When your heart calls you to plan a luxurious honeymoon but your bank account argues for a cheap honeymoon, it’s time to look at a honeymoon registry (see our Honeymoon Registry FAQ). Here is a side-by-side comparison of eight of the more popular registries (four in the first table, four in the one below it), followed by four useful tips on how to choose a honeymoon registry. The information here is based on the information provided by the registries on their websites and in their terms of service. Be sure to read the terms of service yourself before signing up with a honeymoon registry, as its policies may have changed since this page was published.
Traveler’s Joy |
Honeymoon Wishes |
The Big Day |
HoneyLuna |
|
Cost |
7.5% service charge deducted from total amount of gifts received |
7% service charge; couples can choose whether the charge will be added to or deducted from each gift amount Guests charged a 3% credit card transaction fee for each purchase made with a credit card |
7% service charge; couples can choose whether the charge will be added to or deducted from each gift amount Guests charged a 3% credit card transaction fee for each purchase made with a credit card |
7% service charge; couples can choose whether the charge will be added to or deducted from each gift amount Guests charged a 3% credit card transaction fee for each purchase made with a credit card |
Travel plans and booking |
Couples handle all travel arrangements; no affiliated travel agency. |
Users may work with travel agents affiliated with Honeymoon Wishes or make their own travel arrangements. |
Users may work with travel agents affiliated with The Big Day or make their own travel arrangements. |
Users may work with HoneyLuna travel agents or make their own travel arrangements. |
Top 5 features |
Couples registered with Traveler’s Joy have the option to feature their Traveler’s Joy honeymoon registry in the WeddingChannel.com registry center and TheKnot.com, among any other gift registries they may have Couples can register for anything and upload custom images for each item, activity, or experience Flexible options for redeeming gifts Personal wedding page may include flash slideshows, video, and an interactive Google map of the honeymoon itinerary Option for couples to register with the I Do Foundation whereby Traveler’s Joy donates up to 3% of the couple’s honeymoon gifts to the charity of their choice |
Free personalized wedding website Photos provided to illustrate each gift listed on the registry Money may be collected from the registry at any time Live customer service representatives Gift cards available for guests to print |
Free personalized wedding website Photos provided to illustrate each gift listed on the registry Money may be collected from the registry at any time Live customer service representatives Gift cards available for guests to print |
Free personalized wedding website Photos provided to illustrate each gift listed on the registry Money may be collected from the registry at any time Live customer service representatives HoneyLuna is a full-service travel agency with more than 40 years’ experience |
Privacy |
Traveler’s Joy does not share contact information with third parties for marketing purposes, but may contact couples on behalf of third parties for marketing purposes. |
Honeymoon Wishes “may selectively provide certain information to other companies or organizations whose products or services we think may interest you or provide you with special offers ” However, users may opt out of third-party marketing. |
The Big Day “may selectively provide certain information to other companies or organizations whose products or services we think may interest you or provide you with special offers ” However, users may opt out of third-party marketing. |
HoneyLuna “may selectively provide certain information to other companies or organizations whose products or services we think may interest you or provide you with special offers ” However, users may opt out of third-party marketing. |
Other notes |
Member of the Better Business Bureau Online (link) Partner with Native Energy to offset emissions generated from company operations and travel, and to provide Traveler’s Joy Members the option to offset their honeymoon |
Member of the Better Business Bureau Online (link) |
Member of the Better Business Bureau Online (link) |
Member of the Better Business Bureau Online (link) |
Website |
travelersjoy.com | honeymoon wishes.com |
thebigday.com | honeyluna.com |
Distinctive Honeymoons |
The Honeymoon |
Honeyfund |
Wanderable |
|
Cost |
$100 setup fee 9% service charge added to the cost of each gift and paid by gift purchasers First consultation with honeymoon specialist is free; additional consultation requires a deposit of $150 ($75 per person) which is applied to the cost of the honeymoon “Additional fees may apply” for “very involved itineraries.” |
Service charge that ranges from 7.5% (for gifts of $500 or less) to 5.5% (for gifts of $1000.01 or more). Couples choose whether the amount is added to or deducted from the gift amount. |
None, although users who choose to set up a PayPal account to accept credit cards will be charged by PayPal for doing so; “premium” (advertising-free) service available for $29 fee |
None, although couples who choose to set up a PayPal account will be charged credit card fees by PayPal. Couples may also choose premium designs for $25. |
Travel plans and booking |
Travel arrangements are handled by DH’s parent company, Protravel International, a travel agency with more than 650 travel specialists |
Users may work with travel agents affiliated with The Honeymoon or make their own travel arrangements. |
Couples handle all travel arrangements. |
Couples handle all travel arrangements. |
Top 5 features |
Honeymoon planning is handled by experienced travel specialists at Protravel International Custom honeymoon registry created by Distinctive Honeymoons travel specialist Distinctive Honeymoons offers exclusive honeymoon packages and deals 100 announcement cards printed on linen stock paper and 50 inserts for shower invitations Option to include personal photo and message on registry |
Numerous pre-made honeymoon registries to choose from, or create your own Affiliated travel agents specialize in honeymoon travel Personalized wedding web page Templates for printing out wedding invitation inserts E-mail notification of gift purchases |
Register for honeymoon items and/or anything you need No waiting for lump payment: Gift money sent directly by gift giver Partner travel agents specializing in honeymoon travel Printable invitation inserts or post to Facebook, Twitter, wedding websites Gift and thank-you note tracker |
Register for anything and upload their custom images; quickly setup lists by copying items from sample registries No ads and no fees by Wanderable No waiting to receive gifts; payments are sent directly to the couple by the gift-giver Gift tracker to help write all those thank-you notes Personalize registry with a photograph, message and wedding details |
Privacy |
Distinctive Honeymoons does not sell, trade or rent contactinformation to third parties; users may choose not to receive promotional mailings from Distinctive Honeymoons and its partners |
The Honeymoon may sell contact information to third parties for marketing purposes; users may opt out of third-party marketing. |
Does not share information with third parties for marketing purposes. |
Does not share information with third parties for marketing purposes. |
Other notes |
Member of ASTA (American Society of Travel Agents) Member of the Better Business Bureau Online (link) |
Honeyfund advertises on registry pages (except on ad-free $29 premium service) Guests may not pay for gifts online unless couple sets up Paypal account Member of the Better Business Bureau Online (link) |
Guests cannot pay through credit card unless the couple sets up a PayPal account. Customer support is easily accessible on twitter and email.
