You hear honeymoon and cue the Pink Floyd and ‘Money’. But this special once in a life time event doesn’t have to cost the earth. Ok, so it’s probably not going to be the cheapest, a short trip to the nearest coast but you can save money on the holiday of your dreams. Here are four useful ways of making this happen.

You know you have all those saving schemes, collecting up points which you will one day use, clubcard, nectar, you know the ones, well here’s an idea make one day today. The majority of these schemes offer members a trade in for things that may help you in funding your honeymoon. Such as, flights, travel vouchers, uk hotels, airport parking, travel insurance. Now’s the time to take advantage!

There are so many offers out there there’s bound to be a bargain waiting to be uncovered, so get searching dig deep and hard! Search the internet, newspapers, teletext, travel channels and all those travel agents that seem to appear everywhere. And not just for the fights and accommodation but for every part of your dream holiday.

If you can’t find any cheap deals, especially as everyone is getting cut-throat with their prices at the moment, you could always consider an alternative approach to a honeymoon. Maybe spend your honeymoon camping in Holland or Italy, it doesn’t sound terribly romantic at first glance, but it’s unique, you can make a romantic picnic, go see some natural sights and it’s sure to be memorable. Or you could try soemthing random, pack some clothes and get in the car and just drive, go North to Scotland or South and explore Europe.

And lastly, if you’re having a gift list, think wisely. Try asking for payment for daytrips whilst you’re away, or even for foreign currency it doesn’t all have to be spoons and dishes.

A recent report has revealed that destination weddings or ‘Bikini’ weddings as they are sometimes known are on the increase.

It would appear that the conventional wedding is being swapped for a beach ceremony in the sun, with one in six weddings now taking place overseas.

An increasing number of couples are deciding against an extravagant white wedding in a church or a costly ceremony in a hotel, and are opting to exchange their vows in the sun, at a third of the cost of the average British wedding.

Since 2003, the market for destination weddings has grown by an astonishing 33%, and additional research indicated that this figure is set to grow further as the credit crunch across the UK deepens and a full blown recession grips the country.

A travel analyst for the market research company that published the report said:-

“Getting married abroad has become an increasingly popular choice for couples looking to tie the knot.

As the credit crunch bites and recession looms, this could be the perfect cost-saving measure allowing couples to have the wedding day they have always dreamed of.

The market is benefiting from a growing willingness amongst couples to break with social convention and experiment with new wedding styles. From beach ceremonies in the Caribbean to ’snow weddings’ in Lapland, this special occasion has certainly become more niche and personalised.”

Official findings have confirmed that the number of marriages taking place in the UK is at its lowest for more than 100 years as growing numbers of couples settle for living together rather than tying the knot, and the numbers of couples who are actually married is at its lowest ever, at less than 50% of the UK’s adult population.

Those couples who are getting married are choosing to wed in sunnier climes, lured by lower costs and elevated temperatures. The report also revealed that the average cost of a destination wedding came in at £6,500 in contrast to the £20,000 average that it costs for a wedding in the UK.

Whilst a wedding is more often than not a combined effort between the bride and groom and their family and friends, the honeymoon is often a decision simply between the bride and groom.

A honeymoon should be the perfect start to married life; it will enable you some down time and help you to relax after the weddings, and will provide you and your new husband with some private time together before the practicalities of married life kick in.

As such there are a number of points to consider when planning for and booking your honeymoon, here are just a few:-

Budget - Decide early on, exactly what kind of honeymoon you can afford. Your wedding will likely have put you under some financial pressure, so there is no point planning an all inclusive fortnight in the Maldives if realistically all you can afford is a weekend in Brighton

Holiday type - Consider your perfect honeymoon from both points of view, its no good booking a relaxing beach holiday if your partners idea of a great holiday is hiking up a mountain

Freebies - When you book your honeymoon, make sure that your hosts are aware that you are newlyweds. You may be upgraded to a superior room at no extra charge or receive a congratulatory bottle of Champagne on the house

Time together - Wherever you decide to honeymoon, make sure that you arrange to spend at least some time together doing nothing at all, whilst you might enjoy sightseeing and exploring your honeymoon destination it is important to enjoy the beginning of your married life together, and this is your honeymoon after all!

