Guest Post by Maureen Celli, owner of Mo Go Travel, where she specializes in creating memorable honeymoons.  Maureen and her husband recently gifted an Aruba Sunset Cruise to Heather and Jason who sent their thanks while on deck!

Sure, the bride-to-be loves to register for silverware and sheets, but what about registering for their honeymoon?  This is a fairly new concept and an idea that is practical.   It is helpful to both the bride and groom in planning their honeymoon and it is great for the guest to give a gift which is memorable.   Weddings are a life-changing event and regardless of economic constraints, the newlyweds simply want the best honeymoon possible.

For the engaged couple, a honeymoon registry can be the difference between a so-so honeymoon and a dream honeymoon.  So many brides and grooms- to- be have already lived independently of parents. They own the crock pots, mixers and linen that are on the usual bridal registries. The thought of a dream honeymoon after the wedding is a thrill. Often the engaged couples are financing their own wedding and are on a budget. Knowing that a honeymoon awaits helps the couple get through the months of wedding details.   A fantastic first night sets the tone for many more nights to come.  A honeymoon registry can make the difference between ordinary and fabulous.

There may be the question of etiquette.  As noted by The Wall Street Journal May, 2008 review of popular honeymoon registry services: “A honeymoon is a perfectly appropriate gift to request”, says Peter Post, president of Emily Post Institute.  “There is no objection to it from an etiquette point of view.”

As a travel agent, I have set up many honeymoon registries.  I encourage a couple to list activities or tours; such as a sunset sail, a spa treatment, a candlelight dinner on the beach, surfing lessons, the gondola cruise in Venice or the resort upgrade to oceanfront versus garden view.   As a wedding guest, I have given newlyweds such honeymoon activities as a shower or a wedding gift.  I receive back thank you notes with exclamations and many times photos of the couple enjoying the sunset sail or the “Swim with the Dolphin” experience.  Newlyweds are so appreciative and for years to come will associate the gift giver to this honeymoon experience.

When setting up a honeymoon registry, I suggest the couple work this out with a travel agent.  There are websites that also work as a honeymoon registry; however, they often charge a “processing surcharge” of 7.5% of the gift.  A travel agent arranging the honeymoon will not only do this for free, but also give guidance and recommendations.  They will over-see the coordination of the registry, and track the gifts so the couple will have a list for Thank You notes. The guests who contribute will know through their travel agent that their financial contribution has allowed the cash-strapped couple to have a honeymoon that is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. I see couples so grateful!  Honeymoon registries are a win-win for newlyweds and their guests.

Maureen Celli has been in the travel business for over 15 years.  She enjoys working with engaged couples and matching their interests with a special, memorable honeymoon.  Maureen recently founded MoGoTravel where she specializes in custom honeymoons.  Maureen can be reached at mogotravel@aol.com.