Honeymoon

From ArticleWorld

Newlyweds go on a honeymoon to celebrate their marriage. Traditionally, honeymoons are also the time where the marriage is consummated. Typically a couple selects an exotic, special and romantic location for their honeymoon.

The origin of honeymoon

The first literary reference to the term was in Richard Huloet’s Abecedarium Angilico Latinum in 1552. Evidence of its existence before that time is vague, although some scholars believe it can be dated back to the Babylonians.

There are a number of other theories relating to the original meaning of the word, including:

• The holiday spent celebrating by newlyweds before the settle down.
• The name given to a moon when it is nears the southern horizon, often in the month of June (which is when weddings traditionally occurred for religious and practical reasons). It casts a honey color for a month.
• In order to increase fertility of the newlyweds the father of the bride would give the husband all the mead (honey-based drink) he could drink in the marriage’s first month.

Honeymoon traditions

Honeymooners typically travel to an exotic, romantic and special location. Often this is a warm location, but ski lodges and winter vacations are also popular.

A recently popular option for a couple is to add their honeymoon to their gift registry, where wedding guests can buy them dinner, activities or even car rentals, airline tickets and nights at their hotel. This is a popular way for the couple to experience events they may not have otherwise been able to afford after the expense of a wedding.

Many couples, after being married for some time, will travel on a second honeymoon to celebrate a significant anniversary — or just to add an extra spark to their marriage.