After all of the meetings with caterers, the hassle of ordering and sending invitations, and generally having your mind on all things wedding 24/7 for months on end, there is light at the end of the tunnel—and it likely includes Mai Tais on the beach.

And when it comes to honeymoon location, there’s not much that beats an ocean view from your hotel room. Warm, sandy beaches are a top destination for honeymooners—and especially locations like Miami, Tampa, Key West, The Bahamas, The Cayman Islands, or Bermuda. Not only are these locations unbelievably gorgeous, but they’re often inexpensive for couples thanks to all-inclusive resorts or deals on cruises.

The only downside? These locations have a tendency to be hit hard during hurricane season, which just so happens to coincide with the peak of wedding season from June to October. Although it might not be the conversation you dreamed of having about your honeymoon, it’s important to consider the following when planning: what would happen if your honeymoon was scheduled right when the eye of a hurricane was supposed to hit your destination? Experts are predicting that this year’s forecast is pretty harrowing—so honeymooners should be paying attention before scheduling their post-wedding vacations.

While thinking about inclement weather isn’t necessarily the most romantic thing, it’s crucial that honeymooners protect themselves before they click to book their trip. One such way couples can protect their trip investment is by purchasing “Cancel for Any Reason” (CFAR) trip insurance. Let’s go over what CFAR insurance is, how much it costs, and how it can possibly benefit you.

What Is Travel Insurance?

Travel insurance, much like home or auto insurance, covers you when things go awry before or during your trip.

“Travel insurance plans are designed to reimburse you for non-refundable trip costs and provide coverage for emergency medical expenses, emergency medical evacuations, protection for baggage and personal effects, and more. So, if a hotel or airline offers only a partial refund, a travel insurance plan will pay the remaining part of your expense as long as you bought insurance for the full non-refundable cost of your trip,” says Justin Tysdal, CEO of travel insurance company Seven Corners.

Travel insurance is an additional expense to your trip, but it could end up saving you bundles of money if you have to leave your trip unexpectedly early due to a medical or family emergency. CFAR insurance specifically is an added protection (and added expense) on top of regular travel insurance, but it comes with more benefits. CFAR insurance allows travelers to cancel their trip for any reason they wish—including changing their minds.

If a traveler who purchases CFAR insurance cancels their trip, they have the ability to recoup up to 75% of the funds for their trip—and they can take their trip at another time when it’s more convenient (or when the weather clears up). This can be especially helpful to honeymooners who are interested in taking a trip to hurricane-prone areas as they are more likely to deal with unexpected delays or cancellations.

Not only will CFAR help honeymooners recover costs if their tip gets canceled due to inclement weather, but travel insurance will also help protect these travelers if they get caught in a storm when on vacation. They will be provided access to 24/7 assistance for medical or travel-related emergencies.

How Much Is Travel Insurance?

This number varies, but generally you can expect to spend about 4%-10% of your non-refundable costs on your trip. The amount you pay generally depends on how much your total trip costs are and the type of travel insurance plan that you choose.

When Do you Need to Purchase Travel Insurance?

If you’re thinking about purchasing travel insurance, it’s really best to do it while you’re initially booking your trip. The added protection of CFAR is specifically only available to travelers within 20 days of booking the trip on many travel insurance plans.

Honeymooners have the ability to purchase a plan either directly through the booking site (for example, many cruise lines will give travelers the option to buy it while booking a trip), or they can reach out to specific travel insurance companies who have a variety of plans available directly after they’ve booked their trip.

There’s nothing like a romantic getaway. Whether you’re headed out of town for a few days or you’ve booked a full week, taking a vacation with your partner is a great opportunity to reconnect with each other, disconnect from work, and get a chance to have some fun. But if you don’t have enough time to jet set away and are hitting the road instead, you’re going to need to be prepared. Here are 12 road trip essentials for your romantic weekend.

1. Cooler Full of Snacks and Drinks

What’s a road trip without snacks? Not one we’d like to be on, that’s for sure. Instead of stocking up at every gas station you pass, think ahead and pack your favorite sodas, sparkling waters, fruits, and cheese crackers to snack on along the way. Your wallet—and your stomach—will thank you.

