HOW MUCH SHOULD YOU SPEND ON YOUR HONEYMOON?

At first glance, this appears to be a simple question of budget. It turns out, however, that many couples are uncertain of the "right" amount. Because this is such a special vacation, couples are often willing to spend more than normal.

So, how much should YOU spend? This, of course, will depend on many factors, including your income level, personal savings, and desired honeymoon experience. A good benchmark to begin with is the average honeymoon cost of $4000. Another way to look at this is by income level (see table below).

Pre-tax household Income	# of Weeks of income spent on Honeymoon
$25,000 - $49,999	4 weeks
$50,000 - $59,999	3-4 weeks
$60,000 - $74,999	3 weeks
$75,000 - $99,999	2-3 weeks
$100,000 +	2 weeks

COST COMPONENTS

Another way to think about your budget is to break it into pieces. There are four major cost components to a honeymoon, plus one key cost "influencer." They are transportation, accommodation, dining and activities, with the influencer being trip length.

Transportation
Do you want to fly economy, business or first class? Will you use frequent flyer miles for the ticket or to upgrade? Will you need additional transportation (i.e., public transit, rental car, chauffeur, etc.) when there? These choices greatly affect your overall costs.

Accommodations
If exclusive luxury is what you want, be prepared to spend $450+ per night no matter where you go. This will take you well above the "averages" mentioned above. In general, accommodation will account for a hefty piece of the total cost.

Dining
Do you prefer gourmet restaurants, or a more casual environment? Is your idea of breakfast a granola bar or eggs benedict delivered by room service? Depending on your personal tastes and eating habits, food can account for a large (or small) percentage of your honeymoon cost.

Entertainment & Activities
The cost of local activities can range from zero to $$$, depending on what your destination offers and what you like to do. Cost of relaxing by the pool for seven days - nothing. Cost of renting a private boat to visit a deserted beach - much more! When budgeting, take into account personal interests such as visiting the spa, golfing, scuba diving, and shopping. There are cost tradeoffs in the degree to which you indulge in the local scene.

Trip Length
The average honeymoon is 7 to 9 days. Varying the length of your trip is one of the easiest ways to affect the total cost. It is also a good way to increase the level of luxury - go for fewer days but stay at a five-star hotel instead of a four.

Many other factors may influence the cost of your honeymoon. These include: the number of destinations you visit, the destination itself, high season vs. low season, personal debt situation, and cash gifts you may receive for your honeymoon.

Suggestions
Assess and prioritize the factors listed above. If you don't care about airline comfort, fly economy and spend your money on fine wines or premium theater tickets. Increase your luxury quotient beyond your budget by mixing hotels - split your stay between the "top" hotel and a more modest, but completely enjoyable one. If you have frequent flyer miles, now is a great time to use them (see related article on using miles)! Finally, a package, cruise or all-inclusive resort can make budgeting easier since many costs are included in a single price. It's your honeymoon, don't skimp in areas that are important to BOTH of you!

A DESTINATION EXAMPLE

Let's look at how the various factors make a difference for two different honeymoons to Hawaii.
Note: these trips are priced on an a la carte basis for two people. It is possible to reduce the total cost by purchasing a package vacation, but this may limit flight and hotel options.

Premium Luxury Honeymoon- 11 days/10 nights Maui and Kauai: First class airfare from Chicago $5000 First class inter-island flights $500 Convertible car rental $500 5 nights at the Four Seasons Resort on Maui $3500 5 nights at the Princeville Resort on Kauai $2500 5 visits to the spa for each of you $800 Gourmet dinners with great wine each night $1500 3 rounds of golf for two $700 Helicopter ride $200 5 other major activities $750 Additional food, drink, and misc. expenses $750 TOTAL COST $16,700

Basic Luxury Honeymoon- 8 days/7 nights Maui and Kauai: Economy class airfare from Chicago $2500 Economy class inter-island flights $300 Midsize rental car $300 4 nights at the Renaissance Wailea on Maui $1350 3 nights at the Marriott Resort on Kauai $1000 1 massage for each of you $150 3 gourmet dinners                               $450 4 casual dinners $200 1 round of golf for two $200 3 major activities for two $450 Additional food, drink and misc. expenses $500 TOTAL COST $7400

You can see how different components add up, depending on how you prefer to travel and enjoy yourselves. Ultimately, your honeymoon budget is a very personal decision that is completely dependent on your financial situation and your travel interests. Starting with a general idea of your preferences, limitations and desires will help streamline the planning process and make it easier to choose the best combination of amenities for you.