For the Attendants & Guests: Sweet Gifts for the Big Day

Honeymoons for any budget

By Danny Hopkins, Up North Bride

So the hard parts are done.

You reserved the church, booked the DJ. You mailed and sent out the invitations. You’ve done everything but plan that special getaway, where newlyweds wind down after the whirlwind of months and months of planning.

But where do you start?

Step one: Do some accounting.

Find out what’s left in your budget after subtracting all of your other expenses, and find out what you can get away with spending on a vacation.

Step two: Once you have the budget squared away, you can start tossing around ideas with your soon-to-be spouse.

If you’re working with a low budget, it’s probably easier to plan it yourself, without the assistance of the travel agent. Travel websites can be your best asset if something such as a quick trip to Chicago is in your future, and monitoring them month-to-month can lead to cheap deals.

Regardless of the size of your budget, you could always do it yourself. But sometimes it’s easier to hand the planning over to a professional, such as a travel agent. Jim Kan is the owner of Andrew Kan Travel Service Inc., and he’s full of honeymoon ideas for those across the budget spectrum.

On the low end, Kan said the best way to go is Toronto, Canada. He suggested taking the train, which for two people would cost between $500 and $600, according to Amtrak. In Toronto, newlyweds can hit the theater downtown or take a trip to Niagara Falls.

Kan said the best value is a trip to Mexico, which he said usually runs $2,000 to $2,500 total. He said the most popular Mexican destination is south of Cancun in the Mayan Riviera, with its low-key, all-inclusive resorts.

Between the cost of Toronto and the Mayan Riviera is Florida. Kan said a Florida honeymoon usually costs around $1,500 total.

If you’ve got a bigger budget, you can start talking about cruises and all-inclusive luxury resorts, such as Sandals in the Caribbean. Kan said cruises can last anywhere from seven to 14 days and can vary widely in destinations. A seven-day cruise can cost between $2,500 and $3,500 total. At a luxury resort you could look to spend $2,000 or more per person, which would include meals, drinks and a slew of other amenities.  

According to theknot.com, a website dedicated to all things wedding, you should start planning your honeymoon six months in advance, allowing you to pick up loose ends as your trip approaches.

The site also has some novel ways to watch your budget. It suggests that you fly on days that aren’t peak, such as Sundays, Mondays and Tuesdays.

You could also start a honeymoon registry, which Andrew Kan Travel Service offers. That way, wedding guests can help pay for part of the trip.

When it comes to saving money on lodging, theknot.com suggests requesting a room without a view, and to tell them that you are, in fact, newlyweds — it can lead to deals or special treatment.

Up North Bride Home » Fall & Winter 2010/2011 Edition » For the Attendants & Guests: Sweet Gifts