2. Portable External Battery

You’re going to need plenty of power on your phone, especially if you’re driving an older car that can’t charge your device. Bring a portable external battery so you never have to decide whether it’s worth it to snap a selfie or not.

3. A Camera That’s not Your Phone

Sure, your cell phone will work just fine to take all those selfies and pictures of roadside attractions that you stop at, but there’s something inherently more fun about having a regular camera that’s not attached to all of your emails, social media, and other apps (which can distract you from romance and spontaneity. Break out your go-to digital camera or buy one of those adorable Polaroid cameras to get a vintage feel to your road trip memories.

4. An Audiobook or Podcast You Both Love

Roadtrips are the perfect opportunity to finally take some time to read or listen to a podcast you’ve been meaning to catch up on. Download a few on your phone, or go retro and visit your local library to check out an audiobook CD or two. Talk with your loved one after about what you hear.

5. Backseat or Trunk Organizer

Even if you’re only going to be gone for a few days, it always pays to be organized so that you can access your things quickly. Purchase a backseat or trunk organizer to keep your luggage in one spot and have your reusable bags or car maintenance equipment handy without having to dig.

6. Travel Mug

If it’s a road trip, you’re going to need coffee—and a lot of it. In order to keep that coffee as hot as you can, take a travel mug along with you because no one should ever have to sip on lukewarm coffee for hours.

7. A Tide Pen

You want to look as fresh as you can on your romantic getaway, but all it takes is a bump in the road to get a ketchup stain all over your perfectly curated road trip outfit. Bring along a Tide pen with you to remedy any stains that you accrue along the way.

8. First-Aid Kit

You never know what can happen on the road, which is why you should always be prepared with a proper first-aid kit for your car. Whether you grab aspirin from the kit for a headache or reach for the kit after a serious injury, you’ll be happy it’s fully stocked and ready for use.

9. A Couple of Beach Towels or Blanket

Even if you’re not headed to the beach, it’s always a good idea to keep a few beach towels in your trunk. You never know when you might decide to picnic at a rest stop or stop at a nearby lake or public pool to cool off. Beach towels or a blanket are also handy for cleaning up any messes or having something cool to sit on if the summer heat blasts a metal chair at a restaurant or camping site. They’re an all-purpose tool that’s great to have on hand.

10. Sunscreen

Even though you’ll be in the car for extended periods of time, the sun’s harmful UV rays are still coming in through the windows and damaging your skin. It’s best to put on some sunscreen before you get in the car and have some extra available for reapplication and in case you decide to stop at a roadside attraction.

11. Mints or Gum

Eating a bag of chips and downing cups of coffee aren’t exactly the recipe for amazing breath. We predict a lot of kissing in your future on this road trip, so it’s best to be prepared with a stash of mints or gum in the glove box.

12. Your Favorite Sweater

You may be road tripping in the summer, but that doesn’t mean it won’t cool down at night when you head to dinner. Plus, if your partner likes to keep the air conditioning on full blast, you’re going to need a sweater to keep you warm.

After you get engaged and finally sit down to plan your wedding, one of the first things you’ll think about is how many bridesmaids to have in your bridal party. Bridesmaids, while largely symbolic, are still an important part of the ceremony. And let’s face it: they can be a big help in preventing the bride from losing her mind during the wedding planning process.

Depending on your age when you get married, you’ve probably gathered friends from all stages of your life, from elementary school to coworkers. Out of all these wonderful friends you’ve made over the years, you probably have a good idea of who you’d like to stand beside you as you say your vows to the person you love the most. But how many friends is too many? Are there any set rules? Here’s what you need to know about the official rules on bridesmaids—and why we think it’s totally okay to break them.

Traditionally, it Depends on Your Guest List

If you are really dead set on doing things “by the book,” then here are the rules you need to know.

