The party doesn’t stop when the wedding is over. For many couples, the prospect of taking off to an incredible honeymoon destination is even more exciting than the nuptials. The challenge, of course, is budgeting for the honeymoon after making a significant investment in the event itself.
If you’re hoping for the honeymoon of your dreams, here are some practical tips for creating a honeymoon budget that won’t break the bank.
Calculate the Costs
The first step to creating a honeymoon budget is to calculate the approximate costs of the trip. While you can make budget-savvy decisions down the road, it’s best to look at the higher end of the money scale for this purpose. Include things like:
- Flights and other travel for which more information is available on Great Flight,
- Accommodations,
- Attractions,
- Food,
- Spending money.
This exercise will give you a decent idea of what you can expect to spend and how much you’ll need to save.
Go Off-Season and Outside Hotspots
One of the best ways to save money on a honeymoon is to go in the offseason or fringe season. By doing so, you’ll have more options for accommodations and attractions. Furthermore, many tourist-centric businesses offer incentives for traveling in the off-season to fill the gaps.
Staying outside hotspots and taking short trips to tourist-heavy areas is another way to save a ton of money. For example, if you’re planning a dream weekend in NYC, staying in Brooklyn and hopping the subway to Manhattan can shave hundreds of dollars off your budget.
Make Cuts to Your Wedding Costs
You may need to make compromises to get the honeymoon of your dreams. Making cuts on the wedding itself is the best way to get the event you want and the trip afterward.
Start by looking for a beautiful budget-friendly dress at Azazie. Evaluate the time of your wedding– having a full dinner can be costly while having a morning or evening wedding with hors d’oeuvres can save thousands. Find ways to cut back on the decor and go for a simple-yet-elegant vibe.
Play Wedding Budget Round-Up
You should already have a wedding budget in the works when you start to plan your big event. By playing wedding budget round-up, you can reallocate unused funds from your wedding to your honeymoon.
For example, if you budget $500 to spend on decor and only spend $450, put that extra $50 toward the honeymoon. Every little bit counts, and it’s a great way to fund the honeymoon without breaking the bank.
Register with a Travel Agent
Registries were traditionally for couples who didn’t live together. Back in the day, it was common practice to live separately until marriage; that’s not the case today.
Rather than a traditional registry, register with a travel agent. Let your guests know that you’re hoping for contributions toward your honeymoon rather than gifts. This is a great way to ask for cash, without feeling tacky or unethical about asking for cash.
Start Saving Now
Every time you spend money between now and your honeymoon, ask yourself if it’s a necessary purchase. Remind yourself why you’re trying to save money and what the pay-off will be. Simple cuts to your daily budget, such as making coffee at home or limiting yourself to a restaurant meal once a month will make a huge difference. To find budget-friendly coffee makers visit Troublecoffee.
By being smart and strategic, you can go on an epic honeymoon without going into debt. Make smart cuts, put money away, and enjoy the days ahead.