Every single year in the United States, 1.4 million couples jump on a train, plane, or automobile and head on vacation to celebrate their recent nuptials (businesswire.com). Kevin and I are travel enthusiasts and therefore, planning our honeymoon was top of mind and a point of discussion since before we got engaged.
Where do we go? How long? Leave immediately after our wedding or wait? Register for our honeymoon or save for it? A relaxed or active honeymoon? The questions are endless and everyone answers differently.
Kevin and I decided to book a two week trip to Greece; including Athens, Mykonos, and Santorini. At first, we thought that the cost would be way over our budget. However, through hours and hours of research (I’m betting more than 40!), we determined that we actually would spend less on our trip to Greece than a two week trip to Mexico or the Virgin Islands! So, how do you book a wonderful honeymoon while keeping your spending and budget in check?
Online Travel Deals
Kevin and I checked out all travel websites before choosing our destination. Many sites offer deals on hotels, airfare, activities, and specifically have deals on getaways for two! Think 60% off anywhere from Door County to London. Advice: read the fine print! Sometimes, you are able to purchase two 7-day packages to extend your trip. Kevin and I used European Destinations to book our hotel and transportation, which saved us over $500 if we would have booked directly through the hotel companies.
Points, Points and More Points!
In the past, when asked to join point-based clubs, I typically answered “no” before even hearing what the club entailed. However, when Kevin and I started dating, I began to notice how many free or discounted items he was either offered or using. This included free or discounted hotel stays, discounted travel tickets, free drinks on planes, and free meals out. Kevin and I had the ability to book our tickets to Greece on Delta using points we had saved from one of our credit cards. Not only did we have points to book our flights, but also received a discounted price because we were booking using our points. Love it!
Location and Season
When you and your soon-to-be spouse narrow down your honeymoon wish list, find out the peak season for each location. Many airlines and hotels offer lower prices when you travel off-peak, and don’t be afraid, the weather can still be just as beautiful, and the beaches won’t be as packed!
What financial tips can you give for couples planning their honeymoon? Where did you go and what did you learn in the planning process?
Written by Kendall Jackson
This blog post is from the Author's perspective and doesn't speak for brightpeak financial. Contact brightpeak if you want to know more about brightpeak products, and keep in mind that they are not available in all states and there are some limitations (some exclusions and restrictions may apply).
