In the golden age of Hollywood, even honeymoons came with a touch of cinematic splendor. These vintage escapes weren’t just private getaways—they were curated displays of romance, style, and star power. Though many of the marriages didn’t stand the test of time, the photographs remain—timeless glimpses into a world where love was lit by flashbulbs and framed in elegance.
A Royal Romance Sets Sail: Mary Pickford and Douglas Fairbanks
Mary Pickford and Douglas Fairbanks were silent film icons and Hollywood’s first power couple. They were beloved for their charm, talent, and storybook romance.
In 1920, they set off for Europe aboard a luxury liner to celebrate their fairytale honeymoon in style. Docked in London, the duo greeted admirers from the ship deck rails, offering a regal image of love.
Their voyage was more than travel; it was an era-defining event, blending stardom with sophistication as fans watched America’s sweethearts glide across oceans and headlines.
The Future King’s Retreat: Prince Albert and Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon
When Prince Albert—later King George VI—married Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon in 1923, the future parents of Queen Elizabeth II chose the peaceful Polesden Lacy estate in Surrey for their honeymoon.
Skipping royal pageantry, they enjoyed quiet walks through elegant gardens and serene woodlands, savoring rare privacy before taking on the weight of the crown.
Their retreat marked the beginning of a devoted 29-year marriage, a love story that unfolded in ivy-draped corners and candlelit rooms beneath the gentle hills of the English countryside.
A Roman Holiday for Two Stars: Cary Grant and Virginia Cherrill
In 1934, Cary Grant—then a rising Hollywood heartthrob—and Virginia Cherrill, best known for starring in Chaplin’s City Lights, married in London and honeymooned in Rome.
They strolled past ruins and fountains like stars in their own romantic epic, bringing Old Hollywood glamour to the Eternal City.
But the romance was short-lived; after just one year of marriage marked by frequent clashes, the couple divorced in 1935, ending a union as dramatic as any film they starred in.
A Ping Pong Love Story: Ronald Reagan and Jane Wyman
In 1940, Ronald Reagan—still more screen idol than statesman—married Jane Wyman, Hollywood’s rising star, and they honeymooned at Palm Springs’ swanky El Mirador Hotel.
There, they flirted over ping pong, soaked up desert sun, and played house like any other couple—just with more movie credits and better cheekbones.
Their romance, though sweet, didn’t last; after eight years, two kids, and a few too many arguments, they split—leaving Reagan single and slowly inching toward the Oval Office.
Mountains, Mexico, and Modern Love: Bette Davis and William Sherry
In 1945, legendary actress Bette Davis married artist William Grant Sherry, her third husband, and they honeymooned from lively Mexico City to the serene White Mountains of New Hampshire.
Their trip combined bold city energy with quiet countryside charm—tequila under the stars, followed by fireside chats in chilly, pine-scented cabins.
Though the honeymoon blended passion and poetry, the marriage was rocky; despite having a daughter together, they divorced in 1950 after five turbulent years.
A Princess in the Leaves: Princess Elizabeth and Prince Philip
Newlyweds Princess Elizabeth and Prince Philip, married in 1947, retreated to the Broadlands Estate, basking in post-war peace and newlywed intimacy.
Among rustling autumn leaves and quiet meadows, they strolled hand in hand, royal titles momentarily forgotten in favor of laughter, stillness, and shared dreams.
Before she became Queen, she was simply a bride in love, wrapped in wool scarves, walking beside her prince beneath England’s fading golden trees.
Beachside Bliss for the Heir and Heiress: William and Martha Ford
In 1947, automobile heir William Clay Ford Sr. wed tire heiress Martha Firestone, honeymooning on the sun-kissed shores of Bermuda’s Cambridge Beaches resort.
Their escape was idyllic—seafoam lapping at their feet, breezes fluttering linen, and the sparkle of wealth softened by genuine newlywed warmth and barefoot laughter.
Far from Motor City boardrooms, they found peace in island silence, a retreat defined by moonlit dinners, coral coves, and the luxury of simple, shared joy.
Fourth Time’s the Charm: Lana Turner and Bob Topping
Following her fourth wedding in 1948, Hollywood siren Lana Turner jetted off with socialite Henry “Bob” Topping Jr. for a glamorous honeymoon in England.
Touching down in post-war London, the couple blended high society style with film star sparkle, turning heads wherever they sipped champagne or strolled cobblestones.
Their transatlantic love story shimmered with indulgence, framed by couture gowns, five-star hotels, and the tantalizing hope that maybe this marriage would be the one to last.
