Chicago Wedding Resource Spring/Summer 2018-2019

68 | SPRING & SUMMER 2019 CHICAGO WEDDING & PARTY RESOURCE CHICAGOWEDDINGRESOURCE.COM HONEYMOON & TRAVEL 6-9 Months in advance: How to Plan Your Honeymoon PHOTO CREDIT: MAUI VISITORS BUREAU GET THE MOST BANG FOR YOUR BUCK To keep costs in check, as with planning your wedding, decide your honeymoon must- haves (keeping in mind that everything cannot be a must-have) and plan your trip around those details. You both want to spend time lying on a beach watching palm trees sway? Terrific. Realize that you don’t have to go to Hawaii to have that. There are places on the planet where the dol- lar is strong and you’ll get a lot for your money. There are also places on the planet where the dollar is weak and a couple of lattes will set you back the equivalent of $15. That’s not to say that you can’t find a way to make a dream destination a reality, but if you venture beyond the preconceived borders of where you always thought you’d honeymoon, you may find some sites that will be new and interesting to explore and offer a lot more bang for your buck. If you’re jetting off to a faraway destination, now would be the time to cash in those fre- quent-flier miles for upgrades to business class or first class. You’ll be more pampered, which will be nice, but you’ll actually be able to get some rest on the plane, and after the whirl- wind wedding planning and actual day, you’ll need it. Plus, you’ll arrive at your destination rested and, jet-lag notwithstanding, will be able to enjoy the first day of your honeymoon instead of passing out across the bed the min- ute you walk over the threshold. If you’re planning a really long trip (think Los Angeles to New York then New York to Lon- don), don’t try to complete all your travel at once. Plan on spending a day in the layover city. No one will be in a good mood after 12 or more hours of flying. BOOK SMARTS Is a rate per person, per night or per package? Never assume anything. Know what is – and isn’t – included in quoted costs, minimum and maximum stays, and other conditions and terms that affect the total price. Airport and room taxes and fees, and other charges, can up seemingly low-cost advertised package or per-night rates. You can save a lot of money by planning your honeymoon yourself and scouring the web for great deals, but you’ll also eat up a lot of pre- cious time. Sometimes, it’s more prudent to pay a professional. Consider whether paying a travel agent to take care of all your arrange- ments might be money well spent. To get the most out of your lodging dollars, ask about packages. Most hotels have a vari- ety of packages available featuring perks such as theater tickets or spa services, and the rates are often lower than if you booked a room alone. © CTW Features