The Art of Planning a Dream Honeymoon on a Budget
When it comes to planning a honeymoon, many couples assume it has to be a lavish, expensive affair. But what if you could have a romantic getaway without breaking the bank? My husband and I recently embarked on a memorable honeymoon adventure that proved you don’t need to sacrifice luxury for affordability.
Timing is Everything
We decided to take our honeymoon immediately after our wedding, and it was the best decision we made. With our busy schedules, we knew that if we didn’t take the time off then, we might never get around to it. Plus, our wedding was during Thanksgiving weekend, which worked out perfectly with our work schedules.
The Planning Process
When planning our honeymoon, we asked ourselves three crucial questions: Do we want to travel overseas? Do we want to fly? And what kind of experience do we want to have? We quickly realized that flying would increase our travel costs significantly, so we opted for a road trip instead. With only seven days available, we decided that a cultural experience in another country wouldn’t be feasible, so we chose a road trip in the States.
New Orleans, Here We Come!
We fell in love with the idea of visiting New Orleans, a city that offered a unique blend of warmth, good food, and great music. We wanted a place that was charming, but not too fancy or new. And, with its rich cultural history, New Orleans fit the bill perfectly.
Luxury on a Budget
We splurged on a cozy cottage behind a bed and breakfast on Esplanade, which offered a perfect blend of privacy and proximity to the French Quarter. We took advantage of weekday rates and traveled on weekends to save money. Our total accommodation cost came out to be around $800.
Foodie Heaven
We indulged in the city’s culinary delights, trying everything from jambalaya to alligator bites. We averaged $30 for lunches and $40 for dinners each day, which was quite reasonable. We even bought food items as gifts for our loved ones, which turned out to be a thoughtful and affordable idea. Our total food cost came out to be around $410.
Frugal Fun
New Orleans is a city that’s perfect for walkers, and we took full advantage of that. We spent our days exploring Royal Street’s chandelier stores, artists’ galleries, and historical sites. We even took a Groupon-fueled swamp tour and saw some sleepy winter gators. Our evenings were filled with live music and dance lessons, which we enjoyed immensely. Our total cost for attractions and travel came out to be around $200.
The Final Tally
Our entire honeymoon trip, including travel, accommodations, food, and attractions, cost us around $1410. While it may not be the cheapest honeymoon, we were happy to have spent our money on experiences that reflected our interests and preferences.
The Freedom to Relax
A honeymoon should be a time to relax, unwind, and celebrate each other. Whether you choose to spend $10 or $10,000, it’s essential to do it your way. So, don’t be afraid to get creative and plan a honeymoon that reflects your unique style and budget.
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