Inexpensive Honeymoon Ideas

A honeymoon doesn't have to cost a lot

By Debby Mayne

Photo by iStockphoto.com

After the expense of a wedding, adding a costly honeymoon can put a newlywed couple in a financial hole. But this is suppose to be a time for you to spend time together without the distractions of everyday life. Worrying about money can prevent that from happening. Opt for something that won't start the marriage off in a heap of debt and your pocketbook will thank you.

Off the beaten path

After the wedding vows are said, and the last song is played at the reception, hop in your car and head out to take in the real America. Plan in advance to take a 'behind the scenes' tour of the country. Grab a map and take lesser known routes or historic highways like Route 66 and go in search of unusual destinations. Time your trip right and you can take in some of the quaint things around this big country such as shrimp festivals, sloping houses, unusual museums and cheap mom-and-pop motels. Eat at restaurants favored by the locals in each place you stop. Take lots of pictures to share with friends and family when you get back, or keep them posted on your travels with a blog, Facebook posts or twitter feeds. You can add some romance to the trip by stopping in at charming, out of the way bed and breakfast spots every once in a while.

Camping

For the couple that loves the outdoors, and doesn't mind roughing it, camping might be the way to go. Rent an RV or pitch a tent in one of many, gorgeous state parks with camping facilities. Either way, you'll beat the price of most resorts and typical honeymoon destinations. Most campgrounds feature hiking trails, fishing, canoeing and swimming. Some of the more upscale campgrounds have golf courses, tennis courts and clubhouses. Depending on how much time you have you can even take a trip to one of the famous state parks like Yosemite or Yellowstone.

Off-season resorts

If your heart is set on a lavish honeymoon but you don't want to pay full price, consider to a destination during the off-season. Prices of hotels and airfare are generally slashed by half or sometimes even more. An extra benefit is that the attractions and restaurants won't be nearly as crowded so you can have the space honeymooners crave. Since many destinations base their seasons on weather, travel immediately before or after the season to reap some of the benefits of what makes each place so wonderful without risking extreme weather.

Cruises

If you're willing to stay in a smaller room without a great view, cruise packages are reasonable -- and in some cases even cheap. In addition to being all-inclusive, with meals and many activities being part of the plan, you won't have to worry about overspending your budget.

Timeshares

If a family member has a timeshare that they may be banking instead of vacationing, let them know in advance that you are having trouble affording a resort. You can ask them to offer their timeshare as a wedding gift, or pay them a nominal amount in exchange, which should make it easy for them and saves you a lot of money in resort fees.

Bed & breakfasts

Whether you're travelling domestically or in a foreign locale, such as Europe for example, bed and breakfasts are a great alternative to pricey hotels and resorts. Book a charming room or cabin for a much lower rate (especially if you're travelling off season) without having to compromise on creature comforts.

Stay close to home

Who said you have to go far away to enjoy your honeymoon. Instead of traveling to a far flung corner of the world, pick a romantic destination a few hours from where you're going to be married. Your location, the time of year and your preferred honeymoon will all need to be taken into account, of course. If you must fly -- or can't give up the idea of a far away location -- choose a location within a few hours flight of your wedding. The shorter the distance, the cheaper your airfare.

Registry gifts

Conside giving up on some of those home appliances and other items you wanted in exchange for cash contributions toward your honeymoon. This sort of registry allows guests to contribute as much as they want for your expenses allowing you to forget about the money.

Look for deals

It sounds obvious, but it can slip your mind. Look deals in the form of vacation packages, last minute offers and other promotions to get the most value for your money. You give up some control over destination and length, but you more than make up for it in savings.