Rise of the 'pre-moon' – why couples like Harry and Meghan are booking a break before their wedding
Some brides like to spend every waking minute in the run up to the big day obsessing over napkin colours and seating plans, others, like Meghan Markle, are more than happy to slip away for a relaxing 'early-moon'.
Meghan and Harry are reportedly opting for a pre-moon – a romantic break prior to the wedding day – in Greece this spring. Jetting off to Corfu early May, they're scheduled to board a yacht and sail around the Ionian islands, including a one-day stopover at Zakynthos, before heading back to London in time for their Windsor Castle wedding on May 19.
And its seems they're not the only ones to book a getaway before the big day, with an increasing number of brides realising a well-earned break during the stress of wedding planning is when you really need a relaxing holiday.
"This is definitely a trend," says James Bell, managing director of luxury honeymoon tour operator, The Turquoise Holiday Company. "We've seen around a ten per cent rise in pre-moons, which tend to be shorter than the actual honeymoon with mid-haul, sun-guaranteed places like Dubai, or a week in the Maldives, the most popular destinations."
Bell says there are several reasons why couples are choosing to go away before the ceremony, including time, money and weather. "For couples getting married at key holiday times, like July and August, it makes sense to have a short break before, then a longer honeymoon later in the year, so avoiding peak prices.
"We're finding couples tend to do a longer honeymoon straight after their wedding, often saving up and waiting for better weather in the places they want to visit, but they still want a special holiday which makes an off-peak pre-moon ideal."
Megan and Harry won't be the first couple in royal circles to enjoy an early-moon. The Duchess of Cambridge's sister and Meghan's soon-to-be relative Pippa Middleton holidayed with her millionaire hedge-fund manager husband James Matthews shortly before their big day last year (May 2017).
The pair spent time at his parent's five-star resort on St Barths in the Caribbean, giving her the chance to top up her tan and avoid the paparazzi before their big day.
"Wedding planning can be really stressful, let alone having the eyes of the world on you," says editor of Wedding Venues & Fashion magazine and industry expert Abigael Sullivan, "it's little wonder Meghan and Harry want to fly off and get some rest and relaxation.
"We've been aware of a trend for pre-marriage breaks for a while - it's a chance to indulge in some beauty treatments, chill together and get a tan, what's not to love?" Though Sullivan warns it's best to stick to short-haul destinations to avoid jet lag if you're going away close to the wedding date: no bride or groom wants to risk yawning during their vows.
An early-moon can also be a great opportunity to reconnect before the vows, according to Samantha Berry, head of weddings at luxury tour operator Kuoni. "The main reason brides tell us they want to getaway before the ceremony is that, with the organising of a wedding combined with work and busy lives, it's easy to lose sight of why you're getting married. A pre-moon is a good excuse to just stop, spend quality time together and reflect on the exciting times to come."
The best of the Ionian – travel tips for Harry and Meghan
Corfu
The couple will be jetting off to Corfu, before boarding a yacht for a jaunt around the Ionian Sea. Perhaps they've been watching The Durrells on ITV, which is set on the largest of the seven Ionian Islands. Bits of Corfu have been spoiled (we doubt Harry and Meghan will visit Kavos), but much of it still as idyllic as it was in the 1930s. We'd advise the royal yacht steers a course past the port of Kanóni and the monastery-topped islets of Vlahérna and Mouse Island – it's the best view on the island.
Zakynthos
The Ionian Islands can't be beaten for sandy beaches backed by dramatic coastlines. Myrtos Beach on Kefalonia and Porto Katsiki on Lefkada are among the most photogenic, but Shipwreck Beach on Zakynthos, only accessible by boat, trumps them both - even if it does get a bit crowded. "Visitors to Zakynthos should avoid the boozy corners of the south coast and stick to the beautiful, unspoilt north and mountainous west of the island," says Telegraph Travel's Joanna Symons. "Or base yourself on the pine-forested Vasilikos peninsula in the south-east, most of which has been protected from large-scale development because of the loggerhead turtles that breed on Gerakas beach." Gerakas itself is "a perfect curve of golden sand", she adds. "Those turtles know how to pick a good spot."
Harry and Meghan will spend the night on Zakynthos. Our expert recommends the Peligoni Club on the island's untouristy north-eastern corner.
Paxos
"The tiny island of Paxos in the Ionian is planted with olive groves and gives onto iridescent turquoise sea, rimmed by white pebble beaches and limestone cliffs," says our Greece expert, Jane Foster. "Popular with wealthy Europeans and sailing folk, it is upmarket but slow-paced and unspoilt." Should the royal couple wish to stay over, she suggests Villa Lauren, all whitewashed walls, exposed stonework and commanding views.
Lefkada
Large bays and consistently blustery winds attract droves of sailors and windsurfers to Lefkada, with the coastal towns of Vassiliki and Nydri popular spots for hiring boats and boards. The island has plenty more to recommend it, from its glorious beaches to its sleepy interior - the gorgeous former capital of Karya is a particular highlight.
Ithaca
The legendary home of Odysseus, Ithaca is a contender for the most beautiful island in Greece, according to Anthony Horowitz. "The best thing to do in Ithaca is to walk or hike, and on my first morning I set out for the Gedaki beach on the far side of the town," he wrote in 2016. "A narrow path winds down past a very private house, supposedly rented by Madonna, and then begins to rise through wonderful forests of pine trees and cypresses – the scent hangs heavy in the air. On the other side of the hill you’ll climb down to a lovely pebbly beach and if you make the journey early enough, you will have it entirely to yourself. I stripped off and swam with just a couple of fishing boats chugging past and, in the distance, the hills of Kefalonia no more than paint strokes on the horizon."
Kefalonia
The setting for Louis de Bernières' fabulous novel Captain Corelli's Mandolin, Kefalonia's myriad appeals include magnificent, rugged scenery, friendly locals, a certain rural charm, and some of the best beaches in the whole of Greece. And despite the success of the novel – and the subsequent film adaptation – it remains mercifully unspoilt by mass tourism. We'd advise a visit to the Monastery of Kipoureon, which occupies a dramatic cliff top location on the west coast of the Lixouri peninsula, and where each evening a score of tourists join the Orthodox priests to watch the sun set.
Kythira
"A most attractive but little visited island, Kythira has fine beaches, lovely villages and good food (but not good wine)," says Charles Arnold. "The town of Kythira has a fine setting, with a Venetian castle and a lovely view over Kapsali. The hidden medieval capital of Paleochora is worth visiting and the village of Milopotamos is charming, offering delicious apple pies beside a stream with fine white ducks. The island also has a number of ravines which shelter figs and bananas."
