Over the Moon: 5 Trending Travel Options from Bridal to Baby and Beyond!
Hey there Social Butterflies! Rosalyn Cooper, here. If you've been keeping up with SBE, you probably already know that I work with couples, families, and groups of all sizes on planning dream romance and recreational trips, including destination weddings, honeymoons, anniversary trips, girls/guys trips, etc - you name it, I can help book it!
Because I build strong and lasting connections with my clients, it’s not uncommon for me to be a long-term part of their journeys (both literally and figuratively speaking!) from the wedding to the honeymoon to family vacations and beyond.
Traditionally speaking, this path starts with the wedding itself (shout out to my Destination Brides!) or dreamy honeymoon, and then my clients head back to reality at home before the travel itch strikes again and we start planning their next trip. But as our “new normal” takes shape - complete with closed borders, travel advisories, and gathering restrictions - couples and families alike are forced to go back to the drawing board on their original plans and get creative with alternatives...and what we’ve seen emerge are modern new twists on traditional romance travel!
In this post, I’ll be giving you the low down on 5 of our favorite alternative travel trends... Step aside, honeymoon, SBE is over the moon for these alternative “moon” trips!
1. Mini-Moon
The past two years especially, we’ve seen a lot of couples who have been forced to postpone or change their honeymoon plans. But postponing the dreamy honeymoon you’ve been planning into next year or beyond doesn’t mean you can’t get away in the meantime!
Mini-moons are becoming increasingly popular these days for couples to take as they put off going on their actual honeymoon for a year or more in some cases. Mini-Moons are usually less than a week long and typically to distances that are within a short drive or flight away from home.
Your Mini-Moon can even be accomplished right in your own backyard! Another bonus - this gives you a really cool opportunity to get a whole new perspective or appreciation for the region you live in.
Social Butterfly Express is based in Cleveland OH, which is just under a 2 hour drive away from one of our favorite Mini-Moon destinations, Belamere Suites in Perrysburg, OH. The short travel time is especially convenient for couples who want to leave for their trip the day after their wedding while remaining somewhat close to home, or for couples who want to sneak in a getaway in anticipation for a larger trip in the future.
Belamere Suites offers romantic private suites that fit all comfort levels. Upon check in, you will receive your keys and garage door opener from the front desk, allowing for a quick check in process to kick off your unplugged, romantic mini-moon. One major plus about Belamere Suites is that there are no windows which means complete privacy (wink, wink!)
Pro Tip: Belamere Suites books up fast and offers reservations up to a year in advance. The good news is, you’re not charged until a week before your arrival date!
Belamere’s most popularly requested suite is The Grand Royal Swimming Pool Suite.
This suite comes with your own private swimming pool (perfect for maintaining social distancing), continental breakfast and so much more. Take advantage of adding surprise amenities that will ramp up the romance such as rose petals, candles, chocolate covered strawberries and so much more. Feel free to bring some of your own personal items to make your stay as comfortable and romantic for you and your significant other. You can get out for a date night by dining at one of the nearby restaurants, or since many of those restaurants maintain partnerships with Belamere Suites, you can also enjoy the same great eats in the privacy of your suite with their in-room dining options.
For a short drive west, Belamere Suites is a great option for keeping the romantic flame burning bright!
Pro Tip: Special rates are available for stays Sunday-Thursday.
This year may not have turned out to be what we expected - or anywhere near it! - but a Mini-Moon is a great way to make lemonade out of lemons and give you a reason to celebrate in the meantime. Some couples have even opted to skip the big honeymoon altogether and enjoy a Mini-Moon instead!
2. Buddy-Moon
Some of us are lucky enough to have those friends that we do EVERYTHING with. If you and your bestie fall into that category, you’re going to love this idea!
Are you and some of your closest friends getting married around the same time?
Have you thought about celebrating an anniversary together with your closest friends?
If your answer is Yes, then a Buddymoon is just for you!
Buddymoons are all about having the right positive people around you as you celebrate your love, just as you enthusiastically celebrate theirs! This works out great for a small, close-knit group of friends and their significant others.
Just like any other group-vacation planning, it’s important to make sure the dates and locations are in alignment with each other’s schedules. Take extra consideration with the itinerary for Buddymoon trips as well. You and your squad may be used to getting together spontaneously and seeing where the nights take you, but for Buddymoon trips, it’s important to have a balance between interactive excursions for the whole group, as well as individual downtime with your significant other.
Pro Tip: Keep your Buddymoon group to a max of three couples to keep it very intimate.
The vision that typically comes to mind for me when clients ask about planning a Buddymoon is a small boutique style resort that has less than 100 suites.....if that sounds like it's up your alley, welcome home to Jade Mountain St. Lucia!!
Jade Mountain is an Adults Only Resort with 79 suites that rise above an exclusive 600-acre beachfront estate, fit for royalty AND a Buddymoon.
The sanctuaries on the resort (click the link to check them out - so gorgeous!) definitely live up to their celestial names - they are OUT OF THIS WORLD! Plus, they all come with private infinity pools complete with breathtaking views of the mountains.