Traditionally, you choose your number of attendants by how many guests are invited to the wedding, taking into consideration how formal your wedding is. For example, if you are going to have more than 200 guests at a formal wedding, it’s appropriate to have up to 12 attendants (and one ring bearer, one flower girl, and one usher for every 50 guests). The smaller your wedding, the smaller the attendant list. So, if you have a wedding with 100 guests, you would cut the number of attendants in half to six instead of 12 and opt for only two ushers.

These rules are fine, but they don’t take special situations into consideration such as having eight best friends or only having one really great friend. The original role of the bridesmaid was to wear a similar outfit to the bride so that she would “trick” any evil spirits that may have wished to harm the bride and groom. Since tradition isn’t the most reliable source of practicality, we think it’s completely okay to ditch it.

There’s No Set Amount

The truth is that it doesn’t really matter if you have the “correct” amount of bridesmaids. You can have one or 12—or have a different number of attendants than your partner. You can even have a member of the opposite sex be your attendant.

The hard part about having bridesmaids is that you have to choose between friends, which can get difficult. However, if you don’t want to have 10 people standing up beside you at the wedding (which is completely understandable) you can still make your close friends feel included in the wedding by asking them to man the guestbook, usher, or lend their specific talents to the celebration in other ways. And remember: being a bridesmaid in someone else’s wedding doesn’t make you obligated to ask them to be a bridesmaid in your wedding.

Choose to Have no Attendants at All

There’s a myth when you’re planning a wedding that you have to do things a certain way—but modern weddings are all about flexibility and bending the rules. While traditionally brides have had bridesmaids and grooms have had groomsmen, there’s no reason why you need to follow tradition just because you feel forced.

Some brides and grooms just want a simple ceremony without any muss or fuss and adding more people into the equation can complicate planning with scheduling and logistics. Some brides or grooms may have been married before and don’t want to have the traditional ceremony because they don’t feel it’s appropriate or because they’ve already done it the traditional way. And some brides and grooms are older and their friends may not be interested in putting on a bridesmaid dress after a certain age. Whatever the reason, it’s completely okay to have your ceremony just be focused on the two of you.

Choose the People who Mean the Most to You

When you’re trying to narrow down how many bridesmaids you want to have, a good rule of thumb is to think about the people who have meant the most throughout your life. Who has been there for you in every stage of your life, no matter how far away you’ve lived or how busy they got? Who did you want to tell when you started dating your future spouse? And lastly (and maybe most importantly), who do you think will be there for you in the long haul? Inevitably, friends grow apart as life gets busier, but who out of all your friends do you think will stand the test of time? As you’re trying to choose which friends or family members should be your attendants, these are a few things to consider.

Choosing a reading for your wedding can be one of the most challenging tasks on your to-do list. How do you find a passage that totally encompasses your love? (And how do you make sure that it’s not something 1,000 other couples have used?) To help with this monumentally romantic task, we’ve pulled together seven of our favorite passages about love. Some of these are from writers you’d expect to see on the list, such as Shakespeare, but some might surprise you or your guests. All of them are supremely romantic, so maybe grab a tissue or two before you read through.

1. Maya Angelou, Touched By an Angel

We, unaccustomed to courage

exiles from delight

live coiled in shells of loneliness

until love leaves its high holy temple

and comes into our sight

to liberate us into life.

Love arrives

and in its train come ecstasies

old memories of pleasure

ancient histories of pain.

Yet if we are bold,

love strikes away the chains of fear

from our souls.

We are weaned from our timidity

In the flush of love’s light

we dare be brave

And suddenly we see

that love costs all we are

and will ever be.

Yet it is only love

which sets us free.

2. Emily Brontë, Wuthering Heights

“Whatever our souls are made out of, his and mine are the same. If all else perished, and he remained, I should still continue to be and if all else remained, and he were annihilated, the universe would turn to a mighty stranger.”

3. William Shakespeare, Romeo and Juliet

“My bounty is as boundless as the sea,

My love as deep; the more I give to thee,

The more I have, for both are infinite.”

4. Elizabeth Barrett Browning, How Do I Love Thee? (Sonnet 43)

“How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.

