San Diego is at the top of our list for domestic honeymoons. Full of great restaurants, beautiful beaches, and cant-miss landmarks, you won’t get bored in this city! Bask in the sunshine on their breath-taking beaches that loungers and surfers alike can’t stay away  from— Coronado Island and La Jolla beaches are our favorites. Spend the day taking a stroll and shopping in the historical Gaslamp District, complete with cobblestone roads. And one thing you definitely need to have on your list — the infamous San Diego Zoo. Experience it all with our honeymoon-at-home date night complete with music, virtual tours, and all the items you need to bring San Diego to you.

San Diego Date Night: Food & Drinks

The food in San Diego has many cultural influences. California is a melting pot in and of itself. Because of this, you can find just about anything to eat, from traditional Mexican, to Italian, American, and everything in between.

One of the best dishes you can sink your teeth into is carne asada, often featured in the iconic California Burrito!

If you or your partner are vegetarian, we highly recommend the Chino Ranch Vegetable Bowl.

We recommend pairing your dish with a San Diego Sunrise that can easily be converted to non-alcoholic by removing the tequila, or a Ballast Point beer. 

San Diego Date Night: Ambience

Bring San Diego to life in your home for under $100:

• Sunset backdrop
• Southern California candle
• San Diego drinking glasses
• Inflatable palm trees & surfboards

If you want to kick it up a notch, here are some extras that you can add:

• Stuffed zoo animals
• Agave succulent
• Ocean-life drink stir sticks
• Nautical captain’s hat
• San Diego Padres Jersey

Check out our full Date Night at Home San Diego shopping list on Amazon.

San Diego Date Night: Music and Tours

During cocktail hour, choose one of these playlists to set the mood (choose the music streaming service you use):

Apple Music   Spotify

Explore San Diego with these virtual tours. You can’t miss out on the live cams of their zoo either.

San Diego Date Night: Step-by-Step Instructions

Here’s a sure-fire guide to pulling off a date night to remember:

Week before: Order supplies from our Date Night at Home San Diego shopping list on Amazon.

Day before: Shop for food/drinks ingredients

• California Burrito ingredients:
• Chino Ranch Vegetable Bowl ingredients:
• San Diego Sunrise ingredients:

Day of:

5 pm: Set the mood by lighting your San Diego candle, getting your playlist or a Padres game and start decorating.

5:30 pm: Let’s get cooking! Have one person tackle the carne asada while the other preps all of the other ingredients.

6 pm: Get dressed in your favorite warm-weather out. When it’s always 75 and sunny, shorts, sandals, and sunnies are a must!

6:15 pm: Time to start sipping on those San Diego Sunrises or your Ballast Point brew.

6:45 pm: Assemble your Cali burritos and dig in! While you eat, quiz each other on some fun San Diego trivia.

8:00 pm: Finish watching the Padres game and then get ready to virtually explore San Diego. Take a virtual tour of the USS Midway, observe animals at the the zoo, or learn about some of the city’s best restaurants so you’ll have some places in mind if you ever visit (links above). Most importantly: have fun!

Don’t forget to take pictures to remember your night! Want to get featured on Honefyund’s social? Share to social media using the tag @honeyfund and #HoneymoonatHome. Check back next Monday for our next Honeymoon at Home date-night destination.

The post Honeymoon-at-Home Date Night, Destination: San Diego, California appeared first on Honeyfund Blog by Honeyfund.com, the free honeymoon registry.

As the US continues to roll out its aggressive vaccination program and Europe starts to reopen for American tourists in summer 2021, more and more couples are starting to book honeymoon travel. Here’s the latest about domestic and international travel and Covid-19.

Castle Of San Giovanni, Špiljari, Montenegro

The CDC released news April 2, 2021, that “Fully vaccinated people can travel within the United States and do not need COVID-19 testing or post-travel self-quarantine as long as they continue to take COVID-19 precautions while traveling—wearing a mask, avoiding crowds, socially distancing, and washing hands frequently.”

This is great news for couples traveling in the US!

But what about taking an international honeymoon during Covid?

The great news is that over half the world’s countries are now receiving travelers from the United States.

Here’s what being vaccinated means for your 2021 international honeymoon:

• You can travel internationally without getting a Covid-19 test before travel. (Unless your destination still requires it.)
• You do NOT need to self-quarantine when you arrive at your destination or when you return, unless LOCAL restrictions require it, like your destination country or home state or county. 

What you still need to do on your honeymoon, even while vaccinated: 

• Get a negative Covid-19 test within 48 hours before boarding a flight back to the US (arranged by your destination resort and/or airline). 
• Get a negative Covid-19 test 3-5 days after returning from travel. 
• Wear a mask during travel*
• Wash hands frequently with soap
• Social distancing

*This could change quickly but expect to wear a mask on airplanes, buses, trains, and in taxis and ride-shares for some time.

Vaccine Passports and Apps

There isn’t a globally accepted vaccine app on the market just yet, but many countries and regions including the EU have been exploring it and may require it as early as Summer 2021. For now, be sure to keep your vaccine card handy, and keep a digital copy on your device so you can easily upload it to your airlines and resorts, if requested.

What if we’re not vaccinated? 

Even if you’re not vaccinated, there are plenty of honeymoon destinations open to receive travelers! Note they each have their own rules and regulations, so be sure to check the restrictions in your destination country before booking travel.

So, where can we go?

So where can you go on your 2021 international honeymoon? You can check up-to-date travel advisories related to Covid or other conditions here, plus we’ve curated this list of countries currently accepting US travelers: 

• Mexico
• Jamaica
• The Bahamas
• Afghanistan
• Albania
• Andorra
• Anguilla
• Antigua and Barbuda
• Armenia
• Aruba
• Austria
• Bahrain
• Bangladesh
• Barbados
• Belarus
• Belgium
• Belize
• Benin
• Bermuda
• Bolivia
• Bosnia and Herzegovina
• Botswana
• Brazil
• British Virgin Islands
• Bulgaria
• Burkina Faso
• Cabo Verde
• Central African Republic
• Chad
• Colombia
• Costa Rica
• Cote D’Ivoire (Ivory Coast)
• Croatia
• Cuba
• Curacao
• Cyprus
• Czech Republic
• Democratic Republic of the Congo
• Denmark
• Djibouti
• Dominica
• Dominican Republic
• Dutch Caribbean (Aruba, Bonaire, Curacao, Saba, St. Eustatius, Sint Maarten)
• Ecuador
• Egypt
• El Salvador
• Estonia
• Ethiopia
• France
• French Polynesia
• French West Indies (St. Barts, St. Martin, Guadeloupe, Martinique)
• Gabon
• Gambia
• Georgia
• Germany
• Ghana
• Greece
• Greenland
• Grenada
• Guatemala
• Guinea
• Guyana
• Haiti
• Honduras
• Iceland
• Iran
• Iraq
• Ireland
• Israel
• Italy
• Jordan
• Kenya
• Kosovo
• Kyrgyz Republic
• Latvia
• Lebanon
• Liberia
• Libya
• Liechtenstein
• Lithuania
• Maldives
• Mali
• Malta
• Mauritania
• Moldova
• Monaco
• Montenegro
• Morocco
• Mozambique
• Namibia
• Nepal
• Netherlands
• Nicaragua
• Niger
• Nigeria
• North Macedonia
• Pakistan
• Paraguay
• Peru
• Poland
• Portugal
• Romania
• Rwanda
• St Kitts and Nevis
• St Lucia
• St Vincent and the Grenadines
• San Marino
• São Tomé and Príncipe
• Saudi Arabia
• Senegal
• Serbia
• Seychelles
• Slovenia
• South Africa
• Spain
• Sint Maarten
• Sweden
• Switzerland
• Tajikstan
• Tanzania
• Togo
• Turkey
• Turks and Caicos
• Uganda
• Ukraine
• United Arab Emirates (UAE), including Dubai
• United Kingdom (UK) and other parts of Europe (see next section)
• Uzbekistan
• Zambia

