the wedding. Couples should take care of documents and formalities well in advance, advises Gollan-Riedel. Honeymoon Travel does something like this for customers within the appropriate deadlines.
The portfolio of countries where legally recognized weddings are possible is large. But some states failed. An example is the Maldives as a Muslim country. Things aren’t that easy in Bali either, as both partners have to belong to the church and the same denomination. What, on the other hand, is never a problem: Hold a wedding ceremony at your holiday destination and say your vows (again) symbolically but not legally.