A Hotel Heiress and a Hollywood Teen: Elizabeth Taylor and Nicky Hilton
At just 18 in 1950, Elizabeth Taylor married hotel heir Conrad “Nicky” Hilton Jr., honeymooning in London and Paris amidst reporters, royal glances, and regal accommodations.
This was no quiet getaway—it was Hollywood’s social event of the year, followed by posh suites, theater outings, and the spotlight Taylor already knew so well.
Though brief, their union shimmered with youth and extravagance, a transatlantic tale of first love told in diamonds, designer gowns, and champagne-fueled dreams.
Sailing Into Sweetness: Joan Crawford and Alfred Steele
After marrying in 1950, Joan Crawford and businessman Alfred Steele sailed across the Atlantic aboard the S.S. United States for a European honeymoon steeped in elegance.
Onboard, they sliced into celebratory cake—flashing smiles and pearls—surrounded by crystal chandeliers, polished railings, and the gentle rhythm of waves promising new horizons.
Their journey was luxury personified, a voyage not just across seas but into shared ambition, glamorous reinvention, and the hope of partnership beyond the camera’s glare.
Joan’s Mediterranean Escape
During her 1950 honeymoon tour with Alfred Steele, Joan Crawford struck a glamorous pose on Capri’s cliffs, framed by tunic chic and sun-drenched Italian charm.
Basking in Mediterranean light, she strolled markets and shorelines, savoring seafood feasts and designer sandals, capturing the effortless elegance of mid-century jet-set travel.
Crawford’s every move on the island seemed scripted by Hollywood magic—a honeymoon steeped in spectacle, sunshine, and a dash of old-school diva delight.
Tropical Shirts and Island Vows: Clark Gable and Sylvia Ashley
After marrying near Solvang, California in 1950, Clark Gable and Sylvia Ashley embraced paradise with leis around their necks and honeymoon plans aimed at Hawaii.
Their wardrobe—tropical prints and relaxed smiles—mirrored the island’s laid-back rhythm, offering the couple respite from Tinseltown’s bright lights and relentless demands.
In the breeze and surf, the “King of Hollywood” found peace, as luaus, coconut drinks, and volcanic vistas replaced scripts, spotlights, and studio calls.
Moonlight and Stardust: Frank Sinatra and Ava Gardner
Newlyweds Frank Sinatra and Ava Gardner walked hand in hand down a quiet Miami beach in 1951, the surf a soundtrack to their whispered secrets.
Their honeymoon glowed with twilight kisses, jazz drifting from beachfront radios, and the quiet hum of a world too enchanted to interrupt.
Together, they embodied sultry sophistication—fiery, flawed, yet magnetic—two stars burning bright against the backdrop of sand, sea, and an endlessly romantic horizon.
Waldorf Whispers and Big City Nights: Tony Curtis and Janet Leigh
In 1951, Tony Curtis carried bride Janet Leigh into New York’s Waldorf Astoria, their honeymoon suite a velvet-draped love nest in the city that never sleeps.
From Broadway lights to candlelit suppers, the c
uple painted Manhattan red, reveling in their young stardom and whirlwind passion.
The hotel’s grandeur echoed their fairytale beginning—classic Hollywood love sealed with room service, rooftop views, and promises whispered beneath chandelier-lit ceilings.
From London to the City of Light: Elizabeth Taylor and Michael Wilding
In 1952, newlyweds Elizabeth Taylor and Michael Wilding were spotted leaving the Berkeley Hotel in London, en route to honeymoon in the romantic streets of Paris.
Jet-setting before it was a cliché, the couple embraced continental chic—luxury boutiques, fine dining, and moonlit strolls along the Seine hand in hand.
Their Parisian honeymoon shimmered like a scene from a French film—timeless, stylish, and touched with that intoxicating blend of youth, beauty, and cinematic charm.
Palm Springs Paradise: Ginger Rogers and Jacques Bergerac
In 1953, Ginger Rogers and Jacques Bergerac strolled the sandy paths of La Quinta resort, hand in hand outside their desert villa under the California sun.
Among bougainvillea blooms and terracotta walls, they found a love story in the silence between cacti and the clinking of glasses at sunset dinners.
Their honeymoon was pure mid-century leisure—sunhats, cocktails, and desert heat melting any distance between Hollywood stardom and the sweetness of simple, luxurious love.
Roman Gardens and Whispered Vows: Audrey Hepburn and Mel Ferrer
After marrying in 1954, Audrey Hepburn and Mel Ferrer honeymooned in Rome, posing gently in the gardens of Villa Rolli in picturesque Albano, Italy.
