Weddingbee boards

Our wedding is going to take place on Memorial Day wknd of this year.  Since we're paying for the wedding ourselves we had decided we would skip the honeymoon.  After a few months of stressful wedding planning, and some very generous offers from relatives to contribute to a honeymoon, we've decided we want to take one.  We've taken some big trips before (i.e. Alaska) but i've typically started planning well over a year in advance. With just over 3 months to go, I've set my sights on a pretty major h-moon, but don't even know where to begin! I'm worried that we waited too long to start planning.  I'm hoping advice from fellow bees can jump start our honeymoon search...

My first honeymoon fantasy would include a luxurious, relaxing beach vacation with lots of privacy. I would love to have a private pool and somewhat secluded access to a beach.   In my head I imagine a place like this existing on an island in the South Pacific, but if it exists in Florida- that's fine too!  My only concern is that it be somewhere that's warm and not hurricane season in June! 

The second fantasy includes the above, but located somewhere that would be exciting to go to and would give us the chance to do some local exploring.  I thought about Hawaii, maybe a cruise around the islands.  I've also had Greece or Portugal in my head - yet I know nothing about these places!  The third fantasy, would be a trip of a iifetime type of trip, like an African safari with a beach vacation tacked on to the end.

I don't even know how/where to begin looking.  I don't know very much about the Carribean, Islands in the South Pacific, or really any options for beach vacations.  Typically, I avoid beach vacations because I'm plus-sized and usually want to avoid being body-conscious.  On this trip, I'm hoping (1) I can gain some quality body-acceptance before May! And (2) that we can splurge on a trip that would provide enough privacy that I could feel comfortable relaxing on a beach with my honey, while we bask in our newlywed-ness!!

I'd love any specific suggestions for honeymoon locations, as well as suggestions about HOW to search (i.e. websites, travel agents, etc?)  Thanks so much!!!

We haven't set a budget, but if the trip was right we would spend the money.   I forgot to mention that the other reason we decided to take a honeymoon is that I'm starting a new job after the wedding, but was able to plan it so I'll have a month off after the wedding.  My FH was able to get 3 1/2 wks off.  So, we'd like to try to take advantage of that and make this a once in a life-time type of trip, rather than take a smaller trip now and save for later.  Also, the truth is that I don't think we'd actually end up taking the bigger trip later.  We're planning to buy a house and start a family in the next few years and I'm doubt I'd feel ok spending a lot on a trip at any other point.

lotam240 - Was Sandals in st Lucia private?

Cannotwait - that's a overwhelming list!  what is it about Belize that puts it at the top of your list?

We definitely don't need to take a 3 wk trip - ideally, I'd probably want to stick closer to two weeks, but I just mentioned that because it gives us lots of flexibility.  In terms of the nest egg- we're definitely not looking to blow our savings on this trip.   Both FH and I are quite cautious about spending money, which is why all of our wedding budgeting has been around maintaining savings that would last us 8-10mths.  I'm looking at the honeymoon as a chance for me to splurge where I usually wouldn't, but would definitely not risk our savings- that would not be a relaxing trip for me.  What feels most important right now is finding a trip that feels like a honeymoon, and a trip we wouldn't ordinarily take. Whether that be because of the length of the trip, or the luxury, or the romance, etc.  I think I'm looking for a 'classic' honeymoon, but one that allows, for at least a few days of the trip, to stay somewhere that is private.