These days, paying for a wedding and setting up a new home can leave many couples with very little cash to spare, especially when it comes to booking the honeymoon. So, for those of you who have stretched your budget to the last, here are a few ideas for a more affordable, yet still romantic, honeymoon.
Instead of asking for wedding presents – ask for money
Some couples may feel a bit embarrassed asking guests to give money instead of gifts, but, be assured, many will be glad to do this as it means they can avoid endless trips to the shops trying to find the perfect gift. Money that guests give, can contribute to the honeymoon destination of your choice. Thus, everybody is happy!
Ever thought about swapping homes?
Simply, you stay in someone’s house while they stay in yours. For many couples, this could be the perfect money-saving option as there is usually very little cost involved. Plus, thousands of people all over the world are interested in swapping homes – so you have an endless choice of where you can go. A good feature of house swapping is that you will get to live like locals, and perhaps make life-long friends too.
Take a short city break
There are so many beautiful and romantic European cities on our doorstep, where budget airlines to get you there and a range of accommodation price ranges.
Go back to nature
For those couples who are young and adventurous, camping could be a memorable occasion – for the right reasons of course! Nights filled with firelight and shooting stars, surrounded by breathtaking natural beauty, snuggling with your honey in a cocoon of zipped-together sleeping bags – could be just what any newlywed couple dream of.
Yes, camping can be romantic, as long as you are well prepared and have the right equipment (warm sleeping bags, a comfortable mattress pad, and a waterproof tent are a must). In addition, it can be extremely cheap – £10 to £20 per night at most locations. It is even cheaper if you cook your own food.
Why not mix a few nights of camping with a few nights in hotels to make your honeymoon more affordable. And do not overlook the rustic (but cheap) cabins available for rent at many state and national parks. Some even offer a honeymoon cabin!
Avoid travelling in the high season
For those who choose a spring or autumn wedding, travelling abroad around these times can save you a great deal. Certain destinations can slash their prices by up to 30% during the off-season. And remember, travelling in these times does not necessarily mean enduring wintry weather. Some destinations can have very warm, mild and pleasant weather conditions outside of summer.
Consider your choice of airline carefully
Being wise to the vast number of discount airlines that operate today can be a blessing in disguise. Travel agents will not search flights with these airlines and so you may end up paying twice the price if you book through an agent. Another important point to remember – be sure to compare rates for alternate airports within a reasonable travelling distance of your honeymoon destination.
Consider flying into a smaller airport if you are flying into a big city as smaller airports usually have substantially lower fares, perhaps saving you hundreds of pounds. It also helps to be flexible about your arrival and departure dates; the major travel companies all have options to search for the cheapest flights within a range of dates. Any one of these alternatives could potentially save you hundreds of pounds.
Check budget travel newsletters
If time is not on your side and you would like some help with choosing your honeymoon destination – signing up for budget travel newsletters is a good idea. They can contact you with new promotional deals offering deep discounts on airfare and lodging. This way, you avoid missing out on your potential honeymoon of a lifetime.
Add that extra touch of romance
Chocolates, candles, rose-petals and oysters – you are probably already familiar with all of these infamous elements for creating a romantic mood on your honeymoon. However, to add that something special, spend some time celebrating your relationship and your new life together as a married couple. After all, romance is more about the heart than the body. Here are a few ideas to start setting the romantic mood early.
Combine your photo albums
Sitting down together on your honeymoon and choosing the best photos of each other from your dating days to put in your new album, is a great way to relive old memories.
Write a dream letter to your partner
Write letters to each other about your dreams for your marriage for the next ten, twenty, or thirty years. Exchange the letters on the first day of your honeymoon, and then save them to read on your wedding anniversary.
Leave memory notes everywhere
Nothing creates a romantic mood better than remembering your best moments together as a couple. A few post-it notes of the memories you would most like to share with your spouse over the course of your marriage written down and hidden all over the place at your honeymoon destination (on the pillow, in the luggage, in the rental car, etc.), is a sure way to romantic bliss.
Choose a spectacular destination wedding and honeymoon
Bear with me on this. If you have a destination wedding, you’ll be surprised how cheap it can be when you are not hiring a local venue and catering for a large number of guests. A perfect wedding rightly deserves to be followed up with a perfect honeymoon, and how easy is it to be in the dream location already.
St. Lucia, do everything your heart desires, you’ll need more than seven days. So go ahead and stretch ‘The greatest week of your life’. You’ll never want to leave, but when you do, you’ll return home with a whole new outlook on life.
Have your honeymoon in Italy and it will be the trip of a lifetime. You want it to be unforgettable. What better spot than Italy, with its romance, magnificent scenery, cities filled with history and charm to make memories last forever.
Hawaii is the perfect romantic escape, with unbelievable surroundings, clear blue waters, sunsets to rival anywhere in the world and hotels to pamper your every need.
Make Mexico your honeymoon destination and your dreams will come true. With resorts such as Cancun, Acapulco, Los Cabos or Riviera Maya, you will have the time of your life.
Fiji considered the world’s most romantic islands, are unspoiled, friendly, safe, and the best value in the South Pacific.
St. Thomas is one of the most popular tourist spots in the US Virgin Islands. Their international reputation stems from their pristine beaches, warm weather, and crystal-clear waters making it a perfect choice for that idyllic honeymoon.
With careful planning, you can ensure that the whole honeymoon experience is easy, and you can set off feeling confident that your honeymoon will be nothing less than extraordinary.