It's hard to imagine spending another dime after the nightmare of expenses involved in planning the wedding of your dreams, let alone forking over thousands for a luxury honeymoon vacation. But after months of tireless planning, you will need to get away and spend some alone-time with your new hubby. Honeymoons can be as costly as a month-long excursion across Europe or as cost-efficient as a weekend getaway at your local B&B. With these budget travel tips, you can escape without sacrificing your ultimate goal: relaxation and reconnection.
Think Outside the Season
Off-season does not necessarily equate to bad weather. Many tropical locations have ideal weather year-round, but rates soar upwards when cold climate residents are looking to escape the winter blues. If you want to hop on a flight immediately following your wedding, consider booking your honeymoon travel arrangements at an off-season location; if you have your mind set on a particular destination, be flexible with your either your wedding date or your departure date to reap big savings.
Consult an Expert
Look to a professional to help you book your vacation - and enjoy big savings. Travel agents provide all sorts of money-saving expertise and can often access on-going sales or last-minute deals on honeymoon travel. They'll work with you to find the best vacation packages to suit your preferences and budget.
Ask for a Helping Hand
If time away is more important to you than a waffle iron, consider setting up a honeymoon registry. Many travel agents offer services to collect, record, and apply contributions from your guests toward honeymoon resorts and expenditures. Some even allow guests to contribute to specific activities at your destination location, such as scuba diving lessons or boat rides.
Do Your Research
Don't let your honeymoon take a backseat to the wedding planning process. Start thinking about your vacation once you have established a wedding date, and keep your eyes peeled for deals posted online or in the paper. Give yourself plenty of time to comparison shop. This complete honeymoon travel guide will help you get started.
Earn Rewards
If your credit allows, open a credit card with the best frequent-flier and other travel rewards. Start charging your wedding-day expenses, and cash in on the bonuses for airline tickets, hotel rooms, car rentals, and other upgrades. Be careful here though; you should be able to pay off all expenditures at the end of every month to avoid finance charges and racked up debt. Also be sure to check black-out dates before making your travel arrangements.
Consider the Alternatives
You aren't bound by the typical island retreat when it comes to honeymoon options, but be sure to weigh the pros and cons of all your choices before booking. While all-inclusive resorts once carried a negative connotation with "mandatory fun" activities, their inclusive honeymoon packages afford you the luxury of a flat-rate and a carefree experience. Bed and breakfasts, on the other hand, offer romantic retreats at typically affordable prices, but can lack exclusive privacy. The point here is that you should do your research, discuss the types of honeymoon vacations available with your fiance, and decide which priorities take precedence. Our guide to honeymoon accommodations can help you weight the options.