Wedding Planning: Simple Tips for a Wonderful Budget Honeymoon

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Set a budget

Remember that you are planning a budget honeymoon. So, the most important part is to decide on an amount and stick to it. Make sure to include everything such as airfare, accommodation, food, sightseeing, shopping etc. A better idea is to make it a part of your wedding planning expense.

Research about honeymoon destinations

Choosing the right honeymoon destination can help you save a lot. Consider less popular locations or travel within the country instead of going abroad. Also, pick a destination where the dollar has not deflated. The poor exchange rate can easily sabotage your budget.

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Consider an all-inclusive package

Not only it is less of a hassle, an all inclusive package assures substantial savings. You get a clear estimate of how much your holiday will cost and can plan accordingly. Consider booking through a travel agent as they can fetch you better deals and discounts.

Opt for honeymoon registry

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The way you register for wedding gifts, same way you can create a honeymoon registry. If you have plenty of linens and china’s why not setup a honeymoon registry and have your guests pay for your vacation in lieu of traditional gifts.

Fly off-peak

Flights are often less expensive on selected days of the week. For instance, if you are going domestic, fly weekends to avoid business travelers, whereas, if you are travelling abroad, you can get a better deal by starting on a Monday or Tuesday.

Overall, a budget honeymoon does not have to be anything less than an ideal trip. All you need is some flexibility, careful and early planning.

For more wedding budget tips on Stagetecture, click here.

When it comes to honeymoon packing, you can never be too prepared. But, irrespective of your destination, knowing what to pack can be very handy, while making your once in a lifetime gateway, enjoyable and relaxing. Before taking off on your romantic adventure, make sure to pop these essentials in your ‘just married’ travel bag.

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Travel documents

We too hate to state the obvious, but things like passport, air tickets, and credit cards can be so easily left behind in the wedding mayhem. And without these there will be no honeymoon. So, don’t forget to keep the originals along with copies of travel insurance, passport, itinerary, and other essential forms.

Medical essentials

Certainly not the most exciting thing for your honeymoon, but it’s always wise to be prepared for the’ just in case’ illness, as the last thing you would want on your romantic escape is to fall sick. So make sure to be armed with a medical kit that includes headache tablets, stomach settlers, and other medication that you know works best for you. Additionally, don’t forget to pack your usual contraception method, as it can be difficult to replace it in foreign countries.

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Clothing for every occasion

While at most times, the weather may be idyllic for your honeymoon, keep the odds in your favor and pack for all contingencies. Consider keeping a jacket or a sweatshirt, so that you can layer up to adjust the temperature if needed. Your favorite pair of jeans and comfortable shoes is essential for any climatic conditions. If you are planning a tropical or a beach side honeymoon, swimsuit and beachwear should top your packing list.

A good camera and charging cords

Your honeymoon is your first trip together and is sure to be one of the most precious experiences of your life. So, to capture your best moments, don’t forget to pack a camera and make sure it’s charged and working. Carrying a spare charger or batteries should be a safe bet. If you are an adventurous couple and planning for water activities, it might be worth investing in an underwater camera.

It’s not uncommon for people to partly overlook their honeymoon preparation in the run up to the big day. But, as it’s once in a lifetime opportunity, keep this list handy and start off your journey on a good note by being prepared.

For more wedding & travel ideas on Stagetecture, click here.

My husband and I love to travel offbeat and almost shocked our friends and families when we told them that we’d decided to go to Egypt and Morocco for our honeymoon! Everybody was expecting a romantic getaway to Europe or South East Asia. “You will get hurt in the political riots!”, my then to-be mother-in-law warned. But we went…and it was awesome!

After seeing a lot of ancient ruins in Egypt, we reached Morocco to realize how different the African continent can get in only a couple thousand miles! Morocco, in December, looks like a sunny Europe with green fields, long stretches of roads and cafes with French speaking patrons! Morocco was a French colony until 1956, when they attained independence and you’ll find the French and Spanish influences on language and cuisine.

Image via: Palindrome6996 on flickr

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Our first stop was Marrakech – this was my favorite city in Morocco! You can spend an entire day in the town square (called the Jemaa el-Fnaa Square) sipping on hot mint tea and looking at the different types of people that make up the market’s crowd. Also, don’t miss the Bahia Palace and the Menara.

Image via: Bjørn Giesenbauer on flickr

After spending 2 days in Marrakech, we headed for Fez, which has the largest medina in Morocco. A medina is a walled town, usually an old city from Arabic descent. The maze of lanes will give you a feel of what Arab cities used to look like about 500 years back! Check out the tanneries, buy some spices and Morocco’s special Argon oil and have a chilled out meal at Café Clock, owned and run by a British fellow.

Oh and how can I forget the stop we made at Ifrane, on our way from Marrakech to Fez?! Ifrane is a small city that hosts a top of the line university, attended by the richest kids in the Arab world! The city is dotted with cafes and gardens and transports you to the feeling of sitting in any quaint town in France. This is the only place in Morocco where we were sold goods based on a printed price – everywhere else in Morocco, you just have to trust what the store owner quotes!

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From Fez, a quick trip to Volubilis showed us ancient Roman ruins that are over 2000 years old. And from here, we headed to Rabat, the capital of Morocco. A part of the king’s palace grounds is open to public and it is grand! Talk to anyone in Morocco and you will feel the love and gratefulness that people have for their king. King Mohammed VI is popular for his progressive views and fairness in justice. He is responsible for giving better opportunities to women and increasing the level of education in the country. Chat up with a local to feel the warmth!

Finally, how can you visit Morocco and not visit Casablanca! The city that was made popular by the romantic 1942 American classic lies by the seashore and is Morocco’s largest city. Go partying here! We also visited the Hassan II mosque – the largest mosque in the country, 7th largest in the world and one of the very few ones that allow women inside. It’s not so much for religion that you should go in, but for its brilliant architecture. Outside, the mosque looks out at the Atlantic Ocean. Stone and marble floors and columns, carved wood ceilings, titanium, bronze and granite finishes make this mosque a marvel to look at from inside. It even has a retractable roof that can be opened up on good days!

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Morocco was a surprise for both my husband and me. The lovely sights, the excellent infrastructure, the good governance and the delectable food won us over. Did I tell you to try a ‘tagine’? It’s a Moroccan delicacy and if you have planned a trip to this wonderful country, do not leave without trying it!

For more travel ideas on Stagetecture, click here.