Can't Go To Rome For Your Honeymoon? Neither Could We! Here's What To Do

When my spouse and I initially got engaged, we envisioned a splendid vacation in Rome, complete with other glamorous stops in Europe. We would spend ten or twelve days there, and stay in a resort from which we could hear the papal mass.

But when we moved up the date of our wedding by about five months, we knew that such an extravagant trip would never fit into our budget. We didn't want to gamble with last-minute cruises or getting me a passport, so we decided to lounge for a week stateside, and we had a great time.

These days, many young couples enjoy showing off pictures of their own island getaway, and it's hard not to feel stung by hearing of couples my age (still in college) going to Costa Rica, Fiji, or the islands of the Pacific. But ultimately what I have realized is that it is more important to enjoy the time "away from it all," that you will have with your new spouse.

Before you get started, make a budget of what you will be able to spend on your honeymoon. Then make a list of destinations you would enjoy most. Take your time investigating what it would cost to go to each of them, and then start making decisions.

Consider the benefits of a "stay-cation," in your own state. If you explore an area where you have never been or stay in a resort in your own city (or close to it), you can think of all the money you save on airfare and car rental.

That money can be used toward extras, like upgrading to a suite or paying for skiing or snowboarding lessons during the winter or maybe surfing or horseback riding lessons in the summer!

You don't even have to stay in a city. I live in northern Utah, in areas that have become world famous for prime skiing territory.

Many lodges--the dozens in Park City, Sundance in Provo Canyon, and Solitude and Brighton lodges thirty miles outside of Salt Lake, just to name a few--offer plenty of privacy at any time of year, but you are close enough to metropolitan areas to have what you need, go out for a nice dinner, or stroll down charming streets lined with boutiques.

Gravitate toward areas that feature activities you both will enjoy. I wanted to visit Rome because I love art and history--but there are plenty of places to find that close by. Think about finding an area with plentiful museums that will feature engaging exhibits that you are sure to enjoy.

Your honeymoon should be one of the most memorable times in your life. Don't pout about it if you don't have the money to create your dream vacation just yet--after all, that's why "second honeymoons," exist!