So you’ve worked through your budget on the 1-Page Wedding Plan and figured out you’ve got $500 to spend on your big day. We can make that work! Keep reading as we share five ways to help you plan a wedding under $500—with a wedding party, in front of wedding guests, or just your partner!

How to elope for under $500

Whether you have always dreamed of it, or you’re just starting to reimagine your wedding day with fewer guests, eloping is one of the most affordable ways to get married.

A classic spot to elope is City Hall, but there are plenty of others, too. Think about eloping somewhere close to home like a house of worship, the backyard of your childhood home, or even a local park to eliminate travel costs. If you’re looking to travel a little bit further, some vendors offer elopement packages that include an overnight stay at the resort or lodge where you say “I do!”

To keep your budget in check, try to DIY as much as you can for your elopement. Purchase flowers from a grocery store or pick up a bouquet at a farmer’s market, and tie with ribbon from a craft store. Consider borrowing a dress from a friend or family member, finding one gently used online, or wear something you already own and love. In addition to saving money, another benefit of wearing a dress you already own is that now it even more happy memories tied to it!

For food and beverage, stick to just drinks or desserts for the people present to keep costs low. You can always visit a restaurant after your nuptials to celebrate!

Remember that when it comes to eloping, nearly any location you think of can serve as a spot for you to officially become married, and there are plenty of ways to have a memorable day that fits your budget. Once you choose a location, make sure to obtain a permit if you need one and don’t forget a marriage license!

Local Elopement

Estimated  cost: $330-$450

• Location: In your home or at a public park or public beach (some places may require a small permit if  the number of attendees exceeds a certain amount)
• Officiant: $84 for City Hall, or $30 if you ask a friend or family member and reimburse them for becoming ordained through Universal Life Church. Make sure to check your city or state’s guidelines, too
• Marriage License: $20-$100 depending on your county and state
• Photographer: free when you ask a close friend or family member!
• Travel: $10 in gas to get to location
• Bouquet: $50— DIY with flowers from the grocery store or local market
• Wedding dress: borrow from a friend or find one gently used at a consignment store or Facebook marketplace. Amazon even has some formal dresses that will do the trick for under $50!
• Drinks & Cake: $50—grab some cupcakes from a local bakery and a bottle of champagne to toast to your new marriage while enjoying something sweet.

Destination Elopement

Estimated  cost: $400-500

• Location: $200-400 for a resort or lodge with an elopement package
• Officiant: included in the price of the elopement package
• Marriage License: $20-$100 depending on your county and state
• Photographer: free when you ask a close friend or family member!
• Travel: $50-100 in gas to get to location
• Bouquet: $50— DIY with flowers from the grocery store or local market
• Wedding dress: borrow from a friend or find one gently used at a consignment store or Facebook marketplace. Amazon even has some formal dresses that will do the trick for under $50!
• Drinks & Cake: often included in the elopement package

How to get married at at National Park for under $500

If you love the outdoors, a National Park could be the perfect backdrop for you and your partner to exchange vows! While the park you have in mind may not be able to section off the most popular landmark for you, there will still be plenty of stunning, secluded places in the park for you to choose from. The first step in making your National Park wedding happen is to obtain a Special Use Permit from the park ahead of time. Unlike a local park, National parks will charge a small fee for you to have your wedding there, but the scenery will be well worth it! Here are a few of the most popular National Parks for weddings:

• Mount Rainier National Park

• Glacier National Park

• Redwood National Park

• Yosemite National Park

• Joshua Tree National Park

• Shenandoah National Park

• Zion National Park

• Rocky Mountain National Park

• Olympic National Park

• Grand Teton National Park

National Park Wedding:

Estimated cost: $500

• Location: $60 to $200 depending on the park
• Entrance fee: Around $50 for 2 cars
• Officiant: $30 as long as a family member or friend becomes ordained through Universal Life Church and acts as the officiant
• Marriage License: $20-$100 depending on your county and state
• Bouquet: free—obtain permission from the park to pick a few wildflowers for your bouquet or pick some ahead of time!
• Food & drink: $200—there are usually restrictions about brining outside food into a National Park, so consider going to a local brewery afterwards to celebrate with a round of drinks with your guests!
• Attire: Rent or borrow a dress or tux, or choose one of these wedding dresses for less than $100!

How to throw a backyard wedding for under $500:

Traditionally, one of the biggest wedding expenses is the venue. Getting married in your backyard (or even a friend’s yard) is a great way to cut this cost and save some money! Since it’s residential property, there won’t be any permits needed or a limit on the amount of guests you can invite for your big day. That being said, it’s still ideal to keep your guests count relatively low so you won’t go overboard on the food and beverage costs.

Backyard wedding

Estimated cost: $450

• Officiant: $30 as long as a family member or friend becomes ordained through Universal Life Church and acts as the officiant.
• Marriage License: $20-$100 depending on your county and state
• Bouquet: $50— DIY with flowers from the grocery store or local market.
• Wedding cake: $50 from a local bakery
• Table and chair rental for 30 people: $150
• Wedding dress: borrow from a friend or find one gently used at a consignment store or Facebook marketplace. Amazon even has some formal dresses that will do the trick for under $50!
• Food and drink: $100 consider asking your guests to bring a dish to pass—when you keep the guest count under 30 this isn’t something to far-fetched to ask!

How to get married in Vegas for under $500:

One of the most classic places to get married if you’re on a budget? Vegas, baby. Vegas weddings are a well-oiled machine, which there’s not much to think about or plan! In Vegas you can get decide on a venue the day you decide to get married, but if you’re planning ahead you’ll want to book your venue or chapel. In most cases, the chapel will have complete wedding packages for you to choose from that fit your budget. These usually include the the cost of catering, flowers, music, photography during your big day. Don’t forget: every couple getting legal married in a Vegas ceremony must get a marriage license issued from the Clark County Marriage License Bureau. To save some time, you can begin the application process online!

Vegas wedding or elopement

Estimated cost: $400-$500

• Wedding chapel: $399 for up to 10 guests
• Marriage License: $100
• Photographer: included in the chapel’s wedding package
• Officiant: included in the chapel’s wedding package
• Bouquet: included in the chapel’s wedding package
• Wedding attire: tux and dress rental included in the chapel’s wedding package!

The post Five Ways to Plan a Wedding Under $500 appeared first on Honeyfund Blog by Honeyfund.com, the free honeymoon registry.

When you focus your wedding vision on your authentic personalities and budget, the possibilities are endless! In other words, your ideal wedding day is possible on any budget.

If you’ve decided your budget is $1,000 (or less!), you’re in the right place. From a backyard barbecue to a wedding-turned-roadtrip, we’re sharing seven ways to celebrate your wedding day for less than $1,000. Of course, all of these ideas are just examples, as costs vary from city to city and state to state. But we promise you’ll leave this article inspired to make your wedding happen, your way, on your budget!

How to elope for around $1,000

In the last few years, elopements have grown in popularity. And for good reason — eloping is exciting and sexy. Eloping doesn’t conform to usual wedding rules — you get to focus it entirely on what you two want. And, you can limit any invitees to just your closest family and/or friends. You can elope in Vegas, of course, but there are plenty of other ideas too: your backyard, in front of a house of worship, in a park, at your favorite travel destination…the list truly goes on.

