Assess the weather. If you’re getting married in a month of extreme heat or cold, you may want to find someplace more temperate to party. Check climate data websites to see what the average temperature is for the time of year you plan to visit. [1] X Research source Travel during Shoulder Season—the period of time between peak and non-peak tourism dates. You might save quite a few pennies by coming in just after the high demand has gone, and not only will the pace be more laid back and enjoyable for you, you might find the locals friendlier and more welcoming when you’re not part of a mob of tourists. [2] X Research source Delay your trip. Consider putting off your honeymoon for a few months if you’re getting married during your dream destination’s off season. This could have the side benefit of giving you more time to save.
Start comparing airfare several months ahead of when you plan to purchase, so you can get a feel for fluctuations in cost for the flights you want to take. The more you pay attention to the average cost of your preferred flight, the more likely you are to recognize and snag a great deal. Play around with flight options. Perhaps flights into or out of your destination city are cheaper on a different day, or a flight with one or more layovers is significantly cheaper than the nonstop version. Many airline websites allow you to look at price calendars to see which days are cheapest in the month you plan to travel. Use a flight aggregator website or app to scour flight prices and options in one easy search. These sites look beyond what the larger airline travel sites offer, and often don’t charge a convenience fee, resulting in a more complete listing of less expensive choices. Beware, however, that some airlines don’t list on flight aggregators, and might offer a cheaper option to those who purchase through them directly. [4] X Research source
Weigh what is important to you when choosing a hotel. A nice room is a must, but it is also important to research location, transportation, safety, and accommodations outside of guest rooms. Hotel parking, internet, airport shuttle, proximity to attractions, and breakfasts are among things you should take into consideration when choosing your hotel. Look for hotels that are centrally located to where you plan to spend most of your time. Shorter commutes can mean more time for fun! Investigate big crowd events. Even a small convention, a sports game, or a parade can book up a city. If you want a quiet, romantic experience, make sure that your hotel isn’t hosting a prom or the venue for an army of rowdy convention-goers.
Reserve a rental car. If your budget allows a little extra cash, rental cars are more comfortable and provide you with much more freedom and flexibility than public transportation. As with hotels, you want to research and make advance reservations for a rental car to get the cheapest and most convenient option. If you’re choosing public transportation, spend a little time before you leave studying subway maps and bus schedules so you’ll have an idea where you’re going before you get there. You can even calculate your anticipated fare costs and purchase subway and bus fare cards online before you go. Look up current taxi fare rates in your destination city to help budget for your trip. [5] X Research source
Set up a vacation savings account that automatically deducts a few bucks from your paycheck is a practical way to save for your honeymoon. Disable online banking for that account—it can be easier to resist dipping into the funds for impulse spending when you have to physically go to the bank to withdraw money.
Remember to include unexpected expenses, such as cold medicine, a visit to an urgent care, or replacement items due to lost luggage. If you’re renting a car, remember to budget for parking, meter fares, and gasoline. If your hotel charges a parking fee, budget for that as well. If you’re planning to use public transportation, budget for cab fare, bus fare, or subway fare. Don’t forget to budget for tips!
If you have a lot of out-of-town family or friends attending your wedding, you may not want to leave in the middle of the reception, just when the party is getting good. This is especially true if those guests are bunking at your place. Going home after your wedding to several days or weeks of routine life might feel like a letdown. Also, you might spend your first few days as a married couple stressing out about last minute travel details.
If you’re traveling internationally, refer to the Consular Information Program, which will keep you up to date on any travel warnings, public health concerns, and provide you with information about passports, tourist visas, vaccinations and other details you need to know about your destination before you travel. [9] X Research source
