What To Do When Your Honeymoon is Canceled

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Right now, I am suppose to be wandering the streets of Paris, in a haze of newlywed love, blissfully taking in all the new sights. I would find my way to a cafe, where I would sit with my husband, munching on a croissant and sipping French wine. Then we would stroll the Seine hand in hand before spending the afternoon meandering through museums, taking in the Eiffel Tower, and getting lost on cobblestone streets.

What I am actually doing right now is sitting at home, in the middle of a worldwide pandemic where life as we knew it just a short time ago seems to have evaporated into thin air. Due to Covid-19 and travel restrictions, I had to cancel my honeymoon.

When I sat down to write this post, I thought to myself, is this at all relevant for other people? Is this post going to really matter to anyone after Covid-19? It’s not very common that a worldwide pandemic blows through and ruins everyone’s plans. But, then I thought about it, and there are lots of reasons a honeymoon might be canceled, due to health, finances, or civil unrest, to name a few, all of which are more common than a pandemic. So, here we are.

You’re Allowed to Be Sad

I feel like it must be said, that yes, there are people going through harder and worse things right now than a canceled honeymoon. #firstworldproblems. There are people who are sick. And, I also realize that I am lucky to have the resources to plan a honeymoon at all. But, I also am a big believer in that just because someone has it worse than you, that doesn’t negate your feelings. If you were only allowed feel your feelings if you had it worse than everyone else in the world, then none of us would ever have valid feelings, and that is just ridiculous. So, first things first, you’re allowed to be sad. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.

I originally felt guilty for feeling sad about canceling my honeymoon. I personally know someone who had to cancel their wedding. Clearly that is worse. But, then I reminded myself that I am allowed to have my own emotions and feelings. I can feel for them and be sad for their wedding, and at the same time, feel for myself and be sad about a canceled honeymoon. It isn’t a competition. There is enough emotions to go around for everyone.

And, you can also still be grateful for what you have while being bummed. You can hold different emotions at the same time.We are lucky that we aren’t sick, and I am incredibly grateful of that, I’m also very sad for everyone who is sick. At the same time, I’m also sad about the loss of our honeymoon.

I am sure everything will work out for us. We are still planning on having a honeymoon, although we aren’t sure when. And, we have a wonderful life, full of happiness and love, all of which I’m incredibly blessed to have, and I feel a deep sense of happiness for all of that. But, I can hold that gratitude and the feeling of loss over our honeymoon being canceled at the same time. You can be grateful and sad. You are allowed your feelings. All of them.

Get Back What You Can

If you booked tickets and hotel rooms, try to get back what you can. It’s hard enough feeling sadness and loss over your canceled honeymoon. If possible don’t add insult to injury with a large financial loss as well. Maybe you won’t get anything back. But, often you can get credit, or partial refunds at the least. You don’t know unless you try.

Still Celebrate

You are suppose to be celebrating your honeymoon, don’t make it worse by not celebrating and having no fun during this time. While it’s a huge loss, it doesn’t mean you have to be all sad all the time. You can experience loss and happiness at the same time. So break open that bottle of wine you’ve been saving for a special occasion, get your favorite take out or make a special meal together, and celebrate life together.

If you were headed somewhere foreign, maybe make a meal from that area of the world, and toast to when you will be able to go.

Take Time Off

If you’re able, think about still taking time off work to spend quality time together. Even if it isn’t the honeymoon vacation you planned, quality time is still important. The majority of Americans don’t use all their vacation days each year. That is your time, you’ve earned it, use it!

Plan Special Date Nights

Whether you’re taking time off or not, plan special date nights. If you canceled your honeymoon due to a pandemic, then here are some date night at home ideas. A little effort can go a long way in creating special memories for the two of you.

Have a Staycation

If your canceled honeymoon is not in the middle of a pandemic, then maybe think about a little staycation. You can still plan another honeymoon for later. But, in some instances, a smaller local vacation may be feasible if your original honeymoon was canceled due to finances. You could check in to a local B&B, and play tourist in your own town. Hitting up the tourist spots and sights.

Plan Your Honeymoon Take 2

As an A type planner, planning vacations for me is almost as much fun as going on them. Take this time together to talk about, dream, and make plans for your honeymoon. Do you still want to do the same thing and go to the same place? Or did a recent travel article you read get you thinking about somewhere new?

So, bottom line, canceling your honeymoon sucks. It isn’t something I would wish on anyone. So, take your time to be sad, mourn the loss of your plans, and then turn it around to make a positive. Have you had to cancel plans due to the pandemic?

If you like this, check out fun things to do while social distancing and in self quarantine.