If you’re envisioning inviting close family and friends, you may want to choose a place with seating (parks, small open-air stadiums, etc). Or have guests stand and just bring a few chairs from home for anyone requiring it. For wedding flowers, skip the fancy arrangements and order a DIY bouquet and boutonniere kit from Etsy. Grab some fresh flowers from a local market and have your friends and family help you make your bouquet and boutonnieres the morning of your wedding! If you want to cut a wedding cake and enjoy the sweet treat together, find a gourmet grocery near you with a bakery and order a $60 cake, and top with some of your fresh flowers. Keep food and drink to a minimum so your costs stay low–consider asking guests to BYOB or opt to skip the alcohol. Stick to serving light appetizers—most of which you’ll be able to score at a great discount when you buy in bulk at a wholesale store.

Think of this type of elopement as a mostly DIY, relaxed and very small gathering with your favorite people.

Example Elopement Budget: $820-$940 for 8 people

• Marriage License: $100
• Officiant: $150 for a Vegas-style service. $30 when a family member or friend acts as your officiant and becomes ordained through online services, like Universal Life Church.
• Wedding Flowers: $150 for a bouquet and boutonniere
• Attire: $300 for grooms duds and this gorgeous $47 wedding dress (Or borrow, rent or buy a second-hand wedding dress.)
• Wedding Cake: $60 from the local bakery or market
• Hors d’oeuvres: $100 from a wholesale store
• Beverages for 8 people: $80 from a wholesale store

How to host a backyard wedding for $1,000

When you’re deciding where to host your wedding for under $1000, your backyard might come to mind. It’s one of the most intimate settings for a wedding because you will be celebrating at home. With that, you will also likely feel more comfortable and relaxed.

To keep costs in check, consider either ordering catering from your favorite local restaurant — or appoint a culinary friend or family member as head chef to cook at home. After walking down the aisle and reciting your vows, enjoy lunch or dinner by bringing some tables and chairs outside, or renting a set and providing your own linens. Then get everyone’s competitive juices flowing by playing backyard games, like Jenga, cornhole, or Connect 4. If the backyard where you will wed has a pool, don’t shy away from jumping in! Create a playlist on Spotify ahead of time and use a bluetooth speaker to keep the music going all night long.

Example Backyard Wedding Budget: $1,105 for 20 people

• Marriage License: $100
• Officiant: $30 when your ceremony is officiated by a family member or friend.
• Wedding Flowers: $100 – DIY bouquet and boutonniere
• Attire:$300 for grooms duds and this gorgeous $47 dress (Or borrow, rent or buy a second-hand dress.)
• Food & Alcohol: $500 for 20 people at $25 per person
• Wedding Cake: Ask a friend to bake for you in lieu of getting you a wedding gift or contributing to your Honeyfund
• Backyard Games: $50 for a set
• Rentals chairs and table for 10: $75 (you provide additional seating for 10)

How to host a wedding at a restaurant for about $1,000

Do you have a favorite local restaurant? What about an eatery that holds meaning as a result of moments spent there, like your first date or even your engagement? Celebrate your wedding at a restaurant to keep your wedding costs under $1000!

Hold a short standing ceremony at the restaurant (you’ll want to ask permission first), then enjoy dinner together with your immediate family and even a few friends. Because your group will be small, your meal and time spent together will feel intentional, which is a wonderful way to start your marriage together. With help from a speaker and a playlist, you might even be able to share a first dance and dances with your parents!

Example Restaurant Wedding Budget: $1180 (for 10 people)

• Marriage License: $100
• Officiant: $30 when your ceremony is officiated by a family member or friend who is ordained through Universal Life Church.
• Wedding Flowers: $150 – DIY bouquet and boutonniere
• Attire:$250 for grooms duds and this gorgeous $47 dress (Or borrow, rent or buy a second-hand dress.)
• Food & Alcohol: $650 including tax and gratuity at $25 per person
• Wedding Cake/Dessert: Negotiate in the price per person with the restaurant or ask if you can bring in a homemade treat to serve instead

How to host a destination wedding for up to $1,000:

When you think of a destination wedding, a far-off resort likely comes to mind. But, there are many more budget-friendly ways to host a destination wedding. To keep your destination wedding under $1000, turn to a larger family home, a friend’s home, or a vacation rental and make it a fun staycation for you and a few close friends and family!

If you rent from a site like VRBO, look for properties located near your favorite destination: in the mountains, at the beach, or even on a farm. We’ve also spotted tree houses available to rent! Before booking, make sure the owner is open to you hosting a family gathering, even if you’re only inviting a small group. Look for a property with an outdoor space perfect for the ceremony, and you can enjoy a post-ceremony dinner together on a deck or tucked inside by a fireplace.

One of the best parts about this type of celebration is you will get to spend more than one day soaking up time with your most loved crew. It’s a wedding, friendly-moon and staycation all wrapped into one!

Example Destination Wedding Budget: $370-$970 for 8 people

• Destination Home: $0-600 Friend/family members home or rental at $300/night for 2 nights
• Marriage License: $100
• Officiant: $30 as long as your ceremony is performed by a family member or friend who is ordained online.
• Wedding Flowers: $0 if you pick wildflowers or re-purpose gently used flowers from a church or wedding venue
• Attire: $0 Wear something you already own, or borrow a dress. If you must, try this gorgeous $47 wedding dress.
• Wedding Cake Cake: $60 from the local bakery or market, topped with local greenery or wildflowers
• Hors d’oeuvres $100 from local market or wholesale store
• Beverages for 8 people: $80 from local market or wholesale store
• Food and drinks for the rest of your stay: Ask each guest to provide a meal and drinks for the house. You can even turn it into a fun cooking competition to see which family member or friend creates the best dish!

How to host a unique wedding experience for up to $1,000:

What if your wedding wasn’t the traditional ceremony with music, food and drinks after? What if it was a totally different kind of experience?

Imagine taking your intimate wedding party to a medieval dinner and tournament, a mystery dinner theater, a comedy show, concert or circus performance. Or, opt for an afternoon of fun with a family baseball game, a DIY game show, or an evening of song. There are so many possibilities!

We like to think of wedding experiences as a reception alternative following a small standing ceremony. It definitely allows for an unforgettable night!

If your experience tickets don’t include a meal, make sure your event happens in between meal times or after dinner, so you can focus your budget on the fun and not on food.

Example Experience Wedding Budget: $1000 for 8 people at Medieval Times

• Marriage License: $100
• Officiant: $30 when your ceremony is officiated by a family member or friend
• Wedding lowers: $100 – DIY bouquet and boutonniere
• Attire: $250 to rent two medieval costumes, get matching jerseys, or DIY your outfits!
• Dinner and tournament tickets: $520 ($65 per person for 8 people)

How do you imagine planning a wedding under $1000? Chime in with your ideas below.

Researching weddings on a variety of budgets? Read our other “Weddings For Any Budget” articles.

The post How to Plan a Wedding for $1,000 appeared first on Honeyfund Blog by Honeyfund.com, the free honeymoon registry.

Are you ready for the Adventure of a Lifetime?

Honeyfund has collaborated with Disney’s Jungle Cruise to bring you the Honeyfund Adventure of a Lifetime Sweepstakes! Enter now for a chance to win a 4-night honeymoon or travel adventure at the Walt Disney World Resort for you and your skipper.

