Wedding Blog
It just seems like cruel irony that the heavy wedding season coincides with hurricane season in the Bahamas/Caribbean. I blame it on the wedding industry – I’m not sure how, but clearly they figured out some way to rule out all the more budget-friendly islands (via terrible weather), forcing us to travel farther and spend more for our retreats. They are clearly very tricky people. (I know this because they convinced me I needed to spend $8 each on something called a Chivari chair.)
Mr. Gloss and I have been researching honeymoon escapes and would like something more along the lines of the second image rather than the first. We could wait until hurricane season ends – but honestly, if we don’t go right after our wedding, we will probably never get around to it. Also, I think I’m definitely going to need a break after the whole wedding thing goes down. Wanting to avoid all chances of being destroyed by a potential hurricane on our honeymoon, I immediately started brainstorming locations other than due South (Caribbean/Bahamas/Mexico).
The Tentative List:
Philippines/Thailand: I think of an exotic location, luxury resorts and cheap ($5) massages on the beach. Mr. Gloss thinks of drinking water in undeveloped countries and ending up like Charlotte on SATC. Also, I heard Asia was super humid in the summer, which crosses it off my list, as I am a CHG (curly haired girl) and don’t want to look like a troll in any pics we may take.
Europe: I lived in Florence for about 5 months and basically used it like a home base for traveling about Europe. Mr. Gloss visited and I dragged him around on a speed tour of Europe, after which, he was thoroughly exhausted. I heart Europe, but not for our honeymoon – there is just too much I want to see and do that I wouldn’t be able to relax.
Australia & French Polynesia: We haven’t totally eliminated it yet, but will most likely be crossed off the list due to extensive flight times. Mr. Gloss is almost worse than a 3-year-old when it comes to sitting down for an extended period of time.
Up Next: We try to determine exactly where the ‘hurricane zone’ is – and if we can get away with a closer locale.
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Share this post: Who Scheduled Hurricane Season During My Honeymoon?: Part 1
We went to Antigua at the end of September — the island hasn’t been hit by a hurricane in years and aside from one rainy day, we didn’t have any problems! Apparently some parts of the Caribbean are a lot more hurricane-proof than others (of course nothing is guaranteed, but we were still lucky).
We’re thinking of going with Florida…Naples is very nice and classy…and very nice hotels right on the beach!
I am having the same problem. I am thinking of booking my wedding for August to take advantage of the low wedding season discount, but I really wanted to go to Costa Rica (Exotic, adventurous, zip lining, forest, monkeys, beach, city, nightlife, close flight, affordable) . It is also hurricane season. I’ve been thinking of Brazil, Argentina, Tahiti, Fiji, Alaska(someone said its really nice there), Hawaii(if its not hurricane season there).
I studied abroad in Florence. It was amazing there.
I can’t wait to hear about where you will go for your honeymoon. I’m sure it’ll be great no matter where you go since the recipe for a great honeymoon is you and the new hubby.
We are having the same discussions! My FI had been given the task of planning the honeymoon, but as he is a last minute shopper and I am a control freak, I revoked that priviledge as soon as I bestowed it. 
Now we are both searching for something that is just right for the three of us: My FI, Me, and Motha Natcha.
The flight might be kind of expesnive but have you thought at all about Mombassa, Kenya? it’s on the indian ocean and they have a lot of all-inclusive hotels 4-5 star hotels that are pretty reasonable. So it’s on the ocean but for sure hurricane proof.
I’ve been to Cuba twice in August and both times the weather was totally fine. I think hurricane season starts more into September so you might be okay. I don’t think Americans can go to Cuba, right? (I’m from Canada…) but I’m guessing anywhere in the Caribbean would have similar weather to Cuba….
There are definitely islands that are less likely to get hit by hurricane season. Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao - part of the the ABC Islands, and Trinidad and Tobago are less likely to get hit than any of the other islands.
I heart little straw covered bungalows with little itty bitty staircases that go straight into crystal clear waters.
This is basically ridiculously more far away, but have you thought of reunion island? It’s close to madagascar, and it’s french owned!
There’s also the seychelles (north of madagascar)
Or madagascar, itself!
I really enjoyed this post. I have similar Fiance problems and am getting married in August. He’s incharge of the honeymoon so I hope all goes well. I can’t wait to see where you end up going.
We are going to PV.
When I saw Mrs. Cookies’ post about the hotel they stayed at I was sold. We are going to the exact same place! haha
My honeymoon is during hurricane season too. May I suggest Hawaii??? It’s where we are going now since we are too worried about the Caribbean islands getting hit by hurricanes. But Hawaii is very safe!
Since we’re both getting married in August I can’t wait to see where you choose!
We’re honeymooning in August and risking it by going to St. Lucia. We’re keeping our fingers crossed!!
I should mention, however, that we were going to get married in Dec., which is why we picked St. Lucia, and when we changed the date, we are sticking with St. Lucia… I just looked up hurricane data though and we might discuss seeing if we can/want to change it. Anxious to see what you come up with!
If you decide to go south of the equator, make sure to double check the temp. since it could rainy. I spend a lot of time in Africa in the summer and depending on where you go, it’s rainy/windy season. We’re headed to Australia and it’s going to be winter and cold. So were headed north .
We went to Thailand (well, Phuket, only) at the beginning of November. It *was* very humid, I’ll admit, but oh-my-gosh gorgeous! You’re not supposed to drink the tap water, and they give you two bottles of drinking water in your room everyday (in the hotel we were at, anyway) but you do have to buy a LOT of water while you’re out and about. But I loved it all!
Wherever that pic is from with the huts over the ocean, I’m going there next!
Our honeymoon falls toward the end of hurricane season, but to play it moderately safe, we’re hitting up the pacific side of Mexico, in Cabo San Lucas.
