Planning a dream vacation can be a difficult thing. You know that there is going to be a lot of money changing hands, and if you’ve never planned a vacation by yourself it can be overwhelming anyway. But then add the stress of planning the perfect honeymoon destination and it just seems as though your stress just got a whole lot worse. You want to plan a dream honeymoon for the both of you, but what should you do? Where should you go? If your honeymoon planning has come to a stand still, then here are some of the top honeymoon destinations that couples visit. Knowing the top honeymoon destinations can help you find feedback on certain locations, and you know that if it’s a totally popular honeymoon destination, there must be something special about these locations. So, here are the 5 top honeymoon destinations (in no particular order by the way) to help give you a kick start in planning your honeymoon.

1. Mexico

Every year hoards of couples head south of the border for a romantic wedding in Mexico. Cancun, Cabo San Lucas, Cozumel, Puerto Vallarta, and the Riveria Maya are just a few of the great honeymoon destinations for honeymooners. This is where my husband and I went for our honeymoon, and we had a great time. The beaches were beautiful, the hotel was nice, and we were able to get a great deal on our travel and hotel so that our honeymoon didn’t bankrupt us. So if you’re after beautiful beaches and a tropical climate, one of these great locations will work great for you.

2. Hawaii

While I don’t have any facts to back this up, I believe that Hawaii is probably the most popular honeymoon destinations ever. Hawaii is known for it’s pristine beaches, waterfalls, and of course and beautiful landscaping. There are many different islands for you to choose from for your dream honeymoon such as Kauai, Lanai, Maui, Oahu and the main island. It may be best to research each island to choose the one that works best for your tastes. If you like the mainland with lots of shopping, restaurants and nightclubs, or would rather have a nearly uninhabited island with remote beaches, it’s easy to find the island that is best for you.

3. The United States

Don’t think that you have to cross the borders of the United States to find the perfect honeymoon destinations available to you! Florida and the Northeastern states have lots of locations that are known for their beautiful beaches and great food. Lake Tahoe is an excellent location for outdoorsy types of couples, with a lake and beautiful mountains. There is also the wine country in California, Las Vegas, and many other great locations for a romantic and memorable honeymoon adventure.

4. Europe

For couples with a little deeper pockets, Europe provides a host of great honeymoon destinations. From lovely and historic London to a romantic trip to Paris, Europe provides a host of beautiful sights and activities. Also popular honeymoon destinations in Europe are Venice, Rome, Tuscany, the Greek Islands, and many of the surrounding countries that may be of interest to you.

5. The Caribbean

Kind of makes you want to sing a pirate song or something, doesn’t it? Maybe it’s just me. The Caribbean has many great honeymoon destinations to choose from that are really popular with honeymooners as well. In the Caribbean you’ll find Jamaica, the Bahamas, the US Virgin Islands, the Cayman Islands and much much more! The Caribbean is known for it’s fantastic landscapes, it’s culture, and of course the beaches!

The most important thing to do when choosing from the many different honeymoon destinations that are available to you is to get a firm fix on what kinds of things you want to do for your honeymoon, such as relaxing on the beach, shopping, sightseeing, etc. Then, you also need to get a firm fix on what kind of budget you are looking at. Knowing these two factors will help you to plan the perfect honeymoon from the many different honeymoon destinations that you have to choose from. Happy planning!

Tags: honeymoon destinations, top honeymoon destinations

There are some people who love cruises, some people who hate them, and others who’ve never done one before and aren’t quite sure if a honeymoon cruise is right for them or not. In my last article, which went over some basic advantages of a honeymoon cruise, this article is going to give you another perspective of cruises, to help you see the full picture and maybe help you to see if a honeymoon cruise is right for you. You definitely want to have a great time on your honeymoon, so glean as much information as you can about the different travel packages that are available to you so that you can have best honeymoon available to you. The last thing you want is to have a miserable time on your honeymoon, either disappointed in your location, or strapped for cash with unexpected expenses. There are a lot of great things about a honeymoon cruise that make them really attractive, but there are also some things you will need to be aware of as well.

