This is a time filled with romance, fun, and anticipation - as you look ahead to spending the rest of your life with the one person who you love most in this world. If you're really lucky, this person is also your very best friend, and will remain so through thick and thin. He or she will make the great times even better and the rough times a little easier to get through.

If you're like many others, you may be struggling with the reality of the gap between the honeymoon of your dreams and the honeymoon that fits within your budget. Take comfort my friend, help is at hand!

What if there were a way you could afford your dream honeymoon, complete with horseback riding on the beach, side-by-side massage treatments, and romantic sunset dinner cruises? Regardless of your budget, this is a tangible possibility, thanks to the ingenious creation of honeymoon registries.

If you've never heard of honeymoon registries, you're going to be astonished by the simplicity and practicality of this concept. The basic premise is that many of us, by the time we get married, have either lived on our own, with a roommate, or with our mate for some time. We've accumulated the household necessities, and don't really need another toaster or set of pans (although yes, new towels are always welcome).

This is a far cry from past generations, in which many newlyweds moved from their parents' homes or college dorms into a house or apartment. Traditionally, engaged couples hadn't acquired household stuff, and the bridal shower was a means to help the soon to be bride and groom to get off to a great start.

Today's newlyweds, complete with casserole dishes, towels, and at least 1 blender, are in every way deserving of help, but the old bridal shower system has become a bit antiquated and yes, boring. I mean really, when was the last time you really looked forward to going to a bridal shower?

Honeymoon registries to the rescue! There are many companies that offer honeymoon registries, and they're all based on the same premise (each with different specifics). Rather than registering with a local department store for household goods, you can register for portions of your honeymoon. So if, for example, you'd like to go to Hawaii, you could ask your family and friends to gift you with a luau, a cocktail cruise, an afternoon of snorkeling in the crystal clear Pacific waters, or with portions of your airfare or hotel stay.

In order to accommodate the budgets of your guests, you can even break these items down into different amounts that will suit everyone. Rather than breaking down a place setting for a china pattern into 1 dinner plate, 1 luncheon plate, 1 teacup, etc. you could, for example, break down a romantic candlelit dinner for 2 into 2 fifty dollar gifts and 1 one hundred dollar increment. You receive the gift of a spectacular service or activity that you might have been otherwise unable to afford, and your guests receive the satisfaction of giving you a gift that you'll never forget. How's that for a win-win situation?

Haven't chosen the perfect honeymoon destination yet? No problem! You don't need to provide specifics for your honeymoon registry to work (but you can, if you'd like to). Your registry can display your destination as unknown, while at the same time listing your requests for portions of your airfare, hotel, activities, basically anything you can think of that you'd like to have as part of your honeymoon.

The money that's collected through the company hosting your honeymoon registry is kept in an account for you, and can be claimed at any time. You make your own reservations and pay for your expenses. Rather than being pinned down to spending $200 at a specific restaurant, you'll have the flexibility of making spontaneous choices while on your honeymoon.

And what about that shower? Would your guests rather attend a traditional event, complete with 7 layer bars and an afternoon of watching you unwrap mixing bowls and silverware, or a tropical travel party, complete with island music and frozen drinks? No, this isn't your decision but maybe you could put a little bug in your maid of honor's ear? Better yet, email her this article!!