Do you think you have bitten off more than you can chew for your dream wedding? You might now be struggling to plan your honeymoon within a tight budget in hand. Do not worry!
Honeymoons are the best vacation to re-energize yourself after a tiring wedding. It allows you to start a new life with your partner on a fresh note.
The following article will give you the best tips to choose your honeymoon destinations and enjoy this once-in-a-lifetime experience to the fullest.
Read on to understand more about some money-saving ideas to enjoy this newlywed bliss.
Decide on the Right Type of Honeymoon
You can find a variety of options to select exotic honeymoon destinations. Some commonly chosen locations include:
- Famous cities with attractive tourist spots
- Relaxing beaches
- Adventure sports and safaris with spectacular views of the wildlife
- Theme parks to reminisce your childhood memories together
- Road trips for eternal bliss with your partners
You can select the top spot according to your and your spouse’s preferences. Once you know your needs, you can plan and start saving up beforehand.
Plan in Advance
The most significant advantage of pre-planning your honeymoon is identifying the main areas you can splurge on. You can also be well-prepared to handle sudden expenses during your tour.
You must start saving every month at least a year before your wedding. Allocating a part of your monthly salary towards honeymoon savings can help you keep enough cash in hand.
You can spend cash without any stress and enjoy a blissful first vacation with your special one.
If you plan a domestic journey, you must book the ticket at least 30 days before your date. If it is an international destination, you should book your flights three to four months in advance to get the cheapest rates.
Compare the Prices Online
Once you have made a final list of honeymoon destinations, you can compare the prices offered by online sites. You can find affordable flights and book hotels at discounted rates when you plan your trip earlier.
You can try and find some of the best deals and offers when you sign up as a new member on online sites.
Contact a Travel Agent
Many find searching for the best prices online a stressful affair. In such cases, you can connect with the nearest travel agent in your locality.
An experienced agent can help you create the best, budget-friendly travel packages. It will be all-inclusive of food and accommodation at some of the best hotels and lodges in your vacation spot.
Plan an Off-Season Trip
Everyone knows that certain months of the year are the great time to travel. You will find famous tourist spots packed with visitors during this peak season.
If you wish to save a significant amount of honeymoon expenses, you should try and book your stay in an exotic location during fall or spring.
It is essential to research and understand the weather conditions in such places before you book your tickets.
Utilize a Wedding Registry
A wedding registry gives you an option to collect cash as a gift from your marriage guests. You can use this money to fund your honeymoon travels.
You can find online sites like The Knot Cash Registry, where you can register for activities as part of your honeymoon package.
The guests can contribute towards these expenses and help the newlyweds to enjoy a delightful honeymoon.
Check the Exchange Rates During International Travel
According to a news report, an average US couple spends around $4,500 on their honeymoon.
Some international destinations like Mexico and Vietnam have reasonable exchange rates for currency. You can save on your expenses and book premium hotels for staying in expensive locations.
You can enjoy luxurious foods and ensure that you do not miss out on any activity during your stay.
Use Your Reward Points
Most credit card firms offer reward points and free miles for frequent travelers. Some credit card companies offer signup discounts or extra points.
You can use these rewards to book your airline tickets or a chain of star hotels and resorts in your honeymoon destinations.
Check Out Alternative Travel Options
A private tour guide or a vehicle can be expensive for honeymooners traveling on a budget. You can choose to ride public transport once you have reached your destination.
It not only helps you save money but also allows you to experience the local culture of the destination.
Book an All-Inclusive Option
You may find that booking a package deal is much cheaper than spending money separately for transport, accommodation, and food.
Many hotels offer discounts or free airport pick up and drop when you book a package for a week’s stay. It is essential to research and talk to the customer service representatives to avail all these offers and save money.
Talk About the Expectations
You might not be aware of the kind of honeymoon your fiancé (or fiancée) wants, even if you have traveled together in the past. Do you want a relaxing beach vacation or an action-packed adventure? International or domestic? A luxurious hotel or an inviting bed and breakfast? It’s crucial to be clear about what each of you hopes to accomplish on the trip and how that may affect your spending plan. You can establish a reasonable budget and make on-time plans by aligning with a shared vision.
