The Honeymoon Report

After the whirlwind of wedding planning and the excitement of the big day, many couples look forward to a relaxing honeymoon in their romantic bubble. This cherished tradition, dating back to the 19th century, lets newlyweds step into their new life together and deepen their relationship by taking time away together. While the tradition may be changing, 60% of couples still choose to honeymoon. So, how are Americans continuing the custom now? 

To find out, we surveyed over 3,000 Americans to discover how they are honeymooning today — the preferred types of honeymoons, what elements they are prioritizing, how much planning is needed, and how this varies from one happy newly married couple to the next.

Over a Third of Americans Want a Beach Honeymoon

Whether you want to go backpacking across Thailand, see the Northern Lights in Finland, or relax on a beach in Bali, there’s a honeymoon option out there for everyone. 

The most popular type of honeymoon is the classic beach honeymoon, with over a third (35%) choosing this as their dream honeymoon option. Beaches offer the perfect backdrop for relaxation and romance, helping couples disconnect from everyday distractions like work stresses and household chores, all things a quarter of Americans hope to escape during their honeymoon, according to our survey.

In second place is the cruise honeymoon, with 18% preferring a vacation together at sea. This is a great choice for those who don’t want to restrict their honeymoon to just one location, as many cruises can provide a blend of tropical beaches and historical cities to celebrate together.

For those seeking a thrill on their honeymoon, the adventure honeymoon is the dream choice for 15% of Americans, taking third place in the ranking. While both women and men seem to want a beach-side honeymoon the most, men are 10% more inclined to go for an adventure-packed experience. This could include anything from scuba-diving to paragliding, or mountain biking to rock climbing. For adrenaline-junkie couples, there is no limit to the adventurous activities during their dream honeymoon.

States that are home to big cities such as New York, Los Angeles, and Houston all have couples that wish to escape the city life for a beach getaway, with more than a third wishing to be by the sea for their honeymoon. When it comes to Illinois residents, despite the city life of Chicago, less than a quarter desire a beach honeymoon.

Embracing Alone Time Together Is the Ultimate Honeymoon Priority

The wedding day can be filled with greeting guests and socializing with all of your loved ones, so it’s no surprise that couples want to enjoy their newfound alone time together during the honeymoon. Just under half of the population (41%) name quality time alone with their new spouse as their top priority for their honeymoon. In fact, a quarter prioritize disconnecting from work and technology entirely, and 27% want to ensure privacy, which are just two ways you can embrace some relaxing alone time with your new spouse. 

Honeymoons don’t always have to be about relaxing. Having plenty of activities to do together comes second in priorities, with a third (33%) naming it as important to them. For those aged 21 to 24, this is actually their biggest priority, with 12% more choosing activities as a top priority rather than having alone time.

With honeymoons evolving, the modern couple appears to prioritize luxury vacations less. Only 4% prioritize quality drinks, and 8% prioritize luxury accommodations. In fact, 1 in 10 couples prioritize budget-friendly options, with those aged 65 and over prioritizing this the most, at 17%. 

Couples Spend Just Under Four Months Planning Their Honeymoon

The average couple will spend 20 months planning their wedding day, from the dream wedding dress to the catering and entertainment. For the perfect honeymoon afterward, couples spend an average of 16 weeks planning travel, accommodation, and activities.

The tradition of taking a honeymoon immediately after the wedding seems to be fading, as couples are now waiting an average of 31 days to celebrate together. However, there’s a difference in timing preferences between genders, as women tend to prefer a shorter wait, with an average of 26 days after the wedding, while men are more inclined to wait longer, typically 36 days.

With couples budgeting on average $7,178 for their wedding day, and spending the best part of a year planning and 32 weeks saving for their honeymoon, how much are couples actually aiming to save? 

According to our survey, nearly half (41%) of respondents said they would be willing to spend over $1,000 on their honeymoon. However, almost a quarter of Americans are choosing a budget honeymoon, aiming to spend $500 or less. A budget-friendly honeymoon seems to be most appealing for younger generations, and especially for those aged 21 to 24, where a third of couples are only willing to spend less than $500 for their honeymoon. 

Considering a domestic plane ticket costs an average of $382, this would mean that it costs $764 for a couple to reach a honeymoon destination within the US. So it’s unsurprising that nearly 20% of people will spend a year or more saving up, and 10% wish to focus on budget-friendly options to avoid overspending. 

A mini-moon, where a couple takes a smaller vacation after their wedding, potentially planning a longer one in the future, is a great way to save some money but still enjoy time away together. And they are becoming an increasingly popular choice, with over 12,000 monthly searches on Google for ‘mini moon’ in the past year. States such as Kansas and Hawaii are already jumping onto the trend, with over 30% choosing it as their dream honeymoon. 

The evolution of the honeymoon and what to expect in 2025

Deepak Shukla, CEO of adventure and experience provider Pearl Lemon Adventures, predicts that couples will be moving further away from the traditional honeymoon:

“In recent years, honeymoons have shifted away from traditional, all-inclusive packages toward personalized, experience-driven journeys. Couples today are more interested in crafting unique experiences that mirror their values and personalities, like eco-conscious adventures, culinary excursions, and immersive cultural stays. They’re choosing destinations that reflect their sense of exploration and commitment to sustainability, favoring local, often remote locations over bustling resorts.

“Looking forward to 2025, the demand for “authentic luxury” will likely lead the way. Think tailored itineraries with a focus on mindful travel: wellness retreats in secluded forests, culturally rich itineraries that support local communities, and off-the-beaten-path discoveries that emphasize both adventure and relaxation. 

Virtual planning tools will continue to evolve, making it easier to customize every aspect of the trip from start to finish, elevating the honeymoon experience to an unforgettable life chapter.”

How to cherish the memories through gifts on your honeymoon

Emily Shultz, Director of Fashion Merchandising, here at Shane Co.: 

“While just under a quarter of couples prioritize romantic experiences on their honeymoon, only 3% prioritize exchanging sentimental gifts to celebrate their new chapter. A honeymoon can be an incredibly cherished experience with your new spouse, and an easy way to memorialize this can be through gifts they will keep for years to come. Whether it’s a locket with a photo of when you first met, or personalized cufflinks engraved with your wedding date, a gift can deepen the bonds you have with each other even further.” 

Methodology 

We surveyed over 3,000 Americans on their honeymoon choices. Survey was conducted in October 2024.

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