Honeymoon Registry
If you’re like many modern couples, the notion of registries may be obsolete. Sure, pots and pans are essential, but you may already have these items (especially if you’ve lived on your own for a while). Did you know the latest trend in bridal registries is to register your honeymoon, or at least a portion of it? At KHM Travel, we’ve noticed that couples that come into our office really want to get the most out of their getaway, whatever their budget may be. And even though times are a little tough financially, the one portion of your wedding experience you don’t want to miss out on is your honeymoon.

A honeymoon registry can help you and your fiancé have the honeymoon that you may have thought was beyond your reach. The first few days of your married life are meant to be celebrated in any manner you wish...and you shouldn’t have to sacrifice anything to create the experiences you want to remember for the rest of your life. Your honeymoon registry can be customized to include exotic excursions, romantic extras or special upgrades! It’s easy – and this article will explain exactly how you and your intended can take advantage of a honeymoon registry.

The basic concept of a registry is simple: A couple registers for specific items they would like to have. Word spreads to family, friends and guests who will purchase items that you want from this list, and give their gift to you for your event. Registries are great for any couple, and are versatile enough for any budget. Because you create the list of what you want, you have complete control over what you ask for – and guests have a one stop location without worrying about whether their gift is something you’ll like or even ever use.

A honeymoon registry is based on the exact same concept, except that you ask for different parts of your travel! Upgrades, costs of flights, rooms and excursions, spa credits or room service are all some of the items for which you can register. These costs can be further broken down into increments of $25.00, so guests can choose the amount they wish to contribute, or contribute to multiple items while still staying within their gifting budget. Registry set-up is simple. When you decide on your travel details and make your initial deposit you can set up an online honeymoon registry list – this is free and takes less than an hour, depending on how elaborate you want the site to look/be. You may also have your travel agent do this, if you wish. The site will handle all the details and when someone makes a purchase towards your getaway, an automatic email will be sent to your travel agent. You have the option of withdrawing the money from the site early or wait until just before your travel.

Honeymoon registries have two small processing fees you can manage easily. There is one 3% credit card transaction fee charged to all guests, and one 7% service management fee on the total amount for each gift given. Couples can choose to debit the 7% from each amount given or have guests pay this percentage at the time of check out. Here’s an example to break it down: Aunt Mildred gifts you $100.00 towards your honeymoon (thanks, Auntie M)! If you choose to debit the 7% fee from the total amount given, Aunt Mildred will be charged $103.00 at check out (there’s that 3%) and you will receive $93.00 towards your honeymoon (with the 7% deducted). Or, if you choose to pass the 7% to your guest, Aunt Mildred will be charged a total of $110.00 for her gift, and you will receive $100.00.

You or your travel agent can also print out registry cards from a template that can be customized and placed in shower invitations or handed out to your family, friends and guests. Ideally, the whole set-up and maintenance of the site can be done through your travel agent so you’re free to finish planning the wedding and enjoy the big day! As travel agents, we enjoy providing the registry as a part of our complete “start-to-finish” service concept. One of our agents, Cyndi, sent a couple off to Mexico for their honeymoon and had nothing but positive remarks about the experience of using a registry: “Being able to offer the honeymoon registry to my clients confirmed the value of using a travel agent to them, and the value of using this registry to me! It was so easy to use for me and for my clients. This couple already had everything they needed for their home so they used the registry to get the once-in-a-lifetime experiences they were dreaming of--like snorkeling with dolphins, a couples’ massage and an upgrade to their honeymoon suite for extra privacy and a great view!” A honeymoon registry exists solely to benefit you, and it is also extremely user-friendly for your travel agent as well.

One of our brides is in the process of planning her honeymoon now and also had great feedback about using the registry! “My fiancé and I chose to register our honeymoon through KHM Travel because we were on a really tight budget, yet still want to have the adventure of a lifetime,” Carrie said. “We chose to go to a unique destination, so KHM Travel's online registry allowed us to add custom items that we selected with our travel agent's help - like tickets to an event we're going to in town, a guided tour of the city we're visiting and dinner at a famous, oceanside eatery! So far, we've received $500.00 in gifts, and can't wait to get the check in the mail so we can book these extras without feeling like we're spending too much. Our guests are enjoying getting a glimpse at our special trip as well.” KHM Travel’s honeymoon registry is free, easy and a great way to get the little perks and extras you’ve always dreamed about – and your guests will love that they are personally contributing to your honeymoon memories.

Submitted by: KHM Travel
50 Pearl Rd. Suite 110 Brunswick, OH 44212
Local: 440.628.3024 Toll-Free:888.838.8830
www.honeymoonvacationspecialist.com