Here are 30 rules every gentleman should consider when organising one’s honeymoon! Written from (first hand!) experience and over 20 years in the honeymoon industry, I hope you learn from the mistakes I made! Please do email me if you think of anything I’ve missed and I hope you have the most wonderful honeymoon.
1. Remember it is your job as a gentleman to organise the honeymoon, use a reputable tour operator
2. Book in advance six(average) months in advance for best fares and reduced stress levels
3. Book her perfect honeymoon not yours
4. Consult your fiancé on all initial ideas and options…
5. …but try to surprise her
6. Don’t pack too much in, unpacking and packing is not romantic
7. No gentleman should travel long haul for less than ten nights, ideally two weeks
8. Always go for the best room in a more affordable hotel, rather than the worst in a very expensive one
9. Judge this also by the cost of drink and whether you can afford cocktail hour!
10. Take control at the airport, especially of the luggage and checking in
11. Tip when appropriate, be generous
12. Buy a present for the flight something small & personal – cashmere socks?
13. Doors in cars, airports & hotels should be opened by you unless someone is on hand to help
14. Charm your new wife with a surprise flight upgrade or If too costly a lounge pass
15. Book breakfast in bed – at least once!
16. Hold hands publically but not all the time, don’t be frightened at take off and landing hold her hand if required
17. Remember to tell your new wife she looks beautiful at least twice (a day!)
18. Order one pudding and two spoons
19. Do something unexpected at least once – a midnight swim, or a romantic picnic lunch?
20. Talk to other guests but dine alone – this is your honeymoon
21. Candles are the lights of love – therefore have a least one candle lit dinner
22. Run a bath for her …even better share it with her!!!
23. Remember the names of some of the hotel staff who are looking after you
24. Show an interest in those who serve you, you never know you might have to serve them one day!
25. Use local knowledge (do your research!) but never boast of it
26. Sail a boat even if it’s not a yacht – enjoy being out on the water
27. Go to bed horribly early and get up terribly late
28. Always remember paradise is not a place but who you are with
29. Never complain about the weather even if you get an afternoon of rain – enjoy the villa!
30. Let the hotel and tour operator know about your honeymoon when you get back
My father taught me two things – the strongest swimming fish are always the best ones to eat – anything from the bottom of the sea should be left there, and when removing a bottle of champagne from the fridge one should always replace it with another you never know when the next celebration will arrive. ~ Douglas Bell
