| A: Choosing a honeymoon destination can often be cause for consternation, but there are plenty of options for the honeymooning couple on a budget, especially if you start to plan early. Stay in the country. The United States is replete with places of natural beauty and man-made excitement. If you set your mind on finding a destination within the continental U.S., you’ll have a better chance of cutting the budget. Take to the road. If you live in a state where you have easy access to the Canadian or Mexican border, you can even honeymoon abroad without breaking the bank. If you plan a trip to a distant destination, check out airfares before you pull out the road maps. There’s a good chance you’ll be able to find a reasonable deal. Island hopping. Cottages and bed & breakfasts dot the coastline of North Carolina’s Outer Banks. The windswept beaches and rolling surf make an ideal honeymoon destination. You may wish to look into the barrier islands off the coast of Georgia and Alabama such as the Golden Isles. For an even more tropical vacation, try the Florida Keys. If you are closer to the west coast, California’s Catalina Island with its old-fashioned hotels and lovely harbor make a romantic honeymoon destination. Appeal to their romantic souls. Chances are you know someone who has a vacation home or time-share at the beach, a cabin by a lake, a condo in the mountains. If they’re close friends, they may be willing to rent you their house, or better still, loan it to you for a honeymoon getaway. Register for your honeymoon. Let it be known through your attendants that family and friends have the option of contributing to a fund for your honeymoon. In lieu of a physical wedding gift, they can be a part of the trip you’ll remember for a lifetime. |