How to Book Your Honeymoon

The wedding is over. Now it is time to get away as man and wife. But if you didn’t book your honeymoon in advance or neglected to plan altogether, you could wind up spending your honeymoon in your living room. Read on to learn how to book your honeymoon.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Passport
• Travel agent

1. Start planning your honeymoon along with your other wedding plans. This allows you to consider all of your other wedding costs along with the price of your romantic getaway. Unless you can afford both, you and your spouse-to-be should decide what is more important: an extravagant wedding or a fantastic honeymoon.

2. Set a budget. Include this figure in the total cost of your wedding. You should also have an idea of how much you need for spending money.

3. Decide what type of honeymoon to take. Some couples just want to relax by the beach, but others are looking for some action. Having an idea of what you want to do will clue you in to where you want to go.

4. Seek advice from a travel agency. With your budget and ideal vacation in mind, take your ideas and talk them over with a travel agent. A good agent should be able to produce a number of options that will be tailored to your preferences and your budget.

5. Consider all-inclusive trips. Your travel agent will probably suggest a number of all-inclusive, couples only resorts or cruises. If you are worried about impulsive splurging, an all-inclusive honeymoon is the way to go, as they typically provide meals, activities, transportation and accommodations.

6. Research your destination after you have made your selection. The local tourist offices of your destination will provide brochures about local activities and places of interest. Try checking out a guidebook for your destination for additional honeymoon activity ideas.
   
   

7. Know the logistics before you go. Know the distance between your hotel and all the other attractions you plan on visiting during your honeymoon.

8. Exercise precaution. If you are traveling abroad, check the State Department Web site for travel warnings. See the Resources section below for a link. The Web site also provides information about any vaccinations you might need for your trip.

9. Let everyone know you're on a honeymoon. Hotel staff, restaurateurs and drivers should all be informed of the special occasion for your trip. Don’t be shy, because divulging this information often results in special discounts, treatment or gifts.
   
   

Tips & Warnings

• Plan the honeymoon together. Include things you both want to do, and you will both enjoy your trip.
• Plan to leave a day or two after your wedding. Leaving too soon after the wedding can make you feel rushed.
• If your trip is all-inclusive, make sure you read the fine print and find out exactly what is included in your package.
• Don’t cut corners on your accommodations. Chances are you won’t take too many honeymoons in your lifetime.
• Don’t use the future married name on plane tickets or reservations because you are not likely to have updated passports or driver’s licenses before the time of your trip.