It's getting chilly out so not as many weddings are happening; this is the time of year where all the weddings are getting planned!
While it's not a good idea to scrimp costs on things like a wedding photographer (besides being a little biased;), the wedding photographs are one of the only tangible items you get to take from your wedding day) there are plenty of places where you can save money on your wedding expenses. One of the areas that's perfect for money-saving is on your honeymoon! The good news is if you are adventurous and put in some research effort, you can get away from it all. You can plan a honeymoon that is out of the box but still something you and your new spouse will cherish.
Here are 9 budget-friendly ideas to consider before ruling out a honeymoon altogether…
1. Stay Home Alone
The point of a honeymoon is to spend some downtime with your beloved after all the hustle and bustle of the wedding is finally done. It really shouldn’t matter where you spend your honeymoon and staying close to home may be the idea choice. Call it a ‘staycation’ or perhaps a ‘homeymoon’ and enjoy disconnecting from the rest of the world as if you were on a deserted island. No phones, computers, or stress should be allowed. Spend days checking out local attractions and quiet evenings dancing and romancing.
2. Time Share Tradeoffs
If you have friends or relatives that have timeshares or own their own vacation home, see if they would be willing to gift you some time there as a wedding present. If that is an uncomfortable conversation, offer to pay something towards a rental fee which can be significantly cheaper than a commercial rental space.
3. Get Outdoorsy
If you are a couple that likes adventure, consider a week-long campout at the local state park. You are likely to get lots of privacy and peace. Find a park that offers other activities you enjoy like boating, hiking, or other nature-friendly fun on the cheap.
4. Upgrade Locally
If you are not the tent-sleeping type of couple, consider reserving a room at an exclusive hotel in the local area. It will still cost you for the reservations but you’ll save on the high cost of airline tickets and other travel expenses since you are staying local. Also, be sure to ask about AAA or government discounts. Aaron and I got a discount on our wedding night hotel room because I worked for the state at the time. That was a nice unexpected discount!
5. Mixed Up Road Trip
Pack the car and head out to several locations you’d like to visit that can be done in a week’s time. Plan for stopping locations on the way to one destination to see the sights and plan a different route for the way home. You can save money by booking rooms at B & B’s, motels, or campgrounds along the way. The time spent together seeing and learning new things together can be a great break from reality.
6. Retreat Yourself
If you and your spouse have a common hobby or passion research places that offer retreats for a weekend or longer. There are retreats for a number of interests. A retreat will allow you as a couple to spend quality time together while doing something you love. See what is closest to home so you don’t have to spend money on flights.
7. Spend Time Volunteering
If you and your spouse are the volunteer type, check out the many opportunities where you can get away from home together but can give your time to help others. There may be some organizations or volunteer opportunities that are available where your travel costs are covered in exchange for your time, assistance, and skill sets. It’s a great way to give back to others while spending quality time with your new husband or wife.
8. Go Off Season
Even if you can’t afford a traditional honeymoon immediately after your wedding day, doesn’t mean you don’t get to have one. If you have a location in mind, consider the cost differences for going in the off-season. Use some of your wedding cash to start a savings account to pay for an off-season trip so the cost isn’t a burden.
9. Make It a First
If you need some additional time to save up for a honeymoon, target your first year anniversary as the trip date. This gives you a whole year to find a place you want to go and save up the cash you need without blowing out your budget. Speak with a travel agent about a vacation payment plan to get you started so you’ll know exactly how much to save up.
Do you have any fun, inexpensive Honeymoon ideas? I'd love to hear them…
You might also like these wedding-related posts: How to Make a Wedding Boutonniere, The Official ‘Who Pays for What' Guide to Financing Your Wedding, The High-Cost of Being a Bridesmaid and What to do About It, and 7 Easy Ways to Save Money on Your Wedding Day (That Don't Require Sacrifice).
P.S. Here’s a FREE DOWNLOAD for you! 110 Cheap Date Ideas! Enjoy!