She wore grace like a second skin, and he matched her calm with quiet strength, their days framed by ivy walls and vintage Vespa charm.
Together, they wandered through a country of poets and passion, their love blooming with olives, roses, and the timeless elegance of Roman romance.
A City Hall Kiss and a Coastal Cruise: Marilyn Monroe and Joe DiMaggio
Fresh from their 1954 City Hall wedding in San Francisco, Marilyn Monroe and Joe DiMaggio set off by car, blending spontaneity with stardom.
Without pomp or paparazzi, their escape was an ode to Americana—motels, roadside diners, and whispered laughter beneath California sunsets in convertible-tousled hair.
It was a moment of authenticity for two icons, navigating freeways and futures with a sense of intimacy the tabloids would never quite capture.
Monroe and DiMaggio’s Japanese Getaway
Later on their honeymoon, Marilyn and Joe touched down in Japan, wandering coastal villages and admiring beached sailboats beneath paper lantern skies.
In quiet harbors, they found peace—away from cameras—soaking in eastern charm, temple visits, and the comfort of soft-spoken moments between glamor and global fame.
Their time abroad was unconventional, yet perfectly them—a mix of East and West, of baseball and bombshells, united by love and complicated grace.
Vegas Lights, Velvet Curtains: Vic Damone and Pier Angeli
In 1954, Vic Damone and Pier Angeli exchanged vows and promptly headed to Las Vegas, where romance met reality—he had a singing gig booked.
Between rehearsals and stage lights, they stole precious hours together, dining in casino lounges and dancing under blinking neon hearts and martini signs.
Though work tugged at their honeymoon, their devotion was clear—hand-in-hand through smoky rooms and late-night serenades, love wrapped in sequins, soundchecks, and slot machine lullabies.
Sunshine and Sweethearts: Eddie Fisher and Debbie Reynolds
After marrying in 1955 at a Catskills resort, Eddie Fisher and Debbie Reynolds headed to Florida, basking in love, palm trees, and warm ocean breezes.
They spent sun-drenched days lounging poolside, far from Hollywood pressure, swapping red carpets for sandals and secluded walks along boardwalks lined with citrus-scented air.
Together, they defined mid-50s Americana romance—young, famous, and glowing—reveling in their honeymoon glow like a Norman Rockwell painting set in tropical Technicolor.
A Mediterranean Dream: Grace Kelly and Prince Rainier
After their 1956 Monaco wedding, Princess Grace and Prince Rainier embarked on a seven-week Mediterranean voyage aboard the Deo Juvante II, a floating fairytale.
Each port was a postcard—sapphire seas, castle ruins, candlelit dinners—where Hollywood glamour met Old World royalty in perfect, sun-kissed harmony.
This wasn’t just a honeymoon, it was a royal odyssey, sealed by sea breezes, silk gowns, and a love story fit for cinematic legend.
Rome at Last: Arlene Dahl and Fernando Lamas
Two years after marrying in 1954, Arlene Dahl and Fernando Lamas finally honeymooned in Rome, posing outside the Trinità dei Monti with glowing smiles.
Their love waited patiently, blossoming on cobblestone streets with every pasta dinner, church visit, and kiss shared beneath crumbling aqueducts and terracotta skies.
Their honeymoon embodied timeless elegance—Hollywood stars finding romance not in flashbulbs, but in shared espressos and footsteps echoing through the Eternal City.
A Queenly Voyage: Audrey Hepburn and Mel Ferrer
In 1957, Audrey Hepburn and Mel Ferrer boarded the SS Queen Mary, headed to Switzerland for their second honeymoon, elegant and quietly devoted.
She adjusted his coat on deck, a simple gesture that spoke volumes—love in the little things, tenderness wrapped in wool and ocean mist.
Together they watched the horizon, not just of water, but of shared futures—refined, introspective, and perfectly framed like a European art film.
Acapulco Amor: Elizabeth Taylor and Mike Todd
Elizabeth Taylor and producer Mike Todd honeymooned in Acapulco in 1957, her words later dubbing it the happiest marriage of her stormy romantic history.
On tropical sands, they kissed passionately, swam endlessly, and laughed louder than the crashing surf—a paradise ignited by fireworks and undeniable chemistry.
Acapulco shimmered beneath their love, a bright canvas for two larger-than-life personalities joined in a whirlwind of diamonds, tequila, and overwhelming devotion.
From Arizona to Penn Station: Robert Wagner and Natalie Wood
After their wedding in Scottsdale, Arizona in 1958, Robert Wagner carried Natalie Wood into New York’s Penn Station, honeymoon glow in full force.
