Single Women Deserve Honeymoons, Too – Here’s How to Plan One

Reported by SELF.

There's a particular sting to watching honeymoon couples materialize in every vacation photo. Single women—especially those traveling solo or with friends—have long been nudged toward the margins of travel culture, expected to postpone adventure until a wedding ring materializes. But what if the milestone worth celebrating isn't someone else's marriage, but your own accomplishment?

Enter the "we-moon": a destination trip designed specifically to mark a major life achievement—a promotion, a degree, a published book—with the people who matter most. Unlike the standard girls' trip, it's intentional, ceremonial, structured around your win. And according to SELF, it requires actual planning to pull off without drama.

The Blueprint for a Seamless Group Celebration

Joy Harden Bradford, Ph.D., author of Sisterhood Heals, identifies the non-negotiables. First: separate rooms. While a honeymoon thrives on constant togetherness, a we-moon is about balance—alone time for early risers who want coffee on a quiet balcony, space for introverts to decompress. Equally critical is front-loading the money conversation. Someone's imagining a Ritz; someone else thinks a beach house is fine. Determine this before you're unpacking suitcases thousands of miles away.

Second, protect downtime fiercely. Over-scheduled vacations defeat themselves; half your itinerary should be optional. Not everyone needs the yoga class. Some of you want to nap. That's not laziness—that's self-care. The shared experiences—a cooking class, a spa afternoon, a beach excursion—matter most when they're chosen, not imposed. The margarita-making session where everyone inevitably fails? That's the memory you'll keep.

Finally, create space for depth. Vacations strip away routine and noise; they're where real conversations happen. A sunset jacuzzi session with wine, a late-night talk in your room—these aren't accidents. They're the reason you came. Bradford emphasizes that vulnerability requires intentional space, and a we-moon provides the rare backdrop where you can actually unburden yourself without the usual time pressure.

The we-moon reframes solo female achievement as something worth gathering for, worth traveling for, worth celebrating with the same ritual and reverence we've reserved for weddings and baby showers. Your big moment doesn't need a partner to matter.

Read the original at SELF.