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C H I C A G O W E D D I N G & P A R T Y R E S O U R C E
W W W . C H I C A G O W E D D I N G R E S O U R C E . C O M
68
H O N E Y M O O N & T R A V E L
Honeymoons without the Hassle
by Ben Larrison
The wedding is over – vows shared, glasses
raised, cake cut. So what’s next for the new,
happily married couple? A well-deserved
vacation!
With honeymoons and with weddings,
people generally say that they are
recession-proof. That being said, people
want to get more bang for their buck than
they did last year.
A LITTLE HELP FROM YOUR
FRIENDS
One way in which people are doing that
is with a honeymoon registry. It works
essentially the same way as a gift registry,
only for the honeymoon. Instead of asking
for cash – which can feel really tacky,
people register for real experiences like
scuba diving or a romantic dinner for two
at an upscale resort. In the end, the couple
receives money for their honeymoon
that they can incorporate into their travel
budget.
People are more aware of their impact on
the earth and with their spending, and
they’re not as excited about material objects
as they are with memories and experiences.
Economics aside, it’s still possible to have
a spectacular honeymoon overseas. It’s
important to pick a destination where the
dollar is still strong.
Mexico is always a nice standby, though
people who have already been there might
want to avoid places like Cancun and look
for more exclusive destinations that are
a little harder to get to and don’t have so
many of the “crazy tourists.”
LOCAL LOCALES
For the couple looking to spend their
honeymoon in the States, look to travel
somewhere that you wouldn’t have
otherwise gone and, of course, to make
sure that it is both romantic and exclusive.
One trend right now are mini-moons,
referring to when the newlyweds leave
after the wedding for a short vacation
somewhere nearby, and then later in
the year take a traditional honeymoon
overseas.
Other fun but cost-conscious honeymoons
are cruises, which are typically great values
for those who are seaworthy – and free
from the burdens of motion sickness.
It’s easy to have a fantastic trip without
burying yourself in the red. But remember:
As nice as it may feel to have all of the
planning done with and out of the way,
don’t be fooled by enticing labels like “all-
inclusive.”
Although it’s tempting to look at all-
inclusives, if you do decide to go with it,
make sure you look at the fine print. You
don’t want to pay money up front and then
think that you don’t have to spend any
money for the rest of the trip.
All-inclusive deals can but do not always
include certain amenities you would
otherwise deem desirable, such as drinks
(especially alcoholic beverages), or force
you to eat at certain restaurants, which
limits your flexibility – a major honeymoon
faux pas.
TOP-NOTCH TRAVEL TIPS
There are plenty of other ways to save
on your honeymoon without sacrificing
the luxury that helps make it such a
tremendous experience.
One easy way to cut down on spending is
to eat a really big breakfast if it is included
with your room. That way, you can eat a
light snack for lunch and you also cut out
the need to stop somewhere for lunch in
the middle of the day if you’re traveling.
If you have to choose between a big lunch
and a big dinner, always take the former.
A marvelous midday meal can be about 25
percent cheaper than a super supper.
Also, if you can, cut out the alcohol
(especially if you’re at a restaurant), as it’s
a major money drainer. If you think you’re
going to drink a bottle of wine, buy a bottle
of wine instead of drinking by the glass
because it can really add up.
And remember, soft drinks are not cheap
overseas, so you may want to pass on the
Coke.
BLEND RIGHT IN WITH THE
LOCALS
Here’s one final smart tip: If you’re going
to a particularly touristy area, grab some
food from a grocery or convenience store
somewhere outside of town. Instead of
being held captive for that $5 bottle of
water, you can pull out that $1.50 bottle of
water that you thought ahead and bought.
PACK WITH PANACHE
With the frenzy surrounding the wedding,
the last thing you may want to think of is
packing for your honeymoon. But if you
want to ensure the nicest, most relaxed
vacation possible, it’s best to take care of
your trip preparation well ahead of time.
Sit down with a comprehensive list
covering everything you will need for the
trip. Always look at the weather where
you’re going, and try to bring clothing
that is versatile – i.e., something you can
wear casually during the day yet work into
something formal in the evening. And with
luggage restrictions as tight as they are,
it’s especially important to try to pack as
lightly as possible. Finally, be sure to take
an extra bag with you in case you want to
buy something once you’re there. People
always bring back more than they expect.
© CTW Features