Planning a wedding can be an intense and stressful experience for the bridal couple, so when it comes to their honeymoon, they may feel a bit burnt out and wonder how they're going to set aside more time and money for that special post-marriage vacation. Luckily, with some outside-of-the-box thinking, there are ways to bypass some of the usual constraints newly hitched couples experience when trying to organize a wedding and a honeymoon simultaneously. If you're time- or cash-starved, take these three suggestions into consideration to make your dream honeymoon a reality.
*Delay Your Honeymoon
There's no need to follow the tradition of traveling immediately following your nuptials because, hey, it's your party, and you can fly when you want to. You might want to wind down from your whirlwind wedding in the comfort of your own home, and that's completely understandable following a monumental life event. Postponing a honeymoon gives you more time to keep those loving feelings flowing, and it may be a great way to celebrate your one-year anniversary.
By pushing back your love-cation, you may even be protecting yourself from catching a case of the post-wedding blues. According to The New York Times, couples can get a rush of dopamine from planning a wedding, but after the last guest says goodbye, they often experience a crash. Starting to plan a romantic escape may actually be the perfect way to keep the wedding bliss alive. It's something exciting to look forward to as you get back into your daily routine, and you can catch up on work and save some money while you're at it.
*Travel Deals
You don't have to spend thousands upon thousands of dollars to create your fantasy honeymoon. With discount travel websites like Orbitz and Expedia, you can find substantial package deals to almost anywhere in the world. Booking your accommodations and flights together often decreases expenses. Want to lower the cost even further? SmarterTravel states that the cheapest days to fly are Tuesdays and Wednesdays. This isn't always true for international bookings, but if you're able to book during off-peak times of the year or the post-holiday winter months, you will find even bigger bargains.
Perhaps time is your main constraint. Opt for a shorter honeymoon to commemorate your special day without sacrificing on the experience. Sites like Airbnb offer beautiful, affordable and unique homes as a charming escape that feels like an entirely new land without having to travel far from your own backyard. Are you looking for more of a catered, luxurious experience without having to use up all of your vacation days? Then book a staycation at a local hotel and treat yourselves to a couples massage. Turn your phone on airplane mode for a few days to really let loose from the real world!
*Honeypot
A growing trend for soon-to-be-married couples is to create a so-called honeypot, a honeymoon fund to which wedding guests can donate an amount of their choice for the couple's dream vacation. The top-rated online registry Honeyfund has funded $617 million in honeymoons for nearly 1 million couples. Sign up for free to access its world-class design tools, customizable wish list, travel deals and more benefits. A honeypot takes the sometimes-uncomfortable feeling of asking guests for cash out of the equation and helps guests be a small part of your special romantic adventure ahead.
Every couple deserves to celebrate their love with their dream honeymoon, free of expectations, pressure and tension. Whatever you decide to do, remember that it's your journey and it can be whatever you'd like it to be.
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