Honeymoon according to Webster
The word “honeymoon” brings to mind a romantic getaway with a new spouse and escaping the routine of daily life.
According to Merriam-Webster Dictionary, a honeymoon is a “trip or vacation taken by a newly married couple” or “a period of harmony immediately following marriage.”
It sounds pretty simple. But the origin of the honeymoon is much more than that.
The etymology of the word “honeymoon” reveals explanations going back as far as the fifth century.
One of three popular etymologies for the word “honeymoon” was when newlywed couples drank mead, a honey-based alcohol, after their first “moon cycle” together as a married couple. The mead was a gift from guests and was believed to be an aphrodisiac to help with conception.
The second description was less optimistic. During the 1540s, people were skeptical about love and marriage success. They referred to the sweet period of a new marriage as honey and the later marriage, like the moon, possibly becoming out of reach, mysterious or distant.
The third common belief of what a honeymoon should be wasn’t thought of as a chance to spend blissful time alone, just the two of you. It was basically a trip to visit family members and friends who couldn’t make it to the ceremony. This custom actually originated in 19th-century Britain.
Honeymoons didn’t start to look like they do today until the late 1800s.
The term “honeymoon,” its usage and implications have changed over time.
The modern honeymoon has seen important changes, brought on by busy schedules and budget constraints.
There’s an estimated 1.4 million U.S. couples taking honeymoons per year. Of couples who choose a traditional wedding, 99 percent take a honeymoon, and only one in four couples go on their dream honeymoon.
Some couples are waiting for a while after their wedding to save up for the best trip possible, or simply taking a mini-moon. This is a short trip taken directly after the wedding to a nearby destination.
In recent years, couples have opted to be more imaginative in their honeymoon plans.
Many are packing more into their honeymoon travels by seeking more active experiences and visiting more destinations in less time.
Trends changing in honeymoons
The constricted view from times past of what a honeymoon should be has evolved into very personalized and informed decisions by couples.
Rising wealth, digital connectivity and an increasing global demand for wellness have changed how couples plan and experience their honeymoon.
An example of this would be an upward trend of couples who maintained a specific health routine prior to the wedding choosing to continue their routine during the honeymoon. No longer are they ditching their healthy practices while enjoying the interlude between the wedding and the return to daily life.