You can picture the perfect honeymoon. The elegant room. The sumptuous meals. The romantic setting. Then along comes that four-letter word: Cost. Budgeting for your honeymoon is a necessary part of the whole process, just like budgeting for the wedding itself. How much you will spend depends on many factors: where you honeymoon, when you travel, the length of your stay, and more.

According to the most recent figures of the Travel Industry Association of America, honeymooners spend an average of $1,402 per couple compared to $421 spent annually on regular trips. Young couples, age 18 to 24 years, spend the most on honeymoons, averaging $1,873. And as many as one-third of all honeymooners spend over $2,500 for that once-in-a-lifetime trip.

Shopping for a Bargain

So where do you start? Begin by doing a little comparison shopping. Prices vary greatly, not just from destination to destination but from resort to resort. And within the same resort, you’ll find a full menu of price options, depending on factors like room view and length of stay. The “rack rate” or price you are quoted if you call a property is usually the highest; through tour operators and wholesalers you can often receive substantial discounts.

The price of air travel to your honeymoon destination also varies greatly. On any given flight, there are far more price classes than just first and coach. That traveler sitting beside you may have paid far less—or more—for his ticket. Factors like Saturday night stayovers influence price; also the cost of a seat can change daily.

Check with travel agents for special deals only they can access, try different days if you have some flexibility in travel times, and don’t forget online travel services. And, if you have more than one airport in your area, it pays to compare the price of departing from various gateways. The difference can sometimes be several hundred dollars.

Money Talks

Another boost to the honeymoon budget are changing currency prices. Mexico has long been popular with honeymoon travelers looking to capitalize on a devaluated peso. Similarly, Canada is also gaining popularity as a honeymoon hotspot. The current strength of the American dollar against the Canadian makes our northern neighbor an attractive honeymoon destination. “Canada is extremely popular as a honeymoon destination,” explains Judy Love Rondeau, spokesperson for the Canadian Consulate General in Dallas. “Your money goes further in Canada. Also, honeymooners like the cities of Montréal and Québec City because they are like going to Paris without going so far and spending so much money.”

While it might not be enough to make you select a destination, favorable exchange rates can certainly help the two of you afford to splurge on an upgraded room or an extra special dinner during your honeymoon.

High Season vs. Low Season

When you travel also greatly influences the cost of your honeymoon. Every destination has a high season and a low season when prices reflect demand. In the Caribbean, for example, high season runs from mid-December through mid-April, the coldest months in the Northeast, the Caribbean’s biggest market. Low season coincides with hurricane season, from June through November. In Europe, high season falls during the summer months when both price and crowds are at a peak.

The difference between high and low season prices can vary as much as 40%. Resorts and hotels that seem out of reach during peak season may be right in your price range during off season.

Regardless of the month of your honeymoon, you’ll find both high and low seasons around the world. One destination’s high season may well be another destination’s low season. For example, the winter months are low season for Bermuda, which falls outside the Caribbean’s boundaries. Honeymooners enjoy lower prices during the winter months when temperatures are usually too chilly for sea swimming but perfect for kissing beneath the island’s legendary moongates or walking hand-in-hand on those pink sand beaches.

Another option are “shoulder” seasons, those months just before and after high season. During this period, you’ll find lighter crowds than during high season, good weather, but prices somewhere between those found during high and low seasons.

It’s always better to be safe than sorry. The following list provides you with all the emergency items that you will need for your destination wedding.

Toiletries

• Hand cream
• Perfume
• Tissues
• Hairdryer
• Cotton balls, cotton swabs
• Brush, comb
• Makeup for touchups
• Travel size hairspray, hair gel
• Makeup remover
• Bobby pins, hair elastics, barrettes
• Nail polish in shade worn
• Headband or clips for pulling hair back while applying makeup
• Nail polish remover
• Toothbrush, toothpaste, floss
• Nail file
• Mouthwash/breath mints
• Tweezers
• Baby powder
• Small grooming scissors
• Deodorant
• Curling iron, hot rollers
• Safety pins

Attire

• Safety pins
• “Throwaway” garter
• Sewing kit within thread the color of the bride’s and attendants’ dresses
• Clear nail polish or sewing tape (for last-minute ripped hems)
• Extra earring backs
• Small scissors (for thread)
• Crazy glue
• Club soda or other stain removal solutions
• Flat shoes for the reception
• Iron
• Extra hosiery
• Static cling spray

Heath/Medical

• Antacid
• Band-Aids
• Antihistamine, cold remedy, any prescription medications
• Upset stomach remedy
• Aspirin, pain relievers
• Feminine hygiene products (tampons, panty liners, etc.)

