We Break Down the Latest Engagement Travel Trend: The Earlymoon

We first wrote about this concept in 2017. Find out why the earlymoon has become mainstream.
aspirational and attainable earlymoon honeymoon prewedding getaway
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Esther Lee - Deputy Editor, The Knot
by
Esther Lee
Esther Lee - Deputy Editor, The Knot
Esther Lee
Deputy Editor
  • Esther is the Deputy Editor of The Knot. She currently leads all content on The Knot Wellness, focusing on financial, relationship, and mental wellbeing.
  • She oversees The Knot's travel vertical (honeymoons, destination weddings, bach parties), as well as overarching features and trends.
  • She proudly serves on the Advisory Council of VOW For Girls, focusing on ending the injustice of child marriage around the world.
Updated Jul 10, 2024
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It's only natural for couples to want to take a break from wedding planning and what typically comes to mind may be a spa treatment or a one-night staycation. Lately, however, a much-desired romantic vacation (domestic or international) is not only encouraged for engaged couples, but it's becoming more and more mainstream. And guess what? There's a name for it too: the earlymoon.

Not to brag, but The Knot first wrote about this type of honeymoon back in 2017. At the time, Pippa Middleton and James Matthews had snuck off to St. Barts for an unconventional earlymoon prior to their high-profile nuptials in London. Since then, more couples have prioritized travel as a form of connection in our busy world. After all, the earlymoon allows couples to enjoy R&R from planning and quality time before the hullabaloo of the wedding itself.

Between minimoons, buddymoons and more in our glossary, we want to be clear: There's no right or wrong way to honeymoon. Your wedding is your time to personalize and celebrate the engagement period, your way. It's why we're here to guide you throughout the process, but we won't tell you that something has to be a certain way or within a time frame (save, some wedding etiquette guidelines). Now that we've addressed that, we can move on to your burning questions, starting with what is an earlymoon?

Not to be confused with the honeymoon, an earlymoon is a once-in-a-lifetime trip that couples take before walking down the aisle. Consider it a pre-wedding honeymoon or a trip that allows couples to further savor the engagement period. It's the perfect opportunity to catch some snooze, enjoy a romantic getaway, and come back with that still-engaged glow. So often, couples find themselves stressed while wedding planning that the earlymoon could be just the antidote to the flurry of activity and fun you'll experience throughout the rest of wedding planning. It is meant to be savored.

When to Plan an Earlymoon

The optimal time to go on an earlymoon is right after you get the largest and most pressing wedding planning tasks done: You've secured your vision and budget, you've booked your venue, and you've locked in your top-billed vendors. (Maybe you've even decided to get a prenup.) Good for you: a vacation cocktail or mocktail is in the works. Once your biggest checklist items are completed and there isn't anything else to address that's super urgent, the time is ripe for an earlymoon. This is the moment when you'll be able to close your laptop, grab your IDs or passports (or both), and make your way to a beloved or dream destination to reconnect and even return, reinvigorated, about planning your wedding.

What to Consider While Planning

You likely will want to save that far-flung or remote destination for the actual honeymoon, but that doesn't mean you can't venture to a bucket-list locale for the earlymoon. What's so special about this prewedding trip is that you'll be able to explore more of the world with your partner and create engagement memories and reflections in a special place. In fact, some resorts are now offering earlymoon packages and engagement offerings (different than proposal packages) that focus on the respite aspect of pampering while planning.

Earlymoon Ideas and Destinations

So you're convinced that an earlymoon is a must-do. What's next: whittling down how exactly you want to spend your time and where that's viable. If budget is a concern, don't worry: we've covered the gamut of options below to give you a sense of every type of earlymoon under the sun. "Our experts love the emerging earlymoon trend as it's a great excuse to blow off some steam during the wedding planning process," says Casey Holt, Sales & Service Manager at Scott Dunn. "Plus, they can get excited about the big day."