I love thee to the depth and breadth and height

My soul can reach, when feeling out of sight

For the ends of being and ideal grace.

I love thee to the level of every day’s

Most quiet need, by sun and candle-light.

I love thee freely, as men strive for right.

I love thee purely, as they turn from praise.

I love thee with the passion put to use

In my old griefs, and with my childhood’s faith.

I love thee with a love I seemed to lose

With my lost saints. I love thee with the breath,

Smiles, tears, of all my life; and, if God choose,

I shall but love thee better after death.”

5. A.A Milne, Winnie the Pooh

“If ever there is tomorrow when we’re not together, there is something you must remember. You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think. But the most important thing is, even if we’re apart…I’ll always be with you.”

6. Otis Redding, “That’s How Strong My Love Is”

If I was the sun way up there

I’d go with love most everywhere

I’ll be the moon when the sun goes down

Just to let you know that I’m still around

That’s how strong my love is

I’ll be the weeping willow drowning in my tears

And you can go swimming when you’re here

And I’ll be the rainbow after the tears are gone

Wrap you in my colors and keep you warm

That’s how strong my love is

I’ll be the ocean so deep and wide

And catch the tears whenever you cry

I’ll be the breeze after the storm is gone

To dry your eyes and love you warm

That’s how strong my love is

7. Mark Twain, A Marriage

“A Marriage….

Makes of two fractional lives a whole;

It gives to two purposeless lives a work

And doubles the strength of each to perform it

It gives to two questioning natures a reason for living,

And something to live for;

It will give a new gladness to the sunshine,

A new fragrance to the flowers,

A new beauty to the earth,

And a new mystery to life.”

8. Justice Anthony Kennedy, Majority Opinion in Obergefell v. Hodges

“No union is more profound than marriage, for it embodies the highest ideals of love, fidelity, devotion, sacrifice, and family. In forming a marital union, two people become something greater than once they were. As some of the petitioners in these cases demonstrate, marriage embodies a love that may endure even past death. It would misunderstand these men and women to say they disrespect the idea of marriage. Their plea is that they do respect it, respect it so deeply that they seek to find its fulfillment for themselves. Their hope is not to be condemned to live in loneliness, excluded from one of civilization’s oldest institutions. They ask for equal dignity in the eyes of the law. The Constitution grants them that right.”

In the modern era of weddings, we’re leaving a lot of the traditional behind. For instance, brides these days no longer feel like they can only choose from their female friends for their bridal party. Many no longer have a bouquet toss, and even more couples are choosing to have a co-ed, or joint, wedding shower instead of a ladies luncheon-style party.

The History of the Bridal Shower

The bridal shower tradition began in 16^th century Holland and was held in honor of a bride if her family didn’t have a traditional dowry (money or gifts a groom would receive from the bride’s parents upon their wedding day). Sometimes a bride would be too poor to have a dowry or her father wouldn’t approve of a marriage and would withhold the dowry as a punishment. In these instances, the woman’s friends would pick up the slack and “shower” her with gifts and money to ensure the marriage could take place.

During the Victorian period in the United States, the tradition changed from an act of charity to an opportunity to celebrate the bride-to-be and give her domestic gifts that she can use in her new role as a wife. Modern bridal showers can be anything from a small gathering of women at a bridesmaid’s home to an elaborate party with themes, servers, and live music.

More recently, some couples are foregoing the tradition of the girls-only wedding shower entirely and adding in all of their friends, male and female, to make the celebration feel more like a cocktail party. If you’re trying to decide between throwing a traditional bridal shower or going for a more modern co-ed wedding shower, here are a few pros and cons for you and your partner to consider.

A Traditional Bridal Shower

Pro: You get an opportunity to privately celebrate with all of the important women in your life.

Your bridal shower may be one of the only opportunities in your life to be surrounded entirely by all of the important women in your life all at once (including those women important to your fiancé). The origins of the bridal shower may not exactly be joyful, but for women these days it can feel empowering to be in the presence of all of their female relatives and friends before they take this next big step in their lives. They can share marriage advice, swap stories—and you have a chance to get to know all of the important women in your future spouse’s life.