Decide Where You’ll Spend Money and Save Money
Any vacation can be budget-friendly while also being extravagant; it just might require some giving in. The good news is that you can easily budget for your honeymoon using the same budgeting techniques you used to plan your wedding. Applying that reasoning to a honeymoon might entail splurging on activities but taking the train or bus instead of renting a car, or staying in an Airbnb but dining at upscale establishments each night. Discuss with your partner which purchases they believe are worthwhile and which they don’t mind forgoing or reducing in price.
Check-in Periodically
One of the simplest ways to stay on top of spending is to take a few minutes at the end of the day or week to review your progress with your travel budget, even though it may not sound romantic. This is crucial if you and your partner are splitting up the planning responsibilities. For instance, it’s a good idea to compare notes and make sure your plans and finances are in line if you’ve booked some of the activities while your partner has been coordinating the travel. If this seems like a dull honeymoon activity, think of it as a useful experience for becoming a more frugal couple in the future!
Use Cash Allowance
On vacation, the same spending guidelines that apply at home also apply. If you’re worried that using your credit card for everything might lead to overspending, think about paying with cash for the majority of your purchases. Take out the exact amount of money you need to stay within your spending limit. The simplest way to start each day with a certain amount of money is to do it this way. When your budget runs out, you’ll know it’s time to switch to free activities. Pro tip: When withdrawing cash, use common sense. Use your debit or credit card for larger purchases, like a hotel room, and carry as little cash as possible at all times.
Consider a Buffer
Nobody wants to spend their honeymoon feeling guilty about overspending, so leave some room in your budget for error so you won’t be nervously rummaging through your luggage on your trip. Budgets are estimates after all, albeit hopefully informed ones, so going slightly over is not cause for alarm. However, if you’ve included a small buffer in your budget, you won’t feel the need to barter for or perhaps even walk away from something you want.
Make an Activity Plan
Planning a few activities is highly advised if you and your partner enjoy being active together. By doing this, you can allocate your spending funds according to your budget in a proper way and make sure that anything that needs to be reserved in advance is done before you depart. Early preparation also cuts down on the time you and your partner will inevitably spend online researching things to do and restaurants to visit. Look into the neighborhood eateries as well and see what others suggest.
Conduct Research
Make the most of your research when establishing your budget and organizing your honeymoon. You can better understand the costs involved and minimize unexpected costs by speaking with people who have taken similar trips or by reading reviews online. Make sure you do your research before booking any major purchases, including flights, hotels, and general destinations. For instance, do you know the amount of the hotel deposit and when it will show up on your credit card statement? If you want to bring home souvenirs from your honeymoon, will it be more expensive to ship them, or will you save money by packing lightly and checking your bag? You can plan and include these costs in your honeymoon vacation budget by doing some research.
How to Calculate and Know the Budget?
Establishing a budget is necessary for any project, including planning your honeymoon. You need to consider the fundamentals when determining how much money to set aside for this expense: Where, When, What, How, and Home.
1. Where
Where are you traveling to and staying? Will you require a passport? Would you rather backpack through Europe as a couple or prefer to sip fruity drinks on the beach? Are you attempting to remain local? Do you want to go skiing? Your stay doesn’t need to be opulent and pricey. Instead of making a reservation at a hotel or resort, many Air BnB rentals are frequently a great money saver.
2. When
Will you depart right away following the wedding? Some couples can travel on their honeymoon right away, which is wonderful! However, it’s okay if financial constraints, scheduling conflicts, or other realities of life prevent you from doing both at once. No law says you have to go on vacation right away after the wedding; you can always postpone your honeymoon for a time that works with your schedule.
3. What
What are your plans for the time you will be there? You may intend to spend every day being pampered in your room, but I guarantee you will eventually leave and look for something to do. Make sure to allocate enough money for activities and meals.
4. How
- How are you going to get there? Plain, bus, car, or train?
- How much time will you be away?
- How will you move around the area while on-site?
5. Home
Who will look after your house while you’re away? Have you got children, pets, or plants? Include any necessary arrangements in the budget if needed! Asking a reliable person to assist you while you and your partner are away is the best way to save money.
Conclusion
Without stressing about money, you can have a special honeymoon with your partner. You can have a fantastic time without going over your honeymoon budget by using the tips mentioned. The more advanced planning you do, the less stressful your vacation will be.