There’s hardly anything more nerve-wracking and daunting than planning your big day. Organising a wedding involves making impossible decisions, from the reception venue all the way down to the flavour of your cake. It may seem like light years away, but soon, the stress of wedding planning will all come to an end, and you and your partner can simply enjoy each other’s company in peace.
But hold up! Before you let out sighs of sweet relief, don’t forget about what comes next — your honeymoon! What better way to celebrate your marriage than to go on the sweetest holiday of your lives? Need a little help choosing your honeymoon destination? Read on to discover how these newlyweds made the important decision on where to spend the start of their brand-new lives together!
Anton and Isabel Barandiaran — Southeast Asia and South Korea
When did you go on your honeymoon?
Isabel: 26 April to 10 May, 2019. I’m a preschool teacher, so I had to wait till our school year ended before we could go on our honeymoon!
What made you decide to go around these countries for your honeymoon?
Isabel: We actually couldn’t decide on just one country. We also considered others — Euro trip, US, New Zealand, etc. After much thought, we decided to go around Southeast Asia and South Korea. I’ve always wanted to explore Cambodia, and so we went from there. We ended up booking flights to Taiwan, Malaysia, Cambodia, Bangkok, and then to South Korea as our final stop (I’m a K-Drama fan, plus my husband and I love Korean food!).
What other honeymoon destinations did you consider?
Isabel: We were open to going anywhere around the world, actually! But then, after all the expenses from our wedding, we decided to go for a cheaper alternative, so we ended up choosing countries nearby. We got to save on the airfare and we enjoyed every new country we visited.
What was the most romantic place you visited on your trip?
Isabel: I think we had great experiences in all the countries we went to, so it’s difficult to choose just one. There’s just something about exploring new places with your special person that amplifies romance and happy feelings. Can’t help but feel kilig just getting lost together and not caring about anyone else but each other, even if it’s just for a couple of weeks. So cheesy but accurate!
What was the main thing you wanted to experience during your honeymoon?
Isabel: What we wanted for our honeymoon was mainly to immerse ourselves in different cultures in Asia, to spend quality time exploring different places, to drink local beers, and to eat our hearts out in each destination!
How long did it take to prepare for your vacation?
Isabel: It took less than a month to put everything together. My husband did all the work booking our flights and accommodations online.
What tips do you have for newlyweds who plan to go on a Southeast Asian tour for their honeymoon, too?
Isabel: Go without any expectations. Have an open mind and just go with the flow. Having a strict itinerary will only stress you out — we didn’t have any! We went to each country with no plans. We just went with it, looked up places, and asked around about what we could do. In the end, we had no regrets.
Around how much did you budget for your trip?
Isabel: We didn’t have a budget but ended up with great deals from online booking sites. We spent about ₱150-200k all in all — airfare, accommodations, food, local attractions, and a little shopping here and there.
Also read: Travelling Without An Itinerary — Here’s How to Do It!
Angelo and Christa Cuyegkeng — Europe
When did you go on your honeymoon?
Christa: We went on our honeymoon in September 2018, about three months after we got married.
Why did you choose Europe as your honeymoon destination?
Christa: I’d been to Europe a few times, so has my husband, and we both enjoyed our individual experiences. I always missed him and thought of him while travelling, so we knew we wanted to see Europe again together. We went to Paris, Lisbon, and Rome.
What other destinations did you consider travelling to?
Christa: We were mostly deciding between a Euro trip and a coast-to-coast US trip, but the Euro trip was less geographically challenging, and we felt there was more we could see.
What was the most romantic place you visited on your trip?
Christa: I guess what really made the places romantic was each other’s company. We’d both been to some of those places before, but being together made us see them in a new light.
It’s cheesy and cliché, but I loved our first night in Paris, watching the Eiffel Tower light up from the Trocadero. We just had an eclair to share and sat on a bench overlooking the manicured lawn and the Eiffel Tower. It was really nice.
In Lisbon, we took a completely spontaneous beach trip just outside the city, with just a beach blanket, a few bottles of cider and soda, and some chips. We watched the sunset and it was really lovely.
What was the main thing you wanted to experience during your honeymoon?
Christa: It was our first time to travel together, just the two of us, so it set the tone for adventure. We didn’t really pursue a lot of tourist destinations, since they were familiar cities. We just wanted new experiences together.
How long did it take to prepare for your trip?
Christa: We started planning our vacation maybe six months before the actual trip. We were on the lookout for reasonably priced airfare, and booking far in advance usually means the going rate for accommodations is lower. It also gave us time to apply for our visas, change a few bookings, etc. It was a nice daydream amidst wedding planning.
What tips do you have for newlyweds with the same honeymoon destination in mind?
Christa: Look for reasonable plane fare. There are lots of travel fairs from December to February. Align your travel goals as a couple — do you want to see as many sights and cities as possible in a limited amount of time? Or, do you want to relax and go at a much slower pace? Maybe avoid going to too many tourist attractions — prioritise what you want to see.
