Who Pays for the Honeymoon?

When it comes to budgeting out your wedding, things can get a bit tricky. Between engagement celebrations, bachelor and bachelorette parties, and the wedding itself, it can be difficult to iron out exactly who pays for what. This can also trickle over into the honeymoon planning. While you may be daydreaming about the when and where, it’s also paramount that you figure out the how.

Who Pays for the Honeymoon?

Traditionally, the groom and his parents would pay for the honeymoon while the bride’s family pays for the wedding ceremony and reception. With modern celebrations, many couples pay for their own honeymoon.

Many couples also pay for their honeymoon with help from a few different sources including their friends and family. So, basically, there’s no definitive answer to who pays for the honeymoon. Let’s take a look at all of the different routes couples can take to pay for their honeymoons.

The Couple

As we said, newlywed couples often will pay for their honeymoon themselves. This is especially the case if one or both sets of parents foot the bill for the wedding. Luckily, because this situation is solely between the couple, it can be approached in any manner of ways.

An engaged couple may start a joint savings account while wedding planning so they can save up for the occasion together. On the other hand, one partner may cover honeymoon expenses while the other pays for another aspect of the wedding. Regardless of rhyme or reason, if you’re in this boat, find a situation that works for the two of you and your financial situation.

Here are some simple ways you can start saving for your honeymoon now:

• Open a dedicated savings account.
• Put cash and checks you receive as wedding gifts towards your trip.
• Open a travel or airline credit card to start accruing points and rewards (many offer generous sign-on bonuses when you spend a certain amount).
• Do your research—know how to book on a budget.

if you’re funding your own honeymoon find your budget and make a plan ASAP. The more time you have to save, the less stress will surround your celebration.

Photo Credit // Scott Drexler - Photos On Maui

Your Parents

Old etiquette states that the groom and his parents fund the honeymoon. That’s because, traditionally, the bride’s family paid for the wedding ceremony and reception. Things have changed but it’s still possible that your parents are traditionalists (or, frankly, just extremely generous).

In that case, one or both sets of parents might offer to largely contribute to or gift you a honeymoon. Again, we know this generosity seems out of the question for a lot of couples, but it does happen. Sometimes families will even get together to plan out parts of the honeymoon and surprise the couple before they start planning.

Everyone (Via Your Cash Fund)

Instead of (or in addition to) your wedding registry, you can create a cash fund. This is an online way to receive cash gifts from friends and family who are invited to your wedding. These funds can then be seamlessly transferred to your bank to be used towards your honeymoon. This is especially ideal for couples who are already living together or don’t necessarily need household items.

Asking for money outright might not be appealing to you, but with Zola, you can create several individual cash funds that allow your loved ones to feel like they’re contributing to something specific and special. In other words, rather than making a general Honeymoon Fund (which you totally can do), you can break it up into smaller moments. Think airline tickets, expeditions, and dinners. Anything you may need money for where your trip is concerned.

Pro tip: Before publishing your cash fund, attach a photo of you and your partner. It’s far more personal than a generic vacation stock photo, making guests more likely to contribute.

Photo Credit // Alison Turcotte Photography

Your Family and Friends (Via Cash)

Beyond your honeymoon or cash fund, your grandparents, other family members, friends—you never know who—might step up and offer you even a portion of your getaway costs. Whole groups of loved ones may come together to crowdfund and raise money to cover the expenses. If this is the case, you’ll probably know early on in the wedding and honeymoon planning process.

That’s not always the case, though. If some time has gone by and you aren’t aware of any surprise donors, begin saving for your own honeymoon. That way, if someone doesn’t come out and offer (which is completely OK), you’ll be prepared to pay the bill yourself. And if they just so happen to, that saved money can then be contributed to another aspect of the wedding or your newlywed life.

When it comes to who pays for the honeymoon, there is no wrong answer. Whether it’s yourselves, a family member, or some close friends, be grateful for the time spent together as newly-minted spouses. That’s what truly makes the trip one to remember.