For many couples, planning a honeymoon is just as important as planning the wedding itself. Regardless of where you plan to go, there are some things you should do and some ideas you need to know to make it a memorable experience.

First, you must decide on a budget. If money is not an issue for you, bon voyage! However, if you’re like most couples getting married, you’re already paying for more than you anticipated. Establish a budget, and use it as a guide. You may also want to consider using a honeymoon registry service like the free one provided by The Honeymoon, www.thehoneymoon.com. Honeymoon registries are a hot new trend because they allow wedding guests to contribute toward specific elements of your honeymoon. With couples getting married older these days, many have no need for additional crock pots, blenders and toasters. That’s why shore excursions, parasailing, spa services or tours can all make great wedding gifts.

The honeymoon budget takes on a whole new meaning when you decide to do a “destination wedding,” another hot trend. These are gaining popularity as more couples decide to forego the average $20,000 wedding price tag. “These are especially popular with second marriages,” according to Donna Ennis of GettingRemarried.com, a popular resource for people getting remarried. The first step in planning a destination wedding is to find a travel agent who specializes in honeymoons and destination weddings. This person will help you begin the process of selecting the location to get married in. This is the first priority in planning a destination wedding because legal requirements for marriage vary by destination.

After deciding on a budget, you need to figure out where you would like to go. If you and your spouse want the same type of honeymoon experience, no problem. However, if one of you wants adventure and the other wants to relax in the sun, you need to find a destination that can satisfy you both.

Once you establish a budget and you know where you want to go, you need to decide whether you want an all-inclusive package or if you would prefer to be on your own a little more. For those with tight budgets, an all-inclusive honeymoon has the advantage of one all-inclusive package price. This includes most activities at both all-inclusive resorts and on cruises, though there may be things that are not included. Again, these make great gift items for your honeymoon registry. However, if you wish to be on your own to take in more of the surrounding culture and area, then you may be better off creating “your own” experience.

Now it’s time to book and pay for this trip. Many honeymoon suppliers offer specials for early booking. Packages that include air often can offer significant savings because these suppliers buy airline seats in bulk at a discount and then package hotel, and sometimes car rentals to give you significant value. Usually these packages need to be purchased from a honeymoon specialist travel agent, who you can find from a national network at www. thehoneymoon.com. Here, you’ll find travel agent services, honeymoon registries, personal wedding Web pages, and honeymoon information at your fingertips, all from the convenience of your home or office.