|
|
Website |
distictive honeymoons.com |
the honeymoon.com |
honeyfund.com | wanderable.com |
Choosing your honeymoon registry
Search for the term “honeymoon registry” on your favorite search engine, and you’ll come up with plenty of results. How do you choose the one that’s best for you? Here are a few basic tips:
What do you need?
Take a virtual tour
Take a “virtual tour” of several different registries. Start by looking for the registry’s FAQ page, then look at a few examples of honeymoon registries. Some sites provide sample registries, or you can look up other couples’ registries by typing a random last name into the search box (you can retrieve a long list of registries by just entering one or two letters into the search box). Look at “dead” registries (where the wedding date has passed) to get an idea of what others have listed and what they actually received. Look at “live” registries (where the wedding date is still in the future) to see what your guests will go through to purchase items for you. You should compare several different sites because information or features on one site may help you evaluate other sites. Finally, view the registry’s terms of service before you sign up: you may find hidden fees or policies that you should be aware of.
Look for professionalism
Does the site provide a thorough explanation of its services, including all fees and service charges? Does it explain who you can contact or what you can do if you run into problems? Is the site a member of the Better Business Bureau or other professional associations? Are the terms of your relationship with the service clearly spelled out before you sign up? Is the site easy to navigate, or do you have to hunt for what you need? If the honeymoon registry is run by a travel agency, does the FAQ explain the company’s policy for cancelled or delayed travel?
Check it out
Check the company’s record at the Better Business Bureau. Or, better yet, contact couples who have actually used the registry (if they have an e-mail address on their wedding page). Send a friendly e-mail explaining your situation and asking for advice; most couples will be happy to help.
Talk to someone
Talk to someone from the registry service, either by phone or e-mail. Is it easy to contact a real person, or do you have to wait days for a reply? Does she or he patiently answer your questions, or rush you into signing up? Are all your questions answered to your satisfaction? If the registry service falls short on customer service when you’re signing up, don’t expect better service if a problem arises.
Still looking for ideas? Check out TripAdvisor’s list of 52 of the world’s most romantic vacations.
Table generation for this post aided by HTML Tables.
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GSN’s HIT SHOW “THE NEWLYWED GAME,” hosted by Sherri Shepherd, is looking for YOU!
“THE NEWLYWED GAME” is seeking contestants in the NYC area! You & your spouse could have the chance to possibly win prizes including a 2nd Honeymoon!
We’re looking for outgoing newlywed couples of all ages, shapes, & sizes who live in, or around, the NYC area!
Auditioning couples NOW!
If interested, please e-mail [email protected] with the following information:
• Full Name of both spouses
• Phone number
• E-mail Address
• Wedding Date
• City/State
• Recent photo of you & your spouse
*Once we get your email we will send you a detailed application.*
Thanks & good luck!
Please NOTE: To be eligible, couples must have been married less than 2 years.
If you decide to register for gifts instead of a honeymoon http://www.asimplerweddingregistry.com has some unique features that allows guests to compare prices on items at multiples stores. Click here to see a video that shows some of the features.
I used Traveler’s Joy Honeymoon Registry and loved it. So did my friends and family. We are older and did not need things for our home so this was a perfect option for us. You can add pics from their database or upload your own. Get creative with your descriptions and organize them in any order you want. The small percentage they take from each gift is worth it to use their website. You also get an email notice everytime someone selects something for you. Advise would be to tell you friends/family that the $5 card is not necessary, esp. since you get an email and can see who bought what and their text reply at any time.
We used Smart Honeymoon and they were very guest focused, which was exactly what we wanted (happy guests, happy me!!). Great looking registry. Thumbs way up!
I have found this page through Google search and just want to present our Honeymoon Registry if you find it interesting…
[...] is a site that compares the top 8 honeymoon [...]
If you’re looking for a fun, quirky idea to share with your partner, why not add a luxury LoveStars astrology report all about your relationship to your honeymoon registry. You will want the occasional lazy day in your room and it’s lots of fun to read about yourself and your partner in these 35-page reports and get your marriage off to a great start, understanding each other’s personality from a fresh – but amazingly accurate – perspective. They cost $99 and include free shipping worldwide.