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    Honeymoons

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    Honeymoons. That period of bliss after all the wedding chaos, when you and your new partner get to relax and enjoy each other’s company in an exotic location before settling into your new life together. But what if that new life includes kids?

    Perhaps you had children before tying the knot. Maybe this is your second marriage and one or both of you have kids. Rather than go on a honeymoon alone, some couples with kids are opting to go on familymoons instead.

    A familymoon is a family holiday straight after the wedding. Taking your kids on your honeymoon might seem a bit unusual, but it could be a wonderful experience for the entire family.

    Remember, planning your wedding can also be stressful for your kids. Taking a familymoon will let them have some fun after all the excitement. Familymoons are also great bonding opportunities, something that is vital when integrating a family. You will also enjoy your vacation more, knowing that those you love most are enjoying themselves with you.

    Some agents have capitalised on the trend and are offering many great packages that your whole family could enjoy. From beach getaways and cruises to city tours and outdoor adventures, there are plenty of options for a familymoon. Booking a family-friendly holiday means that there will definitely be activities the kids can do by themselves while you and your partner enjoy some alone time.

    Picture: Pexels

    The COVID-19 pandemic has changed life as we know it. Plans that were made and trips that were booked were scrapped as the virus took over the world.

    For those that postponed or cancelled their honeymoons in light of the pandemic, they miss out on that special time to grow closer and welcome the first few days of wedded bliss in a beautiful setting away from the stresses of everyday life.

     

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    Luckily, your honeymoon is not lost forever. Many couples are now planning their ‘latermoon’, a holiday taken by newlyweds weeks or even months after their wedding,

    With travel restrictions across the world, the latermoon is your best option. It can also be a blessing in disguise, as it gives you more time to save up spending money and gives you an opportunity to research your destination better.

    In time, your honeymoon maybe even more special because you waited for it for so long. When you are finally able to travel to your dream destination, it will feel even more sweet knowing you and your loved one made it through a global pandemic.

     

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    We know that a honeymoon is not about where you are, but who you are with. That being said, spending it in a beautiful location wouldn’t hurt.

    There are hundreds of incredible locations around the world to ring in your first few days of wedded bliss in style. Here are a few of our favourites:

    Amangiri in Utah, USA

     

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    Amangiri is a remote hideaway tucked within the luminous canyons of the American Southwest. This 600-acre sanctuary of wilderness and isolation in Canyon Point, Southern Utah features the Aman Spa with a water pavilion, sauna, steam room, cold plunge and outdoor private pavilions. Visitors also get privileged access to nearby National Parks and Lake Powell.

    Giraffe Manor in Nairobi, Kenya

     

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    This exclusive boutique hotel, owned by The Safari Collection, is often referred to as one of the most Instagrammed properties in the world. Giraffe Manor is set in 12 acres of private land within 140 acres of indigenous forest in the Langata suburb of Nairobi and is one of the city’s most iconic buildings. Its most famous residents are the herd of Rothschild’s giraffes who often join couples for their meals.

    Babylonstoren in Franschhoek, South Africa

     

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    Babylonstoren is one of the oldest Cape Dutch farms, set at the foot of Simonberg in the Franschhoek wine valley. It has a fruit and vegetable garden of beauty and diversity, unique accommodation, fine food and wine, and evokes a sense of wellbeing. Couples can spend hours walking through Babyonstoren’s manicured garden before taking a dip in the pool and relaxing in your suite.

    The St. Regis in Bora Bora

    There is a reason Bora Bora is the top on everyone’s list of dream honeymoon destinations: it is simply stunning. Stay in the largest overwater villas in the South Pacific and revel in the turquoise blue waters visible from the glass panels at the St. Regis. Couples can spend the day exploring the island, snorkeling, or simply relaxing in your stunning suite.

    The Retreat at Blue Lagoon, Iceland

     

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    This Icelandic retreat features suites built right into centuries-old lava, with floor-to-ceiling windows that boast the mesmerising scenery of the country’s famous Blue Lagoon. A stay at The Retreat includes access to an underground spa, upscale dining, daily yoga and Northern Lights viewing tours.

    Picture: Instagram / The Retreat at Blue Lagoon

    After the stress of wedding planning, a honeymoon away with your loved one sounds like the perfect remedy. Unfortunately, that requires even more planning.

    Travel agents are experts in their field and can turn a getaway into a trip of a lifetime. If you’re still on the fence of deciding on doing it yourself or relinquishing control, here are some pros and cons to help you make your decision:

    The Pros:

    It’s literally their job to create perfect trips

    Travel agents are seasoned professionals at planning trips, and consider every aspect. If you’re a newbie to travelling, there may be some things you don’t even think about that could have a huge impact on your getaway.

    They also tend to know a lot more about certain destinations and properties and can recommend restaurants, clubs and sightseeing spots off the beaten track.

