From the moment you say ‘yes’ till the day you answer ‘I do’, there won’t be a day that goes by where you’re not glued to your computer responding to emails or answering questions about your big day. And unfortunately, you’ll soon find that getting your honeymoon plans sorted isn’t any different.
But between paying for a wedding and wanting to take a trip you’ll both never forget, finding the balance between your budget and bliss isn’t always easy. So if you’re about to take on planning your honeymoon, here are some tips to help you have the trip you want without breaking the bank.
Delay the departure
One of the best things about your honeymoon is that everything is done on your terms and that includes the day you leave. While traditionally a couple left for their honeymoon on the night of, or day after the wedding, these days it’s a lot less common as more couples are choosing to be flexible with their travel dates.
There are several reasons why a delayed honeymoon could work in your favour money wise. For one thing, choosing to visit a country during its off peak season could spell serious savings on flights, accommodation and even mean smaller crowds for when you head out to do some sight-seeing.
Secondly, having time between your wedding day and your honeymoon will give you some breathing room to save up some extra funds or allow you to tap into any early bird discounts or specials that could help bring the costs down for flights or tours.
Consider staying close to home
If you’re committed to keeping costs low on your honeymoon, then the thought of travelling domestically may have already crossed your mind. While you might not get to experience a different culture, travelling in Australia can still give you both the chance to experience a new scene, from musicals to local markets, but at the fraction of the cost and a lot less stress.
Playing tourist in your own country can bring on a sense of comfort, as you’re somewhat familiar with your surroundings and the people. Best of all, since you don’t have to switch currencies, you’ll be able to totally avoid potential foreign exchange fees!
Don’t wing it
From heart-racing adventures to kicking back with a mojito on the beach, everyone’s got their own way to unwind. So if you and your partner are planning to do what you do best on your honeymoon, get organised by pre-booking your activities. Not only can pre-booking your activities keep your itinerary jam packed, it could also help you be more cost-effective with your spending as most tours can offer discounts for pre-booking.
But while a day-long spa session might not land in you hot water (metaphorically), if you are planning on trying heart-racing adventures on your honeymoon, having the right travel insurance on your side is essential. Be sure that you look for a policy that suits your plans and covers the activities you could be doing on your adventures.
Set the budget appropriately
The goal of setting a budget for your honeymoon isn’t to make you cut back on the fun, luxury or adventure, it is there to help you plan how to get the honeymoon you and your partner want.
If you’re looking at 5 star luxury resort packages, then you need to know how long it is going to take you to save up the money and what other funding alternatives you may have. Do you need to put away $50 a week or $200 for the next year? What expenses will you plan to put on a credit card, and how long is it going take you to pay back this amount in full?
By itemising all of the expenses that you are likely to incur on your honeymoon, from flights, accommodation, transport and tours to incidentals, not only will you have a clearer picture of the real cost of your honeymoon and how much you’ll need to save, you will also be in a better position to find those opportunities to lower your costs. For instance, if you know that flights to Hawaii in October are usually $1,500 return and you see a flight deal for less than that, you could buy the discounted one and then use the savings to put towards something else on your to-do list.
Ceyda Erem is a personal finance writer at financial comparison site mozo.com.au