Having Little to No Privacy

On a cruise ship, you’ll find hundreds of people all on the same cruise ship. This means that you may find that getting some private time with your new spouse may only be found in your cabin. For some people this isn’t much of a problem because they love being around and meeting new people. But for others, it could turn into a problem.

Watch for Hidden Fees!

This is something that you’ll need to watch for whether you go to a resort on land or choose a honeymoon cruise. An all-inclusive honeymoon cruise typically only applies to the flights, room, and food. So that means that if you’re going to do anything extra, such as some excursions in some of the locations, that they will cost extra. Also, be sure to read the fine print to find out just what is covered in your all-inclusive plan. Some cruises don’t include alcohol or snacks into their deals, and you’ll need to plan accordingly or be prepared to bring some extra money.

Being on a Schedule

One of my favorite things about a vacation is that you’re on no one’s schedule but your own…unless you’re on a cruise ship.  The cruise ship will stick to a rigid schedule, and when it’s not in port all you’ll see is the open ocean. While there can be activities on board to entertain, they’re not always of interest to the passengers. Plus meals are typically only served at certain times so you’ll need to schedule your time around that as well. If this is a problem for you, then look for a cruise with the least amount of travel time so that you can find entertainment at the different ports you’ll be visiting.

Taking a honeymoon cruise may not be for every couple, so you’ll need to consider both the advantages with the disadvantages to help you make the best decision for your tastes and preferences. If you would prefer to be on your own schedule and have a ton of private time, then a honeymoon cruise may not be for you. But it’s always best to look at the options you have available to you so that you can feel comfortable with whatever decision you make on whether or not to go on a honeymoon cruise.

Tags: all inclusive honeymoons, honeymoon, honeymoon cruise, Honeymoon Deals

We all know the scene, the happy newly married couple leaves their wedding reception covered in bird seed or rose petals in a car decorated with balloons, streamers, tin cans and typically shoe polish. Typically, they are heading off to a romantic honeymoon vacation. Now, the type of honeymoon vacation is dependent on the couple and whatever their dream vacation may be. For thousands of couples every year, that dream vacation is a honeymoon cruise. Honeymoon cruises are widely popular, and many cruise lines cater particularly to those couples wanting to go on a honeymoon cruise. But sometimes the decision on whether or not to go on a honeymoon cruise can be a difficult one to make. If you’ve never been on a cruise before, or are just unsure of which route you want to take, then here are some definite advantages of going on a honeymoon cruise.

Honeymoon Cruises Offer Variety

One of the most popular aspects about honeymoon cruise vacations is the variety that they can offer. When choosing from the different honeymoon cruise packages, you will have the ability to choose the locations that you visit, as well as number of days that the cruise will last. An added benefit, you can visit these many destinations without having to change rooms, pack and unpack, or waste your time changing hotels. You can spend more time relaxing and spending time together.

Honeymoon Cruises Offer Entertainment!

You’ll find that many of the honeymoon resorts you visit may not offer much when it comes to entertainment. The resort that my husband and I visited had live music every night, but it was always the same band and the same songs, which got old pretty fast. Cruise lines offer many different kinds of entertainment every night so that there is always something to do.

Honeymoon Cruises are a Great Deal

Honeymoon cruises are an excellent choice if you are planning a honeymoon on a budget, and these days who isn’t? If you start early and stay with some trusted names in cruise lines, then you are sure to find a honeymoon cruise package that will be exactly what you’re looking for. You’ll find that a honeymoon cruise is much more economical than flying from island to island, a lot less stressful as well.

Honeymoon Cruises offer Excursions

Another great thing about honeymoon cruises is that they also offer a lot of exciting excursions at each location that you might not have been able to find yourself. Snorkeling with dolphins, exploring caves or visiting a wildlife preserve are just some of the fun adventures waiting for you to discover. Not only that, but the excursions will allow you to experience the location better than just exploring on your own could be. Plus, it will give you great memories and stories for the folks back home.

Honeymoon Cruises are Top of the Line

Another great thing about going on a honeymoon cruise is that most cruise lines offer top of the line accommodations. This includes great food, nice and comfortable rooms, and of course excellent service. The only thing you need to worry about is having a great time.

