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Planning a wedding can be a lot of fun, but planning the honeymoon is even more so. Who wouldn’t love daydreaming about an adventure in a far-off location, delicious dinners for two, and as much relaxation as you can handle? But just like the wedding, planning a honeymoon brings up a big question: Who is supposed to write the check? Our experts have a few different options for who will be handing over their credit card for your honeymoon expenses.
Traditionally, the honeymoon is paid for by either the groom or the groom’s family. That’s why there’s wedding lore around newlyweds arriving at the airport, where the groom surprises his bride with their destination (and hopes she’s packed correctly!). And when it’s the groom’s parents who are paying, the couple may both have no idea where they’re headed until they open an envelope and find tickets inside.
These days, however, a lot has changed. In many instances, the groom may plan the honeymoon as a surprise, but he and his bride will foot the bill together. Or, the couple might use honeymoon planning as a welcome break from the stress of a wedding and plan the getaway together. They might dip into their savings accounts to cover the costs, or turn to a newer addition to the wedding scene: A honeymoon fund.
If a couple has arranged a honeymoon fund instead of or in addition to a traditional wedding registry, the answer to who pays for the honeymoon is actually the guests! Especially as more and more couples opt to take their honeymoon a few months or even a year after the wedding, using monetary gifts from guests to cover honeymoon costs is a great way to know exactly how much money the couple has to work with, as well as to ease the strain on their savings account after the wedding has come and gone.
See more: What to Do When You and Your Husband Can’t Afford Your Dream Honeymoon