We Booked Our Honeymoon!

…Oh, how exciting it is to type this post! Wedding planning thus far has been really enjoyable, but there have been, of course, moments of stress and anxiety. In each of those moments, I’ve dreamt of warm beaches with turquoise water, sipping something fruity, with a light coastal breeze, wind in my hair, sand in my toes, the smell of…okay. Back to blogging. During times of stress, I’ve eagerly anticipated my honeymoon with Riley!

Yesterday, we booked it! We are going to Sandals Emerald Bay in the Bahamas!

How We Decided Where To Honeymoon

We knew from the beginning that we wanted an all-inclusive resort. We have spent hours each day planning our wedding and want to show up for our honeymoon and be completely without planning responsibilities. We also agreed on somewhere tropical and warm–both Riley and I love to be in the sun, by the pool, and at the beach. Another stipulation was that we wanted an adult-only resort. I work with kids and love them, but want a honeymoon free from little ones and their noise level. Finally, we wanted somewhere not too-too far away…nothing more than a half-day’s travel time away.

After hours of research and Googling, we decided that the Sandals resort in the Bahamas (Emerald Bay) was the perfect location for our 8 day, 7 night vacation-of-a-lifetime. To be honest, it wasn’t that hard of a decision…I mean look at the water!

Where Sandals Emerald Bay Is Located

Here’s a map. You can see Miami in the Northwest, Cuba in the South, and our honeymoon destination marked by the red pin.

Only a 90 minute flight from Miami means that Riley and I will arrive in the Bahamas in only half a day, which is exactly the kind of travel time we were looking for! (Bonus: we were able to book a reputable airline–Delta–to fly there.)

What’s Included in All-Inclusive?

Riley has been cracking me up with this question. “Blair, I need to know what’s included in all-inclusive.” To which I respond, “Everything except excursions and the spa!” To which he responds, “But really, what’s included?”

If you are also curious, here’s what’s included in our honeymoon package:

• Unlimited dining at 7 restaurants
• Unlimited drinks at 6 bars
• Unlimited room service for above items
• Unlimited SCUBA diving
• Unlimited land and water sports (like golf, tennis, kayaking, etc.)
• 2 rounds of golf (no thanks, I’ll pass!)
• Access to live shows, bands, and performances nightly

What’s not included, but “optional,” also known as, “what we have to pay for:”

• Spa treatments
• Island excursions and tours
• Yacht docking (Hah! If only…)

Because we would love to have a couples massage (or two! 😉 ), and go on a snorkeling excursion, and even have a private beachfront dinner by candlelight (who wouldn’t?), we registered for those experiences as a part of our wedding registry. We think it would be a meaningful, special, and fun gift for a wedding guest to give us an experience during our seven days of bliss! Even if we don’t do any of the “optional” items, the resort is so drop-dead gorgeous that I know we’ll have the time of our lives.

*Cue the music to Sandals commercials* I…Had…The time of my life…and I owe it all to yoooou….

When We’ll Leave

This is surprisingly a hot question for engaged couples! Everyone wants to know how soon after the wedding we’re leaving on our honeymoon. From what I’ve gathered, it’s because most people leave right away (the next morning, for example), and it’s simply not enough turn around time to rest up and prepare for the week away while also tying up everything wedding-related.

Because of this, we’ve decided to take a day in between our wedding and flying out to the Bahamas. We’ll get married on a Friday evening, spend Saturday together and saying goodbye to our families, and depart for our honeymoon on Sunday morning. I’m really looking forward to this more relaxed timeline!

I can’t wait to be married, and now I really, really, really, really, really, can’t wait because I know what’s in store for the week after we say “I do!” Sandals Emerald Bay, we’re coming for you! If you’re married, where did you go on your honeymoon? Has anyone been to the Bahamas before? 🙂