See Disney’s Jungle Cruise in theaters or order it on Disney+ with Premier Access now! (Additional fee required.)

Winner: Tiffany Mink

HOW TO ENTER

Entrants may choose one or more of the following ways to enter (limit one Honeyfund account per entrant):

1. New! Enter on this Instagram post.

2. How to enter on your own Instagram feed:

1. Sign up for Honeyfund and tell us about your dream honeymoon or travel adventure on your page!

2. Post a photo of you and your skipper on your (public) Instagram feed

3. Share your adventure story in the comment of your post and include @honeyfund @disneysjunglecruise

Get additional entries via your post. Every post like equals one entry.
Sign Up Now to Get Started

3. How to enter on Facebook:

1. Sign up for Honeyfund and tell us about your dream honeymoon or travel adventure on your page!

2. Comment on Honeyfund’s Facebook Sweepstakes post with your dream adventure story and include your Honeyfund page link

Get additional entries via your comment. Every like on your comment equals one entry.
Sign Up Now to Get Started

Honeyfund’s Adventure of a Lifetime Sweepstakes OFFICIAL RULES

The Sweepstakes is administered by Honeyfund.com, Inc. (“Sponsor”, “Administrator” or “Honeyfund”), located at 2519 McMullen Booth Rd, Ste 510-260, Clearwater, FL 33761. The Sweepstakes offers you (“you,” or “Participant”) a chance to win one grand prize (“Prize”).

Beginning August 14, 2021, Honeyfund invites you to enter the “Honeyfund Adventure of a Lifetime” Sweepstakes (the “Sweepstakes”). The Prize includes a Walt Disney World vacation consisting of a) four (4) nights’ accommodations for two (2) people at the Walt Disney World Resort (specific hotel subject to Disney and availability), two (2) 4-day Park Hopper Tickets to Walt Disney World parks, airfare for two people (up to $800 in Honeyfund Gift Card credits redeemable on Southwest or Delta), four per diem credits for two people (up to $480 Honeyfund Gift Card credits redeemable for Disney Fairytale Weddings & Honeymoons gift card), and a custom photoshoot for two people in Magic Kingdom Park. The approximate retail value of the Prize is $4,930.

NO PURCHASE IS NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. A PURCHASE WILL NOT INCREASE YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING. ALL FEDERAL, STATE, LOCAL, AND MUNICIPAL LAWS AND REGULATIONS APPLY. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED.

The Sweepstakes is open to legal residents of the 50 United States and DC, who are at least eighteen (18) years old (or the age of majority in their state of legal residence if that age is older than 18) at the time of entry. Employees, officers and directors of Honeyfund, Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures (“Disney”) and other companies associated with the promotion of the Sweepstakes, and their respective parents, subsidiaries, affiliates and advertising and promotion agencies, as well as the immediate families and dependents (including spouse, parents, siblings, and children) and household members of each such employee, are not eligible.

Participation in the Sweepstakes constitutes entrant’s full and unconditional agreement to and acceptance of these Official Rules and the decisions of the Administrator, which are final and binding. Winning a prize is contingent upon compliance with these Official Rules and fulfilling all other requirements set forth herein. The Sweepstakes entry period beings on August 14, 2021 at 12:01 am EDT and ends on September 7, 2021  (*extended*) September 28, 2021 at 11:59 pm EDT  (the “Sweepstakes Period”). Entries that are submitted before or after the Sweepstakes Period are not eligible for the Prize and will be disqualified.

Participants will gain entry into the Sweepstakes, during the Sweepstakes Period, by one or more of the following methods:

A. Method 1: Earn one entry via Facebook when you:

1. Sign up for Honeyfund and tell us about your dream honeymoon or travel adventure on your page

2. Comment on Honeyfund’s Facebook Sweepstakes post with your dream adventure story and Honeyfund page link Get additional entries when friends and family vote for your entry by liking your comment. Every like on your comment equals one entry.

B. Method 2: Earn one entry via Instagram when you:

1. Sign up for Honeyfund and tell us about your dream honeymoon or travel adventure on your page

2. Post a photo of you and your skipper on your (public) Instagram feed

3. Share your adventure story in the comment of your post and tag @honeyfund.

Get additional entries when friends and family like your post. Every post like equals one entry.

C. Method 3: Enter on this Instagram post.

Entrants can gain multiple entries by following the entry steps on both Facebook and Instagram, but entrants are limited to one Honeyfund account. Limit one entry per Honeyfund account on each platform (excluding bonus entries). All entries become the property of the Administrator and will not be acknowledged or returned. Entrants must get permission from anyone featured in the photo submission on Instagram. Image must not include any logos or intellectual property from third-party brands.

On or about September 29, 2021, the Administrator will select one winner at random from among all eligible entries received throughout the entry period. The odds of being selected depend on the number of entries received. The Administrator will attempt to notify the potential winner via e-mail or social media direct message on October 1, 2021. If the potential winner does not reply or cannot be contacted within two (2) days after the date of the first attempt to contact him/her, the Administrator may select an alternate potential winner in his/her place at random from the remaining non-winning, eligible entries. The potential winner will be notified by e-mail to the e-mail address on the Participant’s Honeyfund account. Each potential Prize winner will be required to complete, electronically sign and submit a Declaration of Compliance within three (3) days of the date notice or attempted notice is sent, in order to claim his/her prize. If a potential winner cannot be contacted or fails to submit the Declaration of Compliance within the required time period (if applicable), or prize is returned as undeliverable, the potential winner forfeits the prize. The potential winner must continue to comply with all terms and conditions of these Official Rules, and winning is contingent upon fulfilling all requirements. In the event that a potential winner is disqualified for any reason, the Administrator will award the applicable prize to an alternate winner by random drawing from among all remaining eligible entries. Only three (3) alternate drawings will be held, after which the prize will remain un-awarded.

The Grand Prize Walt Disney World resort booking instructions, park tickets redemption instructions, photoshoot redemption instructions and $1,280 in Honeyfund Gift card credits for airfare and per diems will be fulfilled approximately 3-6 weeks after the conclusion of the Sweepstakes. Winner must have a Honeyfund account to receive Honeyfund Gift Card credits. Winner must follow booking instructions in a timely fashion as all travel must be completed by October 31, 2022. Prize conditions:

– Prize is not redeemable for cash and is subject to availability, non-transferable, non-negotiable, non-refundable and no substitution will be made.

– Sponsor reserves the right to substitute the Grand Prize (or any element thereof) for one of equal or greater value for any reason.

– Should any event, element or detail of the prize become unavailable, Released Parties shall have no obligation to the winner.

– All prizes will be awarded provided a sufficient number of entries are received.

– Winner and guest must travel together on the same itinerary.

– Trip and stay at Walt Disney World Resort are subject to additional airline and hotel terms, conditions, and policies and Walt Disney World Resort terms, conditions and policies.

– Guest can only be a minor if their parent or legal guardian is the winner.

– Winner/guest responsible for carrying all necessary travel documents.

– Sponsor bears no responsibility if any prize element become unavailable.

– Winner is responsible for all prize-related expenses not listed (e.g., transportation to and from airports, hotel incidentals, meals and travel expenses not covered by the prize, etc.)

