Congratulations! You’re engaged and about to embark on a world wind adventure of wedding planning. You could also have been planning a while and had that complete oops moment of I forgot to plan my honeymoon and are now seeking honeymoon planning tips.
It doesn’t matter what stage you are I because there is help. This honeymoon planning guide will be filled with honeymoon planning tips to get you on your way.
Planning a honeymoon can be stressful and overwhelming. There are so many things to think about when planning. Where do the two of you want to go? How long should the honeymoon be? Why are there so many honeymoon packages?
The most important thing is that your honeymoon is a chance to relax and rejuvenate after months of wedding planning. It is also a time to celebrate your new journey as a couple.
When Should You Start Planning Your Honeymoon?
You should start planning your honeymoon around 8 to 9 months in advance. Why? This is when all the flight prices will be available to your destination. This is also when the best deals and perks may be offered by resorts and hotels.
Also, if you are working with a travel professional you can make a deposit and make payments on your honeymoon, but more on that later.
Plan Your Honeymoon Together
In the days of old (not really that long ago; maybe twenty years) it was the groom’s job to plan the honeymoon and surprise his bride to be with a fabulous trip. That is no longer the case for so many reasons. Now most couples are involved in planning their honeymoon together. They narrow down the locations as well as discuss a comfortable budget. This ensures that the honeymoon fits you both as a couple and not one person more than the other.
How Much Does a Honeymoon Cost?
Talk about loaded questions! There are several factors to consider when calculating the cost of a honeymoon. The first is will you be flying to your honeymoon destination from a major international airport.
If you will be leaving from a smaller regional airport you will end up paying more for your flight since you will need to be routed to an international airport.
Second, how long will you be staying? Most hotels and resorts offer promotions to couples who stay at least a week (7 days). Shorter stays can cost slightly less money.
Third, what destination are you traveling to? There is a huge financial difference between a honeymoon in Cancun, Mexico and a honeymoon in the Maldives.
Also, you must consider if the destination has all-inclusive resorts. If you go this route it is more possible to get more bang for your buck. Yet, be aware that all-inclusive resorts are only available in Mexico and the Caribbean. You can eliminate all US based islands and territories such as Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands and Hawaii since they do not have all-inclusive resorts.
Bottom line is this the average weeklong stay in Mexico and the Caribbean can average $3000-5000 per couple. Whereas more exotic locations such as the Maldives, Fiji and Bali can average $7000-10,000 per couple.
Don’t rely just on Google
When beginning your honeymoon planning Google is a great place to start. Yet, it is not the best tactic to use Google as your only resource. Many times, travel review sites and even hotel/resort sites will be misleading to visitors. The best way to gain true information about a destination you are considering for your honeymoon is to ask a family member or friend who has been there. Another great tactic is to contact a honeymoon planner who specializes in your destination.
If you are looking for a great travel resource then check out my friends over at Lonely Planet. They have some amazing destination guides.
Seriously Consider a travel agent
If you feel overwhelmed or stressed out from the honeymoon planning, then contacting a travel professional may be a smart choice. Travel professionals have insider information about the various hotels, resorts in a specific destination. They also have personal relationships with staff at these hotels and resorts. This is a great way to handle those special requests.
The best part is a travel professional can save you a lot of time chained to your computer or phone doing research. They also can help save you money by being aware the best travel time, deals and perks. If you want extra guidance planning your honeymoon, travel agents can come in handy. A great travel professional will help you choose the perfect location, book your travel plans and make sure you have the best possible experience while on their honeymoon.
Be aware of hidden costs
Most people when planning their wedding and honeymoon are working from a budget. The last thing any couple wants during this money conscious time is surprise expenses. Things that many couples don’t think about can add up fast and even break the budget. Things such as visa fees, airport transfers and daily resort fees can add anywhere from $200-500 onto your honeymoon budget.
In this case it pays to read the fine print. Most online booking engines do not include visa fees, tourism fees, resort fees and transfers to the cost of your trip. Make sure you investigate or add these extras to your trip costs. There is nothing worse than getting to your honeymoon destination and having to shell out money just to get to your hotel.
Honeymoon planning should not be stressful and overwhelming. Hopefully, you can follow these amazing tips and plan the honeymoon of your dreams.
If you need help planning your honeymoon please checkout my Honeymoon Planning Checklist.
