Honeymoons on a budget
10 tips on cutting the cost of your honeymoon
By Jane Anderson, Editor of 101 Honeymoons
If you visit the homepage you’ll find my full selection of honeymoons in 2012. But if you’re looking to count the pennies, I’ve got some great tips on how to arrange wonderful, romantic honeymoons on a budget:
1. Flaunt your status. Tell your travel agent, tour operator or hotel that this is your honeymoon – you may be surprised by how many extras are thrown in from room upgrades when available to flowers and fruit in the room on arrival and a candlelit dinner or two. And don’t be afraid to barter on room price.
2. Try some DIY pampering. You might not be flying business or first class, but you can buy a lounge pass relatively cheaply with companies such as Holiday Extras. And pack a soft pashmina which doubles as a blanket and a lavender pillow to aid sleep. Buy duty free champagne at the airport and pack a scented candle for your room.
3. If you don’t have the cash for a swish honeymoon, find a tour operator that offers honeymoon vouchers for your wedding guests to buy for you. They can be put towards a flight or room upgrade, an exciting excursion or a sunset cruise. Tour operators that offer this include Rainbow Tours and Trailfinders.
4. Tour operators and hotels are noting that guests are booking later and later. However you probably don’t want to take such a gamble so book as early as possible for the best honeymoon deals. If you have left it late, see our last minute honeymoon deals.
5. Choose a destination where the exchange rate is good. Go outside the Euro zone to Turkey or Egypt, for example.
6. Try an all-inclusive to avoid a nasty bill on checkout. You won’t have to worry about the number of cocktails you order or how to pay for dinner every night. The all-inclusive option doesn’t mean buffets for every meal – some are seriously classy hotels with gourmet cuisine in a choice of restaurants. Depending on the all-inclusive, you can enjoy watersports, cookery lessons, spa treatments and excursions in your package. Some even throw in a wedding for free. I particularly recommend Meeru Island in the Maldives and Veranda Paul et Virginie in Mauritius.
7. Travel mid-week for lower fares. With the money saved, you could book a romantic night away in the UK, perhaps en route to your airport. Look out for stylish hotels like The Hoxton in London which offers rooms from £59 and even has a £1 room sale.
8. Go out of season. For example, the British summer is the peak time for weddings, but it’s the low season in the Caribbean, so you can pick up some cheap honeymoons.
9. Stay in the UK to save on travel costs and go self-catering. If you book far enough in advance (up to a year), you can find some beautiful, low-cost options. I recommend you look at Hawke’s Point close to St Ives in Cornwall, Rural Retreats for cottages in the Cotswords and Sheepskin in Wales.
10. Do something more imaginative and alternative. For example, you could For take a road trip in a cool camper van. You can rent from Wicked Campers which has collection points in the UK, Italy, Spain, Germany and Amsterdam. Or go glamping with Canopy & Stars which has everything from yurts in the Cairngorms to a luxury treehouse near Bath.
>> Try our quick quiz to find the best honeymoon destinations for you. Or see our complete guide to honeymoon planning.
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More honeymoon advice by Jane Anderson
Need help with arrangements? Read Jane’s advice on honeymoon planning
Get advice on getting married abroad and beach weddings.
Looking for more inspiration? Here’s a selection of honeymoon packages
Are you short of cash or time? Find honeymoons on a budget and mini moons.
>> Find more ideas on our homepage plus deals, ideas and advice in Jane’s Honeychat section.
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