Around how much did you budget for your honeymoon?
Christa: Planning far in advance helps with the budget. We paid off the airfare before the wedding. That being said, I think we spent about ₱100k total on airfare (Manila to Paris, Paris to Lisbon, Lisbon to Rome, Rome to Manila).
The expense for accommodations is also variable. You can splurge or save accordingly, but we felt spending €50 to €65 ( ₱2,825 to ₱3,670) was reasonable if the location was convenient, the place had an elevator, and the room had its own bathroom. Look carefully at cleaning fees for Airbnbs, because sometimes it comes out about as much as a hotel.
Then, we set a ceiling budget of €100 (₱5,6530) per person per day for food, transportation, shopping, entrance fees, and pasalubong. We didn’t usually spend that much in a day though, and we kept track of our expenses on a shared spreadsheet. We also had some USD on hand for emergencies, but we didn’t end up using it.
Also read: 20 Budget Destinations in Europe in 2020
Rykee and Raisa Rodriguez — Puerto Princesa, Palawan
When did you go on your honeymoon?
Rykee: We went on our honeymoon in Puerto Princesa 10 days after our wedding.
What made you choose Puerto Princesa for your honeymoon?
Rykee: We wanted to travel somewhere that was sustainably developed for tourists. Palawan’s a really stress-free destination because the tours and other activities are already pre-set (you don’t even need an itinerary) care of the local government, and you can tell they have eco-friendliness and sustainability in mind. Raisa isn’t the swimming or diving or trekking type, so Coron wasn’t her cup of tea. She’d been to El Nido already, so Puerto Princesa was next for us.
What other honeymoon destinations did you think about?
Rykee: We wanted some place in the Philippines, so it was either Bohol or Palawan.
What was the most romantic place you went to on your trip?
Rykee: Firefly watching in Iwahig River. The trip to get there wasn’t so romantic, but when we paddled out and saw the stars and fireflies and bioluminescent plankton in the water, it was pretty worth it.
What was the main thing you wanted to experience during your honeymoon?
Rykee: We literally just wanted a place that was hassle-free and inexpensive. At the same time, we didn’t want to put any thought into planning; we wanted everything there and ready. We literally booked our tickets, a place, and that was it.
All the tours, we could book the night before and they had meals included, and our place was perfect for a staycation. And then we just asked around for local recommendations when we wanted to try something different. We had a trip planned abroad to Korea by that time also, so we weren’t too worried about picking a touristy destination. Our honeymoon was more of a stress detox.
How long did it take to prepare for your vacation?
Rykee: We booked the ticket and place in one night a few months before our wedding. The night of our flight out is when we packed.
What tips do you have for newlyweds with the same honeymoon destination in mind?
Rykee: It’s actually pretty easy to go to Palawan nowadays. You can’t go wrong because it’s already been developed and they really cater to tourists. Just take a look at the pre-set tours, and you can flesh out an activity-filled vacation just like that.
Around how much did you budget for your trip?
Rykee: We only spent ₱25k for four days and three nights, and that was with practically unli-food and all the tours and our tickets.
Arlo and Rai Madrid — Honolulu, Waikiki
When did you go on your honeymoon?
Arlo: We went the day after we got married.
What made you decide on Hawaii as your honeymoon destination?
Arlo: Both Rai and I love the beach, and Hawaii was a honeymoon destination we both have always had in mind.
What other destinations did you consider?
Arlo: We considered touring the mainland (US) or Europe, but we decided on going to Hawaii just so we wouldn’t feel the need to tour around so much, and so that we could just sit back and enjoy.
What was the most romantic place you went to on your trip?
Arlo: I wouldn’t call it romantic, but our favourite spot was the umbrella and beach bed at Waikiki, which we would wake up early for and rent (because they run out fast, especially the ones in the front) the entire day.
What was the main thing you wanted to experience during your honeymoon?
Arlo: Our goal was to be able to just sit back and relax the entire time without having to think so much about our itinerary.
How long did it take to prepare for your trip?
Arlo: It took us about two weeks to plan out everything for the trip.
What tips do you have for couples with the same honeymoon destination in mind?
Arlo: We both highly suggest you go to Hawaii to be able to enjoy each other’s company, since that should be the goal of a honeymoon and not necessarily to tour around and see sights. Also, rent a convertible, so the drives around Honolulu will be as fun as the destination!
Around how much did you budget for your honeymoon?
Arlo: For about a week’s stay in Waikiki, I think you should shell out around ₱600k to ₱650k for the plane ticket, car rental, shopping, and food.
Also read: Say “I Do” in Hawaii! The Perfect Romantic Destination For Honeymoons, Weddings & More
Noelle and RJ Delen — Bantayan Island, Cebu
When did you go on your honeymoon?
Noelle: We were married in August of 2014, and we went on a “honeymoon” to Bantayan Island in May 2015.
What made you decide to go to Bantayan Island for your honeymoon?
