Friendmoon instead of a Honeymoon

After you and your other half exchange vows and share your first smooch as a married couple, the standard protocol is to soon be whisked away to a dreamy, private honeymoon. But you might want to reconsider the traditional honeymoon and opt for a friendmoon instead.

A friendmoon is a post-wedding trip that includes not only you and your boo but your closest friends and family too. Ex-spouses Jennifer Aniston and Justin Theroux were credited with taking the friendmoon mainstream after they invited several of their pals to their 2015 honeymoon (per Yahoo! Life). But even before the Jen and Justin wedding, the idea of transforming your honeymoon into a group activity was already taking off. Nearly one-third of travel agents reported an increase in couples planning to invite loved ones on their honeymoon.

Why you should go on a Friendmoon?

You may have long imagined going on a romantic getaway with your significant other to celebrate your wedding, but having friends or family tag along can make sense for several reasons. One of the simplest: the more honeymoon guests, the merrier. Newlyweds who love to socialize might prefer the fun, festive vibe that comes with sharing their honeymoon with their closest buddies.

Honeymoons can be expensive, and splitting travel costs with several people might make more financial sense for some couples. Guests who are already spending a pretty penny to attend a faraway wedding may also prefer to continue their travels even after the wedding is over. That way, they get the most bang for their buck.

Friends and family members who couldn’t make it to the wedding due to scheduling conflicts, a friendmoon is a way to make sure they’re included. If your friendmoon lasts, say, a week, they can drop in whenever they’re free, even if only for a couple of days.

How to plan a trip with friends?

Bringing your friends along on your honeymoon doesn’t mean you can’t savor wedded bliss with your partner. Choose a honeymoon destination that’s equal parts romance and entertainment. Limit the number of invitations you hand out.

For accommodations, a shared villa can be convenient and affordable if you don’t mind staying in close quarters, while separate hotel rooms allow for more privacy. Alternatively, a cruise strikes a balance between personal space.Book some group dinners and excursions in advance, but don’t forget to leave free time in between. This gives your friends an opportunity to explore or rest on their own. And, perhaps most importantly, it gives you and your other half time to connect as newlyweds.