You know all those wedding details you’ve been saving that speak to your dream color scheme? They reveal volumes about your personality and style—and can point you right toward your ideal honeymoon destination.
If your wedding colors are marsala, ivory and gold…
…your ideal honeymoon spot is Tuscany, Italy.
Your style is: Elegant and luxurious.
Why it’s perfect: The get-pampered possibilities are endless at this Italian escape. Between unbelievable eats and some of the world’s best wine, prepare to sit back, relax and indulge.
Where to stay: Feel like you’ve escaped to your own sprawling Tuscan estate at the luxe 41-suite Castello di Casole (a restored Italian castle from way, way back). Admire views of the vineyards while lounging by the infinity pool, or take in the city sights with a day trip to nearby Siena.
What to do: Sneak off to the cavernous spa, transformed from the estate’s original wine vault, for a couple’s Tuscan Romance Ritual (a bath and massage that incorporates local herbs, scents and oils.) Then, like true jet-setters, get behind the wheel of a flashy Italian sports car with the hotel’s Ferrari Experience. After training with the Ferrari team, the two of you can cruise around Tuscany, stopping for lunch at a romantic café, or haul it over to the coast to capture the Instagram-worthy sea views.
If your wedding colors are pink, yellow and tangerine…
…your ideal honeymoon spot is Ocho Rios, Jamaica.
Your style is Active and social.
Why it’s perfect: With lush mountains and beautiful beaches, Ocho Rios has amazing natural assets that’ll charm your inner adventurer, while vibrant nightlife, sounds of steel drums and smooth rum cocktails have your social side covered. Bonus: The area’s plethora of all-inclusive resorts can keep your buzzing honeymoon lifestyle on budget.
Where to stay: At the upscale, supersize Sandals Ochi Beach Resort, you can pack your days full of a tropical blend of activities. Mingle at the chic, butler-served Ochi Beach Club and 15 other on-site restaurants, or get moving up a huge rock climbing wall or across the water on a kayak or aqua trike. Rooms in the Riviera Seaside area are closest to all the action, while the all-butler Riviera villas provide ultimate privacy.
What to do: After dark, catch the resort’s weekly island-flavored Reggae Night and beach parties with fire dancers. During the day, get a rush linking hands with other daredevils while ascending the 600-foot Dunn’s River Falls, a waterfall that leads to gorgeous natural pools. The views at the top will make it totally worth it.
If your wedding colors are green, gray and white…
… your ideal honeymoon spot is Asheville, North Carolina.
Your style is: Nature loving.
Why it’s perfect: Hugged by the Blue Ridge Mountains, this artsy, relaxed locale in Western North Carolina lures outdoor enthusiasts with endless trails (biking, hiking, horseback riding), swimming holes, rivers for rafting and panoramic vistas (major entertainment in themselves). Along with eco-minded residents, you’ll appreciate talented area chefs and their delish local dishes.
Where to stay: The Omni Grove Park Inn is a stunning, historic mountain resort full of personality. Ride the antique elevators concealed inside the grand lobby’s stone fireplaces and enjoy craft brews and farm-to-table fare on Edison’s outdoor terrace with a spectacular Blue Ridge backdrop.
What to do: Park near one of the trailheads along the scenic Blue Ridge Parkway and start hiking (a fave for 360-degree mountain views is Craggy Pinnacle trail at Milepost 364). Go for an adrenaline-raising white-water rafting trip on the French Broad River with Nantahala Outdoor Center (there’s an outpost in The Omni Grove Park Inn).
If your wedding colors are yellow, gray and white…
… your ideal honeymoon spot is Havana, Cuba.
Your style is: Modern and trendsetting.
Why it’s perfect: Off-limits to most American tourists until recently, this Caribbean island nation is a fit for the trailblazing couple (like you!) to break from the traditional honeymoon mold. Walking cobblestone streets, witnessing the characterful and culturally rich capital city of Havana will earn you major bragging rights—and “likes” on your Instagram photos.
Where to stay: Luxury travel company Black Tomato will create a personalized itinerary (including villa stay, transfers and flights, and tours), where you’ll take up residence in a private villa in Habana Vieja (Old Havana), a UNESCO World Heritage site. Oh, and a private chef is included.
What to do: Cruise the city in a vintage car with a local guide (could be an architect, artist or writer) to see sights that fit your interests. Gain access to the home of a Rumba musician for a private concert or attend a rehearsal of the Cuban National Ballet at its practice studio, all arranged by your own tour guide.
If your wedding colors are navy, green and silver…
… your ideal honeymoon spot is Oahu, Hawaii.
Your style is: Classic.
Why it’s perfect: Hawaii has long set the standard for the quintessential honeymoon paradise, and the iconic island of Oahu, home to legendary Waikiki Beach, has all the reliably romantic elements to back up that reputation. Traditional couples expecting gorgeous beaches and waterfalls, swaying palms, a surf culture (participation optional)
and a welcoming Aloha spirit will not be disappointed.
Where to stay: Fresh off a $45 million revamp and positioned atop a peninsula on the unspoiled North Shore, Turtle Bay Resort boasts newly coiffed rooms with the five-star turquoise ocean views you’re envisioning. Plus, your private veranda (or lanai) lets you get that much closer to the crashing waves.
What to do: Hook up with Turtle Bay’s on-site helicopter tour company for a breathtaking bird’s-eye view of the entire island of Oahu. And, of course, a classic Hawaiian experience isn’t complete without a luau. Try authentic local eats like kalua pork, poi and lomi lomi salmon at the Ali’i Luau at the Polynesian Cultural Center.
This article first appeared in The Knot magazine fall 2015 issue.
