You’ve exchanged rings. You’ve pledged to be there in sickness and in health. You’ve danced the first dance and partied until you dropped. And you woke up next to your new spouse, with the morning sun streaming in on the happiest morning of your life.

Now the real fun begins! After the emotional exhaustion of a wedding, a honeymoon is the perfect tonic. Stress-free and smooth, the ideal honeymoon must be planned well in advance. Here are five tips for a honeymoon to remember.

Book early

It’s best to book everything together (flights, accommodation, etc.) six to eight months beforehand. Don’t be tempted to wait for last-minute deals – leaving it too late may mean you end with a consolation, rather than a dream destination. Besides, many hotels and airlines offer advance rates for early bookings.

Decide a budget for your honeymoon

With all the fun you have already had planning your wedding budget, you’ll have plenty of experience when it comes to your honeymoon budget. Joking aside, making an exhaustive list of expenses is no one’s idea of a good time. But getting a picture of the costs involved is essential, so you don’t end up racked with debt at the very beginning of your marriage. Talk to your better half about how much money you want to apportion to your wedding and how much to your honeymoon. Some see a wedding as just one big party that lasts a day, and the honeymoon as an intimate, memorable two-week experience. Decide on your priorities as early as possible.

Consider the climate of your honeymoon destination

Once you’ve both fallen head over heels for a destination, find out about the climate and the expected weather throughout the year. Many exotic destinations have better weather in the winter months – the Caribbean, for example, is drier, slightly cooler and less humid from December to April. So, if you’re having a winter UK wedding, not only will you potentially save money on your overseas honeymoon, the weather will be much more pleasant.

Ask for a honeymoon gift list

Another great way to be cash-conscious is to ditch traditional gifts in favour of honeymoon contributions. How many ceramic pans, wine racks and cheeseboards do you really need? Instead, ask your friends and family to contribute towards your dream honeymoon. A special, memorable experience is far better than a mountain of possessions that you don’t really need.

Tell everyone it’s your honeymoon

Leave your modest, reserved side at home and shout about your honeymoon from the rooftops! From travel agents and the airline crew to hotel and spa staff, you’ll be surprised how many people will get caught up with the romance of your honeymoon. Complimentary glasses of Champagne, free spa treatments and all the perks of the occasion will come, as long as you let people know you’re on your honeymoon. And why not? After all, it’s a once-in-a-lifetime celebration of your love for each other. You deserve to be pampered!