HONEYMOON
 
Marriages should start out on the right foot, and there's no better way than the perfect honeymoon that's Romantic, Stress Free and Unforgettable.
 
What is a Honeymoon?
 
A honeymoon is the traditional holiday taken by newlyweds to celebrate their marriage in intimacy and seclusion.
 
Honeymoons have always been a thrilling part of the first days of being married.
The Honeymoon is not like your everyday vacation; it is your first trip together as a married couple and a significantly important way to relax after the wedding. No other journey will hold the same significance as this vacation.
Depending on the couple, a honeymoon can last anywhere from a week to a month, though it is sometimes of a shorter duration, due to the pressures of work.
 
We cannot attribute to any time for certain what the origins of the word "HONEYMOON" are, though various theories exist.
Many historians believe and agree that the "moon" part of the word refers to the "Full Moon" of the wedding; in ancient times, Teutonic weddings were only held under full moons.
Some people believe that the "honey" part of honeymoon refers to the tradition in some European countries of a newly married couple drinking honey mead for a month to increase fertility.
The first uses of the word "honeymoon" appeared in the 16th century, though it did not refer to a vacation at that time. In Western culture, the custom of a newlywed couple going on a holiday together originated in early 19th century Great Britain, a concept borrowed from the Indian elite, in the Subcontinent. Upper-class couples would take a "bridal tour", sometimes accompanied by friends or family, to visit relatives that had not been able to attend the wedding. The practice soon spread to the European continent and was known as voyage à la façon anglaise (English-style voyage) in France from the 1820s on.
In the bible, the earliest reference to a honeymoon is in Deuteronomy 24v5, “When a man is newlywed, he need not go out on a military expedition, nor shall any public duty be imposed on him. He shall be exempt for one year for the sake of his family; to bring joy to the wife he has married.”  
 
However, some other theorists believe that the word "honeymoon" is merely a corruption of "hymeneal," which refers to a wedding song.
Whatever the case, the honeymoon has been a tradition ever since ancient times, though its function has changed as people become more westernized.
 
Couples, most especially brides were expected to remain chaste until marriage; the honeymoon was simply a time for them to get acquainted in a more physical sense.
The inclusion of a vacation became part of the honeymoon tradition much later, first appearing in the 1800s, though it did not become a common practice for the general public until around 1930. Honeymoons in the modern sense became widespread during the Belle Époque, as one of the first instances of modern mass tourism. This came about in spite of initial disapproval by contemporary medical opinion (which worried about women's frail health) and by savoir vivre guidebooks (which deplored the public attention drawn to what was assumed to be the wife's sexual initiation).
Though the honeymoon is still seen as a time for the newly-married couple to be intimate without interruptions, it is now also a chance for couples to explore unique parts of the world and enjoy the outdoors.
The Honeymoon is an integral part of the whole wedding process, depending on the couples’ budget; they could travel out of their location to any romantic spot within or outside their country of base, find an hotel near their immediate environs or spend the honeymoon at their base (home).
No matter where you decide to spend your honeymoon, the most important part is to create the right ambience and ensure that you have as much fun together as possible.
We have listed below some of the essentials for both the bride and groom. Note that if you travel to some Destination spots, the essentials are part of the honeymoon package offered.
 

BRIDE
    1.    Lingerie (sexy, in vibrant colours red, champagne, peach or the basic black)
    2.    Garter belt
    3.    Nightgowns or Pajamas shorts (lacy, silk). No cotton please!
    4.    Comfortable/breezy clothes (shorts, floral gowns)
    5.    Dinner gown (not too fancy). Not more than one or two!
    6.    Slip-on sandals, dressy shoe(1)
    7.    Chocolates
    8.    Perfumes
    9.    Toilet bag – face towel, make-up, scented bath soap, toothpaste, toothbrush, face-wash, facial scrub, body cream, sunscreen, hairbrush, roll-on etc
    10.    Bath oils, bath salts
    11.    Scented candles  
 

GROOM
    1.       New underwears (boxers, under-vests)
    2.       Pants (long and short)  and loose cotton shirts
    3.       Suit with dressy shoes
    4.       Slip-ons or sandals
    5.       Camera with extra batteries
    6.       Perfume
    7.       Toilet bag – face towel, soaps, toothpaste, toothbrush, roll-on
    8.       Shaving sticks. To avoid bruising your bride!
    9.       Credit cards. Confirm your card is acceptable at your destination spot

It is expected that the honeymoon suite or room you get should have a mini-fridge, stock-up on ice-cream, strawberries, champagne or bubbly and water.
Remember, the word Honeymoon rings with the promise of Absolute Romance; so create the right atmosphere.
Have lots of fun and create Beautiful Memories together.