For many couples, the honeymoon can be the best part of getting married (!), a chance to be completely alone with your brand new partner, with the memories of the happiest day of your life still fresh in your mind, obviously it is important to make sure you get it right. To be honest it is basically like organising any holiday, but there can be the added pressure of wanting to make sure it is something a bit different and special. As with anything it's all in the planning!

Although traditionally the honeymoon was the groom's job, these days it is far more likely to be a joint decision with the cost shared. If the groom has arranged it all, and wants to keep the destination of the honeymoon a secret, it is important to make sure any inoculations needed are taken care of in plenty of time, and also to let the bride know what type of clothing she should take. (i.e. bikini or woolly jumper, heels or trainers!)

The average honeymoon costs in the region of £3000 for two weeks. Deciding on your budget, where you want to go and what you want to do are all vitally important in the planning of your honeymoon. How much can you afford to spend, do you want to laze on a beach, take a cruise, explore cities or climb mountains and take part in activities - If so will it affect the overall price of the honeymoon?

If expense is a problem it is possible to have a honeymoon voucher list instead of a wedding list, where all the guests can contribute to your trip. You can arrange this with Thomas Cook and British Airways Travel Shops. (You can always arrange to have a wedding list as well for those who insist on buying a present!)

Honeymoons don't have to be abroad or expensive, staying within the UK in a cottage in Scotland or the Lake District can be just as romantic, and as much of a break as any holiday in the sun. (It is also far less hassle and easier to get to)

When deciding where to go on honeymoon it is important to choose something you both want to do:

Do you want a beach honeymoon? For some, the idea of lying on a beach for two weeks can be boring, whereas for others it is ideal. A cruise is an increasingly popular option, with everything on hand for all tastes. It is also a great holiday in which to meet other honeymoon couples. A sight seeing honeymoon may be a better option for those who enjoy walking around and sightseeing in cities. Venice is an ideal honeymoon destination it has the romance and the sights.

If you want some 'action' then a more activity-based trip may be a preferable alternative. Whether it is skiing, walking or anything that involves sports. It is important for this type of honeymoon that both of you want to go, if only one of you is interested in skiing, a two week skiing honeymoon is probably not the best way to start your married life together! A popular choice nowadays is the 'dual centre' break, which enables couples to combine the two types of trip, usually an activity-based week followed by a relaxing week in the sun. The tour operator you use can arrange these with any holiday company.

Be careful when inviting family or friends on honeymoon, although it might seem like a good idea at the time, you only get to go on honeymoon once and it should ideally be a time for you and your new husband or wife to be alone. If you do have company whilst on honeymoon don't be afraid to let them know when you want to be left alone, chances are, they will understand. This can be a problem if you get married abroad and family and friends come out to see the wedding. One solution is to go for two weeks and get married at the end of the second week, this gives you time alone together for the first week, then family can visit for the second and share in the build up for the wedding in the second week, culminating in a big party when you finally tie the knot.

The other option is to go abroad to get married and then go somewhere else on honeymoon - leaving the family and friends to finish their holiday where you left them or to go home and take with them any of the things you have brought and no longer need!

Don't forget that even if you don't feel as though your wedding was stressful, it will always take at least a couple of days to get over the excitement and 'come back down to earth', take this into consideration when planning your honeymoon, either have a couple of days at home before going away, or make sure the first few days of your honeymoon are set aside for some relaxation. (Even an overnight stay at the airport hotel can make a difference)

Make sure you tell everyone that you are newly weds, from the tour operator and the airline, to the hotel staff, this can not only result in smiles and congratulations from all concerned, but can also lead to perks that you may not otherwise receive! Everyone loves a lover, some airlines will let newlyweds use their club lounges before the flight, and some may even upgrade you! Most hotels will at least supply newlyweds with a complimentary bottle of champagne and flowers in the room, sometimes also providing a candlelit dinner for two or on some occasions an up-graded room.

It is better to book the honeymoon as early as possible, once the wedding date is set, the honeymoon can be arranged for the best time to suit the couple. Timing can be everything when planning your honeymoon; destinations can be different at different times of year. For example the best time of year to go on a safari in Kenya is December, if this is your ideal honeymoon destination but you are getting married in July, it can make it a little more complicated. Equally however, if you are getting married in July and want to spend your honeymoon in Italy, not only will the prices be higher but it is also the time when Italian children are on school holidays and it is likely to be overrun with kids! This is where the planning plays a very important role.

A couple's honeymoon is supposed to be a special time, this can lead to people putting unnecessary pressure on themselves when arranging it, the best advice is not to worry, enjoy the planning and you will be able to enjoy the honeymoon. It is after all only a holiday, wherever you decide to go and whatever you decide to do, sit back, relax and enjoy your first official holiday as a married couple.