When you are a bride-on-a budget, planning a honeymoon can be quite stressful, but it doesn’t have to be.
The most stressful part for a bride on a budget is the lack of money.
With most of your money going towards the wedding ceremony and reception, you may not have any additional room in the budget for your honeymoon. I believe this is the biggest mistake brides make when they are doing their wedding budget.
They don’t allocate money for their honeymoon as well.
You may be so focused on having your “dream wedding” that you have not taken the time to plan how you will pay for your honeymoon adequately. This results in many newlyweds being unable to have a honeymoon at all. A honeymoon is a special time for a newly married couple to celebrate their wedding and should be included in the wedding budget.
Here are 9 things a bride-on-budget MUST do to avoid not having a honeymoon.
1. Include the Honeymoon Budget in Your Wedding Budget
As I stated above, when planning your wedding, you must include your honeymoon. Properly researching what you and your soon-to-be spouse can afford is key to being realistic when creating the budget. Also, think about what kind of honeymoon you want to have. Do you want to go somewhere beachy? A winery? What do you want to do? Deciding where you want to go and how much you can afford eliminates stress, as you will have a plan in place.
2. Consider Going Somewhere Within the Country
A huge misconception about honeymoons is that you must go to a tropical island or somewhere out of the country to have a great honeymoon. This cliché is something a bride-on-a budget should not believe. If you live in the U.S. there are so many different places you can travel that will fit within your budget. If your ideal honeymoon involves beautiful beaches, you do not need to go to the Caribbean; you can go to Florida for minimal costs. Charleston, SC, and Savannah, GA, are also great options for honeymooners. With step 1 complete, you can find an ideal honeymoon destination to fit within your budget.
3. Plan Ahead
Planning ahead of time is key when you are on a tight budget. For example, if you start planning your wedding 12 months in advance and have budgeted $1000 for your honeymoon, that means you would need to save about $21 a week. Most people CAN save $21 a week. And when you think about it this way, the amount does not seem so overwhelming.
4. Research Travel Sites
With so many travel deal sites available, you can easily find a deal for your honeymoon. Sites such as Rakuten offer cash-back rebates you can earn when you book your room. Also, consider Airbnb.com as a way to book your honeymoon, as this can save you hundreds of dollars. Groupon also offers honeymoon deals you may want to look into.
5. Stop Thinking Your Honeymoon Needs To Be 5 to 7 Days
Yes, it is acceptable to have a 2 to 3-day honeymoon! Many times, brides think a honeymoon needs to be a solid week. And I am here to tell you it doesn’t have to be. A 2 to 3-day vacation is substantially cheaper than a 7-day vacation (depending on where you go). So, if all you can afford is three days away, then that is what you do. The important thing is you, and your spouse enjoy where you are.
6. Don’t Compare Yourself To Others
You are browsing Facebook or Instagram and see a newly married couple posting all their honeymoon pictures to The Maldives. You start to feel resentment because that is where you wanted your “dream honeymoon” to be. You also start feeling sorry for yourself because you don’t have enough money to go. STOP IT. STOP IT. STOP IT.
DO NOT COMPARE YOURSELF TO SOMEONE ELSE.
This will only make you miserable. Just because you can’t go to the Maldives for your Honeymoon doesn’t mean you can’t in the future. Choose to be happy with wherever you decide to go. Happiness is a choice. If you need to stay off FB and IG to avoid bitter feelings, then do so. Enjoy the season you are in, and do not envy anyone else. Remember you just married the love of your life, and this is a time for you 2 to celebrate this joyous occasion.
7. Lower Your Wedding Decor Budget
Saving money on your wedding decorations is a great way to free up money for your honeymoon. The cost of wedding flowers alone can eat up your budget. Choose budget-friendly wedding décor that won’t break the bank. Also, DIY your wedding centerpieces with Dollar Tree products and other inexpensive items. I am here to tell you that you can create something beautiful with Dollar Tree items.
8. Don’t Increase Your Guest List To Appease Others
When you are doing your wedding budget, you may want to only invite a small number of guests to keep costs down. However, the pressure of family members and others may cause you to increase this list just to make them happy. Remember, This is YOUR WEDDING, not anyone else’s. Many times, couples invite 100’s of guests that they won’t ever talk to after the wedding. This does not make sense. If you are set on 50 guests and that is what you can afford, stick to that. DO NOT increase your guest list because your mother wants to invite so and so. Especially if you and your significant other are paying for everything with no help. This is called boundaries. Which is something couples need to establish early on in their relationship with family and friends. JUST SAY NO!
9. Start a Honeymoon Registry
Instead of creating a traditional registry full of things you really don’t want or need, create a Honeymoon Registry. Thousands of brides are choosing to set up a Honeymoon registry on sites such as Honeyfund.comand guests love the idea of contributing to a newly married couple’s honeymoon. Guests are also able to purchase gift cards to assist with honeymoon expenses. To start, you complete your FREE registration and let guests know your information. It’s just that simple!
Now you know you can plan a honeymoon within your budget. It’s all about perspective and choosing to do something you and your spouse will be happy with. So remember to create a honeymoon budget and plan ahead!
What tips do you have for a bride-on-a budget when planning their honeymoon? Leave a comment below.
