Our best advice, is to give as much input as you can, to your travel agent, and try not to be too vague about anything.  We need to know your likes and dislikes, what destinations appeal to you and where you have no desire to go, and most importantly what do you think you can afford.   It is true that many couples have no idea what certain vacations cost, and we can help you, by pricing out a destination of your choice and then give you an inexpensive hotel option, a medium priced hotel option and then a luxury priced option. You, as a couple, can then choose the price range you feel comfortable with. We can then broaden the hotel search to fit the price range you have chosen.  A good agent will give you these options. Your input is important and necessary.  This will enable us to eliminate the destinations or resorts that are out of your price range and help you find the package that fits your criteria and budget.

Here are some guidelines on how to begin the planning process:

First, do not wait until the last minute, unless you are willing to settle for your fifth or sixth choice.  Many couples end up waiting because, they may have felt that they couldn't afford a honeymoon, and then as their big day approaches, suddenly they feel that they will miss out on the one opportunity to take a honeymoon.  So they begin frantically trying to salvage a vacation. Many times having to settle on a destination that wasn't even in their top 3 choices or worse, they end up spending too much on airfare, because the lower fares had long been sold out.  Also,  all the reasonable priced hotels could be sold out and only the undesirable properties or expensive hotels are left as options. 

It is true, that during the winter months, their are tour operator charters whose prices are reduced as a travel date approaches, but, would you want to risk your honeymoon plans on an airfare reduction that may or may not happen?  If you are hesitating on planning a honeymoon, strictly because you are unsure if you can afford one, call your travel agent, and give them the following information and request certain information in return.  You can then make an educated decision on whether your honeymoon dreams can become a reality.  I will bet 9 times out of ten, that a good travel agent, will always be able to find something to fit your taste and budget.

Also know that the farther you book out from your honeymoon date, the more time you have to save for the final payment.  Many times you can reserve a package with a minimum deposit and a final payment can be due anywhere from 45 to 75 days prior to arrival, depending on what you have booked.  If you book in advance, you have the benefit of many hotel choices, many flight options, and many times great discounts.  For instance, certain cruise lines will offer an "early bird" discount.  In addition, Princess Cruises and Carnival Cruise Lines are also offering credit card programs to allow for monthly payments.  So, check all of your options and know that time is definitely on your side!

Before you approach your travel agent, you should sit down together, as a couple, and write down (separately) your top five choices for a honeymoon destination.

Discuss your lists and then together make a list of your top three choices that you both agree upon. 

Next, write down activities that you wish to partake in while on vacation, such as scuba diving, snorkeling, hiking, biking, kayaking, fishing, golfing, historical sightseeing, or just relaxing on a beach.  Do you want to be at a secluded, quiet resort, or do you want a resort near all the action?  Do you want to be within walking distance of shops and restaurants or would you prefer to be in a remote location.  Would you prefer an all inclusive resort, where meals and beverages are included?

These are all questions that a good travel agent will ask you, so, if you and your fiance have already discussed what your priorities are, it will make the planning go that much smoother.

Next, discuss when you actually want to depart for your honeymoon. This detail can actually play a big part in the cost of your honeymoon and also in the stress factor.

You and your fiance should advise your travel agent if you can be flexible in the departure date and your return date.  This will enable them to find the lowest price on airfare and even on hotels if they know in advance that they can look at various dates.  To explain this further, many airlines offer a reduced airfare if you depart on a Monday thru Thursday and return on a Monday through a Thursday.  If you are getting married on a Saturday and want to depart Sunday, your airfare may be higher.  Also, Sunday is a popular travel day so the lower fares may already be sold out. If you can wait to depart on Monday those low fares may still be there.

Please keep in mind, as well, that although cruises are very popular for honeymoons, many 7 day cruises depart only on Saturdays or Sundays.  If you are getting married on a Saturday and taking a cruise on Sunday, most likely your flight will depart as early as 7:00A.  If you live quite a distance from a major airport, it may be difficult to leave a wedding dance at 1:00A and still try and check in for a flight at 6:00A.  So be realistic on whether on not you can make a flight on little or no sleep!

Finally, discuss your finances privately and then present your destination choices and your wish list of activities to your travel agent and ask them to give you the 3 levels of prices that were discussed earlier.  Once presented with this information, you can decide what is comfortable for you and you can then ask your agent to broaden the list of hotel choices in the price range that you have chosen. 

The best gift that you can give to an agent is your ideas and dreams!  Try not to be too vague.  We need to know what you are thinking.  Every person has their dream destination.  Do not let anyone else influence you on where they think you should go!   Keep the communication going.  We receive more calls from people who want a price for a honeymoon but, have no idea where they want to go.  They want to go somewhere "warm and cheap".  Well, we will always do our best to find the best value for you, but, we will never send you to a destination of OUR choice.  If you do not know where to begin, visit your travel agents office and pick up brochures on cruises, resorts, tours, etc for every destination imaginable.  Then go home and sift through your choices, and start your wish list.  Then make the call to your trusted travel agent, and let the planning begin!

Best wishes!