Lyla Dejesus
Honeymoon funds are becoming an increasingly popular alternative to traditional wedding registries, especially for couples who have lived together before marriage and already have most household items. Honeymoon funds allow guests to contribute to the cost of the couple's honeymoon, either by gifting cash or by paying for specific experiences such as spa treatments or romantic dinners. There are several honeymoon fund websites to choose from, including Honeyfund, Honeymoon Wishes, and The Knot, each with its own features and fee structures. When requesting honeymoon funds, it is generally recommended to include details about the fund on your wedding website and provide specific information about your honeymoon plans to get guests excited about contributing.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Honeymoon fund registry websites | Honeyfund, Honeymoon Wishes, The Knot, Joy |
| Honeymoon fund registry fees | Honeyfund: free; Honeymoon Wishes: free to create, but service and handling fee depending on fund request method (3.5% for direct funds transfer, 7% for a check, 2.5% credit card processing fee for guests); The Knot: free, 2.5% credit card transaction fee; Joy: free |
| Honeymoon fund registry features | Honeyfund: digital gift card balance, redeemable via PayPal, Venmo, or gift card; The Knot: combines honeymoon fund with top wedding registry items; Joy: templates for wedding website, send wedding invitations, planning tools |
| Honeymoon fund registry tips | Include honeymoon fund details on wedding website; explain why you've chosen a honeymoon fund; include specific details about your honeymoon; include a separate insert card with your wedding website and registry wishes in invitation suite; go on honeymoon soon after wedding |
| Honeymoon fund registry alternatives | Traditional wedding registry; register for a few items to complement honeymoon experience |
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What You'll Learn
Honeymoon registry websites
There are several honeymoon registry websites that you can use to request honeymoon funds. Here are some popular options:
The Knot
The Knot is a popular choice for couples looking to set up a honeymoon fund. It offers an all-in-one registry that includes both your wedding website and registry in one place. The cash funds from The Knot are listed alongside traditional registry items with pictures and prices. You can create blocks for specific honeymoon fund ideas, such as airline tickets, hotel rooms, or a couple's massage. Setting up a honeymoon registry on The Knot is straightforward, and there are no fees involved. However, there is a 2.5% credit card transaction fee added to each guest's final total at checkout.
Honeyfund
Honeyfund is another well-known option for honeymoon registries. It has been in business for nearly two decades and has processed over $740 million in gifts. Honeyfund is free for both couples and guests, with no fees charged to guests. The funds can be redeemed in various ways, including digital gift cards, PayPal, or Venmo. Honeyfund also offers wedding website features such as guest book comments, page updates, and password protection.
Traveler's Joy
Traveler's Joy is one of the oldest honeymoon fund websites, launched in 2004. It allows couples to register for various travel-related cash funds, such as airfare upgrades, romantic excursions, and even a new camera for the trip. The setup is free, and you can customise your page with images, videos, photos, and travel plans. Guests can easily find your registry by searching for your wedding website on The Knot.
Zola
Zola is a user-friendly website that allows you to register for a mix of traditional gifts and honeymoon funds. It has been praised for its low fees and seamless integration with other platforms like Squarespace. Zola makes it fun for guests to "shop" for honeymoon experiences, such as specific activities or excursions.
Other Options
In addition to the above, there are other honeymoon registry websites worth considering, such as Hitchd, SPUR Experiences, Honeymoon Wishes, and Blueprint. Each of these sites offers unique features and partnerships to help you create a memorable honeymoon experience.
When creating a honeymoon registry, it's important to provide specific details about your honeymoon plans, including the destination, duration, and any activities you're interested in. This helps guests understand what they are contributing to and makes them feel more connected to your special trip.
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Honeymoon fund wording
Asking for money as a wedding gift can be tricky, but there are ways to do it tastefully. Honeymoon funds are a modern alternative to traditional wedding registries, and they are becoming more common. Etiquette expert Elaine Swann says, "In my opinion, honeymoon funds are absolutely acceptable."
- Include an insert card with your wedding invitation that directs guests to your wedding website for more information about the event and gift options. This is more elegant than noting your honeymoon fund on the invitation itself.
- On your website, include specific details about your honeymoon plans, such as the destination, activities you plan to do, and how many days you will be staying. This will get your guests excited about contributing.
- Explain why you have chosen a honeymoon fund over a traditional gift registry. For example, you might already have most household items, or you might not have the space for them.
- Make it clear that guests have the option to contribute to either your honeymoon fund or a traditional registry, depending on their preference.
- Be sure to include plenty of wedding gift ideas on your registry to make it easy for guests to give you something you'll appreciate.
- If you receive more money than you need for your honeymoon, you can keep the excess for future plans. Just be sure to let your guests know how you ultimately used their gift funds.
