Honeymoon Registries

What are they and where to begin

Everybody knows what a wedding registry is. Prospective couples register with stores, then let their guests know where they're registered. The guests, in turn, go to the registry, see what the couple wants, then buys the items on the list which haven't already been purchased.  That way, the guests know they're giving something the couple will want, not something that will end up in a yard sale in 5 years.

This is great for couples who need household items for their new lives together. But, what about the couples who already have many of those items? What could they want? A honeymoon, of course!

That's where honeymoon registries comes in.  Hotel accommodations, side excursions and much more can be included on a honeymoon registry. In the same way as a wedding registry, the couple simply lets their guests know about it. No obligation to buy.  The Big Day (thebigday.com/) is one of the larger, more well-established honeymoon registries. Traveler's Joy (travelersjoy.com) and Honeymoon Wishes (honeymoonwishes.com) is another.

However, unlike typical wedding registries, some honeymoon registries do cost up front. The arrangements differ widely, though. In some cases a flat fee is charged. In others, a percentage to anyone purchasing a listed gift for the honeymoon couple.  According to the companies, this covers their cost of making arrangements with hotel chains, airlines, resorts and tour or entertainment operators for good prices.

Gifts can run the gamut of everything imaginable. Unlike a wedding gift registry, though, the focus is on things and activities a couple will typically pay for on a honeymoon.  It may be something as common (albeit generous) as a 3-night stay in a spectacular resort on St. Barts. Or, it could be a gondola ride in Venice. Honeymoon registries can even help pay for one meal or all of them at the couple's hotel.

Honeymoon registries allow couples to stay in places or partake in activities they may not be able to afford on their own. Hot air balloon rides are a popular choice. It's something couples often talk about, but at $100-$200 per person, often do without. It makes for a great gift. In many cases, the money isn't fully paid for up front, though. A deposit might be registered, with the full amount only required if the couple actually uses the gift.

But that introduces a bit of fine print to watch out for. Registry policies, and those covering individual gifts, can vary widely. On some, the gift dollars never expire. If the couple doesn't take advantage of the generous offer in, say, two years, the activity is still there if they should want to do so later.

Many others do expire. And, when they expire, the money may be returned (minus a service fee) or the company may keep it entirely. There's nothing fraudulent about the practice. It's similar to a purchasing a gift card for someone at Christmas - it's up to those purchasing the gift to read the fine print and to make a decision accordingly.

Honeymoon registries have their pros and cons. Sometimes prices can actually be lower for those who book through the hotel's online website, for example. But a honeymoon registry can also be a convenient and effective way for friends and loved ones to give the couple a round of golf in Sedona or a private bungalow in Antigua.

Synonyms: Regestry, regitsry and regisrty are common typos for "registry."  Honymoon, honeymon, honnymoon, hunnymoon and hoonymoon are typos for the word, "honeymoon."