Anyone who has ever planned a wedding knows that there are hundreds of details that must be attended to prior to the big day, including arranging for the honeymoon. Most brides plan their weddings months in advance, and as the big day approaches, it often seems an impossible task. This can be an extremely stressful time, and most couples look forward to their honeymoon when they can finally relax and enjoy themselves.
In order to get the best travel deals, most couples start planning their honeymoon trip months, even years ahead of time. But sometimes even the best laid plans can erode, and a couple may find that for whatever reason, their original honeymoon plans have fallen though. Is there any way that they can still have their “dream” vacation? What about the couple that decides to get married on the spur of the moment or who didn’t plan on a honeymoon? Can these people still enjoy a relaxing and memorable honeymoon?
The answer to both of these questions is a resounding “yes.” By using a little bit of creativity and flexibility, there is no reason that any couple should have to sacrifice this important part of the wedding celebration.
While great travel deals usually require booking a year in advance, there are almost always plenty of attractive trips to be found at the last minute. People who have booked trips sometimes have a change in plan and are forced to cancel their trips. Perhaps a wedding is cancelled or the perspective traveler’s financial circumstances change. Someone else’s bad luck can be good news for a last-minute bride looking for a romantic honeymoon to an exotic locale.
There are several ways to get in on these last-minute trips. The first is to use a travel agent. Call a few different agencies and asked whether or not they have waiting lists for cancelled trips. Be flexible. You may not have a real choice as to where you are going, but you can specify certain areas of interest. If you do not have a passport, be sure to check whether one is required for entry into countries on trips that might become available. Once you have registered, check in every couple of days. You may be lucky enough to call just as the agent has taken a cancellation.
You can also go online and search for “last minute travel.” There are hundreds of sites offering this service, and it is advisable to actually research several of these sites before getting involved. Chose a reputable site, and enter your departure city, desired destination, and dates of travel. In seconds, a list of vacation packages that fit your specifications will be displayed. No matter how close the departure date, you will find a wide variety of trips in a range of prices.
One note of caution. Once you have narrowed down your choices, research the hotel, car rental agency, and airline that are part of the package. Some of these last-minute travel sites specialize in selling what is referred to as distressed inventory. This can mean that the hotel is one that is undergoing repair or has recently received bad reviews. The seats on the plane could be in less attractive locations or the trip might involve a number of different flights and roundabout routing. Be sure to check the availability of upgrades, but remember that they can double or triple the price of the trip. If the price seems too good to be true, it probably is! Before you book the trip, also remember that it will most likely be non-cancelable and the money non-refundable.
For couples who are looking for a less exotic honeymoon, there are also plenty of options. Consider driving to a resort area within a reasonable travel distance from home. Or plan an “in-town” honeymoon, booking a room in a cozy bed and breakfast or first-class hotel. Playing tourist in your hometown can be a fun, relaxing way to spend your honeymoon. Once you have decided where to go, either call or go online to book reservations. If you are planning a summer wedding, accommodations at beach resorts may be difficult to find, but city destinations should be in abundance. For spring and fall weddings, though, rooms at beach resorts are more readily available and should offer less expensive off-season rates.
If you are the outdoorsy type, a camping trip might be the perfect way to enjoy a few days away. Campsites are not usually as full during the week, and you can enjoy the peace and quiet of nature as you celebrate your nuptials.
Don’t miss out on having a honeymoon just because your plans are last minute. Every couple deserves an interlude between the wedding and their return to “real life.” Just remember to be flexible, and your travel dreams can indeed come true.
