If the most popular destinations remain those of postcards, another, more surprising, is now essential in searches.
The figures show it: 72% of couples choose to go on a trip after their wedding, whether for a quick getaway or a big adventure. According to the 2025 Wedding Report from Mariages.net, the budget devoted to this stay is generally between 4,000 and 5,000 euros. A sum which reflects the importance given to this tradition, despite the rise in the cost of living and the multiplication of expenses linked to the ceremony. Couples’ choices also reflect the evolution of desires: the beach and relaxation dominate, but the desire for exploration and atypical experiences is gaining ground. It’s no longer just the fine sand that counts, but also the promise of a unique souvenir.
Looking at research carried out between July 2024 and July 2025 highlights clear trends. In the lead, the Maldives remain unbeatable, followed by Bali, Mauritius, Seychelles and French Polynesia. These destinations concentrate everything that couples traditionally look for: sun, turquoise sea, luxurious resorts and the promise of absolute rest. But they also involve a substantial budget and long, sometimes discouraging, flight hours. In this very marked landscape, a destination has slipped into the ranking and is shaking up the codes.
Indeed, alongside a taste for relaxation, some newlyweds are looking for something else: immersion in an unexpected setting, breathtaking landscapes, activities different from the beach or massages. According to Mariages.net, 22% of couples now opt for an adventure-oriented honeymoon. This can take the form of a hike, an active stay or a trip that combines romantic moments and discoveries. In this context, the growing popularity of a previously discreet European country takes on its full meaning. This country is Finland. Unexpected? No doubt, since it is among the 25 most sought-after destinations for a honeymoon between July 2024 and July 2025, according to the study.
It’s the only destination in this ranking where you go for the snow. Budget-wise, the difference is more than significant since you can save between 1,500 and 3,500 euros by choosing Finland rather than the Maldives for a week-long honeymoon, according to cost estimates published by GettingStamped, Honeymoons.com and BudgetYourTrip. Spend the night under a starry sky observing the Northern Lights from a room with a glass ceiling, share a dinner by the fire in an isolated chalet, venture onto cross-country ski trails or go on a dog sled ride: the honeymoon takes on a new dimension here. More accessible geographically and financially, it combines relaxation and a change of scenery, but also a touch of adventure which appeals to those who want to move away from too classic itineraries.
