Discretion Alert: This article is written for women – specifically for women preparing for marriage. Please enter at your own risk.

I get asked a lot which oils I recommend for the honeymoon. I have a few favorites, but a lot of it will depend on the personal tastes and needs of you and your husband-to-be. You may want to let your fiancé sample some of the oils in your starter kit ahead of time, in order to get an idea of what types of scents are his favorites.

Get a good start with rich, exotic massage oils and enticing oil blends to stir the emotions, establish good memories, and relax away the stress of the last few weeks (or months) of wedding planning!

Typically, I recommend starting your stash with… you guessed it, a Starter Kit! That way you have a diffuser and plenty of oils to experiment with, along with the ability to order your more deliberate oils and products at the wholesale price. It’s the best all-around deal.

Do not awaken love before its time…

I charge you, O daughters of Jerusalem,
By the gazelles or by the does of the field,
Do not stir up nor awaken love
Until it pleases. (Song of Solomon 2:7)

…but once the time has come, stir things up with essential oils!

The Art of Scents-ual Touch and Massage

The next must-have on your list will be Young Living’s Sensation Massage Oil. Infused with jasmine and rosewood oil, this moisturizing blend is the perfect romantic start to your memorable evening. (Also try Sensation Shower & Bath Gel, as well as a Sensation Body lotion.)

Massage may be a good way to help a shy couple relax as they get to know one another. Light some all-natural candles and have soft music playing in the background (you may want to prepare a music “play list” ahead of time).

Combine the deep, intoxicating effects of essential oils with an evening of loving, sensual touch and gentle massage. And remember, just like anything of value, practice makes perfect. Take the time to study and recognize the desires and prompts of your beloved. Allow yourself to relax—to willingly respond and engage. Explore, feel, taste, smell, listen, watch, communicate, reveal, and enjoy!

Sandalwood, rose, neroli, and ylang ylang, as well as the Young Living blends, Present Time and Sensation, are all excellent choices for massage and sensual exploration. Sandalwood’s mysterious musky aroma blends particularly well with the body’s own natural scent, making it perfect for a romantic evening.

Both sandalwood and rose can be used intimately and applied directly to “sensitive” areas. Yes, really. However, because everyone is different, I would suggest having a carrier oil available, just in case you or your husband find any of the oils a little too “stimulating.”

The gentle warmth of Lady Sclereol may help to maintain “moistness,” and it  can even be applied/massaged “directly!” But, while it can be used neat (undiluted), I still suggest diluting it until you figure out your comfort level. Also, a small jar of organic coconut oil is a good idea for the suitcase anyway! Many people find that coconut oil is a good, all-natural lubricant.

Also read The Scent-ual Art of Massage

The Brain: The Most Important Part of Sexuality

The marriage bed is like a playground; it’s a place to explore and have fun together! But, beyond fun, intimacy (and especially climax) causes the release of oxytocin, an important hormone in the brain—a hormone that is known to promote emotional bonding.

Sexual intimacy promotes bonding. That’s why Scripture warns about some of the dangers of the sin of fornication (1 Corinthians 6:16); but, when used within God’s beautiful design of marriage, sexual intimacy is an awesome thing! It is the glue that binds (Matthew 19:5-6)!

And, because scent effects the limbic system of the brain, the area that controls emotions and stores memories, essential oils can be a powerful and influential tool for enhancing and bonding a relationship.

A bundle of myrrh is my beloved to me, that lies all night between my breasts. (Song of Solomon 1:13)

The brain often associates scents with memories; so, be ready to have flashbacks of your honeymoon every time you smell the oils you experienced together!

Preparing the Bed

Now prepare your sheets and linens by scenting them with something exotic. I suggest making the pillow spray in the recipe section at the bottom of this page using sandalwood, patchouli, ylang ylang, jasmine, or Sensation.

“I have perfumed my bed with myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon…” (Proverbs 7:17)

I arose to open for my beloved, and my hands dripped with myrrh, my fingers with liquid myrrh, on the handles of the lock. (Song of Solomon 5:5)

Most “sensually inspiring” essential oils work in part by initiating a warm sensation, stimulating the body and arousing passion with their rich, exotic aroma of spicy or floral notes.

Historically, the euphoric properties of essential oils like ylang ylang, myrrh, sandalwood, rose, and patchouli have been used to enhance intimacy. Myrrh is mentioned seven times in the Song of Solomon! Is it any wonder that some believe Myrrh can be helpful for better balance and enhanced intimacy?