Miscellaneous

• Extra copies of directions to the reception
• Cooler with boiled water
• Disposable camera (for some of your own personal shots)
• Snacks
• Cell phone and phone numbers of all wedding participants
• Contact information for all wedding vendors/wedding coordinators

With the growing popularity of destination weddings, a new set of “rules” has developed. Knowing basic destination-wedding etiquette will help you and your guests have a memorable celebration and vacation all in one. When planning your wedding, keep the following in mind:

Give Your Guests Advance Notice
You will want to send out your wedding invitations earlier than you would if your ceremony were closer to home. This will give your guests plenty of room to determine whether they can get time off from work or other obligations.

Should You Have an Engagement Party?
Engagement party attendees expect to give a gift. For this reason, it’s considered bad destination-wedding etiquette to invite anyone to an engagement party who isn’t also invited to the wedding or reception.

Research Travel and Hotel Options
Generally, your guests are expected to cover their own travel and hotel expenses. You can make this easier for them by looking into travel and hotel deals yourself. Make calls and search the web for the most comfortable and cost-effective travel and hotel choices, then pass the information along. Your guests will thank you!

Set Up Your Own Wedding Website
A wedding website is the perfect way to keep your guests informed of travel and accommodation options. You can also include information such as expected weather and links to amenities and attractions in the area. If you’ve never set up your own website before, it’s easier than you may think. A quick search online will reveal a wealth of hosts who can provide you with a pre-formatted (and free!) site of your very own. Keep information current, and e-mail your guests each time you make significant changes.

Greet Your Guests
Your guests may be arriving at different times or on different flights. If possible, meet them at the airport, especially if you’re familiar with the area and they aren’t. If you’re too busy, ask your best man and maid of honor to help. Make sure to include a clear map of the area in each wedding invitation. Include your mobile-phone number as well, so wayward attendees can call you for clarification on the drive from the airport.

Keep the Party Going
Write a wedding itinerary and hand it to guests as they arrive. Make sure to include those times that you and your new spouse have set aside for just the two of you (for instance, a special dinner) so your guests can plan their own activities. Use clip art and borders to spice up the itinerary and to make it a keepsake for your wedding scrapbook.

Have a Local Reception
It’s likely that your destination wedding will be much smaller than a local wedding. You will be more comfortable inviting 20 guests rather than 200; some couples invite only the best man, maid of honor, and the parents of the bride and groom. To prevent hurt feelings, you may want to plan an informal reception close to home. You can even host it at your parents’ house or your apartment, if you have room. Give yourselves about two weeks between getting home from the wedding and holding your local reception; you’ll need the break. But be sure to send the party invitations at the same time you send the invitations to your wedding. This will prevent more-distant friends and family members from feeling left out.

Destination weddings have opened up a whole new world of options for couples and their loved ones. Using basic etiquette, courtesy, and common sense, you can ensure that a good time is had by all, whether at home or abroad.

One of the most important and exciting decisions a bride-to-be can make is what wedding gown she will wear. Most brides think long, white, and flowing when envisioning their wedding dress. If you’re planning a destination wedding, you have more options. Here are a few tips to make selecting your destination-wedding gown easier:

Dress for the Weather
If your wedding locale is tropical, opt for something that flows with the island breezes, like silk, light satin, or even cotton. Warm wedding destinations allow for informal destination wedding gowns including spaghetti straps, capped sleeves, or a romantic and sexy off-the-shoulder looks. If you’re the traditional type, it’s perfectly acceptable, and very lovely, to wear a sleeveless gown with a floor-length skirt. More daring brides might opt for a Hawaiian or other style batik dress to really get into the spirit of the islands.

Many brides-to-be opt for simple cuts and less-bulky materials when planning a destination wedding. The reason is a practical one: it’s easier to transport flexible fabrics than voluminous yards of tulle and lace. If you’re unsure of what you want, ask your local bridal shop if it offers a “destination wedding gown” line, or search the web for options.