In the event that the operation, security, or administration of the Sweepstakes is impaired in any way for any reason, including, but not limited to fraud, virus, bug, worm, unauthorized human intervention or other technical problem, or in the event the Sweepstakes is unable to run as planned for any other reason, as determined by Administrator in its sole discretion, the Administrator may, in its sole discretion, either (a) suspend the Sweepstakes to address the impairment and then resume the Sweepstakes in a manner that best conforms to the spirit of these Official Rules or (b) terminate the Sweepstakes and, in the event of termination, award the prize at random from among the eligible, non-suspect entries received up to the time of the impairment.

Alternatively, you may enter the Sweepstakes by mailing a postcard with your name, return address, phone number and e-mail address, to Honeyfund.com, Inc., 2519 McMullen Booth Rd N, Ste 510-260, Clearwater, FL 33761.  A mail-in entry must be postmarked before the end of the Sweepstakes Period, and received by Sponsor on or before September 28, 2021. Any mail-in entry received after that date will not be eligible. Any mail entry that does not include the information requested above will not be eligible. Each entry must be mailed separately.

The Administrator reserves the right in its sole discretion to disqualify any individual it finds to be manipulating, misusing, or tampering with the entry process or the operation of the Sweepstakes or to be acting in violation of these Official Rules or in an unsportsmanlike or disruptive manner. Any attempt by any person to damage the website, create unauthorized accounts or undermine the legitimate operation of the Sweepstakes may be a violation of criminal and civil law, and, should such an attempt be made, the Administrator reserves the right to seek damages (including attorney’s fees) and any other remedies from any such person to the fullest extent permitted by law. Failure by the Administrator to enforce any provision of these Official Rules shall not constitute a waiver of that provision.

By participating in the Sweepstakes, entrants agree to release and hold harmless the Administrator, Disney, any Sponsors, Facebook, Instagram and each of their respective parents, subsidiaries, affiliates, advertising and promotion agencies, other companies associated with the Sweepstakes, and each of their respective officers, directors, employees, shareholders, representatives, and agents (the “Released Parties”) from and against any claim or cause of action arising out of participation in the Sweepstakes or receipt or use of the prize (including any travel or activity related thereto), including, but not limited to: (a) any technical errors associated with the Sweepstakes, including lost, interrupted or unavailable Internet Service Provider (ISP), network, server, wireless service provider, or other connections, availability or accessibility or miscommunications or failed computer, satellite, telephone, cellular tower or cable transmissions, lines, or technical failure or jumbled, scrambled, delayed, or misdirected transmissions or computer hardware or software malfunctions, failures or difficulties; (b) unauthorized human intervention in the Sweepstakes; (c) mechanical, network, electronic, computer, human, printing or typographical errors; (d)application downloads, (e) any other errors or problems in connection with the Sweepstakes, including, without limitation, errors that may occur in the promotion/ad materials, administration of the Sweepstakes, the announcement of the winner, the cancellation or postponement of the event and/or the flyover, if applicable, the incorrect downloading of the application, the processing of entries application downloads or in any Sweepstakes-related materials; or (f) injury, death, losses or damages of any kind, to persons or property which may be caused, directly or indirectly, in whole or in part, from entrants participation in the Sweepstakes or acceptance, receipt or misuse of the prize (including any travel or activity related thereto). Entrant further agrees that in any cause of action, the Released Parties liability will be limited to the cost of entering and participating in the Sweepstakes, and in no event shall the entrant be entitled to receive attorney’s fees. Released Parties are also not responsible for any incorrect or inaccurate information, whether caused by site users, tampering, hacking, or by any equipment or programming associated with or utilized in the Sweepstakes. Entrant waives the right to claim any damages whatsoever, including, but not limited to, punitive, consequential, direct, or indirect damages.

ENTRANTS/WINNER AGREE THAT: ALL ISSUES AND QUESTIONS CONCERNING THE CONSTRUCTION, VALIDITY, INTERPRETATION AND ENFORCEABILITY OF THE SWEEPSTAKES OR THE RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF ENTRANTS OR SPONSOR IN CONNECTION WITH THE SWEEPSTAKES SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE INTERNAL LAWS OF THE STATE OF FLORIDA, WITHOUT GIVING EFFECT TO ANY CHOICE OF LAW OF CONFLICT OF LAW RULES OR PROVISIONS THAT WOULD CAUSE THE APPLICATION OF ANY OTHER LAWS. Entrants/winner are solely responsible for compliance with all applicable laws, rules and regulations including but not limited to tax and similar reporting obligations imposed by federal, state and local authorities. As a condition of participating in the Sweepstakes, each entrant agrees that in any and all disputes that cannot be resolved between the parties and in any causes of action arising out of or connected with the Sweepstakes, the exclusive procedure for resolving the dispute shall be arbitration administered by the American Arbitration Association (“AAA”) under its Commercial Arbitration Rules before one arbitrator in Tampa, Florida. Judgment on the award rendered by the arbitrator may be entered in any court with jurisdiction. The arbitrator shall be selected from the AAA’s large, complex case panel. Absent good cause or the parties’ agreement, the award shall be rendered within six months of the arbitrator’s selection. The arbitrator shall award reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs to the prevailing party. Except as may be required by law, neither party nor the arbitrator may disclose the existence, contents, or results of anything related to the arbitration, including but not limited to pleadings, motions, briefs, discovery, depositions, hearings, or award without all the parties’ prior written consent. The only exception to the exclusive procedure of arbitration is that either party may bring in court an action for injunctive relief pending arbitration. Each party consents to personal jurisdiction and venue in the state or federal courts in Tampa, Florida, which shall be the exclusive venue for any court action between the parties. NOTWITHSTANDING THE FOREGOING, ANY AND ALL DISPUTES, CLAIMS AND CAUSES OF ACTION ARISING OUT OF OR CONNECTED WITH THE INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY OR PRIZING OF DISNEY, ITS PARENTS, SUBSIDIARIES, AFFILIATES AND RELATED COMPANIES, SHALL BE RESOLVED INDIVIDUALLY, WITHOUT RESORT TO ANY FORM OF CLASS ACTION, SHALL BE GOVERNED AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA AND IN THE EVENT OF ANY DISPUTE, ALL ENTRANTS IRREVOCABLY CONSENT TO THE JURISDICTION OF THE STATE AND FEDERAL COURTS LOCATED IN LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA TO RESOLVE SUCH DISPUTES. FURTHER, IN ANY SUCH DISPUTE, UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES WILL ENTRANT/WINNER BE PERMITTED TO OBTAIN AWARDS FOR AND HEREBY WAIVES ALL RIGHTS TO CLAIM PUNITIVE; INCIDENTAL; OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, INCLUDING REASONABLE ATTORNEYS’ FEES, AND ENTRANT/WINNER FURTHER WAIVES ALL RIGHTS TO HAVE DAMAGES MULTIPLIED OR INCREASED. Winner grant’s Sponsor, Disney and any of Sponsor’s clients or designees the right to use their name, city of residence and any image taken of them and their guest by or on behalf of Sponsor, in connection with the Contest, in any and all media now or hereafter devised without limitation and without additional compensation, notification or permission or other liability to me or my heirs, executors, administrators, personal representatives or assigns; and except where prohibited, each entrant agrees that any and all disputes, claims and causes of action arising out of, or connected with, the Sweepstakes or any prize awarded shall be resolved individually, without resort to any form of class action, and exclusively by the appropriate court located in Florida. All issues and questions concerning the construction, validity, interpretation and enforceability of these Official Rules, entrants rights and obligations, or the rights and obligations of the Administrator and any sponsors in connection with the Sweepstakes, shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of Florida, without giving effect to any choice of law or conflict of law rules, which would cause the application of the laws of any jurisdiction other than Information collected from entrants is subject to Administrator’s privacy policy.

