TORONTO — ‘Go big or go home’ is the whole idea behind romance & travel’s latest trend. 

‘Megamoons,’ or mega-honeymoons, are exactly what they sound like: post-wedding getaways that go beyond conventional trips, whether this means booking bucket-list destinations, signing up for out-of-this-world experiences, or travelling for weeks or months on end. Though they’ve been around forever, megamoons are seeing a post-COVID renaissance, with newlyweds going all out for the trip of their dreams. 

But with any big trip comes the potential for logistical nightmares, which is where travel advisors come in. Their expertise in trip planning can make the difference between an epic honeymoon and an epic fail, says John Hawks, Executive Director of Destination Wedding & Honeymoon Specialists Association (DWHSA). 

“We definitely recommend that couples considering a megamoon should work with an experienced travel advisor – a romance travel specialist in particular – for two reasons: complexity and cost. While shorter honeymoons may be built around a standard all-inclusive stay or cruise with a supplier’s basic honeymoon package, megamoons typically involve customized itineraries with lots of moving parts that should be planned (and confirmed) by an advisor. Plus, megamoons carry higher budgets, so advisors can give couples more value for that extra money!” says Hawkes. 

But how would advisors do this? What kind of planning is involved? Here, Hawkes tells Travelweek how to pull off the ultimate megamoon and how travel advisors can help.

Why do you think megamoons are gaining in popularity?

“Before the pandemic, almost all engaged couples cancelled their honeymoon plans. But in 2023 and 2024, they came roaring back, with couples determined to achieve the honeymoon of their dreams. Our members report many of their couples are now focusing more on their honeymoon plans than their actual weddings! They’re pulling back on their destination wedding guest lists and budgets, and increasing their honeymoon spend.”

What are some pros and cons of a megamoon?

“With larger megamoon budgets, it’s much easier to plan an itinerary that fits the interests of both members of the couple. If the bride wants a week at a five-star resort but the groom wants an eco-getaway in the mountains, a megamoon budgets makes all of that possible. Another advantage is the fact that megamoons can last anywhere from 10 days to two weeks or more, which allows couples to stay longer in long-haul destinations.

“The biggest challenges with megamoons are the higher cost and longer trip length. Not every couple will have the budget and available time off work to plan such an intensive getaway.”

How far out from the wedding should couples start planning their megamoon?

“Typically, couples plan honeymoons four to eight months before the wedding date. If they’re thinking megamoons, though, we suggest they contact their travel advisor up to a year before departure, around the same time they’ll start planning their wedding. They may need that extra time for their advisors to contact more suppliers than a standard honeymoon, or to lock in more bespoke arrangements such as unique wellness treatments or sporting activities.” 

Do you find that megamoon couples are travelling right after the wedding, or are they departing much later? What would you recommend?

“The answer will depend heavily, of course, on each couple’s circumstances, with three key factors. First, as always, money: Do they have the budget to cover the many planned and unexpected expenses of the wedding ceremony itself, plus the megamoon components, all of which may come due around the same time? Next, time: Can they handle the planning and preparation time for both the wedding and the megamoon back-to-back, plus the actual travel time from start to finish? Finally, stress: Will they feel excited by the prospect of jumping into the megamoon a day or two after saying their ‘I do’s,’ or does just thinking about that set them on edge? 

“For many couples, our members have found delaying the megamoon past the wedding date – or planning a ‘minimoon’ to get away a few days – and then taking the megamoon later makes the most sense.”

What are some questions that travel agents should ask couples to pinpoint the megamoon of their dreams?

First, of course, advisors should gauge the couple’s interest in a longer, more ambitious honeymoon in the first place. Ask early if they’ve discussed the idea of a ‘you only live once’ getaway after the wedding because that answer will determine the direction of the honeymoon planning, from schedules and budgets to destination choices.

“The next question must be, ‘why a megamoon?’ Find out why the couple might consider this type of extended trip. Do they want to combine their respective ‘dream trips of a lifetime’ into this single trip? Do they want to explore a region of the world instead of just one destination? Do they want to immerse themselves in a given activity such as Italian cooking or skiing the mountains of Africa?

“Another critical question is the couple’s true honeymoon budget. Even if advisors use their tricks such as working with destination management companies and suggesting shoulder- and off-season dates to keep costs under control, many couples may not understand the final price tag of the megamoons they’ve seen on TikTok. Advisors should be ready with megamoon price ranges and examples to share with couples so they’re clear about the costs.

“Finally, our members have shared this question they’ve found helpful when couples may not completely agree on what to do on their megamoons: What is the number one memory or experience each of you would like to bring home from the megamoon? Whether their answers are similar or wildly different will help advisors plan the final schedule accordingly.”

What planning tips do you have for couples booking a megamoon?

“They should avoid ‘overpacking’ the itinerary and build in plenty of extra time for transfers and hotel changes so that one late flight doesn’t collapse the entire trip. Purchase top-level travel insurance and have healthy emergency savings ready; the longer they’re travelling, the more likely unexpected things might happen. 

“Another good idea is to combine standard travel arrangements with ‘splurges’ if their budget gets out of control. For example, if 14 nights in a hotel suite in Hawaii is adding up too fast, they can stay in a comfortable room for 11 or 12 nights and upgrade to a suite or beachfront bungalow for the final few nights.

“And lastly, they should remember that not everything on the megamoon needs a price tag. After several days of pricey meals and shopping, their best memories may end up being the afternoon they spent in a local park and simply people-watching.”

What destinations or travel styles would you recommend for a megamoon?

“We see two big trends with megamoons: trips with a common theme such as ‘high foodie’ experiences or intensive wellness, which can mean being based at one or two luxury properties with culinary adventures or high-end spa treatments every day; and trips that include exploring nearby destinations, which may require long-haul flights to get to but are easier to go back and forth between them. This can include combinations like Italy and Croatia, or Chile and Argentina.”

For more information go to dwhsa.com.