Is honeymoon really that important?

Even though it is a Western custom that started in the early 19th Century in Great Britain when upper-class couples would take a “bridal tour” to visit relatives who couldn’t attend the wedding, the practice has since been embraced by Nigerians or at least a good number of them with some stretching their bank accounts […]

Even though it is a Western custom that started in the early 19th Century in Great Britain when upper-class couples would take a “bridal tour” to visit relatives who couldn’t attend the wedding, the practice has since been embraced by Nigerians or at least a good number of them with some stretching their bank accounts to meet this requirement, and others planning what they can afford.

This begs the question: Is honey moon important? LifeXtra spoke to a cross-section of people and these are their views.

Julius Igwe, a business man, said there is no special significance in going for honeymoon.

“To me it is just waste of money. Every day can be honeymoon; it all depends on both partners. I remember when I got married, I spent so much that all I and my wife ever thought of was how we would eat and build our home.”

He added: “If we had spent the little we had on going for honeymoon, how would we have coped in the first few weeks of marriage?”                       

Oreva Ufuoma, who is single and in her late twenties, said going for honeymoon is the juicy part of the wedding celebration.

She said many may want to avoid it because of the expenses “but I think it’s relevant.”

“It will just be you two, alone, having fun and getting to know each other better. I have heard people who say any day can be honeymoon. But the truth is that it can’t be the same. More so, when you start having children, getting that alone time will be difficult,” Ufuoma emphasized.                      

Moses Ugwu, who is married, said honeymoon has its place and importance but can be undertaken anytime, “it mustn’t be immediately after the wedding.”

In Quora site, Prayash Giria gave a response to the question “is honey moon important?” which got the most votes.

He said: “Weddings can be really stressful, and honeymoon is a great way to relieve some of that. It is also an emotionally charged moment that is rarely cherished by couples in privacy – honeymoon again steps in to do the needful.

“In cultures where arranged marriages is the norm, honeymoon acts as an icebreaker of sorts for couples who have never previously mingled outside extensive company. In other cultures, it is simply social obligation that requires you to take your spouse for a holiday.

“I think the best reason is basically because it is a nice thing for couples to do as a first-thing-we-did-after-we-got-married. The memories from honeymoons will be cherished for a long time thereafter!

“Of course it is not necessary to go for a honeymoon – many couples find it wasteful and kind of pointless. But it is, like all holidays are, special.”