Ah the honeymoon… a time to get away and soak in each other’s company, probably much needed after months of wedding planning. This is a wedding tradition I fully support (and of course, I think Maui is the most perfect destination wedding and honeymoon location), however the origin of the word is a little hazy and not the most romantic. 

One theory is that the word comes from the Nordic term "hjunottsmanathr." This refers to when the groom would actually kidnap his bride and keep her in hiding until her family stopped looking for her. 

Another thought dates back to the 5th century, when calendar time was represented by moon cycles. Back then, guests would gift the couple with enough mead aka honey wine to last them through their first moon of marriage. Mead was considered an aphrodisiac that would help with conception. 

Lastly, it is believed that the term is based on the Old English “hony moone,” a term actually meant to warn couples about the temporary feeling of love. Hony, a reference to honey, is for how sweet the new marriage is, while moone suggests the sweetness will not last long as feelings will wane like the moon. 

Luckily, the honeymoon has evolved with couples looking forward to this special alone time of creating newlywed memories together. Even better is when couples ask me to document these moments. 

It was pretty windy for this Maui honeymoon session, but I loved how these sweethearts never let it bother them. In the end, the wind added to the playful, carefree atmosphere and magical movement on the beach.