Expert explains why 'buddymoon' travel trend gains popularity among modern newlyweds

A new travel phenomenon known as the "buddymoon" has gained significant traction as modern couples move away from traditional private escapes.

This trend involves newlyweds inviting close friends or family to join what was traditionally a strictly romantic getaway.

Experts suggest this shift reflects a global move toward valuing shared community experiences over old-school conventions.

Sandeep Arora, Director of Brightsun Travel, noted that the concept flourished following the pandemic. He shared: “Buddymoon as a concept has gained traction after the Covid-19 pandemic – when physical social interaction was completely cut-off.”

Is the traditional honeymoon dead?

While group trips are refreshing, psychologists clarify that they do not replace the need for private connection. Hari Ganapathy, co-founder of Pickyourtrail, explained that the traditional honeymoon is evolving rather than disappearing.

He stated: “It’s not so much replacing the traditional honeymoon as it is evolving it. We’re seeing couples either split their travel into two parts, a social trip followed by a private retreat.”

Arpita Kohli, a psychologist at PSRI Hospital, agreed that "we time" remains vital for couples to understand each other better after marriage.

Pro-tips for a drama-free buddymoon

To ensure a successful group getaway, proper planning and friend selection are essential. Aditi Govitrikar, a psychologist and actor, highlighted that mismatched expectations cause most trouble. To keep the peace, couples should:

• Set a common budget to avoid awkwardness during expensive dinners.
• Allow individuals to choose their own activities to prevent constant group pressure.
• Maintain small private rituals to stop annoyances from building.

Aditi Govitrikar suggested a simple fix: “Something simple, like eating breakfast just the two of you each morning, can stop little annoyances from building into bigger problems.”

Choosing destinations with large private villas allows groups to enjoy shared beach access while maintaining necessary personal space.