It wouldn’t be wrong to say that planning a big fat wedding and a honeymoon altogether will make you and your bank account want to shout out for help. You both have to spend the rest of your lives together. Isn’t it? So, why spend thousands of dollars on a wedding ceremony that people would forget about in months or years.
Would it be wise to spend your life savings on it and then grind the rest of your days again to save and then regret spending without caution?
However, some couples are smart enough to make future-proof choices by saving some money on their honeymoon bills while making it the most fantastic trip of their life. Now, this doesn’t mean you have to compromise on your life’s dreams. But the catch is to enjoy to the fullest while saving at the same time. There are literally some practical ways to lessen the overall travel cost.
That said, here are the ten ideas to let you save more on your first holidays after the wedding.
1. Show Some Flexibility
Just because you said ‘I do’ on January 20 doesn’t mean you have to leave for your trip on January 21. You’ll be surprised to know that postponing vacations are common among honeymooners. In fact, more couples are now opting for minimoon (staying in your wedding locale before reaching home).
Try to be flexible as much as you can with your travel dates and benefit from the cheaper seasonal rates. So, if you really want to roam around the streets of Positano, it will be best to go in early October or September when the tourist influx is low, and accommodation will be less expensive.
1. Pick a Destination Where the Dollar is Strong
An efficient way to save on your trip’s budget is to consider locations where the US dollar value is high. Without a doubt, the past few years have proven to be favorable for the dollar, meaning that the expensive spots in Europe and Australia are less costly than they’ve been in a long time.
Right now, the dollar is performing quite well in Mexico, South Africa, Brazil, and Norway.
2. Skip the Unnecessary Shopping
It’s difficult to stop yourself from spending hundreds of dollars on things that will stay in the drawer. Don’t spend on something that you won’t be using when you return home. Usually, souvenirs are expensive, especially for tourists, as you don’t know where to get a good bargain. Rather than the things that truly deserve a place with you, for example, a coffee hamper gift set is a great pick for your partner. This will certainly be one of the things that you can spend on.
3. Visit the Hotel’s Website
It may seem like a foolish idea to visit a hotel’s website with so many travel package sites popping over the internet, but it is beneficial for you. Why? Because most of them have the policy to post the best rates on their sites only. So make sure that you compare the booking rates before booking on a travel site.
4. Call the Hotel Front Desk Directly
If anyone is knowledgeable enough to offer you the right deal, the one where you pick out the perfect room (we like a room with a sunset view that’s away from the elevator), it’s the person who is on-site on the facility itself.
If you’ve already found a good deal at a competitor hotel, still call them and ask if they can match it. If you luckily get a good manager on the phone, you may get a similar package at your favorite hotel.
5. Go for a Package Deal
What couple would like to pay less for more? There are honeymoon packages for that, and their purpose is to help you make the most of every dollar spent. As you narrow down your choices, start looking for flights and hotel promotions to find a suitable package that suits your desires.
However, never book a package because it includes spa or daily treatments (if you and your partner have no plans to do it while on the honeymoon). Do some math and look for offers that include special activities and meals you would like to enjoy.
6. Limit the Number of Meals You Eat Out
Try to eat fewer meals out because it will be expensive, especially if you’ve planned a more extended honeymoon of two or more weeks. Try eating only one meal at a great restaurant every day. You can try inexpensive and quick lunches at the nearby local market during the day, go out for a romantic dinner, or do vice versa.
7. Plan Out of Season
A deadly mistake that many people often make is planning their honeymoon or couple vacation during the worldwide holidays such as school holidays or festivals, etc. This is the peak time when prices are already hiked up, and you will end up paying twice or thrice the actual prices of food, traveling, accommodation, etc. However, you can save a fortune if you plan your vacation out of the season while enjoying it to the fullest at the same time.
8. Approve Public Transportation
When traveling on vacation, traveling in public transport will be a game-changing decision for you as it helps in saving a lot of money being paid for expensive rides. Moreover, you can also explore the city and areas and learn about the locals too.
9. Choose a Knowledgeable Travel Agent
I’ve already mentioned in an earlier post to go to a travel expert if you are researching flights and destinations isn’t your thing. A travel agent is a professional who knows all of it. They have their own connections and offer free gifts, spa treatments, and breakfast to newlywed couples. They also know the best time to book flights and hotels.
The Final Words
So, planning a budget-friendly trip has never been difficult, but a thoughtful process that requires time and consideration. This will help you in saving the money for the best of your future while enjoying the post-wedding trips and vacations.
