Most engaged couples look forward to the honeymoon as much as - or more than - the wedding ceremony itself. But it's hard to feel excited about this special time in your relationship if you feel stressed about the costs of your dream honeymoon. While it's true that you probably won't be headed off on a luxury cruise if you're working with a limited budget, there are plenty of other great cost-effective options that allow you to relax and celebrate your new life together.



The following are a few things to consider when planning for a honeymoon on a limited budget:

Time of year

There's no written-in-stone rule that says you must leave for your honeymoon immediately after your wedding. If you plan to get married during the peak of the wedding season, you may want to wait a bit before going on your honeymoon. This will give you an opportunity to save up some extra money, as well as take advantage of off-season vacation rates. For example, if you're certain you want to go to Hawaii, find out when rooms and other facilities will be the cheapest and plan your honeymoon for that time.

Room Choices

Many hotels still have a tradition of providing newlyweds with a honeymoon suite. The prices of these suites are often inflated to include extras like champagne and roses, which are nice but unnecessary. Before asking about these accommodations, find out how much a regular room will cost. If you're planning to do a lot of site-seeing or traveling, you may not be spending a lot of time in your room anyways. However, if you're traveling to a distant location, you may want to have at least one night in a special room or suite before moving to more affordable accommodations.

Camping

If you're the outdoorsy type, camping can be a fun, carefree way to spend your honeymoon. In most cases, you won't have to travel far from your home or spend a great deal of money on plane tickets to find a great campground. If you don't enjoy camping, consider renting a cabin or organizing a cross-country to visit a wide range of tourist attractions. The amount of money you spend isn't what makes a honeymoon special - it's the memories you'll create together on your first journey as a married couple.

While you're planning your honeymoon, it's important to select a location that you'll both enjoy and that fits into your budget. In addition, you'll need to plan for additional expenses you'll need to make your trip worthwhile. If you don't already have one, you'll want to invest in a digital camera or video camera to help record your experiences. You'll also want to consider how much money you want to set aside for souvenirs and other items that might be of interest to you. Even though planning a budget honeymoon can be complicated, you should be able to enjoy the rewards of one that's well planned and within your financial means.