    They can get deals and discounts not available to the public:

    With all their connections in the industry, travel agents are more likely to get discounted rates for hotel stays and experiences. It can sometimes even be slightly more affordable to book a package through them than to book it all separately by yourself.

    It saves you time, effort and stress:

    Outsourcing a responsibility allows you to focus your energy on something else, which is especially helpful for couples planning a wedding at the same time. All you need to do is pack your bags and hop on your flight to your dream destination.

    The cons:

    It’s another expense

    While travel agents are typically not costly, planning a wedding is already expensive enough and adding another vendor to your list might not be in your budget. If you don’t have the wiggle room or would rather save your money to use on your honeymoon itself, then hiring a travel agent may not be the best idea.

    It can be hard to find the right one:

    Like with anything in life, you want the right person to handle your business. Travel agents are not all made equal, and some may push you into more costly experiences or not tailor your trip to your personality but instead on what they enjoy.

    Picture: Unsplash

    Saint Lucia has been named as the top honeymoon destination for the 12th time by the World Travel Awards. This is also the third consecutive win for the island nation.

    It beat out other loved destinations like Jamaica, the Maldives, Mauritius, Paris, Miami Beach, Oman, Maui in Hawaii and Cartegena de Indias in Colombia.

    While virtually accepting the award, Minister Honourable Dominic Fedee said: “Saint Lucia’s internationally acclaimed status is what we strive for daily in our strategic marketing and promotion efforts.

    “The destination undoubtedly boasts of true passion in all key niches and amongst its hidden gems. It is indeed an honour for Saint Lucia to be named once again as the World’s Leading Honeymoon Destination, a sincere reflection of our culture and the people who propel the industry.”

    It seems this destination is quite popular. In addition to its winning category, Saint Lucia was also nominated as the World’s Leading Island Destination, World’s Leading Wedding Destination and World’s Most Romantic Destination 2020.

    Saint Lucia is a sovereign island country in the West Indies in the eastern Caribbean Sea. It is especially popular for its lush rainforests, towering mountains, secluded coves and vibrant local communities. It is an adventure-lovers dream destination.
    Picture: Instagram / Travel Saint Lucia

    Your honeymoon is supposed to be stress-free, glowing and romantic. Make sure you’re prepped and ready for anything with these 5 beauty essentials.

    1. Sunscreen

    Rain or shine, sun or snow, sunscreen is one thing you cannot leave at home. From the very beginning of your getaway, from being in a car or on an airplane, you have to make sure your skin is properly protected, especially because the environment might be different to what you know.

    A broad spectrum sunscreen with a high SPF, pollution filters and blue light filters will ensure you’re well protected in any season and in any environment. If you’re worried about the coral reefs, reach for a mineral sunscreen (containing zinc oxide instead of oxybenzone), but if you’re heading to the slopes, a chemical one will last longer and won’t make you look chalky.

    2. Fragrance

    Take something with you other than your wedding day fragrance, as this will ensure you capture a honeymoon scent memory as well. Sometimes it’s nice to try something different, but pick something that still falls within the fragrance family you know and love to avoid disappointment. Even better, pick something that you and your partner can both use, so that a whiff of it years later will instantly transport you back.

    3. Hair care

    Honeymoon hair means it needs as much of a break, and down time, as you’ll be having. After the stress of wedding planning and the damage your hair might have undergone on the day itself, you’ll want to make sure you’re giving your hair an extra bit of love. Try to make use of as little as possible heat to dry and style your hair, and rather focus on repairing damage and allowing it to have a bit of a breather.

    Maybe you need some help to instantly repair your hair and bring it back to its renewed, elastic shape – then the Wella Fusion range is for you! Packed with reparative ingredients to help strengthen hair and prevent further breakage, it works great on all hair types, but especially colour treated and heat damaged hair.

    On the other hand, a more natural approach would include the Elements range, which is free of sulphates, parabens and artificial colourants. It’s ideal for those looking for something a little lighter, while still packing a punch when it comes to regenerative and moisturising power.

    Get your hands on an Elements or Fusion Festive Pack HERE or visit your nearest Wella Professionals salon.

    4. Multi-purpose make-up

    When space is sparse you need to only pack what you absolutely need. Go for creamy lipsticks that you can use on your lips and your cheeks, bronzing palettes that can easily translate as eyeshadow, stick foundations than can either be used as concealer or built up to achieve more coverage, and of course, a waterproof mascara to perk up your peepers that’s happy tears, rain and swim safe.

    5. A good make-up remover

    Nothing is more frustrating than being away from home and not being able to remove your make-up properly. Test and trial a make-up remover, preferably something like a micellar water which is more gentle on the eyes, to be sure all remnants can be removed. A brilliant way to test if a make-up remover is honeymoon-worthy is to try one on the night of your wedding when make-up has been applied heavier than usual.

