Mistakes Newlyweds Make Booking A Honeymoon

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Those newly engaged and close to walking down the aisle have quite a bit on their plate. Whether it’s squaring away last minute details or trying to finish vows, there’s always something that must be done.

Once I finished the bulk of my wedding planning, I had our honeymoon circled on the calendar. It’s a chance to unwind and connect with the love of your life. No more wedding budget or thinking about every little detail that goes into a special day. Just my future husband, myself and our exotic destination.

Now three years into our marriage, I look back and think about things we could’ve done differently. Because we extended our engagement we were able to have a nice wedding (nothing crazy) and no debt. I’m sure we could’ve saved a little money on honeymoon but think we did a pretty good job in the planning arena.

This isn’t always the case as some couples dive head-first into an ideal without giving it some serious thought. Here are some common mistakes people make while booking their honeymoon.

Failing to save ahead of time. Did you honestly expect for money to fall out of the sky? Perhaps you’re crossing your fingers that wedding guests will give you a little extra in the gift department? It’s important not to rely on anyone else to pay for your needs as you’ll always be disappointed. In addition to saving for your wedding, you should also put away some funds for a honeymoon.

Waiting too long to book. Procrastination isn’t always the best policy. In fact, it can and probably will make things more expensive. Unless you have the flexibility to enjoy last-minute deals, plan ahead. The earlier you start, the more likely you’ll be able to find cheaper flights and accommodations. You also want to make sure you have enough time to compare different prices.

Buying into “special” packages. Companies really know how to sell a dream. As wonderful as those honeymoon packages sound, most come with a premium cost. Businesses are hoping newlyweds buy into their deals that can make travel easier, but add to your budget. Make sure you look into basic accommodations so you can enhance if and where needed. You can have a “grand” experience in a suite that’s not for honeymooners.

Skipping travel insurance. Not everyone thinks about unexpected situations that can jeopardize  their trip. This is one of the reasons why you might want to consider vacation insurance. One hiccup (or break up) can cost a lot of money if plans go awry. Start researching your options to see if any are right for you.

Not considering the best times to travel. Just because you want to go on vacation during a certain time doesn’t mean it’s ideal. Read up on your destination of choice and the best time to travel. You can save some serious cash if you go during the off-peak season. Just make sure the weather will be somewhat pleasant. If you aren’t able to have both, you and your future spouse will need to decide which is more important.

At the end of the day it’s important to live within your means and stay in your price range. As awesome as an exotic safari sounds, if it’s not in your budget, don’t go. Give the majority of weddings cost a small fortune, there’s really no need to add to your expenses. Look for trips in your budget. Should things get really tight in the financial department, consider postponing your trip for a later date.

What are some ways you saved for your honeymoon?