Saving Money On Your Honeymoon

'Tis the season for wedding bells and honeymooners! If you're in the midst of your planning, take a moment to find out how to get the most honeymoon for your money.

Joe Wong and Christina Cervini are planing their honeymoon in Thailand and they wanted the ultimate getaway.

"It was everything you could want without spending an arm and a leg. It's your honeymoon. You want to do something exotic, something different and out of the ordinary," Cervini said.

But they didn't want it to cost a fortune. Author Sharon Naylor says it doesn't have to.

"When you plan your honeymoon, start right at the outset. Make a list of what you want and don't want during your vacation. This will help avoid extra expenses, especially when looking into honeymoon packages," Naylor said.

"When you find these deals, pick them apart. Itemize and see what costs what. See if the deals really add up to the best savings and opportunities for you," she added.

Naylor recommends going al-a-carte instead of the package deal to save money.

In her book, 1001 Ways to Save Money and Still Have a Dazzling Wedding, Naylor has money saving tips for your honeymoon:

Go during off-peak seasons when rates are lower and bargains are everywhere.
Check weekend and weekday price differences with hotels and airlines. It may be worth your while to take a weekday flight.
If you're in a foreign country, exchange money at reputable banks. You'll get better rates than at airports or street vendors.
Look for vacation spots near your home to cut down on travel and get more honeymoon for your money.
Instead of room service, carry a bottle of champagne and a fruit platter into your room yourself. You'll save on the extra charge for a waiter.
Get a room with a refrigerator and stove so you can prepare simple snacks and drinks yourself.
Memberships in certain professional organizations may lead to discounts if you ask for them.
Use traveler's checks that can be used at face value and don't charge a service fee.
Use your auto club's regular discounts.
Don't rent cars at the airport since rental agencies may be overpriced.
It's less expensive to rent a car for a week, than for four days. Do some creative figuring with the agency's pricing structure.
Look for free tours and attractions in your guidebooks.
Get bus and train passes so you don't have to take expensive taxis everywhere.

Wong and Cervini saved a bundle using the Internet and frequent flyer miles.

"In the condo rental, I think we're probably saving $400 in that alone. And then by shopping around for rental cars, another hundred and fifty there," Wong said.

All of these savings just leave more for the couple to enjoy.

"It'll just be about us, whatever we get to we do, and whatever we don't, we don't," Cervini said.