Choose Your Color
Destination weddings are usually (though not always) a little less formal than traditional ones. If you’re planning on tying the knot on a sandy beach, have fun with your look. Try out the idea of wearing a print, such as tiny, pale roses, on your big day. Or consider a pale pastel material topped with a soft white veil for contrast and romance.

Don’t discount tradition. If a full skirt and lots of lace have always been your dream, go for it. With a destination wedding, the sky really is the limit.

Transporting Your Gown
Once you’ve selected the perfect dress, you’ll want to transport it with care. Follow these tips to ensure its safety:

• Travel can wreak havoc on formal wear. Call the hotel ahead of time and ask if they can press your gown on the morning of the wedding. Most hotels offer this service.
• It’s always easier to tote less material. If you’re worried something will happen to your dress in transit, choose a simple-style gown that you can fold.
• If you’re the traditional type, pack the dress and train separately.
• Don’t overstuff one suitcase with yards of material.
• Your safest bet when flying is to take your gown with you on the plane rather than checking it as luggage. Most airplanes have a coat closet. See if your airline will allow you to hang your dress there.

Above all, have fun! Try on as many gowns as you like in order to find the one that will make your wedding day truly memorable. Be creative, and you will find a gown fit for the occasion.

When we think of the State Department assisting Americans abroad, we usually picture political tensions or travelers who have run into trouble with the law. However, the State Department’s Bureau of Consular Affairs will also assist travelers during an emergency situations, such as a hurricane.

If you are involved in an emergency situation, go to the nearest US embassy or consular office (or embassy or consular office of your home country) and register. Bring along your passport and a location where you can be reached.

The Embassy can also assist you with these situations:

• Lost Passport: If you lose your passport or have it stolen, first report the loss to the local police. Get a police declaration then report to the consul for a replacement passport. If you have extra passport photos, bring these along. It also helps to travel with a copy of the identification page of your passport tucked somewhere in your belongings. In case of a lost passport, this will speed along the reissuance. Know, however, that in these days of heightened security, obtaining a replacement passport will be a lengthy process.
• Medical Assistance: Contact the consular office for a list of local doctors, dentists, and medical specialists. If you are injured or become seriously ill, a consul will help you find medical assistance and, at your request, inform your family or friends. The State Department cannot assist you in funding an emergency trip back to the States—that’s what travel insurance is all about.
• Financial Assistance: Lose your money? The consular office can help you contact your family, bank, or employer to arrange for them to send you funds.

The honeymoon is the beginning of your new life as husband and wife. These first few days as a married couple you begin your new adventure based on your likes, dislikes, dreams, budget and time constraints.

For the couple short on time, and possibly cash, a destination close to home can prove to be just the honeymoon getaway a couple needs. Many cities offer a variety of beautiful inns and hotels along with fabulous dining and entertainment experiences throughout the year. Larger cities, or those geared specifically to tourist and convention activities, will offer a wide array of shopping, theatre, dining and sightseeing opportunities. For those with a greater sense of adventure, hiking, rock climbing, rafting and outdoor camping are other low cost options which can be scheduled for as long or as short of a time as you have.

If the bride and groom desire a destination that’s completely new to them or bit farther from home, assistance from a professional travel agent is invaluable. Whether you have an exact destination warm, or just want to go somewhere warm, travel agents can help make sure your honeymoon plans are a vacation dream come true. These experts can help you decide what the perfect destination may be and handle every minute detail so you and your new spouse can do what you should be; relaxing and enjoying your time together.

According to travel agents, some of the most popular honeymoon destinations include Jamaica, Hawaii, Mexico, Europe, Australia, and Caribbean cruises. Within the continental United States, the magic of Disney, the romance of the Poconos, western destinations such as San Diego, Yellowstone National Park, the Grand Canyon and Las Vegas are great options for a honeymoon getaway. Wherever you choose, there are many details to plan. A qualified travel agent has the knowledge and experience to help you make those plans.

Making reservations as far in advance as possible is very important, especially if you are on a limited budget with a certain destination in mind. The best rates and availability are usually offered months in advance and then become more and more limited as the dates get closer. Plus, once the honeymoon is finalized and reserved, that’s one less thing to worry about before the big day!