Pro: Because a bridal shower will likely be a smaller event than one where both men and women are invited, it will presumably cost less money.

Traditionally, bridesmaids or a female family member or friend of the bride will throw the shower and take care of all the food and decoration costs. For a joint shower, the rules on who hosts—and foots the bill—are less clear. (Will it be the couple paying for the tab, or is this something that the bridal party chips in for?) Plus, with more people at a joint shower than at a traditional bridal shower, it’s likely going to cost more for food, drinks, etc.

Pro: You can easily host a bridal shower in someone’s home.

While there have certainly been some extravagant and large bridal showers, for the most part bridal showers are intimate gatherings of close friends and family members of the bride. This smaller guest count makes it easier to host the party at someone’s home, which is a lot cheaper than renting out a room at a restaurant or reserving space at a bar for a big group of people.

Con: A bridal shower can feel stuffy or too traditional for many modern women or modern couples.

Some may think that like a lot of other wedding traditions, bridal showers have misogynistic roots. Some modern brides may feel uncomfortable with carrying that tradition forward when it’s their turn. Some women who are getting married may also not want to be called a “bride,” and others may not want to have a traditional bridal shower if they themselves are marrying a woman. Whatever the reason may be, it’s completely okay to say no to a bridal shower and instead opt for a joint wedding shower or a pre-wedding party with friends and family.

A Co-Ed Wedding Shower

Pro: A joint wedding shower allows your partner to get in on the fun.

Who says that the bride should get to have all of the parties? A wedding is a celebration about two people falling in love, after all. Including your partner into the shower is a fun way to kick off all your wedding events. Plus, they won’t be able to get away with not knowing who the gravy boat is from when you’re writing out thank you notes!

Pro: A joint wedding shower is a more relaxed setting than a bridal shower.

Let’s face it: bridal showers aren’t exactly known for being a raucous good time. While they are lovely, they can feel a little stiff and awkward—especially when you’re opening presents and you have a group of women staring at you for your reaction.

A joint wedding shower with co-ed attendees, on the other hand, feels more relaxed. Because it’s not a traditional practice, there actually aren’t any traditions you are beholden to. You can throw your joint shower in a bar, at a backyard barbecue, or in a restaurant, which makes it have a more casual vibe. (And you may even be able to get away with not opening presents in front of a crowd.)

Con: It can be difficult to narrow down who should be invited to a joint wedding shower.

One of the downsides of having a joint, co-ed wedding shower is that it’s difficult to determine who should make the guest list. Because of sheer numbers, you probably don’t want to invite all of your wedding guests—but it might feel weird to cut people out of the shower. The best way to narrow it down is to just include very special friends and family.

Engagement photo sessions are inherently adorable. Whether you shoot them in the park, at a coffee shop, or in your home, the excitement of your upcoming wedding seems to shine through every photo. The only thing that can push the cuteness over the top is including your pet into your engagement session.

Including your beloved dog or cat into your photos may seem like a no-brainer, especially if they’re a huge part of your relationship. But the logistics of taking photographs with your pet are more complicated than just putting them in front of the camera. If you’re thinking about taking engagement photos with your furry family member, here are a few tips on prepping them in order to get the best shots possible.

1. Give Your Pet Lots of Exercise Before the Photo Shoot

We all know that our animals are much calmer once they’ve had a ton of exercise, especially if they are young. If your dog or cat has a lot of energy, make sure you help them get all of that out before your engagement photo session. Take them on a long walk, break out the laser pointer, or run around with them in the backyard to really tire them out. Of course you don’t want to overdo it, but the goal is to get them tired!

2. Go Somewhere Your Dog Feels Comfortable

Just like humans, dogs have their favorite places to hang out—and they also have places that make them anxious. When scoping locations for your engagement photo session, choose places that aren’t just photogenic but will make your dog feel comfortable. If you have any questions about a location, talk to your photographer about scouting locations together with your dog so you can gauge their comfort level.