For the Winner List, please send an e-mail to help at honeyfund.com between October 15, 2021 and November 15, 2022.This Sweepstakes is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with Facebook or Instagram. You understand that you are providing your information to Honeyfund.com, Inc. and not to Facebook or Instagram.

The post CLOSED – Enter The Adventure of a Lifetime Sweepstakes appeared first on Honeyfund Blog by Honeyfund.com, the free honeymoon registry.

­­­$500 Honeyfund Wedding Survey Giveaway — Official Rules

Beginning August 3, 2021, Honeyfund is giving away one $500 Honeyfund Gift Card to promote the Honeyfund Wedding Planning Survey.

­­­$500 Honeyfund Wedding Survey Giveaway Official Rules

NO PURCHASE IS NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. A PURCHASE WILL NOT INCREASE YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING. ALL FEDERAL, STATE, LOCAL, AND MUNICIPAL LAWS AND REGULATIONS APPLY. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED.

The ­­­$500 Honeyfund Wedding Survey Giveaway (the Sweepstakes) is open to legal residents of the United States who are at least eighteen (18) years old at the time of entry. Employees of Honeyfund and other companies associated with the promotion of the Sweepstakes, and their respective parents, subsidiaries, affiliates and advertising and promotion agencies as well as the immediate family (spouse, parents, siblings, and children) and household members of each such employee are not eligible.

The Sweepstakes is administered by and sponsored by Honeyfund.com, Inc. (˜Administrator’), located at 2519 McMullen Booth Rd N, Ste 510-260, Clearwater, FL 33761.

$500 Honeyfund Wedding Survey Giveaway prize includes:

• One (1) $500 USD Gift Card from the Honeyfund Gift Card Shop

Participation in the Sweepstakes constitutes entrant’s full and unconditional agreement to and acceptance of these Official Rules and the decisions of the Administrator, which are final and binding. Winning a prize is contingent upon being compliant with these Official Rules and fulfilling all other requirements set forth herein. The Sweepstakes begins on August 3, 2021 at 12:01 am PST and ends on September 30, 2021 at 11:59 pm PST (the Sweepstakes Period). Entries that are submitted before or after the Sweepstakes Period will be disqualified. Submissions will be accepted for the duration of the Sweepstakes using any of the following methods:

Entrants receive one (1) entry for submitting a completed Honeyfund Wedding Survey response.

No purchase is necessary.

All entries become the property of Administrator/Sponsor and will not be acknowledged or returned.

On or about October 6, 2021, the Administrator will select ten winners at random from among all eligible entries received throughout the entry period. The odds of being selected depend on the number of entries received. The Administrator will attempt to notify the potential giveaway winner via telephone on or about October 7, 2021. If the potential winner cannot be contacted within five (5) days after the date of the first attempt to contact him/her, the Administrator may select an alternate potential winner in his/her place at random from the remaining non-winning, eligible entries. The potential winners will be notified by email, mail or phone. Each potential Prize winner (parent/legal guardian if a minor in his/her state of residence) will be required to complete, electronically sign and submit a Declaration of Compliance within five (5) days of the date notice or attempted notice is sent, in order to claim his/her prize. If a potential winner cannot be contacted, or fails to submit the Declaration of Compliance within the required time period (if applicable), or prize is returned as undeliverable, potential winner forfeits prize. If the potential winner is at least 18 but still considered a minor in his/her jurisdiction of residence, Sponsor reserves the right to award the prize in the name of his/her parent or legal guardian, who will be required to sign the Declaration of Compliance on the potential winners behalf and fulfill any other requirements imposed on winner set forth herein. Potential winners must continue to comply with all terms and conditions of these Official Rules, and winning is contingent upon fulfilling all requirements. In the event that a potential winner is disqualified for any reason, Sponsor will award the applicable prize to an alternate winner by random drawing from among all remaining eligible entries. Only three (3) alternate drawings will be held, after which the prize will remain un-awarded. All potential winners from Canada will be required to answer a time-limited skill-testing question correctly without any assistance to be eligible to receive a prize, or such prize will be forfeited.

The Prize will be fulfilled approximately 3-6 weeks after the conclusion of the Sweepstakes. In the event that the operation, security, or administration of the Sweepstakes is impaired in any way for any reason, including, but not limited to fraud, virus, bug, worm, unauthorized human intervention or other technical problem, or in the event the Sweepstakes is unable to run as planned for any other reason, as determined by Administrator in its sole discretion, the Administrator may, in its sole discretion, either (a) suspend the Sweepstakes to address the impairment and then resume the Sweepstakes in a manner that best conforms to the spirit of these Official Rules or (b) terminate the Sweepstakes and, in the event of termination, award the prize at random from among the eligible, non-suspect entries received up to the time of the impairment.

The Administrator reserves the right in its sole discretion to disqualify any individual it finds to be tampering with the entry process or the operation of the Sweepstakes or to be acting in violation of these Official Rules or in an unsportsmanlike or disruptive manner. Any attempt by any person to damage the website or undermine the legitimate operation of the Sweepstakes may be a violation of criminal and civil law, and, should such an attempt be made, the Administrator reserves the right to seek damages (including attorney’s fees) and any other remedies from any such person to the fullest extent permitted by law. Failure by the Administrator to enforce any provision of these Official Rules shall not constitute a waiver of that provision.

By participating in the Sweepstakes, entrants agree to release and hold harmless the Administrator and Sponsors, and each of their respective parents, subsidiaries, affiliates, advertising and promotion agencies, other companies associated with the Sweepstakes, and each of their respective officers, directors, employees, shareholders, representatives, and agents (the Released Parties) from and against any claim or cause of action arising out of participation in the Sweepstakes or receipt or use of the prize (including any travel or activity related thereto), including, but not limited to: (a) any technical errors associated with the Sweepstakes, including lost, interrupted or unavailable Internet Service Provider (ISP), network, server, wireless service provider, or other connections, availability or accessibility or miscommunications or failed computer, satellite, telephone, cellular tower or cable transmissions, lines, or technical failure or jumbled, scrambled, delayed, or misdirected transmissions or computer hardware or software malfunctions, failures or difficulties; (b) unauthorized human intervention in the Sweepstakes; (c) mechanical, network, electronic, computer, human, printing or typographical errors; (d)application downloads, (e) any other errors or problems in connection with the Sweepstakes, including, without limitation, errors that may occur in the administration of the Sweepstakes, the announcement of the winner, the cancellation or postponement of the event and/or the flyover, if applicable, the incorrect downloading of the application, the processing of entries application downloads or in any Sweepstakes-related materials; or (f) injury, death, losses or damages of any kind, to persons or property which may be caused, directly or indirectly, in whole or in part, from entrants participation in the Sweepstakes or acceptance, receipt or misuse of the prize (including any travel or activity related thereto). Entrant further agrees that in any cause of action, the Released Parties liability will be limited to the cost of entering and participating in the Sweepstakes, and in no event shall the entrant be entitled to receive attorney’s fees. Released Parties are also not responsible for any incorrect or inaccurate information, whether caused by site users, tampering, hacking, or by any equipment or programming associated with or utilized in the Sweepstakes. Entrant waives the right to claim any damages whatsoever, including, but not limited to, punitive, consequential, direct, or indirect damages.