Have you thought about something in South America? It’s beautiful down here! (And would be too far). I also second iviary’s suggestion to hit up the west side of Mexico.
I went to Thailand in July of last year, and it was SO humid and SO hot. In fact, I spent 3 weeks in China, and 1 week in Japan, and it was hot and humid all around. I had frizzy hair every day and I’m not a CHG.
Have you considered Hawaii?
Hi Miss Gloss,
I live in northern Thailand, and August is in the middle of their hot season (March - October) and is pretty brutal is you are unaccustomed to the heat. The good news is that this is that it is cooler than April - July. It is also low tourist season for the Thais, so you can get awesome deals at the resorts and islands down south, and many things are priced better due to competition among vendors etc. Krabi and Ko Phi Phi are amazingly beautiful and romantic regardless of the weather. Even if it is crazy hot you can escape in the AC, a pool, ocean, speed boats, etc.
Tell Mr. Gloss that not even the Thai drink their own water and bottled water is 3 cents a bottle and available everywhere
Sorry if I sound like a Thailand pusher, but I adore living here and I want everyone to see it for themselves and love it like I do!
So we’re getting married on August 29 and risking it and going to Jamaica. For us the honeymoon is the one area that we decided to cut back financially. We had expected my fiance to be working this year but instead he’s staying in school because the job market is abysmal for PhD grads.
We’re going to Sandals Ochos Rios in Jamaica. It is 65% off right now (!) so our entire honeymoon EVERYTHING (direct flights from Philly, food, drinks, hotel, etc.) included is costing us $2200.
We’ve bought really good travel insurance though, so if there is a hurricane we’ll postpone the trip and hop on a flight to Vegas or Miami or somewhere without a hurricane the day after our wedding. That’s our Plan B in case of a hurricane and we now have no stress about our decision.
Hey there! I’m Sept 12th and having the same problem…we are getting married on Cape Cod , so we are going to Martha’s Vineyard for a couple of days right after (sweet after season deal was had at the Mansion House) and then doing the Caribbean thing in early November
…but if you want to go sooner than later, I have heard that Aruba doesn’t get nailed by hurricanes so you may want to try the ABC islands (Aruba, Bonaire, Curacao)…VERY relaxing islands, great beaches and people. Some casinos on Aruba, but mellow nightlife overall. Popular honeymoon destination for the low-key factor. Ive been to Aruba 2x and love it.
Good Luck & God Bless! =)
Aruba is below the hurricane belt and lovely all summer. We went there for our honeymoon in June, but it is supposed to be great weather throughout the summer.
If you want to go to the Caribbean during hurricane season, check out the “ABC” Islands. They are Aruba, Bonaire, and Curacao in the Lesser Antilles. These 3 islands have the lowest rate of hurricane impact based on their location. That said, the chance of a hurricane is really quite slim. Just get trip insurance and if a hurricane threatens, you can reschedule your trip.
I also studied in Florence–Syracuse? When were you in Firenze? We considered going far south in Italy to Sicily for our honeymoon. Somewhere neither of us had been, would be warm and pretty, and have some history to explore.
We’re getting married mid July and our honeymoon is basically the last 2 weeks of July. We were warned about hurricane season too even though it’s July but sometimes it’s early. We’re going to Hawaii because we’ve been told that it’s the safest place for end-of-summer tropical places. Good luck!
sweetie, in Southeast Asia, it is summer ALL THE TIME.
Ergo it is humid all the time, no more or less at any one time.
Well - it is more humid during monsoon season, but if you’re holding your wedding here during monsoon season, you might as well hold it in the Bahamas.
Be sure to check when monsoon is and if it will screw with your wedding dates!
Go to Hawaii… I hear Kauai is such a gorgeous and relaxing place!
We have the same problem! We looked into French Polynesia, but it’s soooo expensive. We’re going to the Cook Islands, which is very similar but a fraction of the price. Maybe he’ll sleep on an overnight flight?!
Fun!!! We’re going to Italy which I’m SO excited for! My next honeymoon I want to go to the greece island.
We went to Costa Rica for our honeymoon which was in late July. It’s the green (rainy) season at that time but everything was beautiful! It did rain a couple times but usually not for more than a hour or two and then the sun would come right back. I’d highly recommend it. Also I second the ABC islands. I know Aruba especially is outside of the normal hurricane zone.
@ tangt16, Hawaii doesn’t have hurricane season.
This post and thread of responses was one of the best and funniest things I have read since the wedding planning started back in September.
We are getting married in October - and have one stipulation of crystal clear picture perfect postcard like water……
Cabo can be tricky b/c the ocean is really rough in some areas and therefore beautiful to look at - but no swimming….. The areas which are more “swim friendly” are much much much more crowded……
What a dilemma we have on our hands!
Someone mentioned Cook Islands being less costly than French Polynesia?!?!
We live in PHX and really only want to take a week to 10 days after the wedding for the ‘moon. So as amazing as Kenya and places in that part of the world sound - we are hoping to keep it to less than 6 or so hours in the plane……
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Mrs. Gloss, Boston/Maine
Age and Occupation: 24, Designer/soon-to-be Architect
Fiance's Age and Occupation: 26, Systems Engineer
Engagement Date: May 23, 2008
Wedding Date: August 2009
Venue: SS Katahdin/Lakeside Tent
About Me: I don't like nickels or the skin that forms on pudding when it's in the fridge for too long. I couldn't live without Pantone markers, fountain soda (3/4 diet, ¼ regular Coke), run-on sentences, or ridiculously oversized sunglasses. I will try to DIY almost anything and am just OCD enough to make most of it work. I am truly excited about having all my family and friends together, becoming Mrs. Gloss, and having amazing photos to prove it!
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