One of the most important factors considered when planning a honeymoon is the budget. Many couples are now choosing all-inclusive packages so they know in advance exactly what they will be spending. All-inclusive resorts and cruises generally include your meals and entertainment, but may not cover beverages depending on the package chosen. Paying for everything in advance can give you peace of mind, knowing once you arrive you can relax and do what you want, without worrying about the cost.

With the unlimited options available for honeymoon plans, take this time for yourselves and enjoy the start of your new life together!

Historically honeymoons lasted 30 days. At that time, the first most important (well, make that second most important) honeymoon activity was the drinking of mead, which was said to increase fertility.Today only a few lucky honeymooners get to spend a month on their trip (with or without the mead). Just how long can you afford to take for your honeymoon?

There’s no prescribed time: take what the two of you feel comfortable in taking. A long weekend at a wonderful local inn can be a magical honeymoon. So can a four-night Caribbean getaway, a week-long cruise, or a two-week tour of Europe. It’s completely up to your own tastes, budget, and time constraints.

Package trips

Package vacations usually come in three-, four-, and seven-night lengths, with the option of adding additional nights if you like. If you’re setting up your own vacation, then the sky (OK, your budget) is the limit.

If you are flying off on your honeymoon, we have found that three-night trips are just a little too short even for a quick getaway especially if you’re leaving the country. Three nights sounds like it should also include four days, but you have to be realistic. Usually your arrival day will be lost; departing from Texas we arrive in the Caribbean no earlier than mid-afternoon and sometimes much later than that. If you’re arriving from the West Coast, expect a full travel day. You’ll probably miss both dinner and the evening show and just be ready to roll into bed after you check in.

The departure day is also lost. With a two-hour international check-in, you’re often off to the airport just after breakfast.

So, on a three-night, four-day package, expect two full days of vacation: the days between your arrival and your departure. We’ve done it, but it’s not relaxing and can, especially if you’ve never been to the island before, be very frustrating.

If your budget is a major factor, we suggest a four-night trip. You’ll have a little time to start to feel at home and, although it’s not as glorious as a week-long stay, you’ll start to get into the honeymoon groove and state of mind.

On a week-long trip you’ll start to feel really relaxed and you’ll also have some time for exploring whatever region you choose.

Two-week trips are the epitome of luxury, allowing you to recover from jet lag if that’s an issue, set up a “home base” in your new destination, and really get into the feel of a new country. If you’re traveling from continent to continent, a two-week trip is an excellent length.

Long Weekend Honeymoon

If you’ve got an eye on the budget or on the calendar, a long weekend honeymoon may be just right for you. These extended weekend honeymoons give you the chance to mark the occasion of your wedding with a little time away from home but don’t have the same financial or time burdens as an all-out honeymoon. Whether you’re postponing your honeymoon for a few months (see below) or just want to keep your honeymoon short and sweet, a long weekend honeymoon can be just the answer.

So where would you go on a long weekend honeymoon? Obviously, pretty close to home. You’ll want to minimize your travel time. Consider a honeymoon suite in a downtown hotel (weekend rates can often be a fraction of the weekday rate at many downtown hotels). Or you might like the cozy comfort of a B&B, a place where you can enjoy a home away from home atmosphere for a few blissful days.

Postponing Your Honeymoon

Many couples opt to postpone their honeymoon a few months, providing them a chance to settle into their new life together and focus on one big event at a time: first the wedding, then the honeymoon. This can also provide couples the chance to catch a bargain season at their honeymoon destination.

Honeymoon: Now!

Other couples opt to honeymoon right after their wedding. They prolong the magical period of their nuptials and, fresh from the bliss of the wedding, sweep right into the sometimes fantasy world of travel to really mark their first days as husband and wife.

Which is best for you? Only the two of you can decide!

When you are deciding on a honeymoon spot it should ideally be a place that the two of you have never been. The adventure of exploring a new destination can add to the excitement of the honeymoon. Make sure that it isn’t too remote unless you are both into that kind of thing and be sure to know a little about the area before you go. Beware of areas with bad drinking water like some areas of Mexico. Montezuma’s Revenge can ruin a honeymoon!

You will never forget that first night together as a married couple so splurge and reserve the honeymoon suite. If you can’t afford it for the entire honeymoon, at least do it for the first night. Many destinations have special honeymoon packages with hot tubs, massages, and champagne. How’s that for getting pampered?

