Couple Travel Trends: Is Buddymoon Better Than A Honeymoon?
Following Rashmika Mandanna and Vijay Deverakonda’s fan-designated “buddymoon” in Thailand with friends, Outlook Luxe speaks to experts on this couple travel trend, why more people desire it and how the loneliness of the pandemic shaped it
A couple’s honeymoon in India has evolved with every generation. Earlier family members, particularly from the groom’s side, often joined the newlyweds on their trip in the name of “safety” and “social etiquette”. It made honeymoons less a private affair and more mired in unsolicited advice on family planning and social scrutiny.
Recently, a Reddit thread also left many users in splits as a user mentioned her neighbour’s in-laws coming to their honeymoon, creating an awkward situation. “I had a neighbour whose Mother-in-Law and Father-in-Law went on their honeymoon with them. They felt they could because they gifted the couple their honeymoon to Hawaii. Such a strange, odd family,” read the thread as another user wrote, “My neighbours took their grandparents along on their honeymoon.”
While the trend of bringing parents or in-laws on a honeymoon may not be very popular in modern day, couple travel trends keep on evolving. Now, a new travel trend is emerging, influenced by the recent fan-designated ‘buddymoon’ of Rashmika Mandanna and Vijay Deverakonda. The newly married South stars flew to Koh Samui in Thailand, with a bunch of friends, rather than heading off alone for their honeymoon, after their Udaipur wedding. It offers a new way of looking at how couples choose to celebrate the start of married life.
Inside Rashmika-Vijay’s buddymoon
The pair checked into the luxury Villa Koh Koon, an opulent clifftop property overlooking Chaweng Bay. Known for its panoramic views and serene surroundings, the villa combines rustic Mediterranean influences with Asian design for a relaxing ambience. The property is built to host large groups, making it ideal for celebrations like a buddymoon. It features seven bedrooms for adults and two additional rooms designed for children, with the capacity to accommodate up to 14 adults and 8 kids comfortably.
View this post on Instagram
Outdoors, the villa opens up to expansive green lawns that lead to a clifftop infinity pool overlooking the sea. The villa’s other amenities included a spacious living room, dining areas, a mezzanine-level study and entertainment features such as a pool table, foosball table, and dartboard, where Rashmika and Vijay had fun in the company of their friends. Instead of a private, and conventionally romantic gateway, their trip was filled with laughter, joy, and play with close friends in a luxury Airbnb villa priced ₹2.35 lakh per night.
Why people are choosing buddymoons?
The trip instantly sparked a larger conversation; is buddymoon better than a honeymoon? The answer, for many, could be a yes!
“Traditional honeymoons often come with a certain pressure to curate the ‘perfect’ romantic experience. Buddymoons, on the other hand, are more relaxed, socially anchored, and allow couples to be more themselves, which naturally enhances both mental and physical rejuvenation,” says Advita Bihani, Co-founder, Indulge Global. “The added company of friends allows for greater amounts of laughter and comfort, as well as less awkwardness, all of which leads to greater levels of mental and physical relaxation. Other concerns that are present during the honeymoon experience, such as anxiety about silence or high expectations, are reduced when in a group, making the overall experience easier and more enjoyable,” tells Mehardeep Singh, General Manager, Corporate Affairs, Rubystone Hospitality.
This couple-friendly trend is emerging now because travel has become more experience-first and less template-driven. “Post-pandemic, people are prioritising connection; not just with their partner, but with their inner circle. Celebrity culture has definitely accelerated this by normalising non-traditional formats of celebration,” tells Advita.
Its popularity is also related to the way weddings are transitioning from formal functions decided by families to intimate celebrations led by the couple’s decisions. “Couples can now participate in destination weddings where guests will have a much more enjoyable and comfortable experience, so it makes perfect sense for couples to want to recreate this experience later on in their marriage as well,” says Anjali Tolani, Vice President- Celebrations at Tamarind Global.
Also Read: 5 Indian Luxury Properties Show How To Gather A Wealth Of Experiences
How To Choose Best Buddymoon Destinations?
Couples taking a buddymoon most likely desire a place which offers several ‘things-to-do’ to entertain every member of their group. “In India, some of the best-known buddy moon destinations include Udaipur, Goa and the Andaman Islands because they combine great scenery with options for group activities. Other popular destinations around the world can be Ibiza, Mykonos, Bali, Thailand, Greece, Dubai and the Amalfi Coast because they provide couples with luxury, nightlife and opportunities for experiential travel,” says Anjali.
Often, celebrity culture-influenced trends fade as quickly as a rumour. But experts suggest that buddymoon is not a passing trend. It’s a reflection of how luxury travel itself is evolving, with couples breaking away from societal expectations and obligations to make space for their individual choices. “More and more people are making their wedding celebrations personal and experience-based, so we can expect that buddy moons will continue to be a popular alternative way for couples to celebrate their love with each other and also within their larger group of people they are close to,” concludes Anjali.