Your honeymoon should be the best trip you and your new spouse ever take. The honeymoon is the opening event for your entire marriage. Planning the best honeymoon takes cooperation, compromise, and commitment.

One of the first things the new couple needs to decide on when planning their honeymoon is their destination. This task is not as easy as it might seem. You must decide whether you are looking for an all-inclusive honeymoon package, an island getaway, or a mountain retreat. Also, honeymooning couples have to decide whether or not they want to leave the country for their wedding trip.

The honeymoon destination should please both the new bride and groom. You can accomplish this goal by sitting down with your fiancé and making a list of what both of you would like to do on your honeymoon. Remember, marriage is full of compromise, and this may start even while planning your honeymoon. By working through your list together as a couple, you can find a destination with many of the activities off both people’s lists.

Once you have chosen your destination, start making reservations. Remember to tell all of the people you talk to that you are honeymooning, because this will often get you a special treat or even a deal on your bookings. Continue this habit while you are traveling. When those around you know you are honeymooning, you will get plenty of smiles, and possibly a free dessert or two.

Plan everything for your trip, and avoid leaving anything to chance. If you are planning a major trip, particularly if you are heading out of the country, you need to give serious consideration to using a travel agent. Travel agents will help you ensure that you have all of the important details in place. When working with a travel agent, tell the agent exactly what you expect from your trip. Make sure the agent knows, for example, if you want a king sized bed, a honeymoon suite, or a hotel with catering and room service options.

If you are leaving the country for your wedding trip, make sure that you prepare your documentation far in advance. Secure your passports, birth certificates, and any other documentation you need for your destination. Your travel agent will be able to help you with the legal red tape for the country you are going to be visiting. Also, make sure that you buy your airfare in advance, because overseas airfare is more expensive the close you get to your trip’s date.

Talk to your travel agent about the things to do at your destination. Also, take advantage of the website for the city or island you are attending. Often the government and the tourist boards will be more than happy to send you free travel brochures about the attractions of the area. Plan activities for each day, but give yourselves plenty of time to spend in your hotel. This trip is, after all, a honeymoon. Avoid running yourselves ragged with activities, because you will be tired after the stress of planning your wedding.

On your honeymoon, plan to splurge on a few things. You should enjoy one evening at a romantic restaurant. Also, splurge on your hotel room. You are going to spend much of your trip relaxing in your hotel, so it should be comfortable and inviting. Finally, splurge on one once-in-a-lifetime activity for each of you. If you want to go SCUBA diving, and your fiancé wants to swim with the dolphins, allow yourselves the luxury of these activities. After all, you only have one chance to make the best start to your marriage!