While weddings are frequently a collaborative effort with family and friends, a honeymoon, is often the first big decision you make together as a couple. Not all newlyweds take a honeymoon, but if you can, do so. It'll help you to recover from the wedding and give you a few much-needed days alone before real life intrudes. Here are some tips to ensure your honeymoon is everything you hope for:

1. Plan Ahead. Make your reservation at least six months ahead if possible. This allows you to get early booking discounts, the type of room you want and the best flight times.

2. Budget. Splurge but don't overburden yourself. This is a trip you'll remember for the rest of your life, but you'll forget how much you spent. All-inclusive resorts and cruises make your budgeting much easier, because these packages include practically everything. Consider a Honeymoon Registry to help defray some of the costs and perhaps splurge a little more!

3. Discuss your idea of the perfect vacation. Who likes sports? Who likes sun? Who wants to explore an exotic destination? Make a list of the things that mean the most to you, and compare notes. Marriage is going to call for lots of compromise and discussion, and this is the place to start.

4. Pick your destination. Make sure you pick a destination that fits your ideal vacation experience...consider their activities, the culture, resorts, and travel distance compared to that of your travel time frame.

5. Use a travel counselor. The goal of the travel counselor is to match your needs with their professional advice and experience. You may have to pay a consultation-planning fee, but it's worth it when he or she can make all the arrangements, provide you with professional expertise and recommendations, without you having to worry about anything.

6. Travel Abroad. If you're going abroad, leave plenty of time to make sure your passport is current, you have the visas needed. If inoculations are required, get them well before the wedding.

7. Photographs. Force yourself to take as many pictures as you can stand. You'll be happy you did.

8. Accommodations. Book the best room that you can afford! Consider staying at the best resort possible within your budget even if you have to be in a room without an ocean view. But don't discount the view all together, the resorts, are always saying how many clients try to upgrade once they arrive and see the ocean view or beachfront rooms.

9. Plan to relax. While it's great to know you have plenty of options in terms of things to see and do, this is, after all, a honeymoon.

10. Consult each other. Be considerate of your spouse's wishes. After all, the honeymoon is for both of you to enjoy.

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For help on planning your honeymoon or want to know more about a honeymoon registry check out the info available online. Guisselle Nunez, Co-owner. Leave the vacation planning to a professional. Mundi Travel, an American Express, and family-run travel company of 20+ years, our clients benefit through our professional knowledge, personalized service and time savings. We offer business and leisure travel services.