If you’ve got your sights set on Europe, these countries are open for your honeymoon:

• Austria
• Belgium
• Bulgaria
• Croatia
• Cyprus
• Czech Republic (Czechia)
• Denmark
• Estonia
• France
• Germany
• Greece
• Iceland
• Ireland
• Italy
• The Netherlands
• Poland
• Portugal 
• Romania
• Spain
• Sweden
• Switzerland
• Turkey
• United Kingdom

You can book 2021 and 2022 travel to Europe now. Just be sure to book with no change fees or full refund policies, in case of the unexpected.

The bottom line is if you’re ready, travel is ready, too. If you plan to travel this year or next, be sure to book ASAP (changeable/refundable, of course), as flights and hotels are likely to be packed as people rush to get out of the house after a year of pandemic boredom. 

The post Covid Restrictions, Vaccinations and Your 2021 Honeymoon appeared first on Honeyfund Blog by Honeyfund.com, the free honeymoon registry.

Honeyfund and its Shark Tank investor Kevin O’Leary have launched a crowdfunded investment opportunity that has already attracted nearly 1,000 investors and $350,000 — and now we’re going to TV! Yep, Honeyfund’s first TV commercials will air from February 22 to 28 on CNN, CNBC and Bloomberg.

Honeyfund’s popular wedding gift registry helps couples starting out to receive the gift of funds for wedding, honeymoon and beyond from their friends and family. Now couples and wedding guests can get something back from giving on Honeyfund by investing in the platform’s growth.

The most common feedback from wedding guests when they find out about Honeyfund is, “What a cool idea! I wish I had that when I got married.” Honeyfund has allowed 6 million gift givers to fund more than $640 million in gifts for more than 1 million couples. With this new crowdfunded investment opportunity, anyone can become an investor in Honeyfund. Offering terms can be found at http://www.startengine.com/honeyfund.

“Our mission at Honeyfund is to foster a community of fearless and authentic people in love, who are preparing to commit to and build a lasting marriage together. Honeyfund provides them with financial support, tools, and information to succeed in planning and funding their wedding, taking a fantastic honeymoon, and building a successful marriage,” says co-founder and CEO Sara Margulis. “We are thrilled to invite our members and fans to take part in our next phase of growth, and to grow financially along with us.”

For more information relating to Honeyfund’s crowdfunding investment opportunity, please visit http://www.startengine.com/honeyfund

The post Invest in Honeyfund Alongside Kevin O’Leary of Shark Tank appeared first on Honeyfund Blog by Honeyfund.com, the free honeymoon registry.

RVshare.com is the world’s first and largest peer-to-peer RV rental marketplace with more than 100,000 RVs to rent across the country. 

Honeymooning in an RV?

Celebrating your brand-new marriage and new life by zipping away to some beautiful destination with your sweetheart… well, there’s just nothing quite like that, no matter what subsequent adventures life has in store.

You’ll plan quite a few trips in your life, but none of them will be as special as your honeymoon.  If you crave the unexpected and are excited to discover cool ways to max your travel budget, read on.  This might just be the romantic getaway you never thought of.

Benefits of RV Travel

When you travel in an RV, you’re in total control of your route and itinerary; there’s no risk of facing a flight delay or finding your hotel room’s been downgraded or rebooked. An RV provides you all the liberty of the open road. You can carefully route an exciting trip with multiple stops, and also be spontaneous. Want to stay an extra day in a favorite city? Or take the turn down that interesting-looking back road on a whim? The choice is yours.

We also love the Covid-safety of an RV. You know exactly where you and your new spouse will sleep each night and exactly when the sheets were last laundered. You even have the option to make each others’ favorite meals in your very own kitchen.

And, of course, your RV experience is totally private; you don’t share walls with anybody. That’s one perk newly-wedded couples are sure to appreciate!

Romantic RV Destinations

When it comes to RV vacation destinations, you’re not limited by flight paths. You can go anywhere you want (make sure you check state mandates and restrictions during Covid-19), stay as long as you feel like, and take your sweet time getting there!

One popular RV trip across America is to take a National Parks RV tour, including stops at several of the most famous and beautiful natural sites in the country. You won’t want to miss classics like the Grand Canyon, Joshua Tree, Yellowstone, or Yosemite… but don’t rule out some of the less-celebrated parks, either! From Florida’s Everglades to Kentucky’s Mammoth Cave, there’s awe-inspiring beauty all over our great country.

Or maybe you’ll make a trip from coast to coast, stopping in a variety of great American cities along the way. Cruise across I10, exploring New Orleans, Austin, and San Diego, or get your kicks on Route 66, singing all the way from Chicago to Los Angeles. No matter how you cut it, cross country road trips are some of the best US RV vacations out there — and there are so many routes to choose from.

Creating Your Own RV Adventure, Together

RV trips are some of the most romantic getaways out there. You’re basically traveling in your own private love den — one whose beautiful window view is totally customizable.

But one more thing we totally adore about RV honeymoons as opposed to other types of travel? The fun and collaborative act of choosing vacation routes together.

Sure, you could designate one of you to be the RV vacation planner… but we much prefer the option of hand-crafting the perfect trip together. What’s more romantic than creating your dream getaway with each other, learning about which destinations top your sweetheart’s list and their preferred activities once they get there? Maybe you’re psyched to take on strenuous hiking trails, but your new hubby is a little bit, shall we say, indoorsy; maybe you can’t wait to explore every big city on the map, but bae is more drawn to boondocking in the wild.

Or maybe you’re both on the exact same page, and reveal your list of must-dos only to discover it’s identical to your partners.

Whichever way you slice it, you’re both bound to learn new things about both yourself and your new husband or wife, and to explore and discover new destinations and activities while you’re at it. And in an RV, it’s all under your control, totally customizable to your experience!

I mean, it literally comes with a bed already in there. What better argument could we make?

Fund your honeymoon or next great adventure with Honeyfund. Sign up now.

The post Romance on the Open Road — An Unexpected Honeymoon Idea appeared first on Honeyfund Blog by Honeyfund.com, the free honeymoon registry.