Luggage in hand, they looked every bit the young Hollywood couple—starry-eyed, well-dressed, and ready to turn Manhattan into their private playground.
Train whistles echoed behind them as they kissed hello to the city, the pulse of New York matching the rhythm of their new life.
Genoa Strolls and Glamour: Liz and Eddie in Portofino
As their yacht docked, Elizabeth and Eddie wandered the streets of Genoa, drawing attention like royalty with every step through ivy-lined lanes and sun-warmed alleys.
Her lavender scarves fluttered in the breeze, his arm steady at her waist—their every movement photographed, every glance scrutinized.
But in that coastal moment, they were just two lovers on holiday, finding laughter and gelato amidst a landscape older than any scandal.
Balcony Bliss in the South of France: Brigitte Bardot and Jacques Charrier
Brigitte Bardot and Jacques Charrier spent their 1959 honeymoon in St. Tropez, honeymooning on familiar ground where the sea was as sultry as their love.
Perched on balconies in the warm French sun, they sipped wine, whispered jokes, and soaked in the lazy perfection of coastal afternoons.
Their romance, steeped in vintage Riviera chic, became part of Bardot’s mythos—sun-bleached hair, striped bikinis, and a forever young kind of passion.
Airport Kisses and Transatlantic Promises: Marilyn Monroe and Arthur Miller
Before heading to England in 1960, Marilyn Monroe kissed Arthur Miller goodbye—or rather, hello—at Idlewild Airport, watched by flashbulbs and fans alike.
Her lips met his at the gate, a picture of pure contradiction: the world’s most desired woman devoted to literature’s quietest man.
Boarding their flight, they held hands, embarking on a new chapter where honeymoon kisses competed with scripts, notebooks, and literary ideals.
Marilyn and Arthur’s English Encounter with Legends
In England, Marilyn and Arthur mingled with theatre royalty—Sir Laurence Olivier and Vivien Leigh—where four titans of stage and screen met over champagne.
The atmosphere was intellectual and electric, with laughter echoing through drawing rooms layered in velvet and accented with the scent of rosewater.
It was more than a honeymoon; it was a cultural crossroads, where art, fame, and love entwined in an elegant, transatlantic moment.
From Hollywood Vows to West Coast Wanderings: Bobby Darin and Sandra Dee
Married in 1960, Bobby Darin and Sandra Dee left New Jersey for Hollywood, choosing familiar ground for their honeymoon in the city of dreams.
They flew west, eyes bright with ambition and hearts still humming from their ceremony, the jet engine no match for their excitement.
Hollywood was more than home—it was their stage, and for now, love took center spotlight between studio lots and after-hours embraces beneath palm trees.
Royal Waves and Caribbean Winds: Princess Margaret and Antony Armstrong-Jones
In 1960, Princess Margaret and Antony Armstrong-Jones embarked on a six-week Caribbean cruise aboard the Royal Yacht Britannia, elegance gliding across turquoise waves.
Each island brought jeweled moments—tropical nights, royal receptions, and sunlight glinting off tiaras and tan lines in equal measure.
The trip blended duty and delight, modernity and monarchy, as Margaret’s spirited heart sailed far beyond Buckingham’s gates into a horizon all her own.
Tropical Love Songs: George Harrison and Pattie Boyd
In 1966, Beatle George Harrison and model Pattie Boyd fled to Barbados after their Surrey registry wedding, hiding from the world in paradise.
There were no screaming fans here—only ocean winds, steel drum lullabies, and mango trees shading two lovers on a sandy, sacred retreat.
Their honeymoon was a quiet harmony, played in sunbeams and surf, echoing through lyrics that would one day find their way into Beatles history.
Velvet Sofas and Florida Skies: Liza Minnelli and Peter Allen
After their 1967 New York wedding, Liza Minnelli and Peter Allen honeymooned in Florida, lounging on yellow leather sofas and soaking up theatrical sunshine.
Their days were colorful and carefree—matching outfits, beach walks, and melodies composed in hotel lobbies and quiet tropical corners.
It was Broadway meets beach town, two rising stars humming duets beneath palm fronds, their love as catchy and electric as a show tune.
A Kingly Send-Off: Elvis and Priscilla Presley
In 1967, Elvis and Priscilla Presley tied the knot in Las Vegas, then jetted off to Palm Springs courtesy of Frank Sinatra’s private plane.
They hid from the world behind mansion gates, honeymooning with milkshakes, rock ‘n’ roll, and a few stolen hours of real privacy.