Honeymoon cruises are an excellent way to celebrate your new life together, and relax from the stess of planning a wedding. While some people love cruises and the possiblities they provide, others would rather visit a honeymoon resort and stay on land the entire time. If you’re not sure if a honeymoon cruise is right for you, then keep checking back for the next article in this series, which will go over the possible disadvantages and problems that people have with going on a honeymoon cruise.

Tags: honeymoon cruise, honeymoon cruise advantages, honeymoon cruise package, honeymoon cruises

You know, planning a wedding can be a funny thing. The bride to be is staying so busy with her wedding planning, getting quotes from caterers and fine tuning all of the details and the costs…and there are a lot of them. Statistics show that the average American wedding costs around $30k. But what I find funny is that while the bride is handling these large bills (somewhat in stride - knowing how much these things can cost), the groom is freaking out over $300 plane tickets to the honeymoon of your choose. What many couples planning a wedding today don’t realize is that they DON’T have to spend that much money on their wedding and honeymoon, and still have great results. There is no harm in looking for deals, or learning how to get the best prices without trading it for quality. That especially applies to honeymoon deals. Knowing and understanding a few simple tricks can help you save thousands on a great honeymoon deal while not putting you into unnecessary debt. Here are some important factors to consider.

Location Location Location!

Your honeymoon destination of choice will play a huge factor in the overall cost of your honeymoon. Face it, a trip to a deserted tropical island  will cost more than a trip to sunny tropical Mexico, and even less will be a romantic honeymoon throughout your own home country.  But every couple has their own particular preferences when it comes to their honeymoon, and your honeymoon destination should fit your tastes. So talk to each other and get a feel for each of your ideal honeymoon spots.

Planning Early

There is a moderate amount of controversy over this one. Many people believe that early planning will get you some great deals on a hotel and flights. Others believe that if you wait until closer to the trip to book everything, sometimes the deals can be discounted to encourage people to come. My advice? Plan early to get the honeymoon destination and hotel you want, and then get the rate insurance, if it’s available. It’s a little bit of extra money, but if the cost of your honeymoon decreases and you spot it (it will require checking periodically), then your rates will be reduced to the amount of the new lower cost. My husband and I saved several hundred dollars this way.

Consider a Cruise or All-Inclusive Honeymoon Deal

Some people love cruises, and some people hate them. If you’ve never tried one before, and are pretty cautious about it, then maybe try for another idea. But the great thing about cruises is that you can visit a list of exotic and tropical locations for a fraction of the cost. Not bad! We went with an all-inclusive honeymoon deal, and really enjoyed the benefits that came along with it. All restaurants, bars, room service, tips, transportation to and from the airport, and other services were covered in our fee for the honeymoon, and we really didn’t have to worry about taking our wallets or anything like that. It was great. Just be sure to read the fine print on what is covered with the all-inclusive deal you are considering so you’re not stuck with a huge unexpected bill later.

Your honeymoon should be an excellent time of relaxation and spending time together as a newly married couple. You shouldn’t have to be stressed out about money or finding the next place to eat, or any other  nightmares some couples face. The great thing about finding a great deal on a honeymoon? Nobody has to see the price tag but you.

Tags: all inclusive honeymoons, honeymoon, honeymoon destination

I’ve mentioned this in my last few articles, something that I really loved about the wedding photographer I we used was that she used a fancy digital camera and we were able to get copies of all the wedding photos on a CD. Plus, we have full copyright permission, so we can easily go to any photo kiosk in the store and print out any photos that we like instantly. Having a wedding photo CD made it so easy to get the pictures out to family and friends after the wedding was over and people were requesting pictures. When you are looking for wedding photographers for your wedding, be sure to ask if they can provide you with a CD of all your wedding pictures with full copyright permissions to print them. Here are some great things I loved about having this option with my wedding photographer.

Wedding Photo CD’s Can Save You Money!

If you want to forgo getting the wedding albums made from your photographer as well as some of the larger prints, it may be worth it for you to just print out the pictures yourself. When looking at the wedding packages each vendor provides, ask them how much of a discount they will give for taking off the items you don’t want and adding the wedding photo CD. You could end up saving money on your package. Not only that - but you can easily hand the CD’s over to family and friends so that they can print out the pictures you want yourself…or to keep track of your CD’s, take orders on what pictures they want, and have them pay you back for the prints. That way, you can only have the pictures you want, on a time frame that works the best for you.

