Who Buys the Honeymoon? Everything Couples Need to Know

Money talk gets weird fast, especially when you're juggling wedding bills. Honeymoon costs? That's a whole other ballgame. People still argue about who should foot the bill, even though it's 2025 and most couples ditch old-school roles. Some say the groom's side pays. Others laugh, split the bill, or use their joint fund. There's no single "right" way anymore.

If you want to avoid fights and awkwardness, start by having an open conversation with your partner—way before you start picking out flights or resorts. Forget what your parents did. Think about what actually works for you two. Got student loans? Swamped with wedding expenses? Maybe you both chip in equally. Or maybe one of you has points saved up and covers the flights, while the other handles the hotel.

• Old-School Traditions vs. Modern Trends
• Splitting Costs: How Couples Make It Work
• Smart Ways to Budget and Save
• What to Do When Family Helps Pay

Old-School Traditions vs. Modern Trends

Back in the day, there was a pretty clear-cut answer to "who buys the honeymoon?" The groom (or his family) usually handled the whole thing. It was part of a bigger set of wedding rules: bride’s family pays for the ceremony, groom’s family picks up the honeymoon tab. This tradition shows up in wedding etiquette guides from as far back as the 1920s. But things are way less black-and-white now.

Flash forward to today—couples have totally changed how they pay for honeymoons. According to a 2024 Wedding Wire survey, only about 23% of newlyweds said one family paid for their entire honeymoon. The rest? They either split the cost, used a joint fund, or paid with help from their wedding guests through honeymoon registries. These registries work just like regular gift lists, but guests chip in for trips instead of toasters or towels. It’s a real game-changer and super popular with millennial and Gen Z couples.

Here’s a quick comparison of how honeymoon expenses get handled today versus a few decades ago:

If you’re planning your own honeymoon, you have options—something most couples didn’t have thirty years ago. You can pay together, ask for help, or even let your guests chip in. Honeymoon costs are something you and your partner can actually control now, which is a big win.

Splitting Costs: How Couples Make It Work

Gone are the days when one family just handed over a check for the honeymoon. According to a 2024 survey by The Knot, 64% of couples say they pay for all or part of their own honeymoon these days. It’s way more common than not. The next big group—about 28%—get some help from parents or other family members, but even then, it’s usually partial, not the whole deal.

So, how do couples actually make the split? It’s not always just 50/50. A lot depends on your individual budgets, how much each of you can actually afford, and if either of you has perks like credit card points or unused airline miles. Here’s what couples usually do:

• Split everything down the middle: You each pay half. Super straightforward if you both have similar incomes.
• Proportional to income: If one earns more, that person pays a bit more. For example, if one partner makes 60% of the total couple income, they cover 60% of the costs.
• Divide up the parts: One person pays for flights, the other for the hotel. Or one covers activities, the other handles meals. This works well when you want to share but not nickel and dime every purchase together.
• Tap into points or miles: If one of you has credit card points, use those for flights or hotels, then split the leftover cash costs evenly.

Couples who stay on the same page about money usually talk honestly about their finances early. A quick budget check-in can help you avoid assumptions or surprises. Here’s a rough idea of what couples spent in 2024, based on a Brides.com poll:

If you’re worried about keeping costs fair, there are tons of budgeting apps out there made just for couples—like Splitwise or Honeydue. They can track who paid for what and make it easy to settle up later. This stuff only gets tricky if nobody talks about it. Keep everything clear, make a plan, and your honeymoon will feel a lot less stressful right from the start.

Smart Ways to Budget and Save

The sticker shock from honeymoon packages is real. According to a 2024 WeddingWire survey, the average honeymoon ran about $5,100 last year, but exotic trips and luxury resorts can double that fast. You don’t have to drain your savings to get a memorable trip. Being smart from the start will save you headaches (and arguments) later.

Start with a rock-solid budget. Lay out your incomes, other bills, and what the wedding is already costing. Then decide together what's realistic for your honeymoon. Apps like Honeydue or Splitwise let couples track who pays what—no napkin math required.

• Use travel rewards: If you or your partner have a credit card that racks up miles or points, this can turn into free or seriously cheap flights and hotel nights. Just make sure you pay off your card each month to avoid interest.
• Book off-season: Destinations drop their prices outside of peak times. A Cancun resort is way cheaper in September than in March.
• Set priorities: Decide what matters most—fancy hotel, food, activities? Splurge on one thing and save on the rest. Sometimes it’s way more fun hitting up street food stands than sticking to pricey resort restaurants.
• Consider honeymoon registries: Instead of blenders and extra towels, sites like Honeyfund let guests pitch in for dinners, excursions, or whole hotel nights.

To get a sense of where your cash might go, here’s a breakdown from last year’s honeymooners:

Don’t forget, you don’t have to do everything yourself. Sometimes, parents or family want to help. If that happens, just be clear about who’s paying for what so no one feels blindsided. Keep your honeymoon about enjoying the first days of married life, not stressing about bills.

What to Do When Family Helps Pay

When a family member offers to chip in for your honeymoon, things can get a little tricky. According to a 2024 survey by The Knot, around 20% of couples get honeymoon help from parents or other relatives. Whether it's a cash gift or Aunt Carol booking your flights as her present, handling this help the right way saves you tons of awkwardness.

First, get clear about the details. Is this a cash gift you can spend however you want, or are there strings attached? Sometimes, parents want a say in where you go or where you stay. If you're getting money, talk with your family about expectations up front. Here’s what usually happens:

• Honeymoon fund as a wedding gift—which means you choose how to spend it.
• Family pays directly for specific things like plane tickets, a hotel, or an activity.
• Family ties their help to a certain destination they think is romantic or meaningful.

If you're offered help, here's how to keep the process smooth:

1. Ask for specifics: "Are you offering to pay for the whole trip, or just flights/hotel?"
2. Be honest if you want to do your own thing. It's fine to say, "We appreciate this, but we really want a place that fits us as a couple."
3. If the help comes with requests (like a certain resort), decide if you're cool with it. If not, talk it out before anyone buys tickets.
4. Keep family updated, even if you're handling most things yourselves. Simple updates avoid confusion.

Don't forget a thank you—handwritten notes are still golden (and parents seriously love them). If the trip is special because of their help, send a few photos or a postcard. It goes a long way.