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Destination Wedding and Honeymoon Trends for 2025 and Beyond
This article originally appeared in the September issue of AGENTatHOME magazine. Subscribe here to receive your free copy each month.
For today’s couples, “happily ever after” begins long before the honeymoon. The travel industry’s destination weddings and honeymoons segment is thriving, with clients increasingly seeking experiences that are personal, meaningful and far from cookie-cutter.
From extended multigenerational celebrations in tropical locales to intimate elopements atop mountains, travel advisors are the ones crafting these once-in-a-lifetime moments. AGENTatHOME spoke with romance travel specialists about where the market stands now, the trends driving it forward and how advisors can stay ahead of the curve.
Longer, More Immersive Journeys
The post-pandemic travel boom has couples thinking bigger — and longer — about how they celebrate.
“We’re seeing a definite upswing in destination wedding and honeymoon bookings, particularly among couples looking for immersive, personalized experiences,” said Lainey Melnick, owner of Dream Vacations in Austin, Texas. “Clients are favoring longer stays, often seven to 10 days, and prioritizing quality time with loved ones over traditional wedding formalities.”
Meanwhile, Amina Dearmon, owner of New Orleans-based Perspectives Travel, reports that, as her honeymoon bookings are increasing, couples are opting to take a break between the wedding and their honeymoon departure.
“They want a minute to pause so that they can go on their honeymoon and be in the space, both mentally and physically, to enjoy it,” she said.
According to Megan Vatnsdal, owner of Onyx & Evergreen Travel in Bismark, North Dakota, there tend to be two camps of couples when it comes to what kind of trip they desire: those who “want to fly somewhere beautiful and truly unplug,” and “those who are ready for a bucket-list adventure across the globe.”
Also on the rise are “mini-moons” and “pre-honeymoons,” with couples tacking on short escapes before or after the big trip. Melnick also notes a move away from “the cookie-cutter all-inclusive week and toward personalized, once-in-a-lifetime journeys.”
Destinations That Go Beyond the Beach
While tropical standbys such as the Caribbean and Mexico remain strong among romance travelers, advisors are also seeing more interest in less conventional locales.
“Couples are getting much more adventurous with their choices,” Dream Vacations’ Melnick said, noting that places such as Iceland, Italy and Japan are gaining traction among her honeymooning clientele, while destinations like Spain and Morocco are emerging for weddings.
Couples are opting for more adventurous romance destinations. (Photo Credit: Halfpoint/stock.adobe.com)
Airlift is also important to consider, according to Jackie Waechter, owner and founder of Blissful Honeymoons & Destination Weddings Vacations, based in Overland Park, Kansas. She says she’s seeing an increased demand for Europe and more far-flung Caribbean islands, which are benefiting from better lift from U.S. hubs.
“We have also seen a surge in requests for Indonesia and Bali,” she added.
Dearmon of Perspectives Travel agrees that couples are expanding their horizons, including to places like Japan, Central America and South Africa, but she still sees traditional hot spots suchas Italy, France and Greece maintaining their popularity.
“Many of these couples have traveled together while dating, and they’ve already checked off the more typical honeymoon spots and are looking for something unique,” she said.
The Rise of Experience-Driven Romance
Across the board, advisors agree: Today’s couples want more than a pretty backdrop.
“They’re asking for adventure and bucket-list destinations,” Melnick said. “More important than the destination are the experiences, such as glacier hikes, night swims in bioluminescent bays or private cooking classes with local chefs.”
Vatnsdal of Onyx & Evergreen Travel has also witnessed elopements becoming “truly epic,” she says, featuring everything from helicopter exits and glacier hikes to cliff side vows and desert sunsets.
“It’s less about saving money and more about creating an unforgettable, cinematic day that’s all about them,” she said.
Blissful Honeymoons & Destination Weddings’ Waechter likens her process to “The Dating Game” — matching clients with the perfect resort by making sure a property’s vibe matches the couple’s energy level and social style.
Meanwhile, Dearmon takes a highly consultative approach, using intake forms, preference surveys and discovery calls to take into account client preferences, priorities and goals.
Why Travel Advisors Are Indispensable
If the internet can serve up endless options, why do couples still turn to travel advisors? Our experts agree that nothing beats firsthand experience and a trusted advocate.
“A travel advisor is part matchmaker, part logistics guru — and, sometimes, part therapist,” Melnick said.
Using an agent is also the key to unlocking special access, Dearmon points out.
“You can’t VIP yourself,” she said, noting that advisors with preferred partnerships can secure exclusive upgrades, credits and amenities for clients.
Waechter describes how two decades of industry experience have honed her professional instincts.
“Some resorts are wonderful for a honeymoon, but terrible for a wedding,” she said.
She also illuminates how advisors can ease the burden on couples.
“We make the process much easier because we take care of family and friends — answering questions, collecting money and more,” she said.
“We’re more than travel bookers; we’re matchmakers, advocates and experience curators,” Vatnsdal added. “We take the pressure off so couples can actually enjoy the experience — not just survive it.”
The Next Five Years
Over the next few years, romance travel is set to become even more personalized, intentional and focused on attaining truly unique experiences.
“I see romantic travel becoming even more personalized and experience-driven,” Melnick said. “Couples will lean into curated, meaningful adventures rather than traditional templates … the human touch will still be essential.”
Waechter predicts more flight options and expanded inventory in unique destinations, with continued steady demand for the classics.
Dearmon, meanwhile, forecasts that, as options multiply, advisors will become even more essential.
“Couples will continue to be informed, but also may be overwhelmed by their options,” she said. “The value of travel advisors will continue to be apparent because we’ll be able to guide them through decision paralysis.”
Vatnsdal believes that, come what may, intimate celebrations will only grow.
“Love isn’t going out of style — how we celebrate it is simply evolving,” she said.
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