History of Honeymoons

Centuries ago, back when a bride married by capture and not by choice, the groom would take her away following the wedding, and keep her in hiding for a full cycle of the moon (28 days). When the Israelites captured a bride, he would spend the night or moon, with her in seclusion. During this time, they would drink mead called bride ale, which was made from fermented honey. They would drink this beverage to ease inhibitions, in the hope that by the time the bride's family found her, she would be pregnant. Another belief was that if the couple were to drink mead for a moon's cycle, they would be blessed with a male heir within a year. Thus, the term honeymoon was found.

According to tradition, the groom should plan the honeymoon, since the bride has done the majority of the planning for the wedding. Where to go should definitely be a joint decision, but the groom should handle all of the arrangements. Of course, this is only according to tradition. Today's couple's will probably share in the planning their honeymoon.