Except where prohibited, each entrant agrees that any and all disputes, claims and causes of action arising out of, or connected with, the Sweepstakes or any prize awarded shall be resolved individually, without resort to any form of class action, and exclusively by the appropriate court located in California. All issues and questions concerning the construction, validity, interpretation and enforceability of these Official Rules, entrants rights and obligations, or the rights and obligations of the Sponsor in connection with the Sweepstakes, shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of California, without giving effect to any choice of law or conflict of law rules, which would cause the application of the laws of any jurisdiction other than Information collected from entrants is subject to Sponsor’s privacy policy.

For the Winner List, watch this blog or send an e-mail to help at honeyfund dot com.

The merchants represented are not sponsors of Honeyfund.com, Inc. or otherwise affiliated with Honeyfund.com, Inc. The logos and other identifying marks above are trademarks of and owned by each represented company and/or its affiliates. Please visit each company’s website for additional terms and conditions.

The post ­­­CLOSED – $500 Honeyfund Wedding Survey Giveaway appeared first on Honeyfund Blog by Honeyfund.com, the free honeymoon registry.

La Valise Tulum, Tulum, Mexico

What is trip design?

All good plans begin with the end in mind. And that’s the idea behind taking the time to design your dream honeymoon BEFORE you dive into a booking website and start looking at rates. But what is trip design?

Trip design is anything but the old way of DIY online travel booking. With the old way, it can easily feel like planning your romantic, once-in-a-lifetime honeymoon becomes a chore, or it can fill you with that dreaded sense that you’re going to somehow screw it up. (You’re already planning a whole wedding! What more can the world ask of you?) 

Enter: Reco from Tripadvisor. Reco is a service that matches you to a Trip Designer who will craft a one-of-a-kind travel experience for you. All you have to do is tell Reco where you want to go, and they find a local planning expert who can bring your vision to life. 

I asked Reco to help me plan a twice-postponed, romantic trip to Europe for the Summer of 2021 so I could see exactly what it’s like to work with their Trip Designers—I can tell you I’m 100% sure this is the way to plan a honeymoon.

Yucatán, Mexico

How does it work?

We started on the Reco website, entered our chosen destination (Barcelona, Spain), and quickly found two Trip Designers with the experience we were looking for in Europe. Reco Trip Designers are among the world’s best travel experts, so we were excited to get started. Since our trip also includes a few days in Italy, we searched through the Trip Designers until we found one also specializing in Italy. (Reco will allow for multi-destination search soon, but it’s not there yet). 

The next step was to set up a call with our Reco Trip Designer. (You can consult with your Reco Trip Designer before you ever pay a dime, seriously.) We LOVED Ane and hired her for our trip. She asked us questions about our interests, our chosen destination, and our vision for the trip. We told her about our love of classical music, tennis, history, and shopping! We wanted to experience live Spanish guitar in Barcelona and lounge by the pool with a view of Lake Como in Italy. Sigh.

Then, she took it all away and worked her magic. She came back to us about a week later with a custom itinerary proposal. It included all the elements that fit our personal interests, mixed with some custom experiences that our destinations offer. She also arranged for perks like a free room upgrade and VIP welcome experience in Italy and a Tapas tour in Spain! We had 2-3 hotel options to choose from in each location and information about transfers, tours, and more.

Grand Hotel Tremezzo, Lake Como, Italy

We LOVED the lake-front, 5-star resort she chose for us in Lake Como (complete with a tennis court!), but it was out of our budget. The next option wasn’t quite the style we wanted. So we gave her some feedback about what we were looking for, and she came back with a perfect third option. And then she helped us book it! 

One funny thing about us is that we like to have separate bathrooms wherever we travel. Well, Ane found us a 2-bedroom, 2-bath apartment in Barcelona, attached to a hotel with all the amenities like pool, gym, restaurants, bars, and more—for less than the price of a hotel!

Majestic Residence apartment, Barcelona, Spain

Next, we asked Ane about local tours. She had options that we wouldn’t have found ourselves, as well as links to tours she recommended we book ourselves via Viator. In the end, our Trip Designer took care of accommodations, experiences, and logistics like transfers. She also helped us understand cancellation and change policies, travel regulations, and insurance options. Since we’re traveling toward the end of Covid and Europe hasn’t officially reopened to American travelers, she made sure we could reschedule if necessary without incurring additional fees.

Finally, it’s amazing to know that Ane has our back during the planning and traveling. So, if anything unexpected happens on the trip, we can reach out to her for help. 

I can say from experience, Reco’s trip design process is a solid way to ensure you’ll not just have a great trip, but a fantastic honeymoon. 

Quintana Roo, Mexico

How much does it cost? 

Take my word for it: Reco is worth every penny of the $199 fee. But, because we love you, we’ve secured a 10% discount when you use the code HONEYFUND10, available only via this exclusive link. That makes this must-have service just $179. Enjoy the fun parts of planning your honeymoon, get lost in the romance of the trip designing journey and avoid getting bogged down in the nitty-gritty. 

Whether you’re looking for nightlife, killer local cuisine, fast-paced adventures or chill beach vibes (check out this sample itinerary for a romantic Puerto Vallarta honeymoon), your Reco Trip Designer will take it into consideration when building your perfect honeymoon anywhere in the world. The expertise they bring to the table is so valuable for your peace of mind and your future memories. Start your search on Reco now, and start with free 1:1 video consultation with an expert Trip Designer today. 

The post Next-Level Honeymoons: Designing Your Dream Trip appeared first on Honeyfund Blog by Honeyfund.com, the free honeymoon registry.

Responding to your close friends’ opinions

Luckily, these are the people who’ve already been through thick and thin with you. They usually have your best interests at heart but maybe have gotten over-invested in your wedding planning process. Let them know how they can support you better. 

• ASK FOR SUPPORT: “I am very overwhelmed right now, and honestly, I could really use someone to be on my side. Can you back me up on this choice?” 
• STAY FOCUSED: “The flowers are kind of taking a backseat right now, but I appreciate your input. Can we stay focused on the food situation for right now?” 
• BE OPEN: “There are a lot of people trying to give advice and input, and I’m starting to feel like what I want is getting lost in the process.” 

Fielding suggestions from your family

Your inner circle probably just wants what’s best for you, but they might not realize their comments—or complaints—are getting under your skin. Take some time to educate them and, if necessary, set some boundaries. And, when all else fails, you can fall back on blaming the budget if you have to. (Check out this post for more ideas you can adapt.)

• EDUCATE: “Thank you so much for letting your minister know we’re getting married, Auntie! We’ve actually chosen a non-religious ceremony officiated by a friend. Their involvement is important to us.” 
• BE HONEST: “Premium chairs just aren’t something I’m worried about or willing to spend additional money on. The budget just isn’t there, Dad.” 
• HOLD YOUR GROUND: “Mom, please respect our choice of invitees. We carefully chose who is on the guestlist, and we won’t be making any changes.” 