It’s a question on all of our minds: When will this all be over? Is my wedding date safe or will I have to postpone my 2021 wedding?

Well, we finally have some decent advice. Journalist John Detrixhe reports that Economists at Goldman Sachs have come out with a solid prediction of what 2021 will look like based on research into the progress of available vaccines, distribution channels, and demand.  “In the US, high-risk groups will probably start receiving doses of a vaccine by the middle of [December].” That means 50% of the US population will be vaccinated by April.  So what does this all mean for your wedding date? Read on.

Spring 2021 Weddings: Keep them Small

If you’re looking for a full-blown pre-Covid style wedding, Spring may not be your best bet. Vaccination may be a two-step process taking place over a month or two, so don’t expect the effects of a vaccine to be protective just yet. You can still move forward with your medium or small event using CDC and your local guidelines for gatherings. Be sure to learn how to handle the etiquette of wedding guest Covid testing and vaccinations.

Summer 2021 and Fall 2021 Weddings

If all goes according to projections and the US population has reached 50% vaccination rate by April 2021, this is great news for your summer or fall 2021 wedding! By June, the vaccine will be protecting the most vulnerable populations, which means you don’t have to worry about infecting your older relatives at your wedding. Those that aren’t yet vaccinated will need to decide for themselves if they are comfortable participating in your large gathering, so don’t be surprised if you have a bigger than usual “no” group in your RSVPs. A typical decline rate is about 15%, during this time frame expect about 25-30% “nos.” Again you’ll want to be sure you understand the etiquette of wedding guest Covid testing and vaccinations.

Here’s the prediction timeline from Goldman Sachs:

Despite the best predictions from the best economists, everyone planning a wedding right now will want to make sure they have some flexibility built into their contracts and some extra cash on hand to handle the unexpected (we’ve got you covered with the Flexibility Fund, add it to your honeyfund now.) It’s also a good idea to err on the smaller side, and save that extra money for your honeymoon.

Cheers!

The post Should You Postpone Your 2021 Wedding To Be Safe from Covid-19? appeared first on Honeyfund Blog by Honeyfund.com, the free honeymoon registry.

This is hard.

Holding a wedding during a pandemic is just plain hard. But if you’ve decided to go through with it, there are some important rules to follow to keep people safe. And since not everyone agrees on the rules issued by the CDC, state and local governments, it might feel like stepping over some line to dictate how your guests should behave on your big day. Here we walk you through all the big considerations so you can feel confident you’re doing the right thing.

Asking guests to get vaccinated.

As of November 1, 2021, about 80% of US adults have had at least one Covid shot. Therefore, if you’re planning a 2021 or 2022 wedding, it’s reasonable to ask guests if they have been vaccinated. You might even consider arranging vaccination for your most vulnerable loved ones, about a month before the big day. As of November 8, 2021, everyone age 5+ will be eligible for a vaccine, so it could be as simple as making an appointment at your local drug store or free clinic.

Ask unvaccinated guests to get tested.

It might feel like a sticky subject, but there’s no shame in asking your unvaccinated guests to get tested before attending your wedding. Many drugstores are now offering in store or at-home testing, free of charge with or without any health insurance. Or they can call their local pharmacy, doctor or insurance company for information on getting tested.

Before you put out the word, you’ll just need to decide how you want to handle guests that don’t get tested. Your wedding venue may have requirements and protocols to share, so start by asking. If they are leaving it up to you, you essentially have two choices: require the test results to enter the venue, or label folks that have a negative test so others know who’s safe to approach. More about that in the next section.

Tell guests what to expect.

Regardless of whether or not you ask guests to get tested beforehand, there are some vital protocols to follow to keep everyone attending your event safe. Make sure you’ve consulted your venue about their rules, and then add any that you’d like in addition. Print the rules for your guests and send them with your invitations. Here’s some example Covid wording for an invitation.

We are so excited to see you on our big day! In order to keep everyone safe, we’re required by the venue and local laws to follow these health and safety rules:

• If you have been vaccinated, please bring your records and provide them to the host. They will give you a sticker so others know you’re safe.
• If you haven’t been vaccinated, please have a Covid test done within 48 hours before the wedding. Bring your results with you. We’ll give you a sticker so others know you’re safe.
• Everyone will be temperature checked on arrival.
• Hand sanitizing stations will be provided, please use them liberally!
• Maintain 6-foot social distancing with attendees that aren’t members of your household or who aren’t wearing a Covid-safe sticker.
• Stay home if you aren’t feeling well in any way (especially fever, chills, sore throat, cough, stomach ache). We’ll celebrate with you another time!

Thank you for making our day so special for us, in spite of these unusual circumstances.

What if you don’t feel well?

We know it’s unthinkable to cancel your wedding. However, if you haven’t been vaccinated and are having any symptoms at all, you’ll need to stay home to keep your loved ones safe.  Postpone your big day by at least two months.

The post Wedding Guest Etiquette for a Covid-Safe Wedding appeared first on Honeyfund Blog by Honeyfund.com, the free honeymoon registry.

Imagine this. You’re at your favorite restaurant, enjoying some wine and an intimate conversation with your significant other when all the sudden another couple appears in full-on wedding attire.

You watch the couple walk to the back of the restaurant, hold hands, kiss and then celebrate. It finally dawns on you that this couple just got married on the spot!

While it might seem out of the ordinary, this scenario along with many other spontaneous weddings are one of the hottest wedding trends right now, and it’s called a pop-up wedding.

So what is a pop-up wedding?

A pop-up wedding is similar to an elopement in that 1) your guest list might be small or non-existent, 2) you choose a non-traditional venue for your ceremony and 3) they feel like a special adventure. What makes pop-up weddings unique is that they can happen in any venue and are typically in and out in a short period of time. Pop-up weddings are happening in restaurants and at parks, hotel courtyards and other public places.This opens the door for random bystanders to witness your vows which can be a unique and exciting perk of having a pop-up ceremony.

While pop-up weddings might look totally spontaneous from the outside, there are still a few things that need some planning. Although the overall planning time and cost is a fraction of a traditional wedding.

So if an adventurous, spontaneous pop-up wedding sounds interesting to you, keep reading.

Planning a Spontaneous Pop-up Wedding

The great thing about a pop-up wedding is you can plan as little or as many details as you want. Want to get married in a sundress and sandals? Go for it! How about having your first kiss at the location of your first date? That’s all you!

Like an elopement, you won’t be booking a traditional venue for your pop-up wedding, so you will have to decide where you want to get married. The venue is one of the unique aspects of a pop-up wedding, so get creative with it! Think about places that have meaning to you and your significant other.

Did you have a memorable first date and want to have your first kiss at the pizza place where you first met? Or maybe there is a brewery that has sentimental value to you where you could say “I do” with a cold beer waiting for you when you are done. Or maybe you love the outdoors and spending the day in a park or mountain setting would mean the most to you. Whatever you decide, it will be the right choice.

Once you’ve picked a location, make sure you can actually get married there. If it is a small business or restaurant, talk with the managers or owners before just showing up and trying to get married. They might even have a private room you could use if you don’t want to get married in front of a bunch of strangers.

