Since this is my last week at iVillage, I thought it would be appropriate to have a getaway theme for my last two posts. (Don’t forget, starting Thursday, this blog is moving to http://from-i-will-to-i-do.blogspot.com/)

Whether you’re leaving for your honeymoon straight from your reception, the next day or months later put a lot of thought into it. Your honeymoon is supposed to be your most romantic vacation, so if there’s a place you always wanted to visit, go there! If you can afford the upgrade to first class, do it!

If you’re having a destination wedding, you may want to invite close friends and family down a few days early to have some fun, but just like a wedding held in your hometown, you and your fiancé may not have a lot of time at the pool. You’ll be running around making last minute decisions and meeting with vendors to make sure everything goes off without a hitch.

So, it may make more sense to have your closest friends stay a few days after the wedding so you can actual spend time with them. Even if it does go into honeymoon time.

When we went to a wedding in Barbados last year, the bride and groom went down the week before to take care of the wedding details, and we really didn’t see much of them except at the two pre-wedding events they planned. The day after the wedding, almost everyone flew home, but we stayed for the extra night and so did the bride and groom and their immediate families. We had the best time. The couple didn’t have to tend to any details so they had a lot of time to relax and enjoy.

My point my have gotten lost in the story, but here it is: If you really want to spend time with your friends and relatives at your destination, ask those close to you if they can stay later instead of coming earlier so you’re sure to have quality time with them.  You can then stay longer at the destination for your honeymoon, or fly off to it a few days after your wedding day.

Speaking of Barbados. The image above is a view of the beach at the Sandy Lane resort on the island. Sandy Lane is an unbelievable destination for both honeymoons and weddings. In fact, Tiger Woods got hitched there a few years ago. For something really special (and over the top) you can book The Villa at Sandy Lane and have your family and friends stay with you. The villa offers a private pool, personal staff, a fully-stocked bar and an entertainment system. 

Remember my post sometime ago about getting married or honeymooning in Disney World?  Well, here's your chance to get a FREE honeymoon at the Magic Kingdom. Get Married (the TV show on Lifetime) is giving couples a chance to win a honeymoon at Walt Disney World!   Here’s what you have to do:

Create a 30-second to 2-minute video telling why you and your Prince Charming deserve this magical honeymoon.  Register to enter and submit your video on GetMarried.com before May 26, 2008. 

The week-long honeymoon prize includes round trip airfare for two, limousine transportation to and from the airport, two 7-day Magic Your Way Park Hopper tickets, 6-nights at a Disney Resort Hotel, which includes one night at the Cinderella Castle Suite.

If you are chosen as the lucky bride and groom, I highly recommend you get tickets to the Hoop Dee Doo Musical Review.  They have delicious food and a very entertaining show.  We went in 1997, but I'm sure it's just as good now as it was then.

iVillage is not a sponsor and is not responsible for the administration of the contest on GetMarried.com.  For additional information, including the official rules, please visit their site at www.GetMarried.com.

Choose a room with an ocean view or one right on the beach - each one comes with a private plunge pool.  The resort’s newest section, Mediterranean Village, consists of only suites with a wet bar, pantry and overstuffed sofas in the living room, a king-sized bed, flat screen TVs and a whirlpool tub.  (I’m not going on a honeymoon, but I’m thinking this would be a great destination for my babymoon – and no I’m not pregnant.)

The restaurants, spa, bars, clubs and outdoor activities (swimming, tennis, snorkeling to name a few) - which are all-included in your rate - will keep you busy day and night, though you could spend all your time in your room and have just as great a time.

And if you are planning a tropical honeymoon, and live in the New York Metro Area, you may want to stop by the J Rosen Showroom Sample Sale this week for the hottest swimsuits.  J Rosen is offering 40-60% off merchandise that’s in stores now! I know many brides who got sexy suits for their honeymoon at this sale.   Click here for the details.

If you’re looking for a little culture – art, theatre – good food and great shopping, then Europe might be the perfect destination for your honeymoon.

From Ireland and England to France and Spain to Germany and Austria, there’s tons and tons to see and do on a European Vacation. And because the countries are so close together, it’s very easy to fly – or take a train – from one city to another.

For example, you can easily fly to London and then take the Channel Tunnel to Paris. Or enjoy the South of France and take a drive down the Italian Coast.

There are a lot of travel companies that can help you book a complete trip, including air and hotels - sometimes breakfast and other activities are included. Booking a vacation to a foreign country through a reputable tour company is definitely a good idea, especially if you don’t know the language, and want to ensure that you’re staying at a good (and safe) hotel. Because tour companies have relationships with specific hotels and airlines, they may be able to get you a better price than if you booked each part of the trip yourself.

I highly recommend Club ABC Tours. They have some amazing packages at destinations all over the world. In order to book one of their trips, you have to be a member of the “club” which costs a nominal fee, but you will have access to some amazing packages, and at some amazing rates.

This series ended up being shorter than I expected – sorry – but as I come across more travel companies I’ll add to it. Next week is beauty week. I’ve been gathering info for months and have some great bridal beauty tips that I think you’ll love.

Have a great weekend!

If you had to pick one of the 50 states for your honeymoon destination you’d probably pick Hawaii right? Not that there’s anything wrong with Hawaii — it’s one of the top honeymoon destinations — but the USA offers a whole lot more than this tropical paradise.

For newlyweds who consider themselves more the outdoors type, RockResorts offer a variety of destinations for hikers, snow bunnies and those looking for a bit of luxury closer to home.

Each resort is indigenous to their surroundings, so whichever RockResorts location you choose you’ll be immersed in the food and culture of the area. From spa services to hot air balloon rides to outdoor activities - golf, skiing, white water rafting and biking – there’s plenty to do both outside as well as indoors on your honeymoon.

And the best thing about traveling to a domestic honeymoon destination…less of a hassle at the airport — you won’t have to worry about packing your passport, bringing an electrical outlet converter or exchanging your US dollars for a foreign currency.

The photo above is of the Keystone Lodge & Spa in Colorado. This RockResorts location is ideal for those looking for the perfect winter honeymoon. Some of the outdoor activities include: skiing, ice skating, snow mobiling, sleigh rides, hiking, horseback riding.

Wedding Planning Tip: Save yourself some time by writing your wedding thank you notes on the plane and mailing them from your hotel. If you’re honeymooning in one of the 50 states you won’t have a postage problem. But, if you’re honeymoon is at an international location remember that you cannot use US stamps to mail your thank yous out, so write your notes on the plane and mail them when you get back home.

Tomorrow's Where in the World Series destination: European Vacation

Many couples plan honeymoons that will let them relax and unwind after the whirlwind of planning their wedding had ended. So why not plan a trip to a luxury resort with beautiful beaches, fabulous food and amazing accommodations?

Your honeymoon is supposed to be the most amazing vacation of your life, so splurge a little and treat yourself to an experience you’ll never forget — fly first class, take an extra week off of work and book yourselves a room at one of the world’s top hotels.

If you’re looking for a tropical hideaway, look no further than the One & Only Resorts. With locations in Mexico, the Bahamas, Mauritius or the Maldives, you’ll be in awe of the breathtaking views and indulge in the amenities offered, including: spa treatments, water sports, tennis, golf and meals at some of the finest restaurants in the world.

For those of you planning a destination wedding, One & Only Resorts offers wedding packages, and some locations have villas where families and friends can room together.

While the prices are definitely on the steep side, think about it this way: Shouldn’t your honeymoon memories be priceless?

Tomorrow’s honeymoon destination: Discovering America the Beautiful