Noelle: We wanted to take the time off away from the city — all cities, that is. The thought of walking around a new city in another country tired us too much, so we thought of going to the beach instead. Bantayan Island had always been on our bucket list of beach destinations since it was still unpopular at that time.
What were other honeymoon destinations did you have in mind?
Noelle: Boracay for convenience, but we’ve been there one too many times.
Coron, but there were few resorts by the beach at the time. Spending most of the time on a boat touring the islands was also not one of our options. As much as possible, we wanted to lounge on the beach all day long.
What was the most romantic place you visited on your trip?
Noelle: Nowhere in particular, but we found that the most unforgettable experience for us was going around and enjoying the island on a motorbike — sure, it was also romantic. We’ve never tried riding the motorbike in the streets of Manila, so doing it was fun and romantic for us.
What was the main thing you wanted to experience during your honeymoon?
Noelle: Relaxation the most. Disconnecting was our main objective during the trip, and we were glad Bantayan Island gave that to us.
How long did it take to prepare for your trip?
Noelle: I can’t really remember, but not long, I think. We had to pack light, since the transfer to and from the airport was quite long (van and RoRo). The island is pretty easy to go to also, so we just had to search for the schedule of our transfers, and that was it. I think it also helps that we had no itinerary for that vacation, so no preps and no stress.
What tips do you have for newlyweds who have Bantayan Island in mind as their honeymoon destination?
Noelle: Try the different restaurants around the island that offer different international cuisines. Disconnect and enjoy the island. Enjoy each other’s company the most.
Around how much did you budget for your trip?
Noelle: This is a breakdown of how much we spent for the entire trip:
Hotel – ₱ 4,800 (two nights)
Airfare – ₱8,200
Food – a good estimate of ₱6,000
Hotel in Cebu – ₱3,000 (one night)
Also read: 8 Romantic Destinations in the Philippines Besides Boracay and Palawan
JP and Trish Esteban — Reykjavík, Iceland
When did you go on your honeymoon?
Trish: We went on a honeymoon right after our wedding! Our flight was the day after. We wanted to be smart about our vacation leaves.
What made you choose Iceland as your honeymoon destination?
Trish: Iceland has always been a dream destination of ours (more of mine). Main reason was to see the Northern Lights, but I also found its isolation very romantic.
Most people are surprised by our choice because most think of sunny beaches for a honeymoon. But I think the cuddle weather is great!
What were other destinations you had in mind?
Trish: No second options! We really wanted to go to our dream destination as we started our new journey. We were all in!
What was the most romantic place you visited on your trip?
Trish: It was a small lodge called Langaholt. We went there to hunt for the Northern Lights. We didn’t see them (just our luck), but we enjoyed staying outdoors that night, ankle-deep in the snow. It also helped that the lodge was in the middle of nowhere (that’s why it was a good place to hunt for the Aurora Borealis, since there’s not a lot of light pollution). It was so peaceful, we felt like we were at the edge of the world.
What was the main thing you wanted to experience at your selected honeymoon destination?
Trish: We wanted to see the Northern Lights, bathe in the hot springs, and basically be away from the rest of the world.
How long did it take to prepare for your trip?
Trish: It took months of planning, because we were working on a limited budget (since we were also planning our wedding).
What tips do you have for couples who also plan to go to Iceland for their honeymoon?
Trish: We had a pretty bad experience with our flights (the story is now infamous with our respective families) because we tried to scrimp on them. We thought we would be able to fly cheap by choosing a longer route. In the end, we encountered a problem with one leg of the flight, which led to a domino effect on the succeeding legs. We ended up paying three times more than our original airfare to do the rebookings, etc. On hindsight, I would’ve gone with a more direct route despite the added cost.
Also, I know there are lots of sights to see while in Iceland, but try to allocate one free day just to roam around Reykjavík. That ended up being one of the highlights of our trip.
Also, since Iceland is one of the most expensive cities in the world, bring lots of handy food like granola bars, etc. They’re not really known for their cuisine, so you won’t be missing out on a lot if you skip their restaurants.
Around how much did you budget for your honeymoon?
Trish: For a week-long budget itinerary (like really, meals were all just instant / convenience store food), we budgeted ₱175k for the two of us. But, we got what we paid for with the headache! The one week includes travel time, so it’s roughly around five full days in Iceland.
Also read: 8 Airbnb Homes in Iceland for When You Finally Make That Trip
Excited to get started on your honeymoon planning? No matter what kind of couple you are, there’s a swoon-worthy honeymoon destination out there that will be a dream come true for you and your partner!
Whether you’re on the lookout for a wild, rugged adventure, or in the mood for a more laid-back trip to help relax your post-wedding nerves, the options are limitless. Amidst the stress and flurry of organising the wedding of your dreams, don’t forget to plan for your sweet reward — a well-deserved romantic vacation with the love of your life!
These quotes have been edited for grammar, clarity, and flow.
