History of The Honeymoon

Like all histories, the history of how honeymoonsduring the engagement and the honeymoon was the
became to be, is varied depending on geographicalfirst time the couple was allowed to go away together
location. The post wedding vacation that we haveand get to know each other.
come to know as the honeymoon, was not alwaysDuring the 19th century, in the Victorian era, bridal tours
such. Many sources say that the history lieswere introduced and paid for by the groom's family.
somewhere in Northern Europe, where for a month'sThe couple would go on tour or take a wedding trip
time, the newly married couple would drink a wine,which lasted anywhere from several weeks to
known as mead, which was made from fermentedseveral months. With the rise of industrialization, the
honey. This is where part of the term, honey, comesmiddle class sought to emulate the upper class bridal
from. A month's time during this period was alsotours, and took small trips which lasted a few days
referred to as a moon, hence the term, honeymoon.after the wedding. Once automobiles, trains and
Later during the bride-by-capture era, we first relateairplanes became mainstream couples were able to
honeymoons with travel. Grooms would abduct theirincrease the distance of the honeymoon trip and seek
brides for a period of one month and take them intoout exotic locations, hence the modern day
hiding. Friends and family assured their safe return.honeymoon was born.
However, it was imperative no one should find themAccording to tradition, the groom or groom's family
during this period. Very often the family of the brideshould plan the honeymoon, since the bride and her
would go out looking for her to bring home. It was thefamily have planned the majority of the wedding.
husband's hope that within one month's time his brideWhere to go on a honeymoon should be a joint
would be pregnant and would be before the bride'sdecision by the couple, but the groom or groom's
family located her.family should handle the arrangements to help alleviate
It was not until the 16th century and later in thethe stress from the bride's family. Of course though,
Victorian era, that the honeymoon became thethis is only tradition, and may of today's modern
romantic trip that it is known for today. During Victoriancouples handle the honeymoon planning.
times, the bride and groom were kept separated