When Courtney Lynn Muro was planning her wedding, there was no doubt it would be far from cookie-cutter. First of all, the ceremony was to be conducted in Cartagena, Colombia. Second, the honeymoon was going to take a modern twist as a “friendmoon,” continuing the festivities in a more relaxed, social setting with a bunch of friends in Medellin.
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For the content designer, creator, and travel blogger, it was a natural choice to invite the couple’s friends along for the full celebration. “They traveled all the way there for our wedding, so it would be weird to be like, ‘Bye! We’re going to Medellin now, and you guys can go home,’ Muro joked. “It’s so hard to get large groups of people to go on vacation with you, so if you have your wedding to use as leverage, you might as well take it as far as you can and get an extra trip out of it.”
Muro and her partner tapped into a growing trend among (primarily) young couples who are not only looking ways to save money on their wedding and honeymoon, but alleviate the stress that comes with planning both. For the couple, it was a chance to do something truly one-of-a-kind, a “tropicasual” event that was more in line with their own values, hopes and desires.
What is a Friendmoon?
For those who are unfamiliar, a friendmoon is a relatively new trend where newlyweds take their honeymoon with close friends instead of just as a couple. “While traditional honeymoons remain popular, friendmoons are emerging as a unique alternative for couples seeking a more social post-wedding experience, said Sarrah Rose, Relationship & Intimacy Expert and Founder of Elixr, an AI-powered coaching app prioritizing mental health to improve self-love, dating and relationships for Gen Z.
As the Agency Owner and Travel Advisor at Destination 24/7 Travel Services and blogger at Roaming With Scott, Scott Faust has also seen a dramatic increase in these unconventional wedding-honeymoon combos.
“Friendmoons offer a refreshing alternative to traditional honeymoons, combining celebration, relaxation, and shared experiences,” he said. “As this segment of my travel business continues to grow, my couples are discovering the many benefits of extending their wedding festivities with their closest loved ones. I’ve had three requests for friendmoons this past week alone.”
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Cost Savings
With weddings costing upwards of $35,000 now, would-be newlyweds are looking for ways to have a versatile ceremony and vacation while saving money along the way. As Rose explained, “Financially, they allow for shared costs and group discounts, potentially easing the burden of an expensive wedding.”
By traveling as a group, the cost of accommodations, transportation, and even some activities can be split, making it more affordable for everyone, including the newlyweds. “Most do not realize this until I work up prices on traveling together as opposed to traveling as only a couple,” said Faust
Shared Responsibilities
Aside from shared expenses, dividing responsibilities among friends can alleviate the stress of planning and organizing a vacation. Having close friends nearby can provide emotional support as well as assistance with any practical concerns, making the experience more pleasurable.
Less Pressure
Planning a honeymoon may be stressful, especially when combined with wedding preparations. A friendmoon can ease some of this stress by making the trip more easygoing and less focused on satisfying expectations of a quote, unquote “perfect” romantic vacation.
“In terms of stress reduction, the relaxed atmosphere with friends can help couples unwind after intense wedding planning, providing diverse social interactions to ease the post-wedding emotional comedown,” said Rose.
Faust agrees. “Spending time with friends can provide a much-needed mental and emotional break from the stress of wedding planning and the transition to married life. Personally, I think this is the number one reason couples like to have friends join them.”
A Unique Experience
A friendmoon is an opportunity to go off the board and create “unique experiences and memories that a traditional honeymoon might not provide,” said Faust. “Sharing adventures with friends can create lasting bonds and unforgettable moments.”
Couples can still carve out private time together, but they also have the opportunity to enjoy fun group activities, which can make the trip more dynamic and less monotonous. According to Rose, “The social appeal of vacationing with friends and the opportunity to extend the wedding celebration” make friendmoons a “more the merrier” event, but without the familial obligations and pressures.
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This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: 4 Ways a ‘Friendmoon’ Instead of a Honeymoon Can Save Newlyweds
