Shoestring Weddings: Thrifty Honeymoon Travel

It's no surprise that weddings are a bit of a money pit. But after you cut the cake, deal with the crying flower girl, and finally untie all the cans from your car, you know you are going to need that honeymoon more than ever.

There's no need to cash in your savings, however, if you still have any left. We have found some of the best deals to help you enjoy that post-nuptial trip. (Trust me: with my own honeymoon just over a month away, I've become Shoestring's own guinea pig, and these tips have been tested.)

BE SHAMELESS

First thing's first: this is no time to be shy. Don't leave all your planning to the web and Google search results. When you think you've found the best deal, that's the time to call the hotel directly. Don't be afraid to mention what the trip is all about, hoteliers love honeymooners: it means people who want luxury and will probably order Champagne. Sometimes it will mean extras — I was given an upgrade to a sea view room at one hotel and offered free Internet and a bottle of wine at another. And, even if it doesn't mean an upgrade or freebies, the hotel may make you feel like royalty during your stay. Who doesn't love a happy ending...or beginning?

DO YOUR HOMEWORK

Make sure you get to know all the heavy hitters in online travel booking and then double check all the prices before you buy. While Orbitz.com now offers Flight and Hotel Price Assurance, it's still easier to try and book the best deal up front. There are many websites offering great deals. Hotels.com has an incentive plan: after completing the tenth night of a stay booked through them, your next night (up to $400) is on them. If that's not enough incentive, Hotels.com is now also now offering a rebate. 

Often, you can book rooms at larger discounts from a site like LastMinuteTravel.com — don't worry, the name is misnomer, they have advance hotel deals, as well. In the past and — I was promised — in the future, they have offered 15-minute sales where you can book rooms for just $1. To catch one of these sales, you need to follow their clues and check their website often. LastMinuteTravel.com is able to get away with those slashed rates because the site doesn't release the names of the hotels to the public. "We can sell at a lower rate," explains Lauren Volcheff, director of marketing for Travel Holdings, Inc., parent company of LastMinuteTravel.com. "The hotel's name is protected so the site doesn't have to uphold hotels' best rate guarantees and the consumer gets a better deal. It is really a win-win."
With a little bit of resourcefulness, however, a savvy honeymooner can figure out which hotel he or she is looking at even without the name. Check out the packages deals to see which hotels the site regularly partners. If it's still unclear, check out the amenities and the location to see if that helps pinpoint the hotel. If this all seems like too much work, join the Last Minute Travel Club.

"I would recommend this [option] to anyone who is staying in a hotel more than four nights a year," says Volcheff. "They will make back their membership fee. Here, we can show the hotel names because it's not open to the public." For $49.99, not only do you see all the hotel names, but you also get an extra discount as an LMT Club member. Volcheff confirmed that members have higher savings of 23% to 65% less than retail.

However, if you booked through the vendor directly, make sure to log all of your details on Yapta.com. Yapta is the only site that monitors your hotel reservations after you have booked them. Yapta even keeps you posted when prices have dropped by enough for you to be reimbursed by the hotel.

CITY SLICKER

Just because you’re going to book a reservation at a traditional hotel, there’s no reason you can’t get a great rate. Hotels everywhere are offering deals from free nights to upgrades. Some people believe the best deals are always found on consolidator sites, but, again, it’s always worth calling the hotel directly and inquiring about their best rates and special offers. The Radisson Hotels, for example, are offering free Fridays when you stay with them on a Thursday or a Saturday night. Of course, most weddings tend to take place on the weekends, making this a great deal.

Also, make sure to inventory your memberships in organizations and be aware discounts for which you might qualify. Most US hotels offer AAA discounts, along with other memberships or qualifications like military, student, or alumni association discounts. Also, if you can get a hold of a friend of a friend of a friend, try to get the hotel's Friends and Family discount. Those are some of the best deals you can get. If you're a LinkedIn.com member, search your network to find connections at major hotel chains or boutique hotels, and then ask mutual friends or colleagues to introduce you by email if necessary.

Lastly, before you've given up on finding a budget-friendly hotel room for your honeymoon, call your credit card company. Most have points systems that can be redeemed for travel or lodging.

WHEN IN ROME...

Once you have landed in your destination, pick up a local paper. You can find great, free opportunities like bands playing at a local bar. Scope out free nights and hours at local museums are open, and take some time to check out the scenery. Packing a romantic picnic and heading to a spot with great vistas is a sure bet for some romantic, yet budget-friendly, fun.

Always bring your camera along — while some activities might be free, the memories are priceless.

Story: Copyright 2009, Shoestring LLC. Image: iStock.