Navigating your in-laws’ input

This one’s tricky, but you can do it. Staying gracious for any help but sticking to your authentic choices will help set the stage for your healthy relationship moving forward. You and your partner can get on the same page or even tag a wedding party member in as a point person.

• TAG IN YOUR PARTNER: “You’d like to serve a third cake? I appreciate the offer to cover it, but you’ll definitely want to see how your daughter feels about it first.” 
• THANK THEM: “Oh, yeah? We’ll talk about the dress code and make a decision together. Thanks so much for asking before you bought a white dress to wear.”
• DELEGATE: “The Best Man is actually in charge of toasts at the reception. Let me get his number for you.” 

Handling unsolicited wedding advice from distant relatives

These loved ones might not see you often enough to know all about your preferences, so they might have some ideas that just don’t jive with your vision. Our best advice is to thank them and move the conversation along. If you can help it, avoid asking their advice or opening the floor to their thoughts in the first place.

• CHANGE THE SUBJECT: “Speaking of invites, are you going to cousin Christy’s baby shower? The rubber ducks on the invitations were so cute!” 
• THANK & MOVE ON: “Thanks for the idea. Hey, how is your son’s baseball team doing?” 
• DON’T TAKE THE BAIT: “Our decorations? Guess you’ll just have to wait and see! I can’t wait for everyone to see what we picked.” 

Wrangling wedding vendors

Your vendors want you to have a great wedding—for your and their benefit! Your wedding is a reflection of their services to your guests and everyone who will see your amazing photos. But sometimes, that can lead to a blown budget. Setting the boundaries upfront can save you time, stress and, ultimately, money.

• KEEP IT FOCUSED: “I understand that the upgrade for the bar is a great deal, but I’m more interested in the food. Can you tell me what options we have for entrees?” 
• SET BOUNDARIES: “We have a max budget of $1200 for our DJ, so, unfortunately, we can’t consider any packages above that. What options do you have in our price range?”
• DELEGATE: “My bridesmaid will be the point of contact for our floral deliveries, but she’s not authorized to add any additional charges. Here is her number.” 

Adapting to handle anything

We’d never be able to write a guide to encompass everything that comes up during weddings! So, we recommend adjusting any of these strategies as needed to suit your specific scenario. The best tactics are to be open and honest when you can and call in those who love and support you when you need a little assistance. 

Is there any specific advice you’ve struggled with handling? Let us know in the comments.

Looking for more wedding planning resources? Not only can we help with wedding budgets and honeymoon planning, but we’ve also got you covered for the whole wedding. Our 1-Page Wedding Plan takes a refreshing, streamlined look at planning your wedding from top to bottom.

The post How to Respond to Unsolicited Wedding Advice from Family, Friends and Vendors appeared first on Honeyfund Blog by Honeyfund.com, the free honeymoon registry.

But what do you tell people in the meantime? Here are some of our suggestions. 

If you’re just not sure yet, or you’re worried about the budget

You can put the conversation off. Let us be the first to say that’s totally allowed! There’s no need to stress over the wedding guestlist—or let other people stress you out about it—until your budget and space are taken care of. 

• PASS THE BLAME. “Unfortunately, we don’t know how many people we can host at the venue, so I’m not sure yet what our final guestlist will look like.” 
• LEAN ON YOUR PARTNER. “My partner and I have decided to hold off on talking about who will be invited until we have had time to sit down and figure everything out.” 
• FLEX YOUR FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY. “We are really focused on making sure we are starting our marriage off financially healthy, so we’re being cautious with our wedding spending. So, we haven’t made any of those decisions yet.” 

If you’re going for an intimate vibe

There’s nothing wrong with wanting your celebration to be a private event. Weddings don’t have to be an expensive blowout party for 150+ people, including all your distant family members and your dad’s golf buddies. You can go ahead and let people know early, while setting the tone for how you’d like them to respond.

• KEEP IT SIMPLE. “Most likely, we will just invite immediate family and our wedding party.” 
• LET THEM IN ON THE SECRET. “I know it might sound unusual, but we are actually doing something a little different and making this a pretty private event. Only a few people will be invited.”
• MAKE YOUR EXPECTATIONS KNOWN. “The wedding is going to be fairly small and intimate. We have a lot of hard decisions to discuss, but we know those who love us will understand.”

If they’ve assumed they’re invited, but they’re not

Yikes! That’s hard to combat, especially if a third party has told them they are invited. There are ways to tactfully let folks know that they are not on the wedding guestlist. We definitely recommend clearing up any misconceptions as far in advance as possible. It will prevent chaos later on.

• ADDRESS IT DIRECTLY. “I heard you mention coming to the wedding, and I’m happy you want to celebrate us! I wanted to give you a heads up, though—we already finalized our list. I’m sorry we weren’t able to include you.” 
• HELP THEM UNDERSTAND. “I wish we could have invited everyone we wanted to. We had to make some tough decisions because we both have so many family members. Thanks for being so understanding. ” 
• ACKNOWLEDGE THE SOURCE. “I know my mom really wanted me to invite you, and I’d love to if we had space and budget. Unfortunately, we are limited, and we just weren’t able to make that happen. I know we’re all disappointed.” 

If they won’t stop asking

Some people may not catch a hint or may feel entitled to keep asking you about the wedding guestlist. You’ll need to be a lot more direct to get them to drop their line of questioning.

• ASK THEM TO STOP. “I understand you want more info, but I really don’t want to talk about it. It makes me uncomfortable to keep being asked questions I can’t answer. Can we put wedding talk on hold?” 
• REMIND THEM. “Nothing has changed since the last time we talked. We still haven’t made our final decisions.” 
• BE BLUNT. “I’m sorry to disappoint you, but we’ve already finalized our list and can’t add anyone else.” 

Bottom line

It’s your wedding; you can invite who you want to. 

Let us know how you’ve handled similar situations in the comments below. 

Looking for more wedding planning resources? Not only can we help with wedding budgets and honeymoon planning, but we’ve also got you covered for the whole wedding. Our 1-Page Wedding Plan takes a refreshing, streamlined look at planning your wedding from top to bottom.

The post What to Say When People Ask If They’re on the Wedding Guestlist appeared first on Honeyfund Blog by Honeyfund.com, the free honeymoon registry.

We can already tell that 2021 and 2022 are looking to be record celebration years, with all the postponed weddings and events sliding onto our calendars.  We’ve also seen a huge variety of festivities crop up on social media and wedding blogs — it’s been nothing short of amazing! Whether you’ve delayed your whole wedding or re-envisioned it as a “Wedding-After” Party or an “Anniversary Reception,” the etiquette surrounding gift-giving and registry can seem like completely uncharted territory. Don’t worry—we can help you navigate with our registry advice. Keep reading, and we’ll address some of the common questions couples are asking.

Will guests still want to give gifts?

The short answer is yes! Plenty of guests will likely want to give gifts to celebrate your marriage and support you.

The longer answer has a lot of factors. The traditional custom of gift-giving allows your loved ones to show their love and support in a tangible way. Many people are aching for ways to show love right now, and a wedding—or anniversary—gift is an easy way to do it. Other guests may not be at a place financially where they can give right now, or they may be confused about the etiquette. It’s okay; this is a new situation for everyone.

