Dotties, today we’re turning our attention to one of the most anticipated part of married life – the honeymoon! However, planning a honeymoon that truly brings you joy isn’t just about choosing a beautiful destination, it’s about setting the right expectations, pacing your trip well, and creating space to actually enjoy the experience together. Travel and Honeymoons writer, Lisa Perkovic shares her honest insights and practical tips to help you plan a honeymoon filled with meaningful moments, fewer surprises, and plenty of joy from take off to return. Enjoy! 

You’d think honeymoons and joy go hand in hand. Newlyweds holding hands, slow jogging on a white sandy beach, is the kind of image that usually comes to mind. I’m here to tell you it’s not always the case. And that’s ok. Nothing in life is joyful all the time. But take it from someone who has had a fair share of holidays that have tipped out of joy and into chaos, there are a few things you can do to make sure the scales work in your favour and you actually enjoy your honeymoon.

Decompression zone

Unless you’re the most Zen couple ever, the days after the big day usually involve a bit of an emotional comedown. It’s the joy overload, a bit of adrenalin, plus family dynamics – don’t be surprised if you want a bit of time to decompress before jumping into your honeymoon itinerary. Schedule a “no schedule” day, with more downtime than you think you’ll need. Trust me, you’ll thank me later!

First night expectations

Visiting several of the world’s most romantic destinations (think Maldives, Fiji), often requires you to overnight on the mainland and in the morning head on to your island location. We honeymooned for two glorious weeks in the Maldives, but to get there we had a long day flying from Sydney to Singapore and then on to Malé. The first night of our honeymoon was technically in a very average hotel on the outskirts of Malé. Bright and early the next day we were zipped off in a seaplane over azure water and on to the postcard perfect island, but I wish I’d better managed the expectations of my other half as I still recall his disappointment! Make sure you’re both on the same page that the honeymoon starts when your bare feet hit the sand, not when you get off the tarmac!

Be prepared

On a romantic trip to the Lux Grand Gaube in Mauritius, the moment I was most excited about was a sunrise horse ride on the beach. All week I looked forward to us cantering along the sand, the wind in our hair, the sun rising at our backs. Yes, we did these things, but we also discovered my husband is allergic to horses. By the time we got to our romantic beach brekky, he was covered in hives and so uncomfortable he swapped breakfast for a cold shower while I drank mimosas by myself. Antihistamines should have been on the packing list!

Choose your activities wisely

The second half of our honeymoon saw us on safari in South Africa. Honeymoons are bucket list territory, and we went all in. We were ready to safari all day, every day. Thank goodness because let me tell you, safari holidays are full on. Each day began with a knock on the door at 4.45am, with us and other guests up and in our safari jeep before 6am. Two hours out in the park, back for breakfast, a nap, then out again before dinner. It’s a cracking pace that doesn’t leave much time for long lazy mornings in bed. Of course, you can skip the morning safari, but we were there to see EVERY animal at EVERY opportunity. We went home happy but exhausted. Luckily, we were staying at Sabi Sabi’s Earth Lodge, and they brought the romance, with candlelit private dinners, champagne breakfasts and the cutest bedtime cookies.

Whether you want to ride horses and spot the big five, or just eat, sleep, snorkel, repeat, remember to manage your honeymoon expectations. No matter where you go, or what you do, the real joy will always be enjoying the time with your special someone.

A big thanks to Lisa for sharing these insightful tips for Joy Issue, as well for the beautiful images!

About Lisa Perkovic: Lisa has spent the past decade travelling the world writing for Australia’s leading newspapers, magazines, and blogs about all things travel. Her own honeymoon was her pièce de résistance – an epic journey to the Maldives and South Africa. Now she loves nothing more than sharing destinations and tips to help other newlyweds work out how to have the honeymoon of their dreams.