Having been engaged for two years, I've learned there are two questions people always seem to ask when they find out you're getting married.

Firstly, "Where are you getting married?", and secondly, "What are you doing for your honeymoon?". And even though my wedding is coming up in June, I’ll admit that I didn't have an answer to the second question until very recently.

Believe me when I say you can spend hours down the rabbit hole of honeymoon planning. After months of researching the same questions over and over again (“How long should I go on a honeymoon?”, “What is a minimoon?”, “What are the best honeymoon destinations?”, “What are the best honeymoon destinations in the US?”), I decided to take a step back and think about ways to revamp the traditional honeymoon experience. Here’s what I came up with:

Written by Juliana Schnerr

Stay Domestic

After partying late into the night with your nearest and dearest, the last thing you want to do is wake up early the next morning to get on an international flight. Between packing, checking bags, catching your connecting flights, and keeping track of your passport, an international honeymoon can sometimes be more of a hassle than it's worth.

Why not save yourself some stress and consider staying closer to home? With so much expectation and pressure put on having an incredible honeymoon, or flying out to the most famous honeymoon destinations, it can be easy to forget that there are unforgettable and exotic options all within the United States. From pristine beaches to quaint mountain towns, desert oases to bustling cities, you'll be amazed at the honeymoon and minimoon options the US has to offer. (Pack Up + Go has sent travelers to over 300 unique and memorable locations, all within the country!)

Let Someone Else Do the Planning!

If you're like me, you’ve just spent the last few months talking with vendors, finalizing your menu, and tracking down RSVP responses. Now, you deserve a break! Letting go of control and giving up the responsibility that comes with choosing your honeymoon destination, making reservations, booking activities, and coming up with your day-to-day itinerary is the greatest post-wedding gift you can give yourself. Honeymoons are about spending time with your partner, and passing on the planning to a service like Pack Up + Go means you're free to be in the moment and soak up every minute of your time together. Pack Up + Go has plenty of experience planning romantic honeymoons and minimoons, so even though you’re giving up control, you can still feel at ease knowing your experience is in trusted hands!

Get Active

We know honeymoons are meant to be a relaxing time, but just because you're relaxing doesn't mean you can't also explore! So go ahead and tailor your honeymoon plans to your interests instead of other people's expectations and enjoy a mix of pamper time and adventure.

A mix of action and leisure is a trademark of the Pack Up + Go surprise travel experience, making a Pack Up + Go Trip a great option for active travelers. But, if you already have a destination in mind, Pack Up + Go Picks is a great starting point for fitting the most into your honeymoon trip. Our curated recommendations give you the best of everything in your destination, from restaurants where you can enjoy a special meal, to tours that will give you an inside look at the city, to rejuvenating spas where you can sit back and relax with your partner.

Head Outdoors

Honeymoons aren't one size fits all. Your honeymoon should be as unique as you and your partner. If you're looking for something different and uniquely yours, why not head outdoors?

On top of avoiding city crowds and overtourism, choosing an outdoor-oriented destination can help you get in the right honeymoon headspace. Let's face it, there are few things more relaxing and romantic than nature. Plus, between AirBnBs, local bed + breakfasts, and boutique hotels, there are plenty of ways to stay on an outdoorsy honeymoon without feeling like you're roughing it on a camping trip!

Whether your idea of outdoor adventure is a riverside walk, a half-day hike, a zipline tour, or just chilling out in a hot tub with a great view, your honeymoon is the perfect opportunity to enjoy some time together in the great outdoors.

Interested in incorporating the outdoors experience on your honeymoon but not sure where to start? Pack Up + Go's Outdoors Trips might be a perfect fit.

Once my fiancé and I had these new honeymoon ideas in mind, we were able to revamp our entire experience.

We realized it made sense for us to stay within the United States, head for an outdoorsy destination, and incorporate a mix of both relaxation and recreation into our honeymoon trip. So, we decided to take a road trip to Pisgah National Forest, NC (located less than an hour from Asheville, NC in Transylvania County, AKA “The Land of Waterfalls”) for a perfect blend of natural beauty, great dining and sightseeing options, and plenty of opportunities for outdoor exploration.

We left our days open so we can hike, tube the river, or just relax together depending on our mood. But we've also booked in a couple of fun activities, like a bee farm tour, a celebratory dinner reservation, and a couple's massage to make the most of our week-long trip.

At the end of the day, I found revamping your honeymoon can lead to a getaway that's tailor made for you and your partner!

If you’re ready to revamp your own honeymoon experience, Pack Up + Go is here for you!

Whether you’re interested in a week long adventure or relaxing minimoon, Pack Up + Go has you covered with multiple surprise Trip Types and curated recommendations through Pack Up + Go Picks.