Bon voyage! Planning the perfect honeymoon

Luxury for less
Everyone wants a luxury honeymoon, but the luxury price is not an option for everyone. If you’re looking to indulge, but still want value, consider taking your honeymoon during the off-season. By shifting your travel dates even a couple of weeks, you can end up with considerable savings:

• Caribbean/Mexico in the summer: Take a look at CuisinArt Resort & Spa in Anguilla in the Caribbean. You’ll spend seven nights staying right on the beach, you’ll get three lunches and dinners, even dinner at the chef’s table, a sunset sail, couple’s massage, all in this fabulous 5-star resort. Go in the low season (May-Sept. and early Nov.) and you’ll pay approx $585/night. This same package in the high season goes for almost $1,000 a night.

• Europe in the spring and fall: For the first time last year, Italy edged out Hawaii as the No. 1 honeymoon destination. Consider Palazzo Sasso, a stunning hotel set in a 12th-century villa located on the Amalfi Coast, arguably the most romantic place in the world. Go in March, when you’ll pay approximately $370/night. The same room goes for approximately $615/night in May-Oct. — a 40% savings
  
  
• Consider Switzerland for a better European value. Why? They are on the Swiss franc and not the Euro.
  
  
• Cruising and fixed-dollar rates will often offer better value — no surprises with the exchange rates.
  
  
• And remember that the other hemisphere runs opposite to ours and sometimes offers better values.

Practical advice

• Brides: Book your plane tickets in your maiden name to avoid problems at the airport.
  
  
• Photocopy and scan your passport: Bring a photocopy of your passport if traveling internationally to carry with you while you keep the original locked up safely. Scan your passport and send it to a family member so that you have an electronic copy on file in case the original is lost or stolen.
  
  
• Credit cards offer the best exchange rate: Use credit cards whenever possible, even to get cash at the destination — still a better exchange rate. Credit cards will offer the best exchange rates if traveling internationally, even when getting local currency.
  
  
• Call credit card companies prior to departure to alert them of travel plans and potential unusual spending so they don’t suspect theft and not authorize the processing of purchases.
  
  
• Plan your carry-ons wisely: Take jewelry, a change of clothes and medication on board with you in case your bags get lost in transit.
  
  
• Ship your luggage: Save yourself the hassle, thanks to no baggage fees, weight restrictions, schlepping or waiting. Ship approximately one week prior to departure — door-to-door service — no last-minute packing and this ensures your bag arrives.

More from TODAY What is Meredith Vieira thankful for? | Holiday guide Sad development: The last Kodachrome film lab  Clickable video: Hottest tech gifts of 2009 Star quality? Get your guy on the TODAY show  It's down to the final four on 'Biggest Loser'

MORE FROM WEDDINGS

Weddings Section Front

Slideshow: Brides get down and dirty Sister rivalry? How to avoid a wedding fight He wanted a big wedding — so he planned it Planning a honeymoon? 10 free VIP upgrades 7 ways to ensure your bridal party’s happiness Vampires vow till death do us part at wedding Why one woman says ‘I don’t’ to marriage Exotic — not that kind — bachelor party ideas Coping with weirdness when parents remarry 5 rules that unlock secrets to a great marriage Weddings Section Front   Add Weddings headlines to your news reader: