You may think that a honeymoon means some 'us' time between a couple, but of late it's also being seen as a ti... Read More

You may think that a honeymoon means some 'us' time between a couple, but of late it's also being seen as a time to have more laughs and dining table fun with the gang. Say hello to familymoons and friendmoons. Why? Because folks realise that a plane packed with happy chatter is bound to increase a relaxed feeling and adds a fun quotient to the holiday.

Mumbai-based travel expert Vineeta Rawat says she arranged such a break for a couple recently. "The guy, in his late 30s, was from Mumbai, and the girl from Kolkata, and he insisted on taking his parents along on their Swiss honeymoon." She says there are two major reasons for these family-group honeymoons. "It's the comfort factor for one, where the in-laws, couple, etc, might all share a great camaraderie." Vineeta explains that the other reason for this trend can be a late marriage. "It's more prevalent in late or second marriages. The same thing would hardly ever happen for a couple in their 20s," she adds.

Wedding planner Dhawal Oza also states a recent example of the fad. "I just attended a friend's wedding, after which the couple took off on a two-month vacation to Europe with his sister and extended family." He says that there are others too, who have done something like this.

According to him, it mostly happens in upmarket, liberal-minded families and is based on the concept of group fun. "Even on a twosome honeymoon, the couple makes friends. So, they think, instead of random people, why not take along people they know and love. Not to mention, it's also cost-effective as meals, commute costs etc, get divided," he explains.

It seems this new trend is finding more takers. Ready to try it?