India, April 1 -- There is a new trend among travellers and it involves bringing your besties along for the ride. Ever since actor-couple Rashmika Mandanna and Vijay Deverakonda shared glimpses of their getaway to Koh Samui, Thailand, along with their pals, the internet has been buzzing with one word: Buddymoon. Essentially, it is a modern twist on the traditional honeymoon where newlyweds invite their closest friends to join them. What was once a strictly private romantic escape is now turning into a high-energy group celebration. Experts believe this shift is all about valuing shared experiences over old-school conventions. Sandeep Arora, director, Brightsun Travel, explains that the concept gained steam after the COVID pandemic. "People in general and couples have started valuing experiences more than conventions. They want to spend more time with people who matter in their lives, sharing their special moments, even intimate ones like a honeymoon, with a close-knit group," he shares. For millennials as well as Gen Z, the appeal lies in the 'more the merrier' vibe. Hari Ganapathy, co-founder, Pickyourtrail, notes that travel is now as much about community as it is about romance. "The new trend is allowing couples to blend celebration with comfort by bringing along friends who can ease planning stress, add energy to the trip, and create richer memories," says Ganapathy. Not exactly. Rather than replacing the romantic getaway, the buddymoon is acting as a "plus-one." Ganapathy adds,"It's not so much replacing the traditional honeymoon as it is evolving it. We're seeing couples either split their travel into two parts, a social trip followed by a private retreat or choose destinations that offer both privacy and group-friendly experiences." Arpita Kohli, psychologist and counsellor at PSRI Hospital, agrees that while group trips are refreshing, the "we time" remains vital. "It cannot fully replace a private honeymoon. Couples still need personal time to connect emotionally and understand each other better after marriage," adds Kohli. Before you send out the group invite, be aware: not every friend is built for a buddymoon. Psychologists suggest looking out for "red flags" like friends who are overly controlling, negative, or careless with money. Aditi Govitrikar, psychologist and actor, points out that mismatched expectations can quickly sour the mood. She says, "Some people might push boundaries or always want attention, which could mess things up. Or they bring in drama, get competitive, or just make everything about them instead of the couple. Financial stuff can clash too... It seems like mismatched expectations cause most of the trouble on these trips." If you are convinced a buddymoon is for you, planning is key. Here is how to keep the peace: Set a common budget so there is no awkwardness at expensive dinners. Govitrikar suggests a simple fix: "Something simple, like eating breakfast just the two of you each morning, can stop little annoyances from building into bigger problems." Let people choose their own activities so no one feels pressured to match the group's energy 24/7....