A honeymoon registry is a service that allows wedding guests to put gift money toward a honeymoon vacation for the bridal couple. This can be through a travel agency or through a company that deals solely in honeymoon registries.

Why would a couple choose to have a honeymoon registry? Because the economy is changing, the requisite week-long honeymoon in the tropics is becoming less of an option to many couples. However, couples marrying now have usually lived on their own for some time and already own many of the items that would usually be gifted at a wedding. They have no use for sheets, candlesticks, and flatware, but would really like to go on one romantic vacation together. A honeymoon registry is perfect for this kind of couple.

The honeymoon registry operates like many other bridal registries. Usually, they operate online through a website customized to showcase the couple\’s honeymoon needs. The couple can list where they are going and what they want to do there. Depending on the type of registry the couple has, wedding guests may pay toward a complete package, toward categories such as \”lodging\” or \”activities\”, or they may choose which amenities they pay for. In turn, couples can sign up for just the amenities they want to use while on vacation. They can sign up for massages, mud wraps, horseback riding, scuba diving, and anything offered via the registry or travel agency. Some registry companies even allow guests to pay toward airfare and other incidentals.

There are many good things about honeymoon registries. Like other registries, couples can hand-pick the gifts they want most. Guests who purchase off a registry can feel good knowing they have given a gift that will be cherished. Many couples can afford much more of a honeymoon than they would otherwise have been able to enjoy through the use of a honeymoon registry. Unlike other registries, where gifts must be purchased, wrapped, and given, a honeymoon registry simplifies gift giving for guests. It only involves a few clicks on a website and their monetary gift is turned into something much larger: memories to cherish for a lifetime. Honeymoon registries often simplify the thank-you process for the bridal couple, as well. A record is kept of who gifted money toward the honeymoon and often thank-you cards or emails are provided through the service.

There are three big drawbacks to honeymoon registries. The first is that, because they are new, they may be overlooked by guests. This would be very disappointing for a couple who is depending on the registry to provide a honeymoon they would otherwise not be able to enjoy. The second drawback is that the registry must be chosen well to make sure that the couple really gets the honeymoon they desire. Some registries, usually through travel agencies, only allow money to go toward vendors they partner with, so the couple may not be able to choose every amenity they desire. The largest drawback is that many honeymoon registries require couples to book and pay for the honeymoon months in advance. They then hope to be reimbursed by their wedding guests through the registry. This usually applies to vacations that need to be booked in advance, such as those requiring airfare and hotel reservations.

Author Bio: Alex Lemone is a bridal and family writer. For honeymoon ideas and more wedding ideas go to Wedding Ideas Etc. Note: You may reprint this article on your website, newsletter, or blog as long as the resource box remains in tact and hyperlinks stay active and dofollow.

Category: Travel
Keywords: honeymoon registry, bridal registry, wedding, honeymoon, wedding registry, wedding gift ideas, honey