Now that you have your pop-up venue, you will want to figure out who you will invite. Most couples are having a tiny wedding and inviting 10 people or less to their pop-up ceremony, but this is your wedding, so you can decide the number of guests who will attend. And with live streaming now a part of most weddings, you can include anyone and everyone via the Web.

Another unique aspect of the pop-up wedding guest list: If you pick a public location, there is a high chance random bystanders will witness your wedding! This just adds to the adventure and spontaneity of this alternative type of wedding.

Even if you have a tiny wedding and keep your pop-up ceremony small, you can still include more people for the after-party. And this doesn’t need to be a formal reception. You could invite friends and family to eat and drink at your favorite restaurant or brewery, plan a picnic in the park or host a party at your house. Whatever you do to celebrate getting married pop-up style is perfect!

Pop-up Wedding Planners and Vendors

If you haven’t caught on yet, your pop-up wedding can be whatever you want it to be. And that goes for choosing what vendors you hire too.

A huge benefit of having a tiny wedding like a pop-up wedding is that the price of using certain vendors will likely go down. If you hire a photographer, you might only need them taking pictures for an hour or two rather than a full-day event, so the price of their services might be drastically reduced.

You still need an officiant, and if you don’t want to hire a random person and would rather have a friend or family member marry you, check out American Marriage Ministries, an organization that provides free, online ordination for people who want to become officiants. And, as always, it is on couples to get their marriage license, so don’t forget your marriage license when planning your spontaneous, adventurous day!

Like a virtual wedding or elopement, there are entire companies whose mission is to help couples have the pop-up wedding of their dreams. One such company is Pop-up Wedding Houston.

Founded and operated by CEO Yvette Valdenegro, Pop Up Wedding Houston helps couples plan their perfect pop-up wedding by understanding what couples want and providing an all-inclusive wedding package. This package includes anything from choosing the location and setting up live streaming to providing a photographer and music. Also, their package includes add-ons such as hair and makeup, transportation and confetti cannons if you are looking for another way to spice up your wedding day.

We talked with Yvette about this unique spin on weddings, and she said couples are absolutely loving it.

“The ability to get married in a safe environment, quickly, without stress, and logistically taken care of seems to be a huge benefit for couples. All of our reviews talk about how their ‘expectations exceed what they imagined’.”

She also mentioned that there are tons of benefits to using a company like Pop Up Wedding Houston to help plan and coordinate your pop-up wedding.

For example, by partnering with top wedding professionals in the industry, Pop Up Wedding Houston is able to pass tons of cost savings to their clients allowing couples to save for things like their honeymoon, first home or the current economic situation.

Additionally, Valdenegro has years of event planning experience which has allowed her to become an expert in planning and helping couples have an incredible pop-up wedding experience that meets and exceeds the couple’s expectations.

So if you are looking for a way to have a pop-up wedding, reduce the wedding planning stress and still have an amazing wedding experience, using a company like Pop Up Wedding Houston could be exactly what you need.

Are Pop-up Weddings Covid-Friendly?

You betcha! Like an elopement or other alternative weddings, you can easily make your pop-up wedding Covid-friendly by planning for it. If you have guests and vendors at your ceremony, you can ask them to wear masks and stand six feet apart. The only trouble you might have is if you get married in a public place where you can’t control the random people who may or may not be in your presence.

If you are getting married at a small business or restaurant, you can work with the manager to see how they might be able to arrange for a ceremony setup that is as Covid-friendly as possible. If you are in a more public setting like a park, you are outside which reduces the risk of transmitting Covid, but you will be taking the chance that random bystanders might not respect your space. Most people are respectful though, so this shouldn’t be an issue, but it is something to consider.

What Do Pop-up Weddings Cost?

The simplicity of a pop-up wedding can help couples keep the cost down which means more money in your pocket for your honeymoon and other exciting, future goals. The actual cost of your pop-up wedding will depend on what vendors you hire, a venue if you use one and an after-party celebration if you have one.

Doing all the planning on your own will be more cost effective than hiring a company like pop-up Wedding Houston, but if you would rather just show up on your wedding day and get married, using a pop-up wedding company’s wedding package could be worth the money and help eliminate most of the wedding planning stress.

What are the Benefits of Pop-up Weddings Compared to Traditional Weddings?

If you haven’t noticed by now, pop-up weddings are quite different from a traditional wedding and are more similar to an elopement. They offer more flexibility for your wedding day, are typically smaller and have a lot more spontaneity than a traditional wedding. The cost is much lower than a traditional wedding because you aren’t feeding hundreds of guests and aren’t renting a large venue to host those same guests.
By having a tiny wedding and simplifying your big day, a pop-up wedding can also be less stressful, more intimate and easier to plan than a more traditional wedding. And just because you are having a pop-up wedding doesn’t mean you have to ditch the traditional elements of a larger wedding tradition! Valdenegro says couples are packing their pop-up wedding with many of the normal wedding traditions.

“This moment is still special and we welcome the first dance, mother-son dance, father-daughter dance, toasts, and any other elements couples want to remember. Nothing special is lost…We have seen couples add their personal touches including meaningful songs, culturally traditional elements, fraternity/sorority and religious songs and dances; all expressed in beautiful ways. Couples are making sure the meaningful details they have always imagined are still included, sometimes in new ways.”

Of course, if you want to invite all your friends and family, a traditional wedding might be the route you want to go. Nothing can replace having everyone you care about under the same roof watching you say “I do” and dancing the night away together. So if that’s what you want, then a socially-distanced traditional wedding might be for you.

And don’t forget that your marriage is about more than your wedding, so don’t let other people’s expectations of what your wedding and ceremony should look like get in the way of what matters most.

A Pop-up Wedding You’ll Never Forget

Alternative weddings like an elopement or virtual wedding are becoming the norm, and pop-up weddings are no exception. With lower costs, more intimate settings and the adventure and spontaneity of an elopement, a pop-up wedding could be the perfect wedding you didn’t even know you were looking for. So grab your partner, choose a unique venue and say “I do” to this awesome alternative wedding.

The post How to Have a Pop-Up Wedding: Where Spontaneous Adventure Meets the Best Day of Your Life appeared first on Honeyfund Blog by Honeyfund.com, the free honeymoon registry.

Does getting married in your backyard sound like a fun alternative to a traditional wedding? Can you envision all your family and friends congregating at your house to celebrate your big day? Does seeing your dog at the end of the aisle bring a smile to your face?

If so, a backyard wedding might be for you!

Couples are turning to backyard weddings as a way to keep their wedding on schedule and bring their friends and family together during the pandemic, and we couldn’t agree more that backyard weddings are a fun, unique alternative to traditional weddings.
From decorating your yard to saying, “I do” in a spot that might have sentimental value to you, backyard weddings are an amazing way to get married. And they’re Covid friendly.

Hosting an event as meaningful as your wedding at home takes careful, upfront planning, and there are many considerations and ideas to think about when making decisions for your backyard wedding.

