Honeymoon

The post-wedding trip — anywhere from a short local getaway to an international multi-stop trip.

R15 000 – R80 000 Local/regional trips sit at the lower end; international multi-country honeymoons sit considerably higher, driven mostly by flights.

Why it matters

Easy to deprioritise while every other wedding decision is happening, but flights and popular destinations book out and get more expensive the later it's left.

When it should happen

6+ months out for international travel (visas, flight pricing); 6–8 weeks out is fine for a simple local getaway.

Questions to ask

Are visas required for the destination, and is there enough lead time to arrange them?
Is travel insurance included, and does it cover trip cancellation?
What's the cancellation/change policy on flights and accommodation if wedding planning delays the booking?
Is there a 'honeymoon fund' registry option instead of traditional gifts?

Mistakes to avoid

Booking flights before confirming passport validity and visa requirements.
Leaving honeymoon planning until after the wedding, missing better pricing windows.
Not budgeting separately for the honeymoon, letting wedding-day costs eat into the travel budget.

Worth knowing

Book refundable or flexible-change options where possible — wedding planning timelines shift more often than people expect, and travel bookings are one of the more expensive things to change last minute.