Isn’t it romantic? A honeymoon with your besties

Something old, and something really new — buddymoons, where the bride and groom take along some of their closest friends on their trip-of-a-lifetime honeymoon. Jennifer Aniston and Justin Theroux took a glam Bora Bora buddymoon with their Hollywood pals a couple of years ago. And now it’s a thing.

“Honeymoons for two aren’t going anywhere, but the buddymoon trend has definitely been on the rise,” says Anne Howard, who cofounded HoneyTrek Trips (www.honeytrek.com) with her husband, Mike. They are also the authors of
“Ultimate Journeys for Two.”

It’s not for everyone, but there are compelling reasons for newlyweds to take a buddymoon. Let us count the ways.

“A wedding weekend flies by with packed schedules and a hundred people to meet and greet,” Howard says. “Leaving little time to relish in this life-changing moment with your best buds.”

She adds: “Couples are getting married later in life and often already live together, so the honeymoon isn’t this sacred first brush with romance. . . . It’s about celebrating a new chapter in life with the people you love the most.”

It can be a financially savvy option, too. “Buddymoons are also a chance to indulge in splashier experiences that newlyweds might not be able to afford on their own — like chartering a yacht or hiring a private chef for the week,” says Howard.

Who typically goes on a buddymoon?

“Typically, it is newlyweds traveling with their closest friends,” says Taylor Methfessel, luxury travel adviser at Smartflyer.com. “I have rarely seen it with family, I believe, because families spend a great deal of time together leading up to the celebration. Married couples are typically so busy at their ceremonies that they don’t have much time to relax and talk with their friends, so buddymoons are a great opportunity to do so and continue the festivities of the week.”

Of course, you’d also want to make sure your friends are like-minded. For instance, if the couple longs for a ski honeymoon, they’d probably want to invite along friends who ski. But not everyone might be keen on skiing 24/7, so it’d be just as important to find a ski resort with fabulous après-ski lodges and warming fireplaces — and maybe breweries and other fun options nearby. Along the same lines, you wouldn’t invite a sober friend to your honeymoon in the Napa Valley Wine region.

“It’s one of the most memorable trips of your life,” says Methfessel. “So make sure that those traveling with you are individuals that make you feel happy, recharged, and the most authentic versions of yourselves.”

The most popular buddymoon destinations are those that are “busy and buzzy,” says Methfessel. “I don’t see friends traveling together to romantic, quiet resorts, but if it’s a location with many activities, it is popular.” Methfessel suggests Mykonos, St. Tropez, Ibiza, and the Amalfi Coast because “all certainly have a romantic aspect, but there are many beach clubs and bars to visit together, as well as towns with a lot of atmosphere.”

Howard suggests a cruise as “a common way to whisk away your favorite people while giving everyone the autonomy of their own cabin, choice of activities, and separate tabs.” And for a villa or resort stay, she recommends Thailand. “It’s a tried and true honeymoon destination, but it’s also a great place to incorporate friends of disparate interests with its rich culture, world-class beaches, ancient rain forests, delicious food, and affordable prices.”

And you’ve heard of double-dating? Well, another buddymoon trend is double-honeymooning — with another newlywed couple. Wedaways, a Virtuoso Member Agency specializing in weddings, honeymoons, and romantic getaways, is receiving requests from couples requesting to honeymoon together, especially foodies and adventure lovers, says cofounder and CEO Renée Strauss. “If friends are getting married in the same or close to the same season, they can plan their honeymoons accordingly.” www.wedaways.com

Laurie Wilson can be reached at laurieheather@globe.com.