Lucky for you, we have researched how to have a backyard wedding and are ready to spill the beans.

Here’s how to plan a wedding at home and have a killer backyard wedding.

Planning a Backyard Wedding Ceremony

Having a wedding in the backyard sounds simple, but there are many things you need to consider while planning your backyard bash. Here are some ideas to get you thinking.

Whose Backyard?

Like most weddings, the first thing you need to determine is, whose backyard will you use? In order to identify the right space, you’ll need to consider if your backyard is big enough to accommodate your preferred number of wedding guests. Is there rain coverage or will you need indoor space in case of bad weather? Where will guests park their cars? If your home and backyard are equipped for your event, great!

If not, you will have to come up with other ideas. You could ask your parents, a friend or even find a rental on VRBO or other sharing service that would accommodate you and your wedding guests.
Before you ask a friend or family member to host your backyard wedding ceremony, make sure this is the best option. Planning and hosting a wedding is not a small task, and you don’t want to strain your relationship with your loved ones by hosting a wedding at their home if it’s not the perfect fit.

Backyard Vendors

A backyard wedding requires more than the typical vendors involved in making a wedding happen. Your home and yard are becoming your wedding venue, and with this comes involvement with additional vendors to make your big day run as smoothly as possible.

Rent a Tent

Having a wedding ceremony in your backyard exposes you to the elements, so you will need a way to protect you and your guests from the weather. Renting a tent provides an outdoor shelter to do just that. The size will depend on the number of guests you have and what you plan to store under the tent like food and a dance floor, so work with the tent rental company to determine what will work best for you.

Music & Dancing

Speaking of dance floors, you will need to create your own for your backyard wedding. You could dance in the grass, on a patio you already have or rent a portable dance floor. A portable dance floor provides a hard, even surface for your guests to dance the night away and helps keep them safe while they Electric Slide and Dougie all night.

You also need to consider your music setup. Will you hire a DJ or band? Or will you use your own playlist?

If you hire professionals, they might have their own speakers and technology setup they can use. However, if you are using your own playlist, you will need your own speaker and technology setup that can play your music loud enough for everyone to hear.

Bathrooms

Hosting a wedding at your home creates another problem that needs solved. Where will everyone go to the bathroom?
Depending on the size of your home, your bathrooms might not be enough to handle 150 people coming in and out all night. You also probably don’t want people going in and out of your house if they don’t have to.

That’s where renting portable bathrooms can help.

When most people hear portable bathrooms, they think of the nasty ones at the local park. That doesn’t have to be the case for your wedding.

There are plenty of nice and sometimes even luxurious portable bathroom rentals that will accommodate your guests during your wedding.

Food & Catering

There are many options for food when you get married in your backyard. You could prepare your own food, hire a caterer or even hire a food truck to park on your street for the duration of your wedding.

If you use a caterer, they could bring prepared food to serve at your wedding, or you could find a company that will cook fresh food in your kitchen. If you choose the second option, the caterer will likely want to check your kitchen to make sure it is big enough and has the necessary items to make cooking easy for them. Otherwise, they will have to bring their own setup which will cost extra.

Food trucks are all the rage right now, and if you have a favorite hometown food truck, you could ask them if they do events and if they would be willing to prepare and serve food at your wedding. Some food trucks don’t do events, but will happily prepare enough food for you to cater at your wedding.

Table, Chairs & Dinnerware

Creating your own wedding venue means you need to provide your own tables, chairs, dinnerware and centerpieces. Find a rental company that provides reasonable prices and decide if you want to enlist them for setup and take down too.

Cleaning Crew

Hiring a professional cleaning crew could be a good investment. Cleaning your home takes time, and you will have a ton of things going on leading up to your big day, so hiring a professional cleaning crew could save you the time and stress involved with cleaning your home, both before and after your wedding.

Additional Considerations and Backyard Wedding Ideas

Turning your home into a venue and hosting a wedding in your backyard requires additional considerations you wouldn’t have to consider if you were having a traditional wedding. Here’s what else you should consider when planning a wedding ceremony at home.

Inclement Weather

If you are planning to get married in your backyard, make sure you have a plan for inclement weather. Depending on the size of your wedding, a good tent might provide enough coverage in case of bad weather, but if not, then you need an alternative. This could be your home if it is big enough, or you could have a backup venue booked just-in-case.

Parking

Where will all your guests park when they arrive for your wedding? Talk with your neighbors and see if they might allow your guests to park in their driveway or on the street outside their house. You could also plan to have guests park at a local church or other facility and hire a shuttle bus to take them to and from your home. Since your home is the venue, deciding on a parking situation is going to land on your shoulders and is something you need to consider when planning your wedding.

Neighbors & the City

Speaking of your neighbors, you might want to inform them that you will be hosting a big event at your home. With music, dancing and a large group of people, your party could get pretty noisy. Letting your neighbors know ahead of time is courteous and will hopefully keep them from complaining about the noise.

If your city has noise ordinances or any permitting requirements for large gatherings, you will need to know this too. Go to your city or county’s website and see if they offer any information, so you can have your wedding without any visits from local officials.

Backyard Wedding Livestream

Will there be a livestreaming component to your wedding? In our post on virtual weddings we talk about how to have a virtual wedding and what you need to consider when making Zoom a part of your wedding. If you want to have a backyard Zoom wedding with virtual guests, check out that post for ideas on how to add a virtual component to your big day.

Preparing the Outdoor Space

Allow for plenty of time to prepare the outdoor space for your wedding reception and ceremony. Making your backyard look pretty and presentable might be more than a weekend project, so don’t wait until the last minute to start picking up leaves and trimming the trees. If you don’t feel like landscaping, you can always hire a professional. And don’t forget to add some ever so popular string lights to bring your backyard to life!

Will There be a Theme?

Do you and your partner love Halloween? Are you asking for Honeyfund gifts for your honeymoon to Hawaii? Do you have a Harry Potter obsession?

Adding a theme to your backyard wedding could be a great way to add you and your partner’s personal charm to your big day. Your home already has your character in it, so adding a theme to your wedding could be another way to add a unique twist to your wedding.

Communicate with Your Guests

Good communication with your guests goes a long way towards having a smooth wedding day, and a backyard wedding is no exception.

Letting them know where to park, what to bring (i.e. rain jackets) and expectations for people entering or not entering your home will help your guests understand what you want from them during your wedding.

Also, make sure you are clear that no one will be staying at your home, unless you want that to happen. You don’t want cousin Terry staying at your home because she was under the impression that family was invited to stay there when that was not the case. Blocking off rooms at a local hotel will keep this from happening and help your guests find reasonable accommodations for your wedding.

Check Your Homeowner’s Insurance

Finally, since you will be hosting a large group of people at your home, check your homeowner’s insurance policy to see what it says about property damages and personal injury damages. The last thing you want is to be liable for someone else’s actions on your property while trying to have fun at your wedding.

Are Backyard Weddings Covid-Friendly?