Our best advice is to make the option to give available with a registry. Let your guests feel empowered to decide what and how to give. Registries provide them with the security of knowing what you would find useful without having to guess or ask awkwardly.

What’s the right way to give guests the option to give?

Instead of assuming guests won’t want to give any gifts—and to save yourself the headache of being asked tons of times—we recommend adding a honeyfund link to your wedding website. Don’t have a wedding website? Luckily, your honeyfund can do the trick!

Some guests, especially older family members, may consider it rude to directly mention the registry in your invite. But you can get around that by printing the web address of your honeyfund or wedding website on an insert and including it with the invitation.  That way they have the info if they want to give a gift.

You can also always use the age-old tactic of “word of mouth.” Let your immediate family and close friends know that it’s okay to spread the word. If you still have a wedding shower coming up, that’s a great avenue for your inner circle to help let your other guests know important details, like how to find your registry.

What about guests who already gave gifts?

Some guests may have already given gifts around your original wedding date, and they may choose to give again or not. Your guests’ decisions will likely depend on their social cultures surrounding weddings. Some communities expect to give a wedding shower gift, plus money for the wedding. Others only plan to give one gift. It’s 100% up to your guests whether they decide to gift a second time. Some people may surprise you!

What should I include on my honeyfund?

Honeymoons are still happening! The travel industry is gearing up for more adventures and excitement than ever, which means you’ll likely be able to get some fantastic deals on great experiences. Even if you aren’t able to take your honeymoon for a while, guests love knowing they’re giving you the gift of unforgettable memories. Plus, traveling together is one of the most fun ways to build up and strengthen your relationship.

If you’ve already planned for your honeymoon because of the non-traditional timeline, you can always choose something else. Consider including gift cards or funds that let friends and family members invest in your future together. Here are some gift card ideas that guests have loved on other couples’ honeyfunds:

• Helping you build your best home together, courtesy of a home improvement store near you
• Investing in your love together with romantic date nights at your favorite restaurants
• Upgrading household items with major brands that make daily life easier and more enjoyable

How do I create a Honeyfund registry for my postponed event?

Honeyfund has all the tools you need to make your registry easy to use—for both you and your guests. We’ll walk you through every step of the process. And you can always find registry advice, support and tips on our blog!

Need more advice?

If you’re seeking more advice about how to deal with your postponed or modified event, we’ve got you covered. Check out these helpful Honeyfund articles: Gifts for Canceled and Postponed Weddings: What’s the etiquette?, Wedding Guest Etiquette for a Covid-Safe Wedding, Should I cancel my wedding or honeymoon because of Coronavirus? 

The post Can I Have a Registry For My Postponed Wedding or Celebration? appeared first on Honeyfund Blog by Honeyfund.com, the free honeymoon registry.

Luxury vacation rentals for your honeymoon

In the movies, couples get married and magically hop on a private plane. They jet off to some secluded oasis or a stunning mountain escape. About the time they step foot in their private bay, you’re probably thinking, “Real people don’t honeymoon like that.” But we’re excited to tell you that you can. And we’re going to share the secret way it’s done.

It turns out you don’t have to be a world-famous super-spy or glamorous starlet to get star treatment. Lavish living around the world is available to everyone thanks to a new curated collection of luxury vacation rentals you probably haven’t heard of. It’s really easy (we’ll give you the link below). Browse premium and luxury-tier homes around the globe and book with full confidence because it’s all backed by a global hospitality company you know and love, Marriott International.

Curate your honeymoon vibe and aesthetic

First of all, you won’t find these homes like these just anywhere. You get access to a curated catalog of upscale private homes that become a remarkable “choose your own adventure” experience.

We suggest starting with what kind of mood, vibe, or aesthetic you want to have on your honeymoon. You have an opportunity to create a one-of-a-kind trip that reflects both of you and the love you have for each other. Here some examples of what that looks like in action:

• You love the beach, but your fiancée can’t stand the crowds? Try out a tropical cabana with a private bay. You get all the surf and sand without any errant beach balls or rowdy Spring Breakers.
• Your partner has a sense of adventure, and you love the comforts of the city? Stay in a swanky loft in a city new to you both. Then, spend your afternoons exploring.
• Always imagined your big love at the center of a romance novel? Cozy up in a cottage. Or spend your evenings romping around an honest-to-goodness castle!

No one will be able to match your experience. The memories that you’ll make on this journey together will be as unique as your love. 

Wait—honeymooning in someone else’s home?

Yes! Luxury vacation rentals are the perfect combination of living like a local and enjoying the finest life has to offer. Instead of waking up to the sound of housekeeping and heading downstairs for a continental breakfast, you could be brewing a fresh pot of gourmet coffee in a beautifully appointed kitchen and taking in the snowy mountains from a balcony in Switzerland. (Seriously.)

Plus, all the homes are carefully vetted and backed by Marriott’s 90+ years of hospitality expertise. You can be confident when you travel that your reserved home will be clean, safe and welcoming. They’ve even launched COVID-specific procedures to ensure every home is up to standard. Homeowners’ personal items are also stored away, so you don’t have to worry about a thing.

You can live in the moment with your new spouse and let the “real world” fade away. You’ll be amazed at how a great honeymoon experience can deepen your love for one another.

Explore new destinations, enjoy comforts

There’s no denying it’s easy to gravitate toward a hotel because you generally know what to expect when you arrive. What’s exciting about these luxury home rentals is that they bring that same standard to the elite private homes in their collection. (Including a generous 10-day cancellation policy on most homes, now extended through June 30, 2021.) In short, that means maximum adventure and relaxation with minimal worry and stress. Other home rental services can’t offer the same guarantees.

Breathe easy knowing the fundamentals for your vacation home—24/7 support, high-speed WiFi, television, an in-unit washer, premium linens and towels, and bathroom amenities—are guaranteed. Take that into consideration when you pack. Knowing before you go can help reduce the baggage you’re lugging through international airports—or help you make more room for souvenirs! Trust us; you’re going to want to remember this one-of-a-kind trip.

Once you fall in love with staying in non-touristy private homes, we recommend checking back often for what home-away-from-home you will explore next.

Have grand adventures together, get rewarded

After you arrive, the possibilities are as endless as your imagination. From your apartment in Rome, take the train across town to sightsee before enjoying a decadent food tour. Call a car to drive you from your villa in Cape Town to a fascinating safari, then a tasting of local wines. In San Francisco, take a private walking tour of SoMa and rent a convertible for a sunny drive on the Pacific Coast Highway. (We recommend adding experiences like this to your honeyfund because friends and family love giving fun, exciting gifts!)

No matter what you do, the real reward is the time together—just the two of you. As a bonus, though, you can earn Marriott Bonvoy points with your booking. If you’re already a member, you can redeem your existing points for your luxury vacation rentals. Using your current points is a great way to save money on your lodging, so you can upgrade or add to your experiences!

Focus on your future together

Time away after a wedding is a pivotal experience for many newlyweds. Our Honeyfund couples have told us time after time that travel together has been transformative for their relationships. That’s why we do what we do! You deserve this special time together, and we want to help.

Ready to book?

We promised the link to this incredible new honeymoon resource, so here it is. Homes & Villas by Marriott International. Explore the options for a dream destination today. You’re sure to find that intriguing honeymoon you never knew was in your grasp.

The post The World is Everyone’s Oyster—An All-New Luxury Honeymoon Experience 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.