Just Married car sign.
Hosting a wedding and setting up your new home can be expensive--especially if either of you is still in school, trying to pay off student loans or has children. The honeymoon is one area in which you can control spending without giving up that special, romantic bonding time.
Stay Close to Home
Eliminate travel expenses by staying close to home. Whether it's only for a weekend or longer, find a luxurious hotel or bed and breakfast within driving distance. You can even honeymoon from home. Unplug the phones and turn off the computer. Burn multiple candles and sprinkle rose petals over your bed. Take bubble baths together. Take turns massaging each other. Order in, go to a fancy restaurant you've never been to or take turns making each other breakfast in bed. Cook a gourmet meal together and eat by candlelight or under the stars. Have a picnic at a local lake, park or the beach. Go to museums, plays, concerts or sporting events featuring entertainment you both enjoy. Introduce each other to your passions and pastimes.
Go Camping or Take a Road Trip
Camping at a state or national park may be the perfect solution, especially for a couple who love the great outdoors. If you're not into roughing it, you can still take advantage of inexpensive camping honeymoons by renting a small cabin in the mountains or parks. Take a road trip through cities or towns you've both wanted to visit. Plan to stay at inexpensive hotels or bed and breakfasts, or rent or borrow an RV. Eat at little diners or pack snacks. Eat all the goodies you might normally deny yourself. Plan your route, or wing it on the road. Visit roadsideamerica.com for interesting things to see or experience across the country.
Be Flexible
If you have your heart set on a particular destination, schedule your honeymoon around the off-season. Rates can fluctuate substantially based on tourist seasons, which vary with location. If you want to visit a particular place, such as Hawaii, choose less popular sites within the destination: Kauai instead of Maui. Besides being better for your pocketbook, this ensures a bit more privacy for you and your new spouse. Find a new hotel that has opened within the past year. It may be less expensive than established counterparts because it is trying to build a reputation. If you don't have a particular honeymoon spot in mind, book last-minute deals. Browse Internet travel sites such as site59.com or laterooms.com, or check your newspaper's travel section for deals. Check into last-minute cruises if you live within driving distance from a port. You may end up honeymooning in a place you never thought of, while saving large sums of cash.
Honeymoon Registry
Instead of a gift registry, consider a honeymoon registry. Create an online registry. Say where you'd like to go and divide the honeymoon into meals, activities, lodging, travel expenses and whatever else you'd like to do. The rule of thumb is to be able to pay for the honeymoon yourself if guests don't pick up the tab. How much of your honeymoon will be gifted depends on the cash flow your friends and family have, and how well the word gets out that this is the perfect gift for your wedding.
General Considerations
Take tons of pictures of your honeymoon, even if you celebrate at home. This is the perfect way to start your marriage. You will look back at your honeymoon pictures later, even the silly ones, and remember all of the warm and fuzzy newlywed emotions you experienced. Let one or two people know your plans and reach you in an emergency. Gently let everyone else know you'd love to visit, but you will be out of touch for a while (especially if you are honeymooning at home). When booking travel arrangements, mention it's your honeymoon. Some establishments will give newlywed discounts, upgrades or special perks to congratulate you. Mention it while checking into hotels and at restaurants as well. Consider all-inclusive resorts or packages, but read the fine print. For instance, some will include food and alcohol while others don't. Making yourself aware of these things can save you quite a bit of money. Check into gambling towns such as Las Vegas or Virginia City, Nevada. They often have spectacular room deals, trying to entice your dollars into their casinos. Stay away from the slot machines and tables while enjoying your inexpensive honeymoon.
Tags: your honeymoon, each other, Check into, driving distance, travel expenses, within driving