Wedding Photo CD’s Save You Time!

One of the hardest things I had to do after the wedding was to choose which of our wedding photos were to be blown up and framed, according to our package. I had a time frame to get this done by, and trying to work with parents and other family could certainly get aggravating. Having a wedding photo CD means that you can print out the pictures at your leisure, and that you have plenty of time to decide which photographs you want larger, and can easily print out more later without having to go back to the wedding photographer to place an order.

Not every wedding photographer offers this to their clients as an option. Many feel that it is taking away from their profits with not being able to fill orders from family and friends, as well as potential future orders.  I had one photographer I interviewed who wanted an extra $500 for a wedding photo CD with full copyright permissions, which was ridiculous. While I don’t think this detail should make or break your decision, I do think that they should be willing to discuss it…and that it shouldn’t cost an extraordinary amount.

Tags: wedding photo cd, wedding photograhper, wedding photographs, Wedding Photography

Many women misunderstand me when I talk about using cheap wedding photographers. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not telling you to hand a camera to inexperienced Joe Anybody and tell him to photograph your wedding. Thats just silly.  I totally understand that you want to have nice wedding pictures once it’s all said and done, they are something that you and your family will be able to treasure for generations. When I talk about finding a cheap wedding photographers, I’m talking about finding a deal, being able to negotiate a deal, or even finding cheap wedding photographers who aren’t all about ripping off the bride to make a couple extra bucks. It’s not impossible to do, and in nearly all the cases I’ve heard of, the wedding pictures will turn out just as beautifully as though they were done by a professional at double the cost. Wouldn’t you hate to pay double what the next girl did, and get the same quality of wedding pictures? I didn’t think so. Here are some great ideas for finding cheap wedding photographers for your wedding.

Finding In-Home Photography Studios

This is probably one of your best bets for finding cheap wedding photographers you can trust. Many professional wedding photographers are also mothers, and choose to do photography on the side while their children are growing up.  They don’t have studio costs or much overhead, and are available on weekends for weddings. While some can be hard to find, you just need to know where to look. Check out your local phone book, free wedding guides many cities distribute, or just ask friends and family if they know anyone with a home based photography business. Make an appointment to talk, and ask to see their portfolio. Then, you’ll know if you can trust their pictures.

Photography Majors

In my previous article, I gave an option of going to the local colleges and asking for recommendations of photography students who are capable of handing wedding photography. Another option for this is to ask for names and phone numbers photography department alumni who might be available to handle your wedding photography. This is the route I took for our wedding, and the pictures turned out beautifully. Not only that, but many younger photography students seem to have more imagination and creativity in their shots than people who have been photographers for 30+ years.

Asking for the Re-Printable CD of Shots

This came at no charge for my wedding pictures. The photographer provided two CD’s that had all of my wedding pictures on them with full copyright permission to print them out at a local kiosk. I didn’t have to spend a lot of money on printing up albums for friends and family, and I think it’s a much more economical way to get your wedding pictures.

Your wedding photography is an important part of your wedding day. It’s a day that you’ll treasure forever, definitely the best day of my life so far. It only seems right that you should be able to have quality wedding photographs to be able to remember your special day. So, whichever route you choose when looking for wedding photographers, just be sure to ask for a portfolio of their work so you can see what to expect with your wedding pictures.

Tags: cheap wedding photographers, wedding photographer, Wedding Photography

Finding ways to save money on your wedding photography can seem like an impossible task. Maybe you’ve called and gotten pricing from many of the photographers in the area and think that you just don’t have any way out. I remember that feeling - but that doesn’t mean that you have to be stuck paying for a photographer that is charging you twice as much as he should. Yes, yes I know, you need to hire a quality wedding photographer for your wedding so that your pictures don’t turn out all blurred and ruined. But there are ways to save money on your wedding photography that can make a huge difference on your wedding budget. Here are some things to consider.

Phone A Friend

You’d be surprised about just how many people have quality cameras and some training in photography. Granted, maybe they don’t do photography for a living, but many can be comfortable enough to take pictures of your wedding for a small fee or (if they’re a really good friend) for nothing at all. Then, ask them to copy the pictures onto a CD, and you can go to the store and print off your pictures from one of their kiosks.

