Honeymoon

A honeymoon is a traditional vacation taken by newly married couples shortly after their wedding to celebrate the union and spend time together. It can be a domestic or international trip and often features a romantic destination and privacy.

The term honeymoon appears in English in the early modern period. Its components refer to sweetness and the lunar cycle, with legends linking honey wine or mead consumed during the first lunar month after a wedding.

Modern honeymoons vary in length from a few days to two weeks or more. Popular destinations include beach resorts, cities with cultural attractions, or nature retreats. The trip is often funded by the couple, sometimes with gifts from family as a wedding present; many couples plan a minimoon if immediate travel is not feasible or desirable.

Cultural variations exist. In some cultures the honeymoon is a private, couple-focused trip; in others families participate more in wedding-related travel. Some couples postpone the trip or integrate it with the wedding journey. Trends include destination weddings followed by honeymoons or inclusive packages that accommodate diverse relationships, including same-sex or non-traditional couples.