Planning your honeymoon can be incredibly overwhelming, especially while you’re trying to get everything for your wedding put together too! There’s no doubt that watching all of the money for your wedding leave your pockets might make you feel uneasy about spending anything at all on your honeymoon. There are a few ways you can cut out the anxiety of honeymoon planning though. This is especially the case when you know how to maximize your savings so you don’t have to spend the entire trip pinching pennies. With a little shopping know how and an open mind you can plan the honeymoon you’ve always wanted without having to worry about how much money you’re going to have to juggle.
1. Wait for the Off-Season
Just like any other form of vacation or major shopping expense, there’s a season that you can cash in on! This is important to keep in mind throughout your entire wedding planning experience as you can save a whole lot on just about anything wedding related if you just hold your horses. Beginning in late October, weddings slow down considerably until Valentine’s Day. The good news is, this is typically when many people slow down on vacation plans too. Of course, if you plan on going to a ski resort for your honeymoon then you might have to plan a little harder as there’s only a small off-season window that would allow you to ski in actual snow, not slush. Other locations, such as anywhere in the tropics will be as warm and inviting as the on-season so you won’t miss out on anything here, apart from long lines and crowded beaches. If you still want to have your wedding in the on-season then don’t stress out. There’s no law saying you have to go on your honeymoon directly after. In fact, you can also take some time to recover from the wedding expenses and enjoy a more luxurious honeymoon when the off-season occurs!
2. Guest Registries
A lot of couples don’t really need the odds and ends for the household that they would have years ago. So, why not ask for something you can actually have a little fun with? Rather than spend hours looking at different stores registries, you can easily find a website that will allow your guests to help towards your honeymoon. Some websites simply just collect money to go towards your honeymoon fund while others allow guests to buy specific items. For instance, if you planned on heading to the Caribbean for your honeymoon then you might ask guests to help towards a snorkeling trip. Or, you can add small sections where guests can add money toward your hotel, airline tickets or a romantic dinner. With these guest registries you’ll still be able to give everyone options, especially when it comes to price ranges, which should make everyone happy.
3. Cut it Short
If you’re trying to figure out the best way to enjoy your honeymoon without having to sacrifice too much then one of the best solutions is to cut it short. A lot of people try to pack in a full vacation that lasts a week or two, which may be hard to plan anyway, especially if you both work or have children to take care of. Although it may feel ideal to be gone with your new spouse for that long, in reality it would really harm a budget. So, instead of disappearing for a few weeks, try out a few days. You can easily plan an extended weekend trip to some of your favorite locations, so you won’t have to give up anything when it comes to your ideal honeymoon spot. With a little planning you can easily find a cruise to make your honeymoon fabulous too! By taking less time, if any, off of work you’ll be able to bounce back from the expenditures faster and will certainly feel more relaxed as you enjoy your new relationship.
4. Groupons
When it comes to big time savings, nothing will help you enjoy your honeymoon quite like the saving power of a groupon or other social media coupon. There’s more and more social coupon sites opening all of the time, so make sure to do some research and ask around so you’ll have as many sources as possible to check out. With these amazing coupons you should be able to secure activities that you and your new spouse will love doing. The best thing is, you’ll save quite a bit of money on them. From dining out to getting a massage, you may be surprised by how many cheap activities you’ll find on these websites. You might actually come across an activity you would have never thought of trying out otherwise, which will make your first vacation as a married couple even more thrilling!
5. Mention You’re On Your Honeymoon
A lot of people are actually quite shy when it comes to spreading the word about their honeymoon. However, you may be surprised as to the deals you get when you make everyone aware of the big moment in your life. Although, you may not get a whole lot out of an airline company, many other places will give you some major discounts. Hotels are one of the best places to spill the beans about your honeymoon. Many will offer you a free night, discount the room substantially or give you an upgrade at no charge to you. Restaurants and spas have also been known to roll out the red carpet for newlyweds. Of course, it helps to give the venue a little heads up about this, rather than showing up on the day and expecting a deal. So, when you go to make reservations make sure to tell them you’re on your honeymoon or ask if they have a honeymoon special. You won’t be sorry you did!
