Mini Moons

After investing plenty of dough and several months planning your wedding, an exotic honeymoon may not fit your budget—or vacation schedule. Take a cue from savvy Minnesota newlyweds, who trimmed their trip but not their memories. Plan your own “mini moon,” a quick local getaway after the big day.

“I highly recommend doing a mini moon if you’re having a summer wedding—it takes a lot of the stress out of planning,” says Bloomington resident Laura King, who escaped to the North Shore with husband, Brian, after their August 2008 wedding in her hometown of Milwaukee.

“We considered Hawaii or the Bahamas, but it was actually warmer in Minnesota at that time,” says King, who stayed three nights at Larsmont Cottages on Lake Superior. The couple hiked around Gooseberry Falls State Park, toured Split Rock Lighthouse, and relished a long, romantic dinner at Nokomis restaurant in Duluth. “The meal and the service were phenomenal. We were there for three hours!” she says.

The North Shore provides a romantic getaway in all seasons—depending on your love for winter—and is just a few hours from the Twin Cities by car. Discover the dining and art around Grand Marais, golf and skiing in the Lutsen-Tofte area, and fabulous resorts and B & Bs that dot the shore from the Twin Ports to the Canadian border.

“The North Shore is a great place to get away,” says Darrin Young of Superior Shores in Two Harbors. “You can take advantage of the state parks, restaurants, and be off by yourselves. After a hectic weekend wedding with family and friends, it’s a great way to be alone and unwind.”

Most North Shore honeymooners hail from the Twin Cities, lured by the easy drive and booking, Young says. Many couples reserve a suite just one to three months in advance, he says. Consider booking a mid-week mini moon (you might save even more this way at some resorts), or a long weekend the following week. Then down the road, if you have the means, plan something more exotic.

The Kings saved their money and vacation days, and took an extended honeymoon this past winter on the Riviera Maya, Mexico. “After the wedding, we didn’t have the added stress of travel and airports,” she says. “We saved our beach honeymoon for February, when you really want to escape.” Want to get a little farther away than the North Shore but still keep it simple after the wedding? Explore the timeless romance of Niagara Falls. Escape to Madeline Island. Or explore the splendor of Colorado’s Rocky Mountains.

“San Francisco is also good for short trips,” says Nancy Hannan, a travel agent with Travel Leaders in Eden Prairie. “Depending on the couple’s interests, there are great trips out of San Francisco to the wine country, golf courses, and the Monterey Peninsula.”

For more getaway ideas, visit mspmag.com/travel and mspmag.com/romantichoneymoonsdestinations