The Buddymoon Trend: How to Plan the Perfect Group Getaway After Your Wedding
What is a Buddymoon?
A buddymoon is a post-wedding getaway where couples invite their closest friends to join them. It takes the traditional honeymoon and turns it into a shared adventure. Rather than heading off solo after the wedding, you bring your friends along to keep the fun going. It’s a perfect way to spend more time with your inner circle, especially after a destination wedding where everyone has traveled far to be together.
For us, our buddymoon took place after our wedding in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Many of our friends had never been to Argentina, so we wanted to maximize our time with them. We stayed in an Airbnb with 12 people, and it turned into one of the most memorable trips. Everyone paid for their own way, but we handled all the planning, from accommodations to activities. We even hired a private driver to take us around, and it made everything so much easier and stress-free.
Is a Buddymoon Right for You?
A buddymoon isn’t for everyone, but if you’re the type of couple who loves group travel and making memories with your friends, this trend might be for you. It’s especially great for destination weddings where friends and family have already traveled a long way. Instead of going straight into your honeymoon, you can keep the party alive with a few days of fun group activities.
It worked perfectly for us because we had guests flying in from all over the world to be part of our wedding. After the wedding was over, we didn’t want to say goodbye just yet. The buddymoon gave us the chance to travel with our friends and show them some of our favorite places in Argentina. We even planned a wine-tasting tour in Mendoza, and to add a bit of adventure, we went river rafting—something we’ll never forget.
Consider these things when deciding if a buddymoon is right for you:
Do you enjoy group trips? If traveling with friends energizes you, this could be a perfect fit.
Do you want extra time with your wedding guests? If your friends are already flying from far away, this could be a great way to spend more quality time with them
Do your friends have similar travel styles? It helps if everyone in the group enjoys the same mix of relaxation and adventure..
Is there enough balance? It’s important to build in some alone time for you and your partner while also enjoying the company of your friends.
How to Plan a Buddymoon
Planning a buddymoon doesn’t have to be complicated, but it does require a bit of organization—especially if you’re coordinating for a larger group. Here’s how to plan a successful buddymoon:
Choose a Destination Near Your Wedding Location
If you’ve had a destination wedding, staying near the venue makes it easy for everyone to transition into vacation mode. For example, after our wedding in Buenos Aires, we didn’t want to travel too far, so we stayed in Argentina and explored different parts of the country. This made the trip more relaxed and convenient for everyone.Find Accommodations that Work for a Group
Renting an Airbnb or a villa that accommodates a larger group can be a great option. We stayed in a large Airbnb with 12 of our friends, and it was like having a mini-vacation home to ourselves. Plus, sharing accommodations kept costs down and allowed us to spend more time together.Plan Group Activities (But Not Too Many)
It’s important to have a mix of planned activities and downtime. In Mendoza, we arranged for wine tastings, and we even hired a private chef one night to cook dinner for everyone at the Airbnb. While we had fun group activities, we also left room for people to relax or explore on their own. That balance kept the trip stress-free.Hire Local Help
If you’re in a place where you need transportation or guides, hiring local help can make things smoother. We hired a private driver to take us to different spots in Argentina, which allowed us to relax and not worry about logistics.Use Guestlist to Stay Organized and Connected
Staying connected with your group during the buddymoon is essential. We used Guestlist, which not only helped us send out our wedding invitations digitally but also allowed us to share all the buddymoon details with our guests in one place. Guests were able to ask questions, coordinate plans, and stay in the loop about the itinerary. It made communication seamless and kept everyone on the same page without the hassle of separate group chats or emails.
Be Clear About Costs
Make sure everyone understands the budget upfront. While you’re planning the buddymoon, it’s important to set clear expectations for costs. For our trip, everyone paid for their flights and share of the accommodations, but we handled all the planning, which made things easier for the group.
Where Should You Go on Your Buddymoon?
The best buddymoon destinations offer a mix of adventure and relaxation, giving everyone something to enjoy. Choosing a location near your wedding makes the transition seamless and cuts down on travel time. For example, since our wedding was in Argentina, we stayed there for our buddymoon and visited a few new spots, including Mendoza for wine-tasting and the Andes for some outdoor fun.
Here are some other ideas for buddymoon destinations:
Hawaii or Mexico: If your wedding is already in one of these locations, stay a few extra days with your friends. You can explore more beaches, go hiking, or simply relax at a resort together. There’s no need to rush home when paradise is just outside your door.
Florence, Hvar, Mykonos, Barcelona: If you’re tying the knot in Europe, these destinations offer the perfect mix of history, culture, and leisure for a group trip. Spend your buddymoon indulging in local cuisine, exploring the countryside, or simply enjoying the sights with your friends.
When Should You Go on Your Buddymoon?
For most couples, the buddymoon happens right after the wedding, especially if it’s a destination wedding. This makes sense—your guests are already there, and you’ve already got the vacation mindset going. After our wedding in Buenos Aires, we transitioned immediately into our buddymoon. Many of our friends had traveled long distances, so the idea of extending the trip together felt natural.
If you’re planning a buddymoon, I recommend heading out right after the wedding. You’re still riding the high of the celebration, and spending a few extra days with your friends can make the experience feel even more special.
Buddymoon vs. Honeymoon: Why Not Both?
The best part? You don’t have to choose between a buddymoon and a traditional honeymoon—you can do both! Many couples, ourselves included, spend a few days with friends and then break off for a more intimate honeymoon. This way, you get to experience both the fun, social side of the buddymoon and the romantic, private getaway of a honeymoon.
For us, the buddymoon was a great way to decompress with friends and share the excitement of exploring Argentina. But after a few days, it was nice to have some alone time to enjoy our honeymoon. We also did a two week honeymoon in Asia 6 months after our wedding!
—
A buddymoon is the perfect way to extend the celebration and create even more memories with the people you’re closest to. It’s ideal for couples who love to travel with friends and don’t want the fun to end after the wedding. Whether you’re relaxing on a beach, hiking through scenic landscapes, or sharing a group dinner at your Airbnb, a buddymoon allows you to keep the vibe alive while still carving out time for yourselves.
And remember, you can still have your private honeymoon later—whether it’s a few days or a few months after your buddymoon. The most important thing is to plan a post-wedding experience that feels right for you and your partner.
Sign up for our weekly newsletter, The Toast
Each week, we'll dive into the latest trends, share tips, and bring you a variety of stories to inspire you from your engagement to your big day. Enter your email to get all the goodies delivered to your inbox every week! 👇
