
Photo by Elise Sanchez Photography
I remember sitting there thinking, “You have got to be kidding me.”
I’d just opened up an email from the travel agent Mr. Smitten and I initially reached out to for help with our honeymoon and was—ahem—underwhelmed, to say the least. Just weeks before I’d sat down with her and outlined our non-negotiables for the trip: 1) boutique hotel 2) off the beaten path but still luxurious 3) in Central or South America.
The options I found in the email? Mega-resorts far from the top three countries on our list.
There was nothing wrong with the properties she sent, per se. Yet, there was EVERYTHING wrong with them. They may have been perfect for a different vacation at a different time in our lives, but they were not what Mr. Smitten and I were envisioning for the start of our happily-ever-after.
As someone who professionally designs travel now, I totally get that some clients’ requests can be challenging! But here’s the kicker, this woman may have been able to talk us into one of the destinations she’d proposed—IF she’d explained how it would better fulfill our honeymoon dreams than the destinations we’d been talking about for months.
There was just zero effort on her part to personalize her suggestions, which clearly weren’t about room availability (or lack thereof) or about our budget—common factors that could lead a travel pro to propose alternate ideas.
We felt ignored and unimportant and secondary. Basically, everything we didn’t want to feel when it came to our wedding…
This situation stressed me out at the time, but I'm so grateful for it today. Her lack of thoughtfulness finally put into motion my long-time dream of opening Smitten Honeymoons. It also shaped how I work with clients and what I hold most important in the process—understanding exactly what type of honeymoon THEY desire. Not what’s easiest for me to email over.
It’s the reason I ask couples personal (and fun) questions like: “If you and your fiancé were throwing a party, what band would you hire?” (Uhh, bonus points if you say Hanson...Yes, that Hanson!) Sometimes the questions may raise an eyebrow or two, but all of them are meant to better help my clients—soon-to-be brides and grooms like you—avoid the situation Mr. Smitten and I encountered.
In the end, we decided to part ways with that initial agent and the hubs hired a planning extraordinaire to get exactly what he (and I) both wanted. He liked her so much he even married her!
What is most important to you when hiring a travel professional?
While two-thirds of the world’s 9,000 overwater bungalows stand perched above turquoise lagoons in the Maldives, the iconic accommodation originated in Tahiti in 1967. Today, honeymooning in an overwater bungalow remains a quintessential experience for any couple traveling to the French Polynesia, especially if their honeymoon includes a stop in Bora Bora. The luxe InterContinental Bora Bora Resort & Thalasso Spa is not to be overlooked...
Our group beat the sun up on Dec. 15 to catch a cab to the marina in La Playita. We had chartered a boat, and our guide Carlos was expecting us by 6 a.m. I wasn’t thrilled about waking up before dawn on vacation, but I’m so thankful I did: A cotton-candy sky high-fived us as we motored out from the marina, bobbing along in the Pacific with bait, rods and reels.
A personalized honeymoon is a way to recognize that your love story is unique. Your love story matters. Your love story deserves celebrating. No matter what your perfect itinerary looks like, there are some universal ways any couple can ensure their honeymoon is extraordinary. Here are nine of my favorites.
Whether you’re honeymooning in Amsterdam or passing through the Netherlands on a river cruise, Haarlem makes for a perfect day-trip. Here are five of my favorite ways to spend a day in this storied city, whose roots date at least as far back as the 10th century.
Hey, hey, 2019! You feel like the prettiest sunrise, most striking sunset and a cold mist of sea breeze on the hottest day all rolled into one.
The temperature dropped as our small group stepped out of the July sun and into the dark 1,000-year-old Cistercian hospital at Kloster Eberbach. “This way,” our guide said. Following her directions, we shuffled to one end of the room—the one where candlelight illuminated a dozen samples of the monastery’s Riesling.
Earlier this month J & K shared some of the magic of their honeymoon to Moorea and Bora Bora, including what they loved most (e.g., relaxing in their overwater bungalow, snorkeling with sting rays and sharks and hiking to a romantic waterfall. This week, they’re back with more advice on how to make the most of planning your dream vacation—no matter what honeymoon destination you have your eyes on.
Keeping a gratitude journal makes me happy. Gives me perspective. Allows me to lean into the good. Keeps me smitten—in life and love.
When J & K told me their engagement story shortly after we started working together to breathe life into their dream honeymoon, I was even more excited they had their eyes on the French Polynesia—an ideal destination for a couple desiring secluded romance and relaxation with a sprinkle of adrenaline and adventure…
Amsterdam is a maze of circular canals—165 of them stretching more than 30 miles, to be exact. While exploring the historic city’s waterways via beautiful brick walkways and more than 1,200 bridges was a highlight for me, there is one quintessential way any couple on their honeymoon must see the “Venice of the North” (a.k.a Amsterdam): Via a canal cruise!
I do not consider myself a “cruise” person, at least not in the traditional sense. Oceanliners that sleep thousands of people just don’t appeal to me, which is exactly why river cruising through Europe with U by Uniworld was so perfect. If you're looking to hop from city to city, U by Uniworld makes it effortless, while offering oodles of comfort and convenience.
Date night: It’s such a simple concept, but so important! Don’t just take my word for it, either. The significance of making time for regular date nights, especially when you’re committed to getting creative and seeking out new opportunities for things to do together, has been proven!
It’s no secret that I’m not a huge fan of surprise honeymoons, where one half of a couple is charged with planning everything and keeping it all a secret—including the destination. This is mostly because the honeymoon is such a significant vacation, and I cringe at the thought of there being unmet expectations between brides and grooms when it comes to how to spend the start of their happily-ever-after.
On the other hand, what I am 1,000 percent in love with?
Couples creating smaller surprises for each other throughout their honeymoon, which makes space for memorable, thoughtful moments without the same risks inherent with keeping the entire vacation a surprise!
From the moment M locked eyes with us at the shelter, she became our M. In the 365 days since, she has been a tail-wagging, kiss-dispensing ball of sunshine bouncing through our lives, teaching us more than a little bit about living and loving.