Why More Newlyweds Are Honeymooning Closer to Home

New York Times

21-06-2025

Jennifer Repetto and Mark La Bella had planned on taking a weeklong honeymoon after their Dec. 27 wedding in Philadelphia. But instead of jumping on a plane to the Caribbean or some far-flung locale, the couple, who live in North Wales, Pa., headed off to coastal Maine.
'We wanted to keep it simple and low-key and not change time zones,' Ms. Repetto said. 'The trip was about being with each other without spending a fortune.'
Their getaway began at Cliff House Maine in Cape Neddick on the southern coast, where they celebrated New Year's Eve. Ms. Repetto, 44, a middle-school math teacher, and Mr. La Bella, 51, an owner of a sheet-metal fabrication business, then drove a rental car 45 minutes north to the Cape Arundel Inn & Resort in Kennebunkport.
'We had great seafood, cozy dinners, soaks in hot tubs and took walks along the water,' Ms. Repetto said. 'We came back refreshed, not exhausted, which is exactly what we wanted our honeymoon to be about.'
Married couples have traditionally used their honeymoons as an opportunity to take once-in-a-lifetime trips that have long been on their wish lists or to book stays at romantic resorts in the Caribbean or farther afield. More recently, however, many newlyweds have been opting for domestic honeymoons instead.
The shift can be attributed to several factors, including constrained budgets, limited time off, or a desire to avoid the complications of international travel. Many couples are also increasingly drawn to the idea of a more laid-back, relaxed honeymoon without the pressure of a packed itinerary.
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