3. Come Prepared with Treats and Toys

If you’re taking your engagement photos outside of the home, be prepared with plenty of treats and their favorite toys to get them to sit still for a few moments. Even if you’re taking your photos inside your home, it’s still a good idea to be stocked with treats so the photographer can have something to capture their attention.

4. Take the Photos at Home if Your Pet Is Anxious

If you have a dog who is anxious in public settings (or if you’re a cat lover), taking engagement photos at home is the best option. There are many benefits to taking your photos at home, like not having to worry about their leash, having infinite prop options, and the ability to change clothes easily without finding a public restroom. Plus, what’s cuter than the three of you curled up on the couch or playing chase in your own backyard? Taking photos at home makes for a more relaxed session and gives you a chance to show off the home that the three of you share.

5. Have a Friend Come with You to Entertain and Watch Your Pet

You may want your dog in some of your engagement photos, but chances are you won’t want them in every single one. Invite a friend or a family member to watch your pet and keep them occupied when they’re not in front of the camera. (Remember to never leave your pet inside a locked car, no matter the season!)

6. Bring a Change of Clothes

Depending on the location and style you’re going for, chances are you won’t be able to play rough with your dog during the photo shoot. Bring a change of casual clothes so that you won’t be afraid to roll around and play with your pets while the camera is on. Posed photographs with your dog are adorable, but some of the best engagement photos with pets are the ones where a couple is throwing a ball to their dog or getting on the ground and rubbing their belly. You definitely don’t want to worry that your dog will scratch your legs or get dirt all over your outfit when you’re taking photos because that frustration will shine through on the camera.

When you say yes to a marriage proposal you not only gain a spouse, but also an entire new family with its own set of quirks and traditions. While figuring out how to fit in with your new in-laws is always a challenge, it can be especially difficult when your fiancé‘s parents are divorced.

The statistics for divorce are pretty harrowing (it’s estimated that the divorce rate is 40–50%), and when planning a wedding it’s likely that one or both sets of parents involved in the ceremony are separated.

Although the statistics may say that divorce is a common scenario, dealing with divorced parents is never going to feel ordinary. Many divorced couples can’t even be in the same room together, let alone sit on the same side of the aisle. And sometimes a wedding ceremony is the first time they’ve seen each other in years, which can put a lot of pressure on the event.

When you are planning a wedding and your future in-laws just can’t get along, how do you deal? Is there anything you can do to make it easier on your future spouse? Are there any special arrangements you should make? Let’s go over everything you need to plan when dealing with your partner’s divorced parents.

Let Your Partner Lead the Way

You may have spent many nights talking about your partner’s parents and all of the ins and outs of their divorce, but even so—you’re never going to know exactly how it feels. Even if your own parents are separated, your partner’s experience with divorced parents might be completely different than yours. Be patient and understanding as you try to figure out the best way to make everyone happy while planning your wedding.

Before you make seating arrangements or start to ask parents for help with a rental deposit, talk to your partner first. They’ll know how to best initiate these conversations or make the decisions about the budget, the processional, seating arrangements, receiving line, and anything else that pops up.

Decide Who Is Paying for What

Traditionally, the bride’s family will help pay for the wedding, but many couples decide to take on the responsibility themselves or both sets of parents will help out with different parts of the budget.

Decide early on who you will ask for what, and be firm when making decisions. Unfortunately, some children of divorce can experience a tug of war with their wedding budget. You’ll sometimes see parents trying to one-up each other with their checkbooks or refuse to cooperate at all in retaliation. This is especially true if there’s an income disparity between two ex-spouses. If it helps, keep your wedding budget details under wraps if you think it’ll cause problems between anyone.

Concentrate on the Seating Arrangement

Another potential area for drama between ex-spouses could be a seating arrangement that they don’t like. If there is animosity, try to arrange their tables at the reception as far away from each other as you can. If it’s possible, make the tables equidistant to the bridal party table so that no parent can claim favoritism.

