What Is a Mini Honeymoon? Plus, How to Plan One

A mini honeymoon is ideal for newlyweds who can’t take extra time off work, are saving up for their big honeymoon, or just aren’t ready to splurge yet. A mini-moon will whisk you and your lover away to a romantic spot with minimal travel time.

Mini-Moon vs. Honeymoon

As the name suggests, a mini honeymoon (mini-moon) is a smaller version of a traditional honeymoon. As such, there are a few major differences, including the following:

Even though a mini honeymoon is cheaper and quicker, you can still fill your weekend with romance, relishing exquisite meals, and unplugging from the rest of the world.

How Do You Plan a Mini-Moon?

Planning a mini-moon is less exhausting than a traditional honeymoon.

• Focus on the most important things. Your priority should be to relax after a demanding wedding-planning season. Also, spending quality time with your loved one is a top-of-the-list consideration.
• Prioritize convenience. You don’t want a far-flung destination that will stretch your budget when you can have a similar experience closer to home. So, how about a weekend getaway in a small town? Or you could drive to a romantic honeymoon spot in your state and save on flight costs.
• Have a realistic budget. Typical honeymoons are expensive. A mini-moon can be a perfect compromise since you’ll only spend a few days at a convenient location that matches your budget.
• Keep it simple. A mini-moon doesn’t pressure you to go all out since you can postpone a traditional honeymoon for a later date. Avoid stressing yourself (or your spouse) with an itinerary that will limit the quality of your time together.
• Consider your travel preferences. Are you both nature lovers, or do you fancy lazing around in a cozy lounge? Some newlyweds opt for staycations in Airbnbs, others prefer a more luxurious weekend getaway in five-star hotels, and others prefer the sun and sand on a secluded beach in a nearby town. So, whatever your preferences, ensure to maximize your experience.

How Many Days Is a Typical Mini-Moon?

A typical mini-moon is three to five days long.

Most couples considering a romantic mini-moon have limited PTO (personal time off) or tight budgets. Hence, they can’t afford long trips to their dream destinations.

How Much Does a Mini-Moon Cost On Average?

On average, a mini-moon costs $1,200 to $1,500.

However, you can have your mini-moon on any budget. The final price boils down to the details, including the location, length of the trip, excursions, activities, and accommodation preferences.

How to Plan a Budget Mini-Moon

The secret to planning a budget mini-moon is keeping things simple. Remember, you can still have a fantastic getaway with your loved one, even with little cash to spend.

Here are a few tips for planning a budget mini-moon:

• Check your budget. A mini-moon is usually no more than 5% of your wedding’s budget. You don’t want to strain your finances further after your wedding. Keep it lowkey and focus on essential details, including your mode of transport, accommodation, and meals.
• Choose a location you can drive to. Is there a local destination you’ve always wanted to visit? It could be a spot that complements your idea of a dream honeymoon. Choosing a nearby location will prevent you from paying for flights and baggage fees.
• Plan for fewer days and few activities. Limiting the number of days and scheduled activities will help lower the cost of your mini-honeymoon. Most newlyweds are exhausted after their big day anyway; fewer activities will allow more time for rest and bonding.
• Book a room with a kitchen. Preparing all (or some) of your meals will lower your mini-moon budget significantly. Consider booking a room with a kitchen or an Airbnb and cook some of your meals instead of always eating out.

What Activities Can You Do on a Mini-Moon?

You don’t have to schedule many activities for your mini-moon. Instead, have a few intimate or fun-filled activities depending on your destination and personal interests.

For example, you can:

• Get massages. Pamper yourself and your better half by booking a few hours at a holistic spa for a massage. If the facility has an indoor lap pool and cocktail lounge, set the mood for a romantic evening relishing your cocktails by the pool.
• Go wine tasting. Nothing spells romance more than a weekend getaway in a wine country. If you live on the West Coast, tour the wineries in Napa Valley, taking in the sweeping views as you sample some of the finest wine. Vineyards are also perfect for picnics, horseback riding, and bike tours.
• Visit national parks. Nature lovers will appreciate a trip to a nearby national park. Escape the city setting as you let nature calm your body and mind while spotting wildlife along the hiking trails. Then, camp on an elevated area and stargaze your way into the night.
• Enjoy the beach. You don’t have to travel to the Caribbean to have a perfect mini-moon on a secluded beachfront. Or, how about sailing to a private island for a breathtaking sun-kissed experience? Here you can go snorkeling or scuba diving and then have a romantic dinner night in a private lounge on the oceanfront.
• Explore the outdoors. Nature-loving couples can maximize their mini-moon by exploring the outdoors. Soak in a vast array of sceneries to wind down from the wedding atmosphere. You can relax by the waterfalls, admire picturesque mountainous landscapes, go kayaking, or enjoy a session of paddleboard yoga in a seaside town.
• Go skiing. Having a mini-moon in winter? What would be more exciting than skiing in a mountain town? After that, cozy up in a warm cabin after a sumptuous dinner and yummy cocktails.
• Hit the highway. Your weekend getaway could entail a road trip to a neighboring town or state. Fall madly in love with the gorgeous sceneries on a day trip to your preferred local destination.
• Have a city adventure. For couples on the move, a city-centric mini-moon is ideal. Explore the art galleries in a major city like New York, experience fine dining in a luxe restaurant, go shopping, or stroll along quaint shops.

Where Should You Go on a Mini Honeymoon?

An ideal mini-moon would be somewhere easy to get to from where you live, whether it be a short flight or drive.

Popular mini-moon destinations include the following:

• If you live on the West Coast of the U.S., consider Big Sur and San Diego in California or Ellensburg, Washington.
• If you live in the Midwest, consider Door County, Wisconsin, the Black Hills of South Dakota, or Saugatuck, Michigan.
• If you live on the East Coast, consider Bar Harbor in Maine, Newport, Rhode Island, or Old Wethersfield in Connecticut.
• If you live in the South, consider Key West, Florida, Charleston, South Carolina, or a cabin on Lake Nottely in Georgia.

When Is the Best Time to Take a Mini-Moon?

For most newlyweds, the best time to take a mini-moon is immediately after the wedding. 

But there’s no exact rule of when to go for your mini-moon, as it also depends on which landscapes and weather you prefer. You can have a fall, summer, winter, or spring mini-moon.

5 Benefits of Going on a Mini-Moon

• You have more time to save money and plan for the main honeymoon. A mini-moon lets you postpone your honeymoon for a later date when you can afford a faraway trip to your dream honeymoon destination.
• Two vacations. The best thing about squeezing in a mini-moon after your wedding is that it doesn’t have to be a once-in-a-lifetime getaway. You can have the mini-moon immediately after your wedding and the second vacation (honeymoon) later.
• Rest after the wedding. A mini-moon doesn’t entail a detailed itinerary. It allows newlyweds to unplug after a draining wedding preparation period.
• You can get creative. Use fewer days to make the most of your romantic getaway by putting your creative foot forward. For example, you can have an exotic beach experience within your state rather than splurging the cash in a faraway destination.
• Mini-moons are simplistic. There’s less pressure in planning a mini-moon than a traditional honeymoon. Keep it simple by focusing on the most important things.