With a good travel agent, you have someone who is privy to all the latest offers and deals, plus you can let them do all the hard work while you’re focused on all those other wedding details. A travel agent can be a wonderful money-saving resource. They work in the industry, and not only get amazing deals to pass along to you, but they can easily customize a romantic trip, no matter what your budget. Choose an agent that specializes in the area you want to go, and of course, specializes in honeymoons.

BTW…budgeting for your honeymoon is something you need to work into your overall wedding plan from the very beginning. Meeting with a travel agent can help you generate a realistic budget of what you can afford as well as an idea of what it affords you.!

A honeymoon registry is great for those looking to save. Some travel agencies and websites offer a registry service where guests can contribute to a honeymoon fund and travel expenses in lieu of wedding gifts. Guests can also pick a specific perk to give, like a spa treatment or romantic dinner away so they don’t just feel like they are giving you money.

It’s also not a bad idea to set up a honeymoon savings account that is debted from your paycheck (if your employer has auto-deposit). Try setting aside at least $100 or more from each paycheck and deposit into this special honeymoon account. (Have your groom do it as well, then you have double the money saved). This way you’re assured that the money is put aside (we always have such good intentions to do it ourselves!) and you have a nice little nest egg to help pay for that honeymoon when the big event finally occurs.

Pictured here are several destinations that you can read more about under our Wedding Destinations and Honeymoon categories.

From top to bottom: Jade Mountain, St. Lucia; Auberge du Soleil, and St. Regis Bali Resort

The best way to experience all of Croatia’s rich culture is to embark on your new life as Mr. & Mrs. by taking a voyage on an extraordinary SeaDream yacht voyage, which was ranked in 2008 as “Exclusive – Above Luxury Award” by Berlitz Ocean Cruising and Cruise Ships. What could be more romantic than sailing the Mediterranean from the Southern coast of Croatia to Venice, Italy on an intimate cruise ship that is “yachting, not cruising.”

Perhaps you would prefer to explore Croatia on land. If so, indulge at Novi Spa Hotel & Resort, where luxury meets nature. This five star resort located only 20 minutes from the nearest International airport, Rijeka, offers a plethora of first class amenities, dining and entertainment, and is perched along the Adriatic Sea. Now that Croatia is being rediscovered, more airlines are flying from major US airports at inexpensive rates if booked a couple of months in advance. Discover history. Discover Croatia.

Click on the image for a larger view.

Source: Signature Travel (StrictlyWeddings.com’s Travel Partner)

Most of us have wonderful places either within our state or surrounding states that could make a wonderful, romantic setting. In Texas, we have many gems (the hill country, the Davis Mountains, Jefferson – pictured here), but even better is the diversity of the states around us – the mountains of Colorado and New Mexico, the history of Louisiana, the lakes and cabins in Oklahoma and Arkansas. Maybe it’s not as exotic or sexy, but let’s be honest, the honeymoon is as much about connecting with each other then going to far away places. My honeymoon consisted of 4 days at a friend’s home in Sante Fe, another 3 days at a friend’s condo in Creste Butte, Colorado, camping (3 days max for my husband’s benefit) and the final night at the Broadmoor in Colorado Springs before returning. We drove! But the memories have lasted us 30 years, especially the one where we took the motorcycle over the Loveland pass not thinking about how cold it would be on the return. No coats … I was one frozen bride!

The Dallas Morning News wrote a great piece on “18 romantic getaways in Texas and neighboring states.” We think it’s worth a read.