Bring some romantic accessories for the room with you just in case you can’t find what you want on site. Pack satin sheets and romantic aromatherapy candles to turn the suite into your own little love nest.

Make a recording of your favorite romantic and sexy music to play on the night of your honeymoon as well as for the activities you do during the rest of your stay. This will be something you will treasure years down the road.

While on your trip keep a daily record of your activities and thoughts. Collect items and keepsakes to remind you of each day when you look at them years from now. A journal like this will be treasured for a lifetime and your children and grandchildren will enjoy it as well.

Take the time to do things together you might not get to do at home like moonlight walks on the beach and picnics. If you are in an area with water, take a boat trip alone or go kayaking and find a little remote area where you can be alone. Be sure to bring a nice bottle of wine and cheese to snack on. A nighttime picnic under the stars is always romantic.

Take advantage of this time alone together and treat even simple things like baths like a celebration with bubbles and champagne.

I recommend that you choose a destination that is known for romantic sunsets as well. Watching sunsets is a time to sit and relax and to reflect upon the day’s activities. It doesn’t get much more romantic than a sunset on a remote beach.

Of all the details to cover in your destination wedding planning process, none is more important than fulfilling the legal requirements for marrying away form. After all, the whole destination wedding becomes a moot point if you do not wind up with a legally valid marriage when you get home!

Two important tips to consider:

• Some locations have very little red tape and others have a laundry list of requirements. If you choose a location outside of the US, we highly recommend using a wedding planner to help with the legal details. Very often the venue will provide this as part of a package, but even if you must contract with someone independently, it is well worth the expense for the peace of mind.
• Requirements change from time to time! Most Department of Tourism provide links to official government sites that outline current marriage requirements and it is well worth taking the time to do your homework.

Questions to ask as you research:

What are the residency requirements?
Since some countries have lengthy residency requirements before you can legally marry, it is actually one of the first things that you need to research and understand before you finalize the location for your destination wedding. If you find that you need to be in the country for 30 days before you can apply for a marriage license, it may not be a practical option.

Is there a waiting period?
Some destinations require a certain amount of time between when the application is filed and the wedding ceremony itself so be sure to build enough time into your travel schedule.

What are the entry requirements for the destination?
Check with your destinations consulate or embassy for current entry requirements. Passports are routinely required for entering and leaving countries outside the US. Your destination’s consulate or embassy can also tell you if you need a visa for entry.

What documentation will we need to provide?
Every destination will require some documentation, and often they need to be official, certified copies. Some countries also require forms to be notarized, authenticated or translated. If you have been previously married, you will need to provide proof of your single status which is generally a copy of your divorce decree or a death certificate. Always pack these essential documents in your carryon luggage.

Are physical exams or a blood test required?
Fewer destinations have these requirements, but some locations actually require that the exams be done locally.

Are witnesses required?
Some destinations require witnesses at the time of application as well as for the ceremony.

What are the fees?
It is good to know ahead of time what the required fees are as well as the form of payment. Some require payment in cash, so advance planning can definitely smooth the process!

What are the religious requirements?
Generally local officiants can explain the requirements, which may be above what is required for a civil ceremony (e.g. baptismal records, record of premarital counseling, etc). If you bring your officiant with you, they will need to understand the destination’s legal requirements to be sure they can legally perform the ceremony.

Passports are issued to U.S. citizens by the US Department of State and are required to enter and leave countries outside of the United States. As of January 23, 2007, this now includes Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean and Bermuda. You will also be required to present your passport to re-enter the United States after your destination wedding or honeymoon.

The passport requirement does NOT apply to U.S. citizens traveling or returning from a U.S. territory which includes Guam, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, American Samoa, Swains Island and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.

New Application for a U.S. Passport
To obtain a passport for the first time, you need to go in person to an issuing office. To find the closest location and download the application form, go to http://travel.state.gov/passport

Required Documentation

• Two photographs of yourself
• Proof of U.S. citizenship
• Valid form of photo identification such as a drivers license

In the past it has taken an average of 10-12 weeks to process a new passport application and with the new passport requirements, the processing time as increased. Our recommendation is to apply early to avoid having to pay additional fees for an expedited service.

Renewal of U.S. Passport
Most passports can be renewed by mail, but there are exceptions including: a damaged or altered passport, a passport that was issued more than 15 year prior, a passport that was issued to you when you were under16 and a passport that was issued under a different name.