Honeymoons on a Tight Budget

Choosing a honeymoon destination can often be cause for anxiety, but there are plenty of options for the honeymooning couple on a budget, especially if you start to plan early. Here are some things to consider.

Honeymoon package. Search the Internet or contact a travel agent to find the hundreds of options available to you for inexpensive honeymoon trips.

Car instead of plane. If your budget is limited try to find a great location within about eight hours' drive, the lack of airfare will take out a huge chunk of the cost.

Stay in the country. The United States is full of places of natural beauty and man-made excitement. If you set your mind on finding a destination within the continental U.S., you'll have a better chance of cutting the budget.

Take to the road. If you live in a state where you have easy access to the Canadian or Mexican border, you can even honeymoon abroad without breaking the bank. If you plan a trip to a distant destination, check out airfares before you pull out the road maps. There's a good chance you'll be able to find a reasonable deal.

Island hopping. Cottages and bed & breakfasts dot the coastline of North Carolina's Outer Banks. The windswept beaches and rolling surf make an ideal honeymoon destination. You may wish to look into the barrier islands off the coast of Georgia and Alabama such as the Golden Isles. For an even more tropical vacation, try the Florida Keys. If you are closer to the west coast, California's Catalina Island with its old-fashioned hotels and lovely harbor make a romantic honeymoon destination.