For group excursions, try a private sunset catamaran cruise or explore the rain forest via bicycle. Take your romantic level up a notch by starting your day with a private in-suit sunrise massage. Totally dreamy, right? Jade Mountain is one of SBE's most requested resorts in St. Lucia and I always try to include a special surprise for my clients upon arrival.
Pro Tip: Try to coordinate so your entire party can book everything at the same time. This will help ensure you’re all on the same flight, and in many cases will also allow you to take full advantage of payment plans.
3. Baby-Moon
We all know how the song goes.....First comes love. Then comes marriage. Then comes baby in the baby carriage...So it's only fitting that Part 3 of our Over the Moon series is all about the Baby-Moon!
Baby-Moons are the latest trend for mothers-to-be opting to take one last trip with their partner before their new bundle of joy arrives. Now, this is a trip that is going to require a bit more careful consideration than typical travel, especially related to the destination you choose and when you choose to go.
Pregnancy symptoms and experiences vary by individual, but generally speaking, traveling domestically within your second trimester tends to work out best. Of course before you hit the book button, check in with your doctor to make sure that it's safe for you to travel, AND keep them on speed dial for the duration of your trip.
Pro Tip: Take extra precaution by researching the area you’ll be traveling to and writing down a list of hospitals near your hotel or vacation rental before you leave. You can share this information with your doctor before you leave, and make sure you and whoever you’re traveling with has easy access to your doctor’s contact info.
Now that you’ve been cleared to travel by your doctor, it's time to select a destination. This is the fun part! Road tripping tends to be a great option for pregnant travelers as it allows for you to stop as many times as needed along the way. Grab some extra pillows and blankets that you can use to make yourself comfortable during the ride, and of course, pack your favorite pregnancy munchies to snack on along the way! If you’re thinking of traveling by air, keep the flights short and look for direct flights to avoid layovers.
One of our favorite Baby-Moon destinations is The Sanctuary at Kiawah Island Golf Resort in South Carolina . This beautiful oceanfront hotel is only 21 miles from Charleston, SC, and honestly gives you the same vibe you’d get if you traveled internationally.
The Sanctuary is a totally fitting name, and they most definitely take care of the parents-to-be by offering a Babymoon package that includes a garden-view room, daily breakfast, a massage for the expecting mom and so much more.
It's important that couples enjoy this time together and create new memories that they can look back on, and The Sanctuary is the perfect environment for this sacred time together!
Pro Tip: Create special moments by doing a mini maternity photoshoot right on the beach or golf course!
4. Family-Moon
Thank to COVID-19, tradition has been thrown out the window as many brides and grooms-to-be have had to rethink or shift gears on their original plans. And trust me - we feel for you!
But while tradition is top of mind (as many of us are throwing it out the window), it's actually interesting to also think about in what other areas tradition might be a bit outdated, and Family-Moons might just be our newest favorite "non-traditional tradition". (Yes, we're making that a thing)
So for starters, what the heck is a Family-Moon?
A Family-Moon is exactly what it sounds to be - a combination of family and honeymoon! Increasingly, couples are having children together prior to marriage, or blending families with their children from past relationships. Most dating or re-married parents will tell you that it's incredibly important for their new partners to be accepting of their children, and vice versa, making replacing the honeymoon with a more inclusive Family-Moon a really beautiful way to signify the formation of the new family while celebrating together. Some couples even choose to extend the invite to family beyond their children, inviting grandparents and other relatives to turn it into a larger group trip!
Pro Tip: Large group trips can be tough to coordinate, so if you're planning an extended Family-Moon trip, consider working with a travel agent who can help individual families stay on top of their responsibilities and deadlines with booking and deposits
Now let's talk about our favorite part: where you're headed! If you're liking the Family-Moon idea but unsure of where to jet off to, Hard Rock Hotels & Resorts make FANTASTIC Family-Moon destinations!
Hard Rock has beautiful resorts and hotels with a wide variety of destinations to choose from, including both domestic and internationally. Plus, their resorts are family-friendly, and include activities for children and teens of all ages. There's even a couple of adult-free zones (The Hard Rock Roxity Kids Club and the Teen Spirit hangout) that will keep the little ones busy with scheduled activities while the grown ups get a break for a little adults-only fun!
2-bedroom Signature Family Suites are great to keep the family together while still ensuring you get a little privacy with your new spouse (wink!), and in addition to the on-site pools, some locations even have waterparks and miniature golf right on the resort!
The Hard Rock is also a financially-sound choice for your Family-Moon as many locations offer Kids Stay, Eat, and Play FREE deals. Just keep in mind that these offers may vary based on children's ages, travel dates, and resort location, so talk to your travel agent prior to booking to make sure you're maximizing your savings and getting hooked up with the best rate.
The resorts are family-friendly, but if you're traveling without little ones (or have other family joining who want to avoid the kid's zones), ask about Adults-Only Rooming options at your resort. All-inclusive options are also available at select destinations, including Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, and FOUR different locations in Mexico!
Pro Tip: This one's just for the Adults - specifically the R&B and Jazz lovers out there! Hard Rock's Cancun and Los Cabos locations host JazzFest and SolFest in the Spring and Fall with special pricing that includes all resort-wide concerts plus your typical stay amenities! If you're a music lover, this is a TOTAL blast and at a great rate!
5. Mystery-Moon
One theme that's remained pretty consistent throughout this series is that #thisCOVIDlife has forced many couples to throw tradition out the window in one way or another. For some, they have no problem going with the flow and figuring things out as they come up, but that can be tough for those who prefer a bit more structure and planning. Well, disclaimer: This one is not for the faint of heart! Adventurous couples - step up!
So wait - what exactly is a Mystery-Moon?!
Well, much like the Family-Moon, the Mystery-Moon is exactly what it sounds to be: a MYSTERY! (To the couple, that is!) A Mystery-Moon is your opportunity to let your travel agent take the reigns and plan a honeymoon that is a complete surprise to the newlyweds until they take off for their trip!
Here's how it works: You and your spouse-to-be hop on a consultation call with your travel agent. For SBE, this is a crucial step when planning ANY trip or vacation for our clients, but it's especially critical for the Mystery-Moon because it's really important that we're able to get a good sense of who you are, both individually and as a couple, so we can plan the Mystery-Moon of your dreams!
PRO TIP: Mystery-Moon or not, I always suggest that both partners join in on the consultation conversation. It is more common for one partner to take the reigns on the planning process, but when I can talk with both of you, I can better understand what you're looking for in a travel experience and make sure BOTH of your needs and desires are met. We're only making memories that will last a lifetime - let's do it right!
After learning more about your must-haves and have-nots during the consultation, you and your honey can kick back and relax while your travel agent gets to work. This is truly your travel agent's time to shine ,and gives you the opportunity to re-focus your time, energy, and attention to planning the wedding or prepping for life as a married couple. As your travel dates approach, you'll get the full scoop on your destination and travel details from your travel agent. These details and their delivery may also vary depending on what you need (or want) to know and to what degree as you get closer to departure.
PRO TIP: Make sure your travel agent is well aware of your expectations as related to delivering the details. At SBE, we know that putting such a monumental trip in the hands of your travel consultant is a BIG deal. We work with each couple on an individual basis to make sure that everyone is on the same page and there are no surprises (except for the big one, that is!)
Mystery-Moon destinations and travel itineraries are 100% customized based on the desires, needs, and budget for each individual couple. However, here's a little preview of one of our top picks for romance travel: CocoBay Resort in Antigua!
CocoBay is an adults-only resort consisting of 65 private cottages situated on the breathtaking sunset side of Antigua, complete with white sandy beaches and crystal blue Caribbean water. Each of the authentic Caribbean cottages on the property have their own private verandas that contain custom designed wooden patio furniture so you can relax in style while enjoying the incredible scenery. Whether you’re interested in a garden view, ocean view or private pool suite, Cocobay Resort in Antigua has you covered!
Their premium waterfront suites (check them out here) are one of their most popular accommodations for honeymooners, and all include private plunge-pools and double-ended outdoor tubs! Hellooooo, romance! Plus, celebrate your arrival with a premium cocktail from the complimentary Welcome Mini-Bar in your room!
All-inclusive accommodations at this beautiful adults-only resort include daily breakfast, lunch, afternoon bites, and dinner, plus poolside refreshments, cocktails from the on-site bars, non-motorized watersports, nature walks, yoga, and even access to fitness sessions!
As an added bonus, when you visit Cocobay Antigua, you can actually DOUBLE your destination experience with easy access to Barbuda, often described as "two islands, one paradise". Dreamy, right? These islands are best known for their friendly, welcoming people, gorgeous beaches, and the most enjoyable climate in the world!
This destination combination of Antigua and Barbuda also provides tons of options for activities and excursions to make additional memories with your new hubby or wife! Water lovers can swim with stingrays, jet off on a catamaran cruise, or get their adrenaline pumping on jet skis, land lovers can enjoy historic walking tours, ziplining, off-road island safaris, or a romantic horseback ride, and for the foodies: try an island cooking class or a rum tour!
Remember, while we LOVE Antigua + Barbuda for romance travel, planning a Mystery-Moon with Social Butterfly Express means spending your honeymoon in the perfect destination for you and your boo. Not a beach person? No problem! We've got plenty of ideas (and connections!) in our arsenal to make sure you and your new spouse can start your new adventure as a married couple while making lifetime memories during your trip - all hand-selected for YOU!
Social Butterfly Express specializes in 100% custom travel experiences including destination weddings, honeymoons, bachelor/bachelorette parties, anniversary trips, and more! Ready to plan your next trip? Click here to get in touch and let us help you make your travel dreams a reality!
Rosalyn Cooper,
Founder + Lead Travel Consultant, Social Butterfly Express