Even in paradise, cameras waited, but the King and his Queen seemed unfazed, lost in laughter, poolside kisses, and the hum of desert dreams.
Bedsheets and Protest Signs: John Lennon and Yoko Ono
In 1969, John Lennon and Yoko Ono turned their Amsterdam honeymoon into a global peace protest, holding a “bed-in” to oppose the Vietnam War.
White pajamas, handwritten signs, and world press outside their door—love became a message, and intimacy became a call for change.
Their hotel room became a shrine to idealism, where newlyweds replaced champagne toasts with calls for unity, proving protest could be poetic.
A Parisian Pause
Before or after the headlines, John and Yoko also stopped in Paris, where for three days they wandered through gardens, bridges, and whispered quiet revolutions.
It was a brief moment of peace—two artists on sacred ground, where art, love, and philosophy meandered between museums and metro signs.
Even in stillness, their presence stirred waves; lovers in Paris, dreamers on a mission, framed by boulevards and belief.
Paris Serenade: Rocío Dúrcal and Antonio “Júnior” Morales
In 1970, Spanish songbird Rocío Dúrcal and singer Antonio Morales posed by the Arc de Triomphe, their Paris honeymoon wrapped in culture and chanson.
They roamed Montmartre in scarves and smiles, voices echoing softly along the Seine, framed by bistros and stained glass cathedrals.
Their honeymoon blended melody with monuments—two hearts in tune with the city of love, composing verses with every step.
London Calling: Liza Minnelli and Jack Haley Jr.
After their 1970 wedding, Liza Minnelli and Jack Haley Jr. honeymooned in London—a city already legendary for their families and film history.
Their parents had danced through The Wizard of Oz—now, their children wandered Knightsbridge, scripting a sequel of their own.
It was an old-meets-new romance, steeped in West End magic and afternoon teas, where stardust passed lovingly from one generation to the next.
A Venetian Fairytale: Mick and Bianca Jagger
In 1971, Mick and Bianca Jagger chose Venice for their honeymoon, a city that matched their high fashion flair and restless artistic spirits.
They glided through canals in gondolas, her white pantsuits contrasting perfectly with historic palazzos and the hush of lapping water.
It was pure poetry—bohemian, bold, and breathtaking—a love letter scribbled in eyeliner and fogged glass, drifting across Grand Canal’s timeless spell.
Love Rekindled at Sea: Robert Wagner and Natalie Wood’s Second Act
Ten years after divorcing, Robert Wagner and Natalie Wood remarried in 1972, celebrating aboard the SS France on a honeymoon soaked in nostalgia.
They leaned over railings, hair tousled by sea air, laughter tinged with gratitude—this wasn’t young love, it was a love renewed.
The Atlantic shimmered with second chances, carrying two hearts back to one another with every salt-tinged breeze and midnight dance.
Laughter on the Dock: Sammy Davis Jr. and Altovise Gore
In 1972, newlyweds Sammy Davis Jr. and Altovise Gore arrived at Southampton’s cruise terminal, cracking jokes and turning the gangway into a red carpet.
They smiled widely, suitcases in hand, ready for the adventure that lay beyond the Queen Elizabeth II’s grand white decks.
It wasn’t just a honeymoon—it was a vaudeville act wrapped in love, laughter, and Rat Pack pizzazz, sailing toward new beginnings.
Cruising into Royal Duty: Charles and Diana
After their 1981 wedding, Prince Charles and Princess Diana sailed the Mediterranean for 14 days aboard the Royal Yacht Britannia, elegance echoing across sunlit waters.
They stopped in Greece and Egypt, waved from decks, and found brief calm before the crown’s weight pressed down.
They visited iconic ports including Corfu, Crete, and Alexandria, toured ancient ruins, and even rode camels near the pyramids.
Charles and Diana’s Balmoral Escape
Their honeymoon concluded in Scotland’s Balmoral Castle, where Diana and Charles embraced near the River Dee, surrounded by mist and monarchic solitude.
They picnicked in tartan blankets and walked forest trails, fleetingly just husband and wife beneath ancient oaks and distant antlers.
It was peaceful, poignant—a final whisper of intimacy before royal life resumed its relentless pageantry and protocol.
The Waleses Return
All honeymoons must end, even for royalty. Diana and Charles were spotted departing Egypt’s Hurghada Airport, the Mediterranean glow still lingering.
Behind them lay ports, palace dinners, and whispered toasts; ahead loomed Buckingham schedules and public scrutiny.
The fairytale faded into duty—but for a moment, on sun-drenched decks and moonlit sands, it had felt like magic.