What Is the Honeymoon Phase and How Long Does It Last? (2024)

The honeymoon phase is a blissful, carefree period in a couple’s relationship. Both partners are just getting to know each other and seem to find little fault with their significant other. Everything that new partner does—from how they eat to the stories they tell—feels charming and endearing.

Of course, the honeymoon phase is exactly that: a phase. Eventually, it ends, leaving both partners needing to adjust to a new, more sustainable reality. For some couples, the honeymoon phase ends before they want it to while others don’t experience it at all. To help us understand this time period, and how to navigate it, we consulted licensed therapist Michelle Mouhtis. “My biggest piece of advice is to enjoy the ride,” she says. “It really is such a special time for couples, no matter how short or long it lasts.”

Here, she shares all you need to know about the honeymoon phase, including what it is, how long it lasts, and what happens when it's over.

What Is the Honeymoon Phase?

The honeymoon phase is an early part of a couple's relationship where everything seems carefree and happy. It usually lasts from six months to two years and can be marked with lots of laughs, intimacy, and fun dates.

When Does the Honeymoon Phase Occur?

For most couples, the honeymoon phase occurs from the get-go. “It is the very beginning of a new relationship,” says Mouhtis. “It’s when every part of the person you’re dating is fascinating, down to the minute details and weird quirks.” Perhaps the biggest reason the honeymoon phase is so exciting is that it’s too soon to know the partner’s full personality, with all its positives and negatives. “Everything about this person seems perfect because there hasn’t been enough time to experience their faults,” she adds. “And everyone has faults.” Some couples may experience the honeymoon phase after they make a big life step like moving in together or getting engaged.

The way to tell if you are in the honeymoon phase is to pay attention to your feelings and how you perceive your partner. “The biggest indicator of the honeymoon phase is if you feel the person in front of you is perfect,”says Mouhtis. “You see them in a completely positive light, and you can’t imagine what their faults or incompatibilities could be.Everything is going right, and fun is happening over 90 percent of the time.”

Do All Relationships Have a Honeymoon Phase?

Some couples don’t have a honeymoon phase, or their honeymoon phase may be drawn out over time. Not only is there nothing to worry about if you don’t have a honeymoon phase; it may actually lead to a healthier relationship in the long term.

The people who feel an instant spark with their partner might be blinded by giddiness and not see the full picture of the person with whom they are entering into a relationship. When that overwhelming chemistry is not present, it may lead to partners getting to know one another slowly and being more realistic about the person in front of them. “Relationships with these beginnings often turn into lasting love, with a honeymoon that gets woven in over time, rather than experiencing it all in the beginning and then having it fade away,” shares Mouhtis.

Mouhtis explains the red flag is if chemistry doesn’t grow over time. “Of course sometimes there just isn’t chemistry, and that’s ok,” she says. “But if there’s attraction and interest without the lust and longing, then I absolutely think the connection is worth pursuing because romance can grow over time.”

How to Enjoy the Honeymoon Phase

The honeymoon phase in a relationship is like a fairytale. Everything is happy, peaceful, and fun. The most important thing to do during that time is to cherish it, encourages Mouhtis. “The phase is meant to be enjoyed and to have fun.” Go on dates, have adventures, spend a lot of time enjoying each other’s company.The honeymoon phase is also a good time to get to know your partner. “Explore mode is turned on, and you can’t get enough of learning about every facet of this person,” she continues. “There is also a wild amount of chemistry and frequent, passionate sex.”

Because of its fleeting nature, if a couple isn’t married yet when going through its honeymoon phase, Mouhtis encourages both partners not to make any significant decisions. “The honeymoon phase isn’t meant for big decisions for the relationship to be made,” she says. “I don’t recommend buying property together, moving in, or getting engaged during the honeymoon phase.”

How Do You Know When the Honeymoon Phase Is Over?

“When the honeymoon phase is over, it may feel like a bubble pop,” says Mouhtis. “You begin to realize that this person isn’t perfect, you see their imperfections, and inevitable conflict will start to creep in.” You might start to feel irritated by your partner or notice things about him or her you didn’t in the past. You might also start to fight more or have less sex. Questioning your relationship is normal during this time.

All of this is not just perfectly acceptable, but they're also important steps in the relationship’s growth. “The end of the honeymoon phase is when real life with this person settles in,” shares Mouhtis. “Long-term relationships start to build when the honeymoon phase wanes out.”

What Happens After the Honeymoon Phase Is Over?

After a honeymoon phase, couples might start going through hardships. They may disagree over topics large and small or even question if they want to keep dating their partner after their faults have been revealed. Tasks that used to be fun like going to the grocery or cooking might become more mundane than exciting.Going through these trials is important, Mouhtis stresses. “The foundation of what builds strength in long-term relationships is when you go through hardships together and come out the other side holding hands.” If you make it through this bubble pop as a couple, you know you can handle whatever life brings in the future.

Mouhtis encourages all her clients to see the honeymoon phase is just one of many phases their relationship will go through, positive and negative. As she puts it, “Just because the honeymoon is over, doesn’t mean the relationship is over.”