Honeymoon On A Budget

I came across this article while browsing throught the interent. It is no secret that everyone is looking for ways to make their dollar stretch just a little bit further. Below is an article from a briliant new website, Para ti Novia.


Top Five Recession-Friendly Honeymoon Planning Tips 2009

Getting married is a whirlwind of to-do lists, excitement, and mind-blurring decisions. Planning the honeymoon destination amidst all of those life-changing and momentous decisions can almost seem like an afterthought. Then, throw a strict budget into the mix and you may feel like you want to tear your hair out. But, it doesn’t have to be a challenge, here are our tips to help get you on the road to planning the trip of your dreams:

1. Travel in the Off-Season
Consider planning your honeymoon for the off season. For some brides and grooms, this may mean postponing the honeymoon until the Fall or even Winter. But, the bottom line is that if your wedding date falls on the ‘off season’ for tourism, you are more likely to get good rates on hotels and travel for your honeymoon destination. Then, for even more savings, make your reservations for hotel and car well in advance.

2. Go the Boutique Hotel Route or even better, the Pensione
You don’t need to be a millionaire to travel to boutique hotels. You just need to do your research. Finding amazing deals are just at your fingertips, as the internet is a great resource to begin the process of digging to find a beautiful boutique hotel where you can stay for about $80 to $150 per night. Or, pensiones are a great lodging alternative to the boutique hotel. Think Bed and Breakfast Inns. Either choice make for an inexpensive alternative to a standard hotel; and, they are often cheaper.

3. House Swap
The latest top honeymoon trend for anyone on a budget is to do a house swap. List your home and make your request for areas you want to go on your honeymoon. Make the arrangements to let the people who live in the honeymoon destination of your choice to come to where you live while you go there. You save on the expense of lodging which is one of the biggest expenses of any vacation and get to enjoy exotic locales for fractions of the cost.

4. Bid on Your Honeymoon Travel
Websites like LuxuryLink.com and Priceline.com allow you to offer a price bid to be able to travel to an ideal location. You often times can make very low bids and get huge savings on beautiful hotels.

5. Go Camping in Romantic Locales
Can’t find someone to swap houses, or don’t feel comfortable letting strangers into your home? Then do the next best thing and really experience the honeymoon destination of your choice by enjoying all that the great outdoors has to offer and consider then next top honeymoon trend—camping. Snuggle close together on a moonlit night under the stars. You can’t get more romantic than that.

A few other cost saving options
Of course traditions are traditions for a reason and weddings bring to mind the traditional honeymoon ideas as well. Niagara Falls is still the top honeymoon destination in North America and it is not a budget breaker either. Other great low cost local honeymoon ideas are right in your own backyard like the beautiful Sonoma Valley, or the romantic Napa Valley. Hike, bike or camp out in the wonderful wine country or check out some of the local B&B’s for great deals.

A little planning and careful thought will get you that unforgettable honeymoon that will set the tone for happily ever after.




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Martha Stewart's Red, White and Blue Cupcakes

In honor of the Fourth of July, here is a recipe from Martha Stewart's Cupcakes Book.
Click on the links below for the full recipes. You can go with either Chocolate Cupcakes or Vanilla Cupcakes iced with Swiss Meringue Buttercream

Decorate patriotic cupcakes in July with stars piped in blue buttercream and stripes cut from red licorice laces.

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Unique Wedding Favor Idea of the Week

I have decided to pick a different and unique wedding favor idea every week and share it with all of you. I found these via Flicker. If not for all of the guests, these would definitely be a great gift for members of the wedding party. I would love a bowl of these on my coffee table. If you can't supply a bowl to put them in, they can be packaged in a decorated bag and tied with a ribbon.

Visit Wedding Runways for custom printed wedding aisle runners