Juanita 
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IT’S A POPULAR TROPE: newlywed couple drives straight to the airport after the wedding reception, to embark on a once-in-a-lifetime dream holiday. But far from being the norm nowadays, the traditional honeymoon is falling out of favor for a different type of couples’ vacation: the earlymoon.
Not to be confused with the babymoon (a final relaxing trip before a newborn arrives), or the mini-moon (short trip after the wedding to unwind before the actual honeymoon, which is later once you have more time off), the earlymoon is a honeymoon that comes before the wedding. It’s designed for couples to enjoy alone-time together and decompress before their big day.
Krystal Tan, co-founder and director of boutique travel agency Blue Sky Escapes, sees the earlymoon as a sign of the times. “I think we can all agree that we now live in a world where people no longer feel unquestionably bound to societal traditions regarding the trajectory of marriage and commitment,” she says.
“In this modern era, lifelong partnerships can happen without all the formalities thrown in, and more people are having kids before getting hitched. In the same vein, many couples are not holding out for the big day before embarking on an epic honeymoon together.”
She also attributes the rise of the earlymoon to the pandemic. “Travelers are seeking immersive travel experiences with a vengeance after years of being locked away,” she says.
Celebrity wedding planner Lelian Chew, founder of The Atelier & Co, also saw a pandemic shift in honeymoons—and in wedding planning in general. “Rather than having their plans potentially derailed by travel restrictions, couples chose to enjoy their honeymoons earlier—it provided the perfect escape from the stress and unpredictability associated with planning a wedding in pandemic times,” she says.
She notes that even before the big travel pause there were signs people wanted to splash out on a holiday before tying the knot. The whole concept of an earlymoon “aligns with the broader shift in wedding traditions,” she says, “couples are leaning towards creating unique experiences, tailored to their own preferences.”
A grand holiday before what could be the biggest celebration of your life actually makes a lot of sense. Aside from allowing couples to focus on each other and build anticipation for their upcoming wedding, “it’s also a great time to pull off a private photoshoot,” says Chew.
Tan agrees. She too noticed earlymoons becoming more common before the pandemic, as couples set their sights on otherworldly destinations for pre-wedding “how we met” visuals.
Babymoons, mini-moons, earlymoons—it doesn’t stop there. “We’ve also observed buddymoons being prioritized over honeymoons,” says Tan. “Because how often is it that you can gather your favorite people on the planet in a single location for the sole purpose of celebrating you?”
EARLYMOON TIPS
Pick a location that’s important to you
The Maldives and Tuscany are global go-tos for good reason, but it’s more special when you choose a place that speaks to your own story.
“While these [classic] romantic destinations offer stunning landscapes and luxurious experiences, they lack the personal touch that comes with revisiting a place of emotional significance,” says Chew. “Pick a location tied to shared memories, such as where you first met or had a significant milestone, to add a layer of emotional depth that transcends the allure of the popular spots.”
Tie in a photoshoot
If you don’t have a photo of it, did it even happen? A wedding is the time to go all out when it comes to photos and videos, because they’re meant to last forever.
“Having an overseas engagement shoot has become almost like a wedding essential for all our clients,” Chew says. “Couples want more than just traditional shots—they want a backdrop that resonates with the essence of their romance.”
For a wonderful earlymoon and photoshoot destination, Tan recommends Turkey. “It’s home to a hypnotic swirl of cultures, fantastical landscapes and mouth-watering mezzes. Plus, it has picture-perfect backdrops for wedding visuals.”
Go off the beaten path
Dream big when thinking of your earlymoon, because why not? One of Tan’s top picks is Namibia, a sparsely populated country that’s ideal if you’re looking for somewhere private.
“For safari veterans, it’s Africa’s best kept secret: it has otherworldly landscapes, some of the most remote luxury lodges you’ll find on the planet, and unencumbered game viewing far from the madding crowd,” she says.
South Africa is also high on Tan’s list as it is home to the classic African safari and has a diverse range of experiences on offer. “You can jump on a big five safari in Kruger and elsewhere, go hiking on Table Mountain, visit the vineyards in Stellenbosch, and savor farm-to-table experiences in the Cape Peninsula.”
Bhutan, the last remaining Himalayan Buddhist kingdom, is another destination that Tan strongly recommends. “It’s a meaningful place where you can regroup at a spiritual level. You can receive a long-life couple’s blessing from a spiritual master, and if kids are on the horizon, you can be blessed with a wooden phallus at Chimi Lhakang, the temple of fertility.”
Think of what “perfect” means to you
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Earlymoon safari in South Africa. Courtesy of Blue Sky Escapes
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A dreamy meal time, South Africa. Courtesy of Blue Sky Escapes
Perfect looks different for everyone, stresses Tan, so it’s best to assess what is most meaningful and important to you as a couple. “The recommendations I offer clients are typically feelings-driven. Are you looking to feel spiritually recharged or thrilled and invigorated? This would help drive the decision between a mountain retreat in Sri Lanka or a tented safari lodge in Tanzania,” she says.
With that in mind, Tan shares four great hotels to bookmark: Amanbagh in Rajasthan, India; Singita Kwitonda Lodge in Rwanda; andBeyond Nxabega in Botswana and the Songtsam lodges in Yunnan, China.
The Guide
Amanbagh in Rajasthan, India
Website: www.aman.com/resorts/amanbagh
Starting rate: From US$650 per night
BOOK YOUR STAY AT AMANBAGH VIA TRIPADVISOR.COM
Singita Kwitonda Lodge in Rwanda
Website: singita.com/lodge/singita-kwitonda-lodge
Starting rate: From US$2,470 per person per night
BOOK YOUR STAY AT SINGITA KWITONDA LODGE VIA TRIPADVISOR.COM
andBeyond Nxabega in Botswana
Website: www.andbeyond.com/our-lodges/africa/botswana/okavango-delta/andbeyond-nxabega-okavango-tented-camp
Starting rate: From US$1,270 per person per night
BOOK YOUR STAY AT ANDBEYOND NXABEGA VIA TRIPADVISOR.COM
Songtsam Linka Shangri-La in Yunnan, China
Website: m.songtsam.com/en or www.audleytravel.com/china/accommodation/songtsam-linka
Starting rate: From US$125 per room
BOOK YOUR STAY AT SONGTSAM RETREAT AT SHANGRI-LA VIA AGODA.COM
Lede and hero image courtesy of The Atelier & Co.
Written By
Kissa Castañeda
Kissa Castañeda is an editor and lifestyle journalist based between Europe and Asia. Her love for travel was sparked by her father, a pilot, and to date she has called more than five cities home and travelled to 60 countries and counting. Formerly Editorial Director – Homes and Travel of Tatler Asia, she’s always on the lookout for beautifully designed ..Read More
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