America singer, songwriter and actress Stacey Ferguson known to her fans as Fergie has recently revealed her plans to wed her fiancé actor Josh Duhamel, in a fairytale styled wedding next summer.

The 33 year old Black Eyed Peas star is reported to spending in the region of $1.5million on the nuptials scheduled for June 2009.

It is believed that Fergie is designing her own wedding gown with the help of world renowned fashion designer Karl Lagerfeld.

A close friend of the pair is reported to have commented to a US magazine about Fergie and wedding planners:-

“Fergie has just started interviewing wedding planners. She’s also working with Chanel designer Karl Lagerfeld on getting her fantasy gown. They are taking their time to get everything right. They only plan on getting married once,”

Fergie met 35 year old daytime award winning TV actor Josh in September 2004 when she the Black Eyed Peas appeared on Josh’s NBC TV series Las Vegas and the couple have shared a home in Brentwood, California since 2007. They announced their engagement last Christmas.

It has also been reported that the couple decided against rushing preparations for their wedding because they wanted every tiny detail of the day to be just right.

Your honeymoon will be your first opportunity to spend some quality time together as newly weds and to create some romantic memories that you will remember for the rest of your married lives.

Picking a romantic setting will obviously enhance your honeymoon but selecting a fantastic location is not the only key to a successful honeymoon. Even the most scenic and attractive destination can seem uninspiring after a while if there is nothing to do.

The secret to a successful honeymoon is to plan some romantic and intimate activities in advance. The destination you choose for your honeymoon will probably include a number of impressive restaurants as do the majority of holiday destinations these days, but a more amorous option might be to share a candlelit meal in the privacy of your hotel room. A secluded dinner for two will allow you to spend some time completely alone, enjoying a romantic meal and each others company.

A sensual massage will promote intimacy and relaxation on your honeymoon, pick up a massage book with your travel guides and be sure to pack it in your honeymoon luggage in advance. Light the room with candles when you practice massage to create a calm and relaxing atmosphere.

Before you embark on your honeymoon, create a CD of music that is personal to you both as a couple, include the first song that you danced to as a newly weds at your wedding reception. There are many CD mastering companies that help you produce the CD if you don’t how to do it yourself. Music from the time that you were dating will take you back to the days when you first met and remind you of just why you fell for each other on the first place.

The increasing number of couples who choose to get married in a foreign country should take into account that wedding insurance can protect valuable and important items such as the wedding dress and wedding gifts, while travel insurance protects the actual journey to the wedding location and the honeymoon destination too.

With one in five British couples now deciding to tie the knot abroad travel and wedding insurance both offer practical and often extensive cover whilst also providing peace of mind.

Research published in a national newspaper recently found that British couples are being lured into being married overseas because it can cost up to 50% less than a wedding in the UK. The research also indicated that wedding insurance provided financial protection against spoiled wedding dresses and cancellations at both ceremonial and reception venues.

Wedding insurance plans can differ greatly with regard to cost, dependent on the level of protection demanded, and can be arranged to cover other items including wedding rings, flowers and even the cake.

Travel cover should take care of as the honeymoon, which typically takes place in the same country as the actual wedding, and insures against flight cancellations, loss or damage of luggage and unforeseen medical fees.

To relieve themselves of the stress that a couple can amass in the run up to their wedding, many newly weds are honeymooning in a growing range of exotic locations. Undoubtedly there is no better way to begin your married life together than to bask in the luxury and extravagance of such destinations.

Envisage a beautiful white sandy beach, tropical blue skies, a warm breeze and palm trees . If this image creates a vision of romance in your minds eye then honeymooning in an exotic location could be for you. But where exactly should you go?

Where?

The world is a very big place and the choices are huge. From Mauritius to the Seychelles to St Lucia, the choices are vast when it comes to honeymoon destinations. Often these placed are recognized for their beautiful scenery and romantic atmosphere, and many companies offer special packages specifically designed for honeymooners.