Feature – Honeymoons at Niagara Falls.
There is so much time involved in planning a wedding that a honeymoon is a chance for the happy couple to rest up, relax and settle into married life together.
The name honeymoon is centuries old and comes from the Israelites. They would capture a bride and then spend the night under the moon with her in seclusion. They would share a fermented honey mead drink, which was called bride ale. The honey from the mead added to moon from the night spent together makes Honeymoon!
Tradition now states that the groom should plan the Honeymoon as it is usually the bride that plans the wedding but this is only a tradition and many couples do things their own way.
Families and friends often get involved in the wedding plans and sometimes a honeymoon is given to the bride and groom as a surprise present.
Why Niagara Falls?
The French enjoyed going to the Falls in the early 1800’s but the first bride to choose the area for her honeymoon was Theodosia Burr. She was the daughter of the future Vice President of the USA, Aaron Burr.
Theodosia packed up her clothes and servants and travelled with 9 packhorses to Niagara Falls.
Napoleon Bonaparte’s brother Jerome Bonaparte followed three years later with his bride Elizabeth Patterson. Travelling by stagecoach from New Orleans, Jerome thoroughly enjoyed his time at Niagara and after sharing glowing reports with friends and acquaintances, the Falls became known as a honeymoon haunt.
The scenery is breathtaking. The power of the Falls themselves is enough to amaze any newly married couple. There is also plenty of opportunity for romance with intimate restaurants, secluded picnic areas and the sound of the water never far away.
The area is distinctly touristy now with many museums and fairground attractions as well as motels and hotels as far as the eye can see. There are haunted houses and mazes, The Guiness Book of World Records Museum and the House of Frankenstein.
In decades gone by however, the area was even more conducive to a quiet holiday with the one you loved. Grand old hotels with views of the Falls, walks alongside the river at night and the chance to see someone throw themselves over the falls in a barrel were draw cards to this area for many couples.
Undoubtedly the main reason for visiting the area is the Falls themselves. The Rainbow and Bridal Veil Falls on the American side and the Horseshoe Falls on the Canadian side can both be seen from hotel rooms situated nearby and when the falls are lit up at night it must be a beautiful sight.
The hotels that crowd the area offer special deals to honeymooners and rooms can be comfortable, glamorous or kitsch. Heart shaped waterbeds, fireplaces, Jacuzzis and theme suites were all the rage in the 1960’s and 70’s but you can still find them in some hotels at the Falls today!
Weddings and honeymoons are big business at Niagara and services are offered for same sex couples as well as the more traditional bride and groom.
It seems that however people decide to spend their honeymoons that Niagara Falls will be the Honeymoon Capital of the World for many years to come.
Join us soon for another Feature.