Go on a Road Trip

Pack your bags, fuel up, and enjoy a road trip. While we're big fans of the road trip honeymoon, an earlymoon road trip means you'll have plenty of time to discuss any outstanding engagement items (we recommend focusing more on your relationship, like premarital counseling questions) during those long stretches along interstate highways or scenic roads.

Explore a National Park

There are nearly 430 national parks in the US alone, meaning you can explore a new corner of the country–and Mother Nature–every day of the year and that still wouldn't scratch the surface of the breathtaking natural landscapes and hiking trails. Couples who enjoy being outdoorsy may especially want to take up an earlymoon at a dream national park (the Tetons, the Grand Canyon, Acadia, anyone?) One note from the editor: Some of the best-known US National Parks require advanced planning and even timed ticketing, so you'll want to plan accordingly.

Fly to an All-Inclusive for a Weekend

Time off is tight, so why not maximize your time and efforts and enjoy a weekend getaway earlymoon by having everything at your fingertips? Meals, drinks and other amenities are up to each resort, but here are some options to keep in mind.

Go Glamping

So you like the idea of sleeping under the stars, but you don't love the idea of pitching a tent. We get it. Thankfully, glamping is a mix of both. This earlymoon option has become even more luxurious, as of late. Couples can easily find a five-star glamping resort, like Aman Resort's well-appointed Camp Sarika by Amangiri or the raved-about Nayara Tented Camps in Costa Rica. Even the Four Seasons Naviva has been received favorably by the well-traveled set. If you prefer something more low-key, trust that there are plenty of high-low glamping sites throughout the country. You'll find one that works perfectly for your earlymoon.

Group Trip With Your Besties

Mexico City, Rio, Ibiza, St. Tropez, Miami. There are plenty of places to party with your friends for a group getaway. That's just one more way to approach the earlymoon. Couples who select this route may consider throwing a joint bach party first. After the partying and the nonstop socializing are done, you'll be able to unwind from the flurry of fun–just the two of you–at your chosen locale or nearby version of paradise.

"COMO Parrot Cay in Turks and Caicos is an idyllic choice for couples looking for a relaxing escape before their wedding and perhaps eager to pick up a pre-wedding tan," says Holt. "It's the perfect place to unwind and feel at peace as you leave your worries at the door. It's also a convenient option for many of our guests, as it is a quick flight from New York or Miami."

Book a Posh Suite

There's nothing like a suite room or a club lounge experience in a five-star hotel that makes you feel pampered. If you can't go far but know of a few local resorts that specialize in ultra-luxury rooms and experiences, stay close instead. Indulge in the hotel's swanky cocktail bar, then throw on plush bathrobes and slippers and slip into your suite for an intimate earlymoon.

Enjoy Some Retail Therapy

Between local Main Streets and Miami's luxurious Bal Harbour village to New York City's iconic Madison and Fifth Avenues, there are plenty of places to go shopping in the US and worldwide. If you and your partner plan to indulge in new purchases, especially for the wedding, then an earlymoon may be in order at top cities around the world.

"La Réserve Paris offers a sophisticated option for those looking to combine a pre-wedding trip with a touch of luxury and style," says Holt. "Situated in the heart of Paris, it's perfect for couples who want to immerse themselves in the city's iconic fashion scene and indulge in some pre-wedding shopping and pampering. I can't think of a more fun way to prepare for one's wedding than with a Parisian shopping spree, where couples can find unique outfits and accessories for their upcoming nuptials and beyond."

Eat Your Heart Out

The US alone has a range of culinary delights across regions: beignets and Creole fare in New Orleans, lobster rolls and clam chowder in New England, cheesecakes in New York and cheesesteaks in Philly, and who could forget the irresistible BBQ pit stop down South? Book an earlymoon to check off a few spots on that growing list of restaurants and coffee shops. (Foodies will understand.) Enjoy Michelin star-rated restaurants and hole-in-the-wall spots across various destinations nationwide… the world is your, ahem, oyster. Plus, you get to enjoy it with your lobster.

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