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Before fancy trips, there were fancy sips. Dating back to 5th century B.C., the term “honeymoon” has quite the literal origin. A newly married couple would simply wait for nightfall on the first full moon after their wedding, and sip mead from a shared cup. Mead is an ancient alcoholic beverage made by fermenting honey (a rare treat back then), water and yeast. This ritual was thought to encourage fertility and ensure a happy marriage.
It wasn’t until 19th century Britain that this tradition evolved to include a post-wedding vacation. Fast forward a few centuries, and we now have more moons than there are planets in our solar system. Minimoons, Maximoons, Buddymoons, Familymoons, Babymoons and Mysterymoons, to name a few.
Just think about the transformative power of the moon – giving us the tides, seasons, oxygen, and likely our very lives. Now compare that to the transformative power of a much-needed vacation. Life-changing.
Minimoons are great for couples who want to get through all the wedding planning and the “I do”s before planning their full-fledged honeymoon. A weekend getaway somewhere close to the reception is often the best choice, presenting the married couple with a chance to unwind and enjoy each other as newlyweds before jaunting off to a new continent. A local bed and breakfast inn makes for a nice respite from reality. Think of these as staycations with a twist: No cell phones or “new restaurants only” are fun ways to make a familiar place feel new again.
For those who really like getting out of their comfort zone, Maximoons fall on the other end of the spectrum. These are multi-month extravaganzas where couples embark on epic adventures such as backpacking across Europe, surfing around South America, snowboarding through Switzerland or even just eating their way across Asia, for example. *Fun fact, maximoon is also an astrological alternative to the term “supermoon” – which occurs when the moon comes super close to Earth during its orbit and thus appears larger and brighter.
For destination weddings, where the vows and the vacation are one in the same, a Buddymoon can make a lot of logistical sense. Bundling the wedding package with a group get-away for the wedding party is a great way to save money on accommodations and activities. With more couples living together before marriage, the idea of an intimate honeymoon may seem superfluous, so the Buddymoon is a great way to enjoy a vacation with friends you might not see very often.
It is also becoming more common for couples to start families before tying the knot, for a sundry of different reasons. Couples may have children from prior relationships that will now be considered a blended family. In these cases, newlyweds may swap the idea of a honeymoon in favor of a Familymoon, to celebrate their family’s journey and share the adventure with children. Resorts with babysitting services and activities for kids may be a good option here, so parents can still get some “off-duty” time to unwind together.
Contrary to what it may sound like, a Babymoon is not when a couple brings their newborn along for their vacation. Usually taken during the second trimester, a Babymoon offers a couple one last hurrah before it’s “Bottles & Diapers & Tears, Oh my!” The second trimester is the safest time to travel, and usually any morning sickness has subsided. Moms are also less fatigued during the second trimester, so getting around in a new place is less challenging, although some activities may be off-limits for obvious reasons. Taking time to connect away from baby-prepping is important, especially since there will be less time to do so once the new bundle of joy arrives.
For couples who might not have the time or energy to plan their much-needed vacation, a Mysterymoon is the perfect solution. Sort of a “surprise” honeymoon, this is when neither the bride nor groom has any clue where they are headed for their post-nuptial holiday. Many times they don’t find out until the very last minute. No, they are not blind-folded and stuffed in a trunk, but by using a third-party travel agency, they are kept in the dark about their destination, although usually they have given the agent a few ideas to choose from ahead of time. This way, they can take vacation planning off their plate and enjoy the element of the unknown.
For independent adventurers, a Solomoon can be just as rejuvenating as a couple’s retreat, sometimes even more so. Like some kind of romantic comedy mishap, a friend of mine once won a Sandals vacation in a company raffle, and her boyfriend had broken up with her the night before. Not wanting to pass up a free trip, she went by herself – and had the time of her life!
Afterall, life is shorter than we realize. It’s easy to add things to our Bucket Lists that wind up getting “left in cart” as the years tick by. Plan with purpose and celebrate those milestones. Don’t forget about Quartermoons (turning 25) and Halfmoons (turning 50). Okay, I may have made those up. 😉
Text by Emily K Alberts
Emily K. Alberts moonlights as a freelance writer.
