There are many traditions associated with weddings dating back years, they evolve and change to how we know them today. Through the years we add little tweaks to make them more modern and each couple can make the traditions as personal as they like or change them completely.
One old tradition still seen today is the romantic Honeymoon, a holiday for the newlyweds to celebrate their marriage together. Some couples leave straight after their wedding, some wait months or even years to go on their honeymoon. Whether you are sunbathing on the beaches in the Maldives, hiking volcanic landscapes of Hawaii or even a staycation in a log cabin- you might wonder where the term honeymoon comes from!
It is thought the term Honeymoon dates back to the 5th Century during medieval times, it comes from ‘marriage by capture’, meaning the groom would steal his bride-to-be without her family knowing, with the hopes of making a baby.If he was successful, they would likely go on to marry or if he was not successful she was cast aside as an unmarried tarnished woman. This tradition likely came about for the men to avoid paying a dowry- but the term honeymoon wasn’t coined till many years later in a much more romantic sense.
During the 5th Century in Europe it was custom to give the newlyweds enough mead to last a month. Traditionally the mead would be fermented in honey and the couple would be expected to drink it all during the month following the wedding. It was believed the Honey Mead would increase the chances of conception and was considered an aphrodisiac. Why is it called Honeymoon? In simple terms it comes from “a moons worth of honey mead”
I am very lucky enough to live close to Lindisfarne, a tidal island rich in history. From the Irish monk settlement, Viking raids and of course their Mead! The mead was most likely first made in the 7th century at St Aidans monastery,but many historians argue it goes back to Roman times. The mead is still a popular choice amongst tourists and of course shared between love birds. The mead is made from fermented white grapes, honey, herbs, and water from the island’s artesian well, and is still made on Holy Island today.
They source the honey from around the world, however for their Lindisfarne Dark Mead, they only have to travel a few miles north to the Banks of the River Tweed in Berwick upon Tweed- and there they find the honey from local bee hives. It’s an amazing process that is very precise!
“The fermentation process takes several stages, including extracting the yeast, filtering the liquid, and mixing and settling the mead. The finished product is a sweet, honeyed drink with a 14.5% ABV.” https://www.lindisfarnemead.com/history-of-lindisfarne-mead/
While alcohol might play a part in a modern honeymoon it is definitely more about the holiday destination. In the 20th century when travel became more widely available the trend of travelling with your new spouse after your wedding began to spike. Fun fact: in the early 1900s Niagara Falls was named Honeymoon Capital of the World!
Very similar to a wedding ceremony, there are no firm rules for couples to follow on their honeymoon. You can adventure anywhere, spend as long as little as you like sight seeing and sunbathing. Some couples revisit countries they have been before to relive the magic, while others choose to venture to brand new lands and make new memories filled with love and joy.
If your unsure on destinations or itinerary plans, reach out to your local travel agent. With modern technology it has become easy to find deals on holiday packages that suit both needs and budgets!
A Honeymoon is an opportunity to connect with one another and lose yourselves in the blissful romance. May the time you share be memorable in everyway!
Where did you honeymoon? No matter where you love birds honey moon, I hope you enjoy every second of it!