Photo by Lauren Schwarz Photography
"Mini-moon," you may have heard the phrase thrown around if you are in the midst of wedding planning. When I first heard of the mini-moon, it came across as a little pretentious, like using "summer" as a verb. So, I had to know... what is a mini-moon? A mini-moon is simply a weekend length honeymoon (a mini honeymoon)! It's a few days away as newlyweds, usually close to where you just got married but also a little off the grid. This is your time as newlyweds to unplug from the world and focus on each other. Once I understood the intent behind these romantic getaways, I knew Darren, my new husband, and I would want to escape post wedding. So, I did some serious recon for mini-moon destinations for Philadelphia newlyweds. Here are a few things to consider when deciding where you want to mini-moon.
Keep Travel Time Low to Maximize Vacation Time
Darren and I took off to Woodstock, New York for our mini-moon. It's about three hours north of Doylestown, PA where we had just been married. We did have a traditional honeymoon planned about two months following our November wedding, but we were not ready to take off for a long vacation so close to our wedding; however, it was still important to take a few days to ourselves after the wedding. In retrospect, I cannot have imagined going back to work on the Monday after our wedding.
How You Like to Spend Time Together
Our mini-moon really gave us the opportunity to relax and recharge, with no outside distractions. We stayed in a guest house on the outskirts of Woodstock, which was surprisingly remote considering our proximity to New York City. It sounds a little silly, but it felt as though we were living like royalty for a few days (and on a relatively small budget)! We'd get up late, did some fun activities during the day, enjoyed candlelit meals by night, and drank lots of wine and champagne - my fav!
The Tone You Want to Set as You Kick-Off Your Marriage
Throughout our relationship, my husband and I have enjoyed several of these kinds of weekend getaways. This is a huge part of why taking a mini-moon was so important to Darren and me. It gave us a low-stress, minimal-planning getaway to relax, create new experiences, and reflect on everything we had just done together. Even though our wedding day will always shine brightest in our memories our mini-moon was perhaps one of the most rewarding aspects of our union.
Top Three Mini-Moon Recommendations for Philadelphia Newlyweds
I urge anyone considering the option to take advantage of this opportunity to ride out the high from your wedding as you begin your life together. For those of you getting married in the Philadelphia area looking to plan a mini-moon after your own wedding, here are my top three mini-moon destinations to kick off your marriage.
1. Relax in Cape May, New Jersey
Cape May, New Jersey is a seaside resort town of Victorian B&Bs about an hour and a half drive from Center City. It is the perfect year-round getaway with great shopping, good dining, and the cutest homes.
Where to Stay:
The Merry Widow Inn - Call to make reservations, 609-435-3686
Where to Eat:
Hot Dog Tommy’s - Seasonal
The Lobster House - Order from the take-out bar and eat along the dock
What to Do:
Shopping at the West End Garage
Biking to Cape May Point and the Lighthouse
Sunning on the beach!
2. Go Glamping at Shawnee Inn & Golf Resort
Image from the Shawnee Inn Golf Resort
Glamping is the perfect getaway for the nature enthusiast who also has an appreciation for modern conveniences. The glampsites at Shawnee Inn are just two hours from Philly and on the edge of the Delaware Water Gap.
Where to Stay:
Riverside Glamping at Shawnee - April thru October
Shawnee Island Glamping - For a more remote experience - it’s only accessible by canoe!
Where to Eat:
The Gem and Keystone Brewpub and of course, campfires and s’mores!
What to Do:
Day hikes available throughout the Pocono Mountains
Kayak along the Delaware Water Gap
Brewery tour at ShawneeCraft Brewery
3. Escape to the Hudson Valley, NY
Just over three hours from Philly (fingers crossed you miss the NYC traffic!), the Hudson Valley is the perfect blend of mountain side hamlets and artist retreats. The area is known for its pastoral setting and inspiring vistas. And shopping!
Where to Stay:
Airbnb at Opus 40 - a colossal environmental sculpture in Saugerties, NY
Where to Eat:
Maggie’s Krooked Café in nearby Tannersville, NY
What to Do:
Drive up Hunter Mountain
Visit the hamlets: Haines Falls, Tannersville, Phoenicia with quirky local shops and old timey country stores
Day trip to Rhinebeck, NY across the Hudson River – the quaint town is known for its shopping, galleries and old fashioned candy shop
Jessica is an interior decorator and design enthusiast in Old City, Philadelphia. Follow @jessicadunbarbolton__design on Instagram to see Jessica's creativity at work and to learn what inspires her designs.
What mini-moon destinations would you recommend?