- Send out thank-you cards within three months of receiving the honeymoon funds. Include a photo of you using the gift to take your thank-you card to the next level.
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Honeymoon fund fees
Honeymoon funds are a modern alternative to traditional wedding registries, and they allow guests to contribute to the cost of your post-wedding trip. While asking for money can be tricky, a honeymoon fund is not like a simple cash gift, as guests can choose specific experiences to give you, such as a romantic dinner or a unique excursion.
There are a number of honeymoon fund sites to choose from, and each will have its own fee structure. Some sites advertise their services as 'free', but there may be hidden costs. Here are some of the fees you might encounter:
- Per-transaction fees: These are charged each time someone gives you a gift on your honeymoon registry. They usually fall somewhere between 2-6% of the total gift amount.
- Credit card processing fees: These are usually unavoidable and are paid to the credit card companies. They typically range from 2.4-2.95% of the gift amount.
- One-time fees: This is a fee paid once before the honeymoon registry launches and is almost always paid for by the couple.
- Site customisation fees: Some sites may charge you to make your site look a certain way or to give your guests a certain kind of experience.
- Direct fund transfer fees: Some sites may charge a fee for transferring funds from the site to your bank account.
It's important to research different honeymoon fund sites and understand their fee structures before making a decision. Honeyfund, for example, is a popular option that has been around for over 18 years and offers a free service with no fees to guests. Hitchd also offers a no-transaction-fee honeymoon fund, and Traveler's Joy has a free Instant Registry feature.
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Honeymoon fund alternatives
If you're looking for alternatives to traditional wedding gifts, one option is to request honeymoon funds. This allows your wedding guests to contribute to the cost of your honeymoon, instead of giving physical gifts.
There are several honeymoon fund websites, such as Honeyfund, that allow you to create a personalised page with details about your love story, wedding day, and honeymoon fund. You can also include specific experiences that guests can choose to fund, such as spa treatments, romantic dinners, or excursions. Honeyfund also allows you to register for zero-fee gift cards from dining, shopping, and travel brands.
Another similar platform is Hitchd, which offers templates for interactive video gifts, custom welcome greetings, and pre-populated wedding gift and experience suggestions. Hitchd is supported in 26 countries and prides itself on its exceptional customer service.
If you're looking for a premium experience, you might consider Honeymoon Wishes, which has exclusive partnerships with over 50,000 travel agents, resorts, and cruise lines. However, this platform does charge a service fee.
When creating a honeymoon fund, it's important to include specific details about your honeymoon plans, such as the destination, duration, and activities, so that guests know what they are contributing to. You can include this information on your wedding website or a separate insert card with your wedding invitations.
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Honeymoon fund etiquette
Honeymoon funds are a modern alternative to traditional wedding registries, but traditional etiquette rules still apply. While it's becoming more common to ask your guests to help fund your honeymoon, it's important to navigate this process with care.
Firstly, it's best not to include details of your honeymoon fund on your wedding invitation. Instead, direct your guests to your wedding website, where they can learn more about the event and your registry wishes. This gives you an opportunity to explain why you've chosen a honeymoon fund and what your plans are for your post-nuptial vacation. It also allows guests to choose between your honeymoon fund and a traditional registry, depending on their preference.
When creating your honeymoon fund, be as detailed as possible about your honeymoon plans. Include specifics about your destination, interests, and duration of your trip. This will help get your guests excited about contributing and make them feel more connected to your experience. It's also important to remember that not all guests will be comfortable with online transactions. Consider including a few traditional registry items to cater to those who prefer giving tangible gifts.
If you receive funds for your honeymoon, it's important to use them for that purpose. While you don't have to use the money for the exact experiences your guests contributed to, such as a SCUBAn lesson, you should still spend it on enhancing your honeymoon, such as upgrading your accommodation or booking a special activity. Be sure to send out thank-you cards within three months of receiving the funds, and consider including a photo of you using their gift to take your gratitude to the next level.
Finally, if you're asking for contributions towards your honeymoon, it's important to go on the trip without waiting too long. It would not be appropriate to ask for funds and then postpone your honeymoon indefinitely.
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Frequently asked questions
Honeymoon funds are cash gifts from wedding guests to newlyweds to help pay for their honeymoon celebration. It is a modern alternative to a traditional wedding registry.
You can request honeymoon funds by setting up a honeymoon registry on websites such as Honeyfund, Honeymoon Wishes, or The Knot. You can then direct your guests to your wedding website or include a separate insert card with your wedding invitation that directs them to your registry wishes.
It is recommended to include specific details about your honeymoon, such as the destination, interests, and duration, to get your guests excited about contributing. You can also include a mix of traditional registry items and experiences like date nights, spa treatments, or excursions to cater to guests who prefer giving tangible gifts.