Backyard weddings can be COVID-friendly, if you make it that way. Getting married outside is more COVID-friendly than being inside and limiting the number of guests will also reduce the risk of people being exposed to the disease. Requiring people to wear masks and providing plenty of hand sanitizer will also make your wedding more COVID-friendly.

One major thing to consider is the restrictions on large gatherings in your city or state. If your state is limiting gatherings to 10 people or less and you invite 100 people to your wedding, you might have a visit from local officials asking you to break up your party. This is the last thing you want on your wedding day, so absolutely check your state’s guidelines before planning a large gathering in your backyard.

How Expensive are Backyard Weddings?

The cost of backyard weddings varies from couple to couple. Some couples enjoy DIYing everything while others prefer to hire vendors to handle everything for them. Even though you are saving money on your venue, that doesn’t necessarily mean your backyard wedding will be cheap.

You will also want to consider the trade-offs of having a backyard wedding. If you have to DIY everything on your own that could create more stress and take up more time than paying extra for a venue. It’s up to you to decide if that trade-off is worth it.

We did our research and found backyard weddings ranging from a few thousand dollars up to $10,000. Here are some articles that will give you some backyard wedding ideas and show you the spending breakdowns of couples who had a $4,000 wedding and $10,000 wedding in their backyard.

$4,000 Backyard Wedding – Young House Love

$10,000 Backyard Wedding – Budget Savvy Bride

Backyard vs. Traditional Wedding

There are opportunities and trade-offs to having a backyard wedding instead of a traditional wedding.

On the upside, having an at-home wedding saves you the cost from having to book a traditional venue and lets you have your ceremony in a place that has sentimental value to you.

You can also have more freedom to design, decorate and add unique twists to every aspect of your wedding. If you are a prominent DIYer, a backyard wedding could be perfect for you. Even if you don’t like to DIY everything, you could hire a wedding planner to help bring your backyard wedding ideas to life.

On the downside, you might have more coordination to handle because your home is your venue. Parking becomes your detail to plan and clean-up and setup are on you instead of the venue.
When considering a backyard wedding, consider these trade-offs before making your final decision.

Your Backyard Bash

Getting married in your backyard is a fun, unique alternative to a traditional wedding. Your home turns into your venue and it has the potential to be a wedding your friends and family talk about forever. If you are looking to curb the traditional wedding and plan a fun alternative, a backyard wedding could be exactly what you are looking for.

The post How to Get Married in Your Backyard appeared first on Honeyfund Blog by Honeyfund.com, the free honeymoon registry.

Have you thought about having a virtual wedding? With travel bans, social distancing guidelines and restrictions on large gatherings, many couples are turning to this alternative wedding ceremony.

Having a traditional wedding may be harder than usual right now, so getting married virtually can help you navigate these restrictions and keep your wedding on schedule.
Here’s what you need to know about planning and having a virtual wedding.

How to Plan Virtual Wedding

While planning a virtual wedding ceremony may be simpler than a traditional one, there are still many things you need to consider.

Where Will You and Your Partner Be?

One of the first things you and your partner should decide is where you will physically get married. Will it be in a church? Your backyard? A local park?

Many couples are using their virtual wedding as an opportunity to get married in their backyard. Since you, your partner and maybe a few vendors will be the only people physically at your ceremony, you don’t need a big space to say, “I do”. Any size backyard will do, and you can use this as an opportunity to decorate your yard with some fun, unique decor!

When choosing your location, you’ll also want to consider the lighting and surrounding area. Your guests will be viewing your wedding from a screen, so choosing a location that is conducive to your technology setup and provides your guests with a great viewing experience is an important aspect to consider.

What Platform Will You Use?

This year has seen the rise of remote work and video conferencing software, many of which can be used for your virtual ceremony. Zoom has become a go-to video software for couples, and there are many other platforms you can use too. Other options include Facebook Live weddings, Skype or deciding to livestream a wedding on YouTube.

No matter which platform you choose, make sure you consider these common aspects when it comes to the technology setup for your big day.

First, you’ll want to use a device with a high-quality camera to provide the best possible streaming experience. Your guests are tuning-in to see you and your partner, and you want them to be able to see you clearly. Picking a location with good lighting will help with this too.

The same goes for the device’s audio quality. Streaming your wedding with a device that has high-quality audio will make sure your guests have a great viewing experience. The last thing you want is for your guests to not be able to see or hear you during your ceremony.

When deciding on a platform, choosing one that is easy-to-use for your guests will help ensure technology doesn’t hold them back from viewing your wedding.

Finally, like a traditional wedding, do a test run before the actual ceremony to make sure all the technology is working properly and looks and sounds great.

Do Your Virtual Wedding Right by Hiring Professionals

Wedding vendors will still be a part of your big day, and it’s up to you to decide who you want there.

One essential vendor is your officiant. They can marry you virtually or in-person at a distance. If your officiant won’t physically be in your presence, you will need to confirm that there isn’t anything additional you need to do to make your wedding legal. And don’t forget to get your marriage license! Both the officiant and marriage license requirements vary by state and county, so double check these first before you say, “I do!”.

Even though the in-person guest count will be low, a photographer can still capture your wedding memories and make your ceremony special. Interview a few to see if they have experience with virtual weddings and ask if you can see some samples of their work. Capturing your virtual wedding day moments will give you some positive memories to look back on and remember this year as the time you were married during a global pandemic.

You might also want music at your wedding, but maybe you don’t need a band or DJ. Make your own Spotify playlist and have it playing in the background, or if you do want live music, you could hire a virtual musician.

Additionally, even though you won’t need to cater food for your guests, you may still want to get a special dessert or food item for you and your partner. Food vendors are adapting to the pandemic and can work with you to make your food requests happen.

Finally, with the advent of virtual weddings, companies have been created to help you have a seamless experience. One such company is Wedfuly. They help you with every aspect of your big day. Using Zoom, they provide everything from tech setup to organizing your breakout rooms and first dances. Their base package starts at $1,200, and as part of this package, they provide tech support for your wedding including things like switching camera angles, muting guests, MCing your event and playing selected media. They also have a ton of add-on services you can take advantage of.

Anyone can set up an iPad and stream their wedding, but if you want someone to help you make your virtual ceremony engaging, memorable and less stressful, hiring a company like Wedfuly could be a great option for you.

And don’t forget to post a link to your Honeyfund during your livestream!

Invite Everyone!

A big perk of a livestreaming wedding is you can expand your guest list. You won’t be limited by your venue’s space or cost, and you don’t need to pay for their meals, so you can essentially invite as many people as you want!

Expanding your guest list is a great way to celebrate with more people, but keep in mind that guests may be in different time zones when deciding on the time of day for your event.

Another part of this alternative wedding experience is determining how your guests will interact with each other and you. Make it fun for them! One of the cool features on Zoom is its breakout room feature. You can divide your guests into groups and have them “eat” together like they would at a traditional wedding. This allows for people to interact as if they were sitting next to each other for dinner.

Also, communicating clearly with your guests will help your wedding day happen without a hitch. Making sure they all have the proper link and login information, and providing etiquette guidelines for muting and speaking, will help your guests know how you want them to act during your ceremony.