“His cheeks are like a bed of spices,
Banks of scented herbs.
His lips are lilies,
Dripping liquid myrrh.” – Song of Solomon 5:13

Avoid synthetically scented candles, lotions, or massage oils. They will clash with your essential oils and many of the chemicals in them are toxic! Consider diffusing Three Wise Men, Sensation, ylang ylang, or jasmine. For the ambiance of candle light, choose either unscented or battery operated candles. String lights are also a good choice.

The Morning After

You’ll likely have been up late on your wedding night, so the next morning you may be a little groggy. Enjoy a few drops of peppermint and drink a shot of NingXia Red or NingXia Nitro to boost your energy level.

For many couples, the next day is a travel day. An early plane trip or a long drive to your honeymoon destination may require good planning to maximize your energy and help you feel good.

Be sure to pack the NingXia Red products and energizing snacks listed below in the packing checklist!

Another must-have for the new bride is a soothing essential oil-infused perineal spray for the morning after. LavaDerm is an amazing spray that helps soothe stressed skin. ClaraDerm is even better, but it’s quite a bit more expensive. If you use the LavaDerm, I suggest you add 5 drops geranium and 3 drops cypress.

I recommend this for the honeymoon, since (and this is a little personal) sometimes young women find they are a little sore the day after the wedding night. Don’t worry! This subsides as your body gets used to intimacy, but in the beginning, the spray can be very soothing. Also, if you’re planning a beach vacation, you’ll love having this in your beach bag!

There are so many new experiences ahead of you! One thing I’d recommend doing is purchasing a copy of When Two Become One by Christopher and Rachel McCluskey. You can either read it ahead or plan to read it aloud together while on your honeymoon!

I’ve compiled a few of my favorite make-ahead recipes below. Feel free to modify them to suit your particular essential oil preferences. And have fun! You are beginning a great journey together! Take the time to relax and enjoy every minute!

DIY Recipes for the Honeymoon

Exotic Pillow Spray

25 drops essential oils
1 oz. vodka
1 oz. purified water
2 oz. glass spray bottle

Scent-sual Massage Oil 

30 drops – Cedarwood
20 drops – Clary Sage
10 drops – Ylang Ylang
6 drops – Patchouli
1 drop – Myrrh or Frankincense
4 oz. sweet almond oil

Put it in a dark drawer for two weeks and shake once a day to blend the oils.

“Morning After” Mist

10 drops lavender
6 drops frankincense
3 drops geranium
3 drops cypress
3 drops copaiba
1 tsp. vodka or witch hazel
2 oz. glass bottle of purified water

Exotic Cologne for Him

15 drops cedarwood
10 drops clary sage
5 drops ylang lang
3 drops patchouli
1 drop elemi or myrrh (fixative)
5 ml carrier oil (V-6 or sweet almond oil)

Store in glass in a dark place for 2 weeks.

Exotic Perfume for Her

2 drops jasmine
10drops coriander
12 drops bergamot
5 drops rose
8 drops neroli
1 drop elemi or myrrh (fixative)
5 ml carrier oil (V-6 or sweet almond oil

Steamy After Bath Rub

30 drops – Neroli
10 drops – Sandalwood
5 drops – Juniper
4 drops – Ginger
4 ylang ylang
2 drops jasmine or lavender
4 oz. v6 or sweet almond oil

 Packing Check List

• Diffuser (This USB diffuser is your best choice for travel)
• Sensation Bath & Shower Gel
• Sensation Lotion
• Sensation Massage Oil
• Coconut Oil
• Peppermint (supports normal energy levels, normal digestion, overworked muscles, etc.)
• Digize (supports normal digestion)
• MGrain Especially effective when applied with peppermint.
• Peace & Calming (helps encourage a restful night’s sleep, promotes relaxation)
• PanAway (Soothes sore muscle after vigorous activity)
• Thieves blend (supports healthy immune function)
• Empty gel caps
• ClaraDerm or Lavaderm
• YL Lip Balm
• Master Formula (Multivitamins)
• Thieves Spray (For use as an air refresher in the hotel bathroom)
• Favorite Oils for diffusing and topical use (Suggestions: ylang ylang, Lady Sclareol™, jasmine, Sensation, frankincense, rose, sandalwood, neroli, Present Time, Joy, Stress Away, Idaho Balsam Fir, Three Wise Men).

Snack List

• Ningxia Red Singles
• Ningxia Nitro
• Slique Bars
• Wolfberry Crisps
• Pure Protein Complete
• 2 Blender Bottles