    Picture/s: Unsplash

    Who knew the destination of your honeymoon was so crucial to the success of your marriage? According to a recent study, where you go to spend your first days of wedded bliss can make or break your union.

    Compare.bet conducted a study into which honeymoon destinations were the most common among divorced couples. First, they created a list of the most popular honeymoon destinations across the globe. They then surveyed 3100 divorced or separated couples worldwide to uncover which spot they settled on.

    Their findings reveal that at 20%, the Maldives was the most popular honeymoon destination among couples who have since gone their separate ways. The Maldives has been a popular honeymoon and general vacation destination for decades, with its crystal-clear waters and pristine beaches a top calling-card.

    Next up on the list was Marrakesh in Morrocco, with 17% of divorcees having spent their honeymoon there. Bora Bora in French Polynesia takes the third spot with 13% of the vote.

    Other destinations that made it on the list include Bali (10%), Mauritius (8%), Lapland (7%), Santorini (5%), Venice (5%), Dubrovnik (4%), Buenos Aires (4%) and Cancun (3%).

    Bangkok, Napa Valley, Maui, and Nairobi seems to be the safest places to honeymoon for a successful marriage, as they all only reported 1% of the vote each.

    Picture: Pexels

    A summer honeymoon spent by the beach is the perfect way to unwind after a stressful few months of wedding planning. However, you don’t want to overpack or spend too much on multiple outfits that will break the bank.

    We’ve got the perfect solution. Tegan Glen, a Cape Town-based photographer, created her brand Summer Glen after struggling for many years to find the perfect fitting swimsuit (like many) and took it on herself to design a swim piece that would both look sexy and support women.

    After months of research and careful consideration to several women’s swimwear concerns, the “Infinite” range was born.

    The design:

    This inventive suit features multi-way straps allowing one to style their swimsuit for any occasion. Due to the adjustable straps, the swimsuit supports A-DD cup sizes, making it even more size-inclusive.

    The high leg style avoids cutting over the hips and lengthens legs, providing a more flattering fit. Double lining in the black and triple lining in the coral creates a comfortable, supportive swimsuit and avoids any possibility of sheerness.

    Sustainability:

    A fashionable suit made with sustainability in mind, what more could you want? The swimsuit fabric is made from Repreve fabric, which is created from recycled plastic. All tags are made from recycled paper, and ribbon is used to attach tags rather than plastic.

    The brand also offers scrunchies made from fabric offcuts to avoid unnecessary waste during production.

    Online orders are couriered in mailer bags made from cornstarch. Customers can put the bags in their compost heap immediately.

    Summer Glen can be purchased directly online at https://summerglen.co.za

    Picture/s: supplied

    Since the COVID-19 pandemic started, the general public and couples had to change how they traditionally did things.  How weddings are celebrated have also changed, forcing many to get creative with how they say ‘I do’.

    If you are not scared of heights but also wants to maintain extreme social distancing, then saying your vows in the sky could be an idea.

    Air Charter Service is offering a “Wedding in the Sky” package for couples who can afford to socially distance in the clouds. The two-hour sky-high experience takes place at 30 000 feet and includes an airport chauffeur to drive the newlyweds to and from their choice of airport.

    The package will also include champagne, personalized wedding favours, canapés, a cabin crew member officiant, flower arrangements, and catered food and drink aboard a plane that seats up to 16 people.

    One of the nicest things about this adventure is that your route can be planned and you can say “I do” while flying over your preferred route.

    The whole thing will cost you $28,000 (R443 286) but if you have a smaller budget, there is an offer for you at $18,000 (R284 969) but you need to bear in mind that the perks will not be the same because its one is for a couple that wants to elope.

    Picture: Unsplash

    Scottish couple Melissa Russell, 27, and Shannon McKenna, 26, have been together for six years, and getting married was not part of their plans. However, like many couples this year, the COVID-19 pandemic made them realise that they want to spend the rest of their lives together.

    Melissa and Shannon had hoped for a marquee in their garden for the wedding and a few nights away at a hotel.

    Melissa, who is an employee at McDonald’s, spoke to her boss about her frustrations of planning a wedding during a pandemic. Her employer, Kate, then pulled out all the stops to give them a dream wedding reception in the fast-food restaurant.

    The two were legally married by a humanist celebrant in Hamilton, South Lanarkshire, and then went to celebrate the rest of the day at the McDonald’s Melissa works at.

    On the menu for the newlyweds was a three-course meal containing Mozzarella Dippers or Chicken Selects for starters, anything on the menu for the main course and ice cream was served in crystal glasses, or apple pie and ice cream.

    The couple were over the moon and so emotional about the whole thing,

    “It was an absolutely fabulous day. Kate is such a lovely, helpful person and she went above and beyond, she did so many things we didn’t expect, she got the tables decorated,” said Melissa.

    The newlyweds then spent a night in Loch Lomond for a brief honeymoon, before returning home.

    Picture: Unsplash