Honeymoon Guide Part 1: 8 Tips to Planning a Budget Friendly Fantastic Honeymoon

US Passport

• Budget: Always include your honeymoon in the wedding budget calculations. The Wedding Source has an excellent worksheet you can download to help organize your finances for the honeymoon.

Hawaii

•  Destinations: Keep an open mind when considering destinations and remain flexible with your dates. Just deciding to leave on a Tuesday or Wednesday could potentially save you hundreds of dollars. And remember that some destinations get hit hard during hurricane season and you do not want to be stranded and soaked on the ‘honeymoon of your dreams’. 

•  Travel Identification: Make sure that each party has their updated travel identification (passport) and that you are cleared medically for travel (depending on the destination). Also, photocopy everything important (itinerary, airline tickets, credit cards, passport, and license) in case of theft or lost luggage etc

DisneyWorld

• Staying Stateside: You do not have to go overseas to have a great honeymoon. DisneyWorld, sunny beaches of Florida and Southern California, and much more are easy to get to affordable and do not come with the financial restrictions of international travel. Also, if you live close to either Mexico or Canada you can search for good deals on air and hotels which have the likelihood of being cheaper than driving to your destination as gasoline can be super expensive.

Florida Keys

• Location: If you are determined to go to an island; don’t forget there are a lot of islands here on the coast of the U.S. There are great B & B’s on the barrier islands, Golden Isles, off the coast of Georgia and Acadia Islands in Maine (near Bar Harbor Maine). You could even go down to the Florida Keys if you are looking for a more tropical vacation or head to sunny California where the beautiful Catalina Island has lovely old fashioned hotels and a romantic atmosphere.

Catalina Island

•  Peak Wedding Season = Peak Travel Season: If you are getting married during prime wedding season (May to September) consider postponing your honeymoon as these months are also peak travel season and the prices are higher across the board. Once the ‘season’ is over resorts drop rates drastically and airfare is often reduced. Not only will you pay less, but there will be less people at your destination and you will have the undivided attention of the hotel staff. There is nothing better than peace and quiet to enjoy the romance of your Honeymoon!

• Newlywed Status: ALWAYS mention that you are newlyweds (even if you are postponing your honeymoon). This will tremendously increase the likelihood that you will get special perks or upgrades etc. Hotel Concierge’s, innkeepers, restaurants LOVE doting on newlyweds. Take advantage of it!

• Travel Agent: Call a Travel Agent. Travel Agents have access to certain companies that can help you book all inclusive resort, air and car for reduced rates. Travel agents can also help in doing all the research for you.  Travel Agents have also been to many of these places and can help you out with choosing a destination and planning the trip down to the little details so you can worry about the actual wedding details. Travel agents also have relationships with hotels and airlines that can help them find you ‘private’ airfares which aren't published online or get you room upgrades because they know the manager of the resort.