Caroline Creidenberg, CEO & Founder of Wedfuly, says guests may start out a bit confused and skeptical about a virtual wedding, but they always end up loving it.

“Every single time they are blown away. Guests keep commenting about how real it felt. A lot of them even comment on how they had an even better vantage point than if they had been there in person!”

So if your guests are a bit skeptical about your virtual wedding, you can highlight the positives and assure them that they will love it. Your guests will follow your lead, and if you approach your virtual ceremony with a positive attitude, your guests will too.

Are Virtual Weddings Coronavirus Friendly?

Absolutely! One of the major perks of a virtual setup is the safety it provides against coronavirus. Your guests can be a part of your ceremony from the comfort of their home, and if you decide to have vendors who need to be at your wedding in person, they can socially distance and wear facemasks to keep you, your partner and themselves safe.

Save Thousands of Dollars with a Virtual Wedding

According to Creidenberg, the main benefit they are seeing for virtual weddings is the cost savings it creates for couples.

“By not feeding hundreds of guests, couples are saving thousands of dollars and are able to quadruple the number of guests [they invite]. Removing that cost, but keeping the sentimental and emotional aspect is a win-win.”

Many couples have been hit hard financially this year, so a live-streamed wedding could make for a great alternative to help you save money.

When you get married virtually, you don’t need to book a large venue, cater food or provide transportation to and from your venue, so the main costs involved are going to be your technology setup, any vendors you use, your wedding attire and a venue if you decide on one.

Here is a breakdown of what the cost of planning a Zoom wedding might look like:

• For $14.99 you can get Zoom’s Pro Plan and have up to 100 attendees
• According to The Knot, an officiant can cost between $500 to $800
• Photographers vary in price, but can be as little as $1,000 and up to $3,000
• If you get married in your home, then your venue is free!
• Most people have a phone, tablet or laptop they can use to record their wedding. If you need to get an upgraded one, then this will be a cost you need to consider.

All-in, depending on the vendors you use and the location, you could have a virtual wedding for as little as $1,500 and start going up from there. This does not include items such as your rings or wedding attire, as that will vary based on your personal preference.

One final thing to note is that this alternative wedding option not only saves you money, but it is going to save your guests money too since they won’t need to book travel accommodations for your wedding. It also keeps them safe from having to travel during the pandemic.

How are Couples Feeling about Their Virtual Wedding

A virtual ceremony will likely cost less, let you keep your original wedding date and allow you to expand your guest list. Additionally, it will decrease the risk of exposure to coronavirus because of the lack of in-person interaction.

Creidenberg says they are hearing amazing feedback from couples regarding their virtual wedding experience including reduced stress and blown away expectations.

“Virtual weddings are way less stressful, require less planning, and are still just as emotional and memorable. A lot of couples go through an immense amount of stress leading up to their wedding day because of all the tiny details and stressful things that go into the planning process. Virtual removes a lot of those decisions and eases the stress! I think a lot of people saw this as Plan B, but now they are realizing it’s even better than plan A!”

If you still want to get your friends and family together in person, consider having a virtual ceremony and then hosting an in-person reception when the time is right. You can have the best of both worlds by saving thousands of dollars on your wedding, getting married on your original date and still celebrating in-person with your loved ones when the pandemic subsides.

A New Possibility for Weddings

This year has been anything but normal, and a virtual wedding is a great alternative to a traditional wedding. They are less expensive, and while your guests won’t be there in person, you might be able to invite more people to celebrate with you.

Virtual weddings are becoming more and more popular, so if you are thinking about saying, “I do” virtually, you should feel comforted knowing that many others have come before you and have had great experiences.

The post How to Have a Virtual Wedding You and Your Guests will Love appeared first on Honeyfund Blog by Honeyfund.com, the free honeymoon registry.

Planning your wedding and honeymoon is a big endeavor, and when you add a global pandemic to the mix, trip planning may get a little more complicated.

Resorts, airlines and hotels are doing their best to make your honeymoon experience as special as possible, while also keeping you safe during coronavirus.

While the travel industry has made safety a foremost concern, you likely have some questions:
Can you travel during coronavirus? Where can you travel? Will the experience be the same? What are hotels, airlines and resorts doing to keep you safe when traveling? Are excursions still available?

Honeyfund has you covered. Here are some tips, ideas and guidelines to think about when planning a honeymoon during coronavirus.

Planning Your Coronavirus Honeymoon

A lot has changed this year, and there are few things you want to consider when planning your honeymoon during coronavirus.

Should You Travel?

One of the first questions you should ask yourself when planning a honeymoon during coronavirus is, “Should you travel?”.

Many U.S. states have put shelter-in-place guidelines into effect, which means residents are being ordered to stay in their homes except for essential activities such as permitted work and grocery shopping.

Non-essential travel is also being strongly discouraged. While there is no clear-cut definition of essential vs. non-essential travel, we could argue that your honeymoon is essential to starting off your marriage on the right foot.

Does that make your honeymoon essential travel? That’s for you to decide.

In all seriousness, following the guidelines outlined by the CDC will help stop the spread of COVID-19 and help us start to return to normal life. However, no one is going to stop you from traveling, unless there are travel restrictions for your destination. It is up to you and your risk tolerance as to whether or not you should travel.

The Texas Medical Association created a chart showing the risk levels of various activities including dining out, traveling and being outside. Below is the chart, so you can see where these various activities fall on their scale.

Your Honeymoon Destination

Right now (as of August 2020), travelers coming from the United States cannot travel to countries in the European Union which includes countries such as Italy, France and Spain. Even within the United States there are travel restrictions and guidelines you need to follow.

For example, according to this article by the New York Times, if you are planning to travel to Hawaii, you would need to isolate yourself for two weeks, or until your stay is over, whichever is shorter. However, beginning on September 1, if you can show proof of a negative COVID test within the last 72 hours once you arrive in Hawaii, you would be able to avoid the isolation restriction.

Every state and country is going to have different guidelines and restrictions, so make sure you know what they are before you book your honeymoon. CNN.com put together a good list of countries that have reopened to US tourists which you can check out here.

Additionally, if you decide you are going to still take your honeymoon this year, and there are no travel restrictions for your destination, you may want to consider how affected that area has been by COVID. If the numbers are high, the likelihood you will come in contact with someone who has been affected by COVID goes up. Taking that risk is up to you, and you need to make that determination for yourself.

Safety Measures

Knowing what safety measures to take can also help you avoid contracting COVID-19 when you take your honeymoon during coronavirus. This includes things like wearing a mask in public places, frequently washing and sanitizing your hands, adhering to social distancing protocols and following the guidelines laid out by airports, airlines and resorts.

You should also know the signs of COVID. If you have symptoms, then it might be wise to not go on your honeymoon to help protect others from getting sick. Another thing you can do is get a COVID test before you leave for your honeymoon and when you return to make sure you haven’t contracted the disease.

