Ah, your honeymoon. It’s time to put budget caution aside and think big. Like a dream honeymoon on a private Caribbean island, with its own chef and waiters to cater for your every whim. Sounds good right? Well, sure, if you’re one of the lucky ones in this economy still earning rock star salaries. But, if you are an average couple starting your new life together, you may need to cut back a bit.
Now, now, don’t despair. The good news is that you can still have a dream honeymoon and do it for little money. Not convinced? Maybe the following 7 tips for a cheap but dreamy honeymoon will help:
1. Go on a cruise
Cruises can be a great way to have a romantic honeymoon at a cheaper price. They are all-inclusive, which means you know in advance how much the trip will cost, making it much easier to stay on budget. You have a wide variety of destinations to choose from, including attractive Caribbean locations and quiet, romantic river cruises. And, if a longer cruise is out of your budget, there are many cheaper 3- and 4-day cruises available that sail to romantic destinations at very reasonable prices.
2. Stay at someone else’s house
This may not sound very attractive, until you realize that home swaps are a great and inexpensive way to vacation in some very popular destinations like Italy, Ireland or Greece. There are several online home exchange networks where you can find people willing to exchange homes with you. Of course, it helps if you also live in a desirable vacation destination.
3. Head to the mountains
A romantic cabin in a mountain setting can also be an inexpensive but dreamy honeymoon. The good news here is that most people live a day’s drive from a mountain community where you can rent a cabin for a few days. Walking hand in hand through a tranquil forest during the day, followed by champagne in front of a roaring fireplace, what could be more romantic?
4. Consider a Bed and Breakfast
Another romantic option is to stay in a Bed and Breakfast, particularly one that is historic. There is something about a house built in the 19th century with its dark woods and stained glass that raises the bar for romance. Look out for B & Bs that have won “Best in Romance” awards in Bed and Breakfast magazines and guides. You can find romantic and inexpensive B & Bs all over the world.
5. Consider a cheaper beach environment
Yes, renting an entire island in the Caribbean to yourself is very attractive. But a 5-night stay on many private islands will cost you more than most people make in a year. You can have the same million dollar views for a small fraction of the cost in places as beautiful as Jekyll Island in Georgia, Catalina Island in California, and Sanibel and Captiva Islands in Florida. No, you will not have the private butler and chef, but you will have beautiful and romantic views.
6. Take your honeymoon during the low season
Do you think that a honeymoon in Europe is too expensive for you? Then go when it’s cheaper, like the mid-season in the spring months of April or May, or late September or early October. Even if you have a wedding in June, you can still postpone your honeymoon until a cheaper time of year. It won’t make it any less romantic.
7. Make someone else pay for it
It caught your attention, didn’t it? Of course, it would be nice if someone else paid for it. But, your family may not have the money to send you both to some exotic part of the world. Whats Next? Sign up for a honeymoon registry, that is. It’s like a wedding registry, but instead of asking for household items, you ask for contributions for your honeymoon. The gifts focus on things and activities that a couple will normally pay for on a honeymoon. It can be as common (yet generous) as a 3-night stay at a spectacular resort in St. Barts. Or it could be a gondola ride in Venice. Honeymoon registrations can even help pay for one or all meals at the couple’s hotel.
The point is, a honeymoon doesn’t have to go into debt to be special and romantic. The memory of your honeymoon should last a lifetime, not the cost.