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Just Said Yes December 2020

Local honeymoon on a budget

Erika, on February 16, 2020 at 9:43 PM Posted in Honeymoon 0 11

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So my fiancé and I are getting married at the end of December, which is obviously a very expensive time to travel. Because of this, we either have to pour way more that we can afford into our trip, or delay it. Unfortunately, I am in a full time masters degree program that will not give me another break until the end of 2022. Any trip of meaningful length would have to be delayed until then. We figured this is what we would do, and just go all out at that point, a choose a cheaper time of year so we get more bang for our buck. However, my future MIL just told us that our wedding gift was going to be $1000 towards a honeymoon, but that she will only give it to us if we take our trip right after the wedding. Even with that gift, with the price inflations that time of year, we would still not be able to afford the trip we want. We figured we would do something small and close to us so that the money doesn’t go to waste completely, but I am still fairly irritated we can’t just save it until we have the time to take the trip we want to take. Anyway, considering we live in the Midwest (Kansas City-ish) local travel in the winter is dicey, especially when I have a time constraint having to get back for school with a non-negotiable start date. This means we have to stay very local for our “honeymoon”. Am I the only person who thinks it is unreasonable to waste money on a hotel that is 15 minutes from our home, just so we can say we spend the money? This seems wasteful, and honestly, if we are staying in the same city, I would rather be in my own home where I am comfortable. Also, I have lived in this city my entire life, and I feel like I have pretty well exhausted the list of things to do around here.
I think this is a long winded way of saying: Would you do a “staycation” for your honeymoon to utilize a contingent gift, or just stay home? Would you pay the inflated prices anyway and most likely go over budget so the $1k can be utilized?

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Latest activity by Annika, on June 23, 2020 at 1:30 PM

Just Said Yes December 2020
Erika · on February 16, 2020 at 10:01 PM
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I just realized how ungrateful and entitled this makes me sound. Not my intention at all! I am incredibly thankful for the gesture, and I know she has food intentions wanting us to take the trip right away. I am just frustrated with my lack of flexibility at the time, and with the inflated prices that time of year, and am trying to figure out the best way to utilize the gift, as saving it for the nice trip we will take in the future is not an option.
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VIP September 2020
Kelsey · on February 16, 2020 at 10:21 PM
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I totally get what you mean. We planned a mini moon in a town about an hour north from us, it's like a resort town. We are staying at a hotel for 2 nights, but minimally we will probably spend 500-600 at max. We are saving for a house. But we aren't doing a huge honeymoon though. Half of what we are spending is for the room
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Devoted August 2020
Cortney · on February 16, 2020 at 10:41 PM
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The “$1000 if you take a honeymoon right away” did seem a little odd to me. We also live in KC and we are working with a teacher calendar. What about going for a stay at the Elms, which is supposed to be so nice (I haven’t been)?
Or Denver for a ski trip?
You’ve probably been to Omaha and StL but lots to do there, too. Just some ideas
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VIP September 2020
Neeva · on February 16, 2020 at 10:42 PM
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Weird that she will only give you money if you take a honeymoon right after but not if you take it later.
I would say doing a staycation would be awesome and will allow you to use some of that money to relax and enjoy. Honestly, the thought of going back home to normal life seems weird after a crazy wedding. I want to decompress afterwards, not go back to reality. I think being in a hotel even closeby will be fun and exciting for you guys and make you feel like you're really on a honeymoon. Even if it's close, it can still be grand! Order room service, get a massage, explore new restaurants!
You can always plan for the trip of your dreams in the future, you literally have forever to go together
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Master November 2022
Chrysta · on February 16, 2020 at 10:52 PM
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While it’s generous of FMIL to offer $1000 towards the honeymoon, it’s kinda crummy the “gift” comes with strings. Personally, if I were in your situation, I would go over budget and do the honeymoon you guys really want right after the wedding. You’ll want some time to get away with your new hubby, and a nice vacation would probably be great before returning to school without another break for 2 years! And you might as well take advantage of the extra $1000 (which should cover the extra travel expenses due to the holidays), and not waste it in your hometown. Plus, you will likely get monetary gifts at your wedding, which could also go towards the trip. I say enjoy your honeymoon!!
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VIP March 2015
Nefetera · on February 17, 2020 at 12:42 AM
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I understand what your saying.i wouldn't want to waste 1000 or w.e.for a place I was born and raised. . .i honeslty dont see the point
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Master July 2021
Rebelle Fleur · on February 17, 2020 at 4:10 AM
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Groupon Girl. They have excellent deals all times of the year. You can find a Caribbean get away for 4-7 days for 400-500$
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Just Said Yes December 2020
Erika · on February 17, 2020 at 12:19 PM
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Ooh! Good idea!
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Super September 2018
Rachel · on February 17, 2020 at 12:45 PM
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I’d try to have an open minded conversation with her about the gift. Try to see where she’s coming from and explain where you’re coming from and see if you can meet in the middle. If not, I’d look into high-end hotels nearby with a nice spa and make a spa weekend out of it. Rolling out of bed, throwing on a robe, getting a massage and coming back to the room for room service lunch sounds heavenly. 😁 Or whatever splurge you wouldn’t usually treat yourself to, look for that in a hotel and enjoy it!
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Expert February 2020
Cherry · on February 18, 2020 at 3:57 PM
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OK so there's a couple things you could do here. For $1K you could actually do quite a bit. Driving may not be ideal if the weather is slick, but flights are likely still going in and out of your town. We flew in to KC once on a flight to St. Pete, FL so I know there are connecting flights to nice, warm destinations. Could you do a short flight to a nearby city and stay at a hotel for the weekend? See the sights a little? Eat some yummy local cuisine?

Another thing you could do is wait until just after the holidays are over so that prices go down. That would just be a couple of weeks and hopefully your FMIL would understand. TBH, I think having a conversation with her about these attached gift strings could be in order. It sounds like she really wanted you to get away for a bit but doesn't realize how much more stressful it is to dangle this little treat in front of your faces.

Another option could be what Rachel suggested - going to a SUPER swanky place, getting massages, etc. Do you guys have any casinos nearby? A lot of times they have all sorts of extra amenities like spa treatments, pools, golf, shows, etc. Or any local restaurants that are overpriced that you've always wanted to try? This could be the time to do it!

Also, cruises are super inexpensive - they're close to all inclusive and you'd only need a few hundred dollars for shopping money. Our first cruise was a 3 day out of SoCal to Baja. I think we paid $700 after port fees and taxes for both of us. You could possibly use the $1K gift on flights and then spend a small amount of your own money on the cruise. It would be a 3 day getaway for a great price! Then keep saving up for the honeymoon of your dreams in 2022. I don't know your financial situation, just that you're crazy busy. Hopefully either way you can celebrate BIG TIME after you graduate!!
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Expert November 2020
Annika · on June 23, 2020 at 1:30 PM
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The strings attached to her gift is super odd to me especially because I assume she knows about your masters program. Maybe she just wants a head start on a grandbaby...? LOL that's something my mother would do
We aren't taking a honeymoon yet because we just don't have enough money to go where we want to, plus we want to buy a house in the near future. However we are staying at a local resort hotel and doing some fun things around town, for just a bit over $1000. But we do live in a large metroplex so theres a lot to do that we haven't seen yet. That doesn't sound quite like your situation, but maybe you could travel to a larger city nearby and do something similar? Good luck and happy planning!
PS I totally understand about the inflated holiday prices, our wedding is two days after Thanksgiving!
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Local honeymoon on a budget

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