Another way to stay safe while traveling during COVID is to consider using a vacation rental instead of staying at hotels or resorts. Vacation rentals (available on VRBO, AirBNB and many other travel sites) are usually private residences that you can rent out, and they are available in most locations across the United States and internationally. They can be cheaper than resorts and allow for more intimate time with your partner.

When it comes to vacation rentals, you will still want to take the proper precautions. Ask the hosts when was the last time someone stayed in the home, what are their cleaning procedures, will they be cleaning the home before you arrive, do they have any symptoms of COVID, etc. Don’t be afraid to ask these questions. You and your partner’s health are number one priority, and if the host wants you to stay in their home, they should be willing to answer a few questions for you.
Another option is an RV rental, which essentially allows you to take a tiny home with you on a road trip! You can rent them anywhere from sites like RVShare.com.

Finally, if you’re traveling internationally, check with your health insurance provider to see if they cover you while traveling overseas. If they don’t, consider applying for traveler’s insurance just in case you get sick while away from your home country.

Financial Impact of COVID

COVID-19 has affected many couples financially. If you aren’t in a financial position to pay for a honeymoon right now, then you need to do what is best for you and your family. Don’t plan a honeymoon because you feel like you have to. If you need your honeymoon money to pay for your living expenses or start your emergency fund, by all means do it. Your well-being is more important than taking a near-term honeymoon. You can always take it next year!

If you’re still planning on taking your honeymoon this year, this could be an opportunity to take a honeymoon closer to home, which could save you money on your dream trip. Find a resort in a neighboring state or road-trip to a beautiful location within a few hours of your home.

You could also take two trips: a mini-moon immediately after your wedding and a bigger honeymoon in the future. This could help you reduce the cost of your immediate trip and give you more time to save for a bigger trip down the road.

What are Airlines and Resorts doing to Keep Honeymooners Safe?

We’ve talked about what you can do to plan honeymoons in the safest way possible during coronavirus, so what are airlines, hotels and resorts doing to keep you safe?

Airlines are doing the best they can to keep you and your partner safe while traveling for your honeymoon. They want you to travel this year just as much as you want to.

Most airlines require passengers and staff to wear facemasks at all times while on the plane to help reduce the risk of spreading the disease. They are also taking cleaning very seriously. Planes are being cleaned throughout the day with industrial grade disinfectant, and they are cleaning everything including seat back screens, arm rests, seat belts and other commonly touched surfaces. Some are going as far as taking planes out of service, if a passenger showed signs of COVID while on board.

In-flight services are being reduced on most airlines including food and beverage services, and flight attendants are being equipped with sanitizing wipes and hand sanitizer to help passengers stay healthy.

Airlines have also improved their air circulation systems to keep unwanted germs from circulating throughout the plane.

Do NOT expect social distancing on the plane. Airlines are so financially squeezed they are not consistent about spacing people in every other seat or row. DO expect to wear your mask the entire time you are in the plane. Which means shorter flights are recommended over longer ones.

What about resorts and hotels?

How are hotels and resorts changing their procedures to keep you safe while you enjoy some one-on-one time with your new spouse?

Starting with the basics, many hotels are reducing or removing points of contact that are frequently touched such as door handles, key cards and seating in common areas. This can be as simple as keeping doors propped open. Additionally, these surfaces are being sanitized on a regular basis. You will also see plenty of sanitation stations throughout the premises. Some resorts are even doing temperature checks on guests when they arrive at the resort, and before sitting down to dine in an outdoor dining room.

Contactless check-in/out and touchless ordering for food and drinks are also becoming common to keep you from touching menus and other common items.

Some resorts are reducing resort, pool and restaurant capacity to make sure guests can be properly distanced and stay safe while traveling to that particular destination. Expect to have to make reservations to partake of any of the resorts restaurants, pools or other activities.

Like airlines, cleaning is being taken very seriously at resorts. If you are staying somewhere for two or more nights, housekeeping will either not be available, or they may ask you to request it. You’ll have to tell them if you want your room cleaned and how often. In addition to cleaning the normal things like towels and sheets, housekeeping is focusing on cleaning surfaces like TV remotes, light switches, faucets, door handles and other surfaces that are commonly touched by guests.

If you have dirty towels, some places are asking that you leave your dirty towels outside your door and they will leave a vacuum sealed bag of clean towels outside your room. Some hotel brands are even using new technology such as cleaning rooms with UV light technology to further clean your room.

Restaurants and bars at hotels and resorts are limiting capacity, implementing touchless menus and expanding room service options for guests. Buffets are not going to be as common in order to limit lines and to avoid people standing in close proximity to each other. One resort is even allowing guests to order their food and eat it anywhere on the premise, including by the pool, ocean or some other quiet place in the hotel, so you can have an intimate dinner experience. Be sure to make a reservation if you plan to dine at an on-property restaurant.

Hotel staff are being trained rigorously in how to clean rooms and common areas properly, and depending on the resort, they may be temperature checked to make sure they don’t have COVID.

How to Have Fun on Your Honeymoon during Coronavirus

A lot is changing in the travel and leisure industry due to COVID, but that doesn’t mean you can’t have fun while traveling for your honeymoon.

Spas are still open at many resorts, and while your massage therapist may be wearing protective gear, this is better than no massage at all. Spas typically have high quality cleaning protocols, and they are taking that even further during this time.

Pools are also remaining open by limiting their capacity to make sure people feel safe. You will still be able to sunbathe, relax in the pool and sip on your favorite drink, it might just be with less people around. Be sure to make a reservation.

But what if you like to mingle when you travel? You can absolutely do this, just make sure the other couples you mingle with feel safe and that you’re following the necessary social distancing guidelines.

Being outside is one of the best ways to avoid contracting COVID, and it is also great for the mind, body and soul. Spend the day on a secluded beach or take a hike in the mountains to create some intimate one-on-one time with your spouse. And make sure to delete all your email and social media apps, and turn off all notifications on your phone. You’ll be surprised how much fun you can have — anywhere — when your time isn’t sucked into the digital world.

If you were planning excursions like snorkeling, horseback riding or guided tours, check-in with the excursion provider to understand if they are still offering excursions and what their cleaning procedures are. If you don’t feel comfortable with it, then don’t do it. Your health is more important than a few bucks, and you can always ask for a refund.

Your Coronavirus Honeymoon

Your honeymoon is a special time to create lasting memories with your new spouse. And let’s face it, when the two of you are together everything is fun!

That said, the honeymoon standbys like exotic beaches, outdoor adventures and overseas touring are not quite what they were during the pandemic. But, if you have at least a medium risk tolerance you can still manage these adventures! Remember that the really special part is being able to unwind, relax and spend all day with your partner. You can have great conversations and create amazing memories with your partner, no matter where you decide to travel.

COVID-19 may alter or delay your travel plans, but as we have seen, there are still plenty of options to take a fantastic honeymoon. And if you would rather wait until COVID dies down before taking your honeymoon, consider a mini-moon or stay-at-home honeymoon right after your wedding.

Happy Honeymooning!

The post What You Need to Know about Coronavirus Honeymoons appeared first on Honeyfund Blog by Honeyfund.com, the free honeymoon registry.