Experts reveal the latest honeymoon trends

The family that honeymoons together stays together. At least that’s what an increasing number of couples seem to think, according to Emirates Holidays.

“We conducted research that found almost half of UK couples (47%) would bring their children, grandparents and extended family along on a familymoon,” says Jordan Rowntree, honeymoon planner for the operator.

As today’s couples tend to get married later in life than in previous generations, families have often already been started, or it’s a second-time wedding, so couples want to ensure they are surrounded by their loved ones.

“With an abundance of honeymoon resorts now including kid-friendly activities and facilities such as kids’ pools, snorkelling lessons and kids’ clubs, recently married parents are still able to enjoy romantic strolls on the beach while making new memories with their close relatives,” adds Rowntree.

For some couples, it’s a case of “the more the merrier” when it comes to their honeymoons, opting to invite all their friends along for the ride.

The buddymoon is a relatively new trend popular with younger couples, where they’ll bring along friends and family on what previously would have been a romantic honeymoon for two.

With more people now getting married overseas, guests often see these trips as their only holiday abroad and book additional days either side of the celebrations to make the most of their annual leave and travel budgets, explains Karl Thompson, managing director of Unique Caribbean Holidays (Sandals and Beaches Resorts’ tour operation).

“Around 40% of our total UK bookings are a romantic celebration of sorts, which includes buddymoons and honeymoons.”

For Sandals, island-hopping has proved popular for this type of celebration.

“Couples will wed at one of our couples-only resorts with all their friends, and then jet off to a neighbouring island with a select group to celebrate their honeymoon,” explains Thompson.

Why have one honeymoon when you can have two? This is the thinking behind the minimoon, which is a shorter, post-wedding break taken before a more extended honeymoon further down the line.

“Minimoons are a great opportunity for newlyweds to get away and enjoy the wedding bubble for a little bit longer after the big day,” says Beverley Scarr, product manager for the Channel Islands at Premier Holidays.

“We are seeing the Channel Islands becoming increasingly popular as a minimoon destination – it is close enough to home but the perfect location to escape everyday life.”

The Channel Islands’ location means a minimoon can be a city break, a country break or a beach break, depending on each couple’s preference, adds Scarr. “Jersey and Guernsey have a number of hotels offering luxurious spa breaks or experiences to remember, such as a five-star-rated camp in a wildlife park.”

Tricia Birmingham, senior product manager for Africa at Pure Luxury, discusses the babymoon: a holiday trend for parents-to-be.

What are popular babymoon activities?

These tend to be trips centred around rest and relaxation.

Another popular element of babymoons is eating lots of good food, with high-quality restaurants being the perfect solution for any pregnancy cravings.

What destinations do you recommend?

The majority of Europe is accessible, but if guests are looking for something more exotic, our recommendation would be Mauritius.

It’s the ideal location before parenthood arrives – it offers great average temperatures in winter as well as summer, glorious sandy beaches, luxury spas to relax in and a fantastic range of all-inclusive resorts in ideal locations.

Any selling tips?

Make sure guests time their travel well.

Between four and six months into pregnancy is the best time.

The second most-important tip is to make sure you check the health and safety requirements of your chosen destination, for example, check for Zika-free zones.