Go Back to School

Another great idea for saving money on your wedding photography is to visit one of the local colleges in your area. Ask their photography departments of any students that they would recommend for the job, and give them a call. Most college students will welcome the chance to make a little extra spending money, as well as being able to add to their portfolio. Be sure to ask and make sure they are comfortable to do the job.

When All Else Fails

If you’ve already done all this and still had no luck, and have decided to go with a local professional wedding photographer, there are a few ways you can try and negotiate the costs associated there as well. First of all, look at the packages, and try to negotiate a little bit there. If you don’t really need the coffee table books or photo albums, ask how much he would take off the cost for these items, and give you a CD where you could print the pictures later. If that doesn’t work, many of them add costs for touching up pictures, and don’t ask you which pictures you want touched up. See if you could choose which pictures are enhanced after the wedding to try and save some money there as well.

There are lots of little things you can do to save money on your wedding photography. Just remember that you don’t have to go with the most expensive wedding photography agency in your area. There are many other in home photography businesses that do extraordinary work, as well as the aforementioned friends and photography students. I agree, you want to be able to have nice wedding photographs that aren’t blurry or overexposed or anything like that, but you don’t have to spend half of your wedding budget on it either.

Tags: wedding photographers, Wedding Photography

Getting engaged is definitely exciting, and it’s something that women will remember for the rest of their lives. But once you’re engaged, it can be easy to get overwhelmed by the amount of work that you will have to do to get your wedding in order. There is so much to remember. From choosing a wedding dress to a caterer, wedding photography, flowers, decorations, accessories, wedding favors, wedding DJ and so much more - you’re really going to have your hands full working on your wedding planning. Imagine doing all of this while still staying within your wedding budget. Sort of makes you feel like Superwoman, doesn’t it? Starting out on your wedding planning can be overwhelming, especially if you have a limited wedding budget (like most couples out there). So here are perhaps the best three things that you can do to help you to save money on your wedding.

1. Start a Guest List

Once they get engaged, many brides get excited and start going full steam ahead on their wedding planning - without starting a guest list. Bad idea. I’ve heard of too many stories where the bride reserves a room and pays a non-refundable deposit for a small room with a capacity of 100, only to find out that her guest list is around 350 people! So one of the first things you need to do is develop a tentative guest list of friends and family to invite. Be sure to talk to both of your parents to get the most accurate guest list that you can. If your wedding budget is going to be tight, try to keep your guest as low as you feel comfortable with. Nearly every major cost that you’re looking at is going to be based on a per-person cost, such as wedding cake, your caterer, wedding favors, reception halls, and more. I know you’re excited about getting engaged, but be sure to work on that guest list before you go out and start making reservations that could cost you later.

2. Start Planning Early

Really, the earlier the better. The closer you get to the wedding, the more stressed out and brain dead you’ll be - trust me. And when you’re stressed out and brain dead, you will be much more likely to pay extra money to take care of some detail you’ve forgotten. Many bridal shops and other wedding stuff you’ll need will have sales on merchandise (especially in the non-wedding season), so be sure to watch for those. If you start early you’ll have time to look for deals. Do as much as you can early so you’ll have less to worry about later.

3. Get Organized!

I can’t tell you how important it is to get organized with all of your wedding planning information. Buy yourself a huge binder with tabs, or however you want to get organized, and keep everything! Every quote, business card, receipt and pamphlet. You can even include pictures of what you’ve chosen, pictures of ideas that you like, or fabric swatches. Trust me, they’ll all come in handy when you’re working on matching up colors and schemes. If you stay organized, then anytime a problem arises with a wedding vendor- you’ll have everything you need to take care of the problem. Proof of payment, quotes or other promises given and more!

Unfortunately, many women get so excited about their engagement and upcoming wedding that they will happily pay over-inflated fees from vendors taking advantage of that emotion. Yes, your wedding day is supposed to be the best day of your life, and you want your wedding day to be what you’ve always dreamed, but there is no reason to be taken advantage of - and to pay three times what you should.

Tags: Wedding Budget, wedding planning