Honeymoon Breakdown by Budget

For most couples, the wedding ceremony, reception, and honeymoon create three of the biggest pieces of the matrimonial pie. When calculating your honeymoon budget, you'll be planning on much more than a hotel room and rental car. When you approach your honeymoon budget, consider the following factors:

Before the Honeymoon

Your honeymoon destination will play an important role regarding the costs associated with newlywed bliss. If you're traveling out of the country, passport fees can run you into the hundreds. Expediting the process will cost you an extra $60 per each passport. If you use a travel agent to book your honeymoon, make room for their fees. Many couples book online to save on the cost of travel arrangements. If you own a pet, make an allowance for kennel fees if you don’t have a sitter. Childcare will also cost, even if a relative has graciously stepped up to the plate to help. Additional fees include new clothes for your trip, guidebooks, maps, and travelers' cheque fees.

Transportation

Most couples on a honeymoon choose to fly the friendly skies to their destination. Calculate the amount that two round-trip airline tickets will cost. Will you rent a car during your stay? Booking online with a website (like Travelocity) will help save you money. They will often ask if you'd like to purchase extra insurance for your rental car. It's suggested to comply. Also, don’t let a glitch in rules and regulations ruin your honeymoon. Research your destination's policy on international driver's licenses – you may need to pay for one. Other honeymoon transportation costs include train tickets, gas, tolls, and taxi fare.

Accommodations

Once again, booking your hotel accommodations online will save a great deal of money. In some cases, the flight and hotel are offered as a package deal for a real money-saving treat. Jot down the amount that a package room deal for the honeymoon suite or any other lodging selection will cost for the number of days you are planning on celebrating the aftermath of your wedding. Don't forget to include anticipated tipping of the valet and bellhop. For cruise passengers, don’t forget to add in the cost of tipping staff, port charges, and tours of local sights.

Meals

What honeymoon is complete if you don’t plan on sampling local eats about town? For the number of days during your stay, estimate the costs for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Don’t forget to make allowances for nights out (alcoholic beverages) and snacks. Include a bit of cash for tipping staff when eating out.

Activities and Entertainment

A honeymoon should be full of relaxation, cuddling, and fun. Activities and entertainment help elevate your overall experience. Wherever you wind up for your honeymoon, I bet you'll venture outside of your hotel room at least a couple of times. Local attractions are a draw for honeymooning couples who love taking photos of themselves floating on Venice waters or visiting the State Hermitage Museum in Russia. However, these sightseeing adventures come with a price. Set aside money in your budget for:

• Tours

• Admission fees to local attractions

• Activity charges (like golfing, snorkeling, and scuba diving)

• Equipment rental (like surfboard, skis, and mopeds)

• Gambling, when applicable

• Nightlife (drinks, comedy clubs, and cover charges)