What Does “Honeymoon” Really Mean?

from Erik Michaels and June Hoffman of Megasound

Many stories surround the origins of the tradition of the honeymoon. As we wrote about previously, in ancient times, many of the first marriages were by capture, not choice. When early man felt it was time to take a bride, he would often carry off an unwilling woman to a secret place where her relatives wouldn't find them. While the moon went through all its phases (about a month), they hid from the searchers and drank a brew made from honey. Hence, we get the word, “honeymoon”. This is a rather literal translation of how the practice began.

Another similar story explains how the Teutonic people began the practice of the honeymoon. Teutonic weddings were only held under the full moon. Afterwards, the bride and groom would drink honey wine for thirty days. Therefore, the period immediately following the wedding became known as the honeymoon. While the name survived, the purpose and timeframe of the honeymoon changed. After the wedding, newlyweds would leave their family and friends to go and do what newlyweds are supposed to do. Nowadays, while the purpose survives, a romantic destination (like a vacation) is instead used.

Another literal translation of this tradition comes from the dictionary. The word "honeymoon" first appears in the 16th century. The honey is a reference to the sweetness of a new marriage. The moon is not a reference to the lunar-based month, but rather a bitter acknowledgment that this sweetness, like a full moon, would quickly fade.

While there are probably other stories as to how honeymoons got started, one practical reason shows that the term 'honeymoon' comes from the tradition of the bride drinking honey mead for one month after the wedding to encourage fertility. A male child was particularly desirable, and it was thought back then that the drinking of honey mead by the bride would increase the chances of this happening.

At Megasound, we work with many other Fort Wayne wedding professionals who specialize in planning honeymoons. We are more than happy to share those vendor references with our brides and grooms so they can plan their honeymoon.