Let's not be silly, here. Yes, your honeymoon should be the best holiday of your life, but you shouldn't end up paying for it for the next 18 months!

The idea of having a honeymoon is to spend some time with your new partner so that you can get to know each other, and get used to living together. In today's society, many people already live and holiday together before marriage, so a honeymoon is often only another holiday.

A honeymoon is also often seen as a way of celebrating the marriage, and many couples want to try out something they have never done before, or are never likely to do again.

Despite the fact that you have spent money on the wedding, a new couple have more money to spend than they ever will again. Once married life kicks in, they will be spending money on the home and on children, and exotic holidays may well slip down the list of extravagances.

Whether you are cruising round the Mediterranean, booking a deserted island or taking a weekend in the mountains, there are lots of ways to save money on your honeymoon. Remember that the main reason for the holiday is to be with your new partner, so the location is not that important. Just relax and enjoy each other's company!

LOCATION

You can save money on the location of your holiday. You don't have to go out of the country. Although this makes it seem more exotic, you will often find that there are locations in your own country that offer similar experiences. Why fly to The Alp when Canada is nearer? If you are going to stay on the boat, why cruise around The Cape when you live in France and could stay in your own waters?

Ask your local travel agent for local destinations that you might not have considered. Does a cruise have to be in a hot region, or would a cruise up the Norwegian fjords suit you?

TIME

You can save money on your honeymoon by cutting down the time you go for. Could you go for one week instead of two?

You can also save money by travelling at a different time. Going off-peak will save you a lot of money, and travelling mid-week instead of at a weekend will also save money.

TRAVEL

You can save money on your honeymoon by travelling to your destination by another means. You might automatically consider flying to wherever you are going. Have you thought about taking a road trip? This will give you plenty of time alone with your new partner!

ACTIVITIES

The activities you choose to engage in while you are away often increase the cost. Do you need to eat out EVERY night, or could you eat in some evenings? Could you go on a romantic walk instead of hiring horses? Do you need champagne, or would ice-cold bottled water or beer do as well?

GIFTS

Many people now give vouchers as gifts for the wedding. You can ask that you are given travel vouchers or travellers cheques for your wedding present. It all mounts up, and pretty soon you'll have your holiday paid for!

You could also see if one of your friends would lend you their house for a week. You could travel all over the country (or even to other countries!) staying with friends. This would be a great holiday. Mix and match it with hotel nights for a bit of luxury.

At the end of the day, the holiday is what you make it. Don't cut back on the expense if it will make you miserable, but do be sensible about where the money is being spent. Strike a balance between taxis everywhere and walking six miles home in heels, and you'll have a great time.

Be happy!

Learn more about this author, Susan Hibberd.
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