6. Redeem Credit Points
There’s a pretty good chance that you have some travel or credit points built up that are just collecting dust! Rather than let them sit there make sure you talk to your credit card company to see what you can do with these points. A lot of the time, especially if you fly home or for work often, you’ll have enough points to buy at least one airline ticket, which will cut down the burden of your spending quite a bit. You may also want to see what spending power your credit card points have as this can also help you get cash back to go towards your honeymoon or other discounts that will help save you some major cash. You’ll also want to look and see where you can use your credit card to maximize points while you’re away. This will help give you a little something back as you spend money on your vacation.
7. Ask the Locals
If you haven’t planned out every second of your honeymoon, then one way to save on money is to talk to the locals. Rather than spending hours looking for cheap restaurants and activities, you may find that in one conversation you’ll discover all the best places to eat and see. Typically, locals know all of the best restaurants that don’t charge an arm and a leg so don’t be afraid to approach someone. You’ll definitely have to stray outside of the tourist area, but when it comes to saving money it’ll totally be worth it. Not to mention, you will get a more authentic experience that might make your honeymoon feel a bit more fulfilling. You may also discover free beaches, tours and other fun activities that travel guides don’t have to offer.
8. Consider Less Popular Vacations
There’s no doubt that many of us have one ideal place where we want to spend our honeymoon. Generally, it’s a big name location that a whole lot of other people want to see too. Instead of going mainstream for your honeymoon you can easily check out a variety of locations that are similar or near to your original destination choice. For instance, if you want to go to a large city in a country then you can easily search around for alternative airports. This will already cut down the price and you may be able to see less populated sights. Another great way to deal with this dilemma is to plan a location that is near other places and has an easy and cheap way to get around. For starters, if you plan on traveling to Great Britain then you could always fly into Ireland or Scotland. Here, you can enjoy a cheaper airport and you’ll be able to connect to the rest of the country via train and ferry. Plus, you may discover there’s a lot more to see then what travel programs offer.
9. Book In Advance
One of the best things you can do for your honeymoon is to book in advance. This is especially important if you plan on traveling during the on season as things tend to fill up fast and prices tend to sky rocket. If you can, try to book your honeymoon the moment you have it planned out. Even if it means just putting down a deposit on a hotel room, you’ll be a lot better off the moment you secure at least a small portion of your honeymoon. Getting the airline taken care of is incredibly important to. You’ll want to book your flight before prices go up for vacationers, so plan on securing this as soon as you know the trip is a go. Even if you’re honeymooning in the off-season, keeping your trip booked with help relieve stress as the trip grows nearer and may make you privy to some great discounts. Finally, if there’s a restaurant that is a must but you know it’s going to be booked, you should make sure to get in your reservation months in advance. It may mean juggling your honeymoon around the reservation, but at least you’ll have a secured seat!
10. Budget
Most importantly, you should always have a budget set before you plan out your honeymoon. This can be one of the most stressful aspects of the trip, but at least you’ll know where you stand when it comes to spending. The key element here is to break you budget down into several different areas. If you have to, make an envelope for each section. You should cover airline, ground transportation, hotel costs, food, activities and souvenirs. You may also want to think about clothing and supplies for the trip as you may need a new bathing suit, sunscreen, luggage or other travel necessities. Once you have the budget planned out don’t stray from it, period. If it helps, keep cash on hand to pay for items such as food and activities. You can always take from the less important sections, like souvenirs, but make sure to try your hardest not to splurge when you don’t have the means to do so. When the honeymoon is over, you may actually have money leftover if you stick to this method!
The honeymoon is such an important part of the marriage experience, but many people feel like they can’t afford one. With these ten tips you might find that enjoying your honeymoon isn’t as hard as you may think. After all, it doesn’t matter if your honeymoon is a trip to the Bahamas or a simple camping trip, as long as the two of you get the chance to unwind as a married couple!