When arranging seating for the ceremony it’s customary for the parents to sit together, but change this if you think it makes sense for your situation. Also, if you plan on having a receiving line after the ceremony, determine where your partner’s parents will stand (and maybe put your parents between them as a buffer).

Decide How New Spouses and Partners Come into Play

Depending on how long your partner’s parents have been divorced, they could have re-married or be dating someone new. This can be a tricky situation for many ex-spouses, and jealousy and emotions can run high when they have to see each other at the wedding. In some cases this new relationship was the cause of the marriage ending, which can be especially jarring for the ex-spouse.

There’s really no right or wrong way to handle this scenario, but ultimately if a person is married or has been involved in a committed relationship for a long time, they have every right to be at the wedding. Even if their presence upsets one parent, it wouldn’t be fair to not include them in the celebration.

However, you can dictate to your photographer how the family photographs should be taken. If you don’t want someone in your pictures for whatever reason, we say it’s your wedding day and you can decide how that goes. You also aren’t obligated to include a step-parent or a new partner in any receiving line or other official wedding role.

Support Your Future Spouse

No matter what, the most important thing to remember when dealing with your partner’s divorced parents is to be supportive. The two of you are a unit now, and your number one job is to look out for the interests of your partner—not his or her parents.

A honeymoon is the cherry on top of an amazing wedding day—and it’s often what couples look forward to after a long period of stressful wedding planning. Many couples are so ready for the honeymoon that they even choose to leave straight from the reception to begin their relaxation right away.

Unfortunately, not all of us have the luxury of being able to take a honeymoon immediately following our wedding. Whether you can’t take any additional time off at work, you have young children at home, or you just don’t have anything left in your wedding budget, sometimes a proper honeymoon (complete with mai tais and a private spa session for two) just has to wait.

Waiting for a honeymoon can be a big bummer, but it doesn’t mean that you have to go back to reality right away. There are plenty of romantic (and cheap) honeymoon options to choose from that don’t involve expensive plane tickets or traveling too far from home.

Here are six honeymoon alternatives to consider that will fit most any budget—because you definitely deserve some alone time before you head back to work!

Go on a Quick Road Trip

Don’t have the time or the money to fly somewhere on your honeymoon? Schedule a good old-fashioned road trip instead! Is there a place you’ve always wanted to check out that’s within four or five hours of home? Or is there a spot that the two of you love to visit on long weekends?

Wherever you decide to go, this is your opportunity to get some much-needed time to relax and spend your first few days as a married couple alone. To make your honeymoon road trip feel a little more special, make a killer Spotify playlist, get the premium snacks, and don’t forget to take plenty of pictures!

Schedule an In-Home Massage

One of the things couples like to do while honeymooning is to visit a spa for a romantic couples massage. But just because you’re not going anywhere on a honeymoon doesn’t mean that you have to skip the couples massage!

Reach out to your friends and family for suggestions on who to book for your in-home massage, and schedule the appointment a day or two after the wedding. Of course it would be great to get a massage while you’re soaking up the sun in Bali, but an in-home massage can be just as romantic—and maybe even a bit more intimate.

Stay at a Nearby Bed and Breakfast

Part of the fun of a honeymoon is staying at quaint little places that pull out all the stops for a honeymooning couple—but you don’t actually have to leave town to get that same romantic honeymoon experience. Look into booking a bed and breakfast in town (or nearby) that offers packages for newlyweds like breakfast in bed, rose petals on the bed, or an in-room Jacuzzi tub.

Spending a couple of days away from home in a couple of warm, fuzzy robes will be just the ticket to easing your way back into reality after the wedding.

Play “Tourist” in Your Town

You may think you know your city, but have you ever looked at it through the eyes of a visitor? Depending on the size of your city, there may be a lot of things that you haven’t had time to explore. Take this opportunity to visit that museum that you’ve always meant to go to, or see a movie at the drive-in theater downtown that always looked fun. If you live in a small or rural area, venture out to the nearest big city and see what kind of adventures you can get yourself into. You’d be surprised at what you can discover on a day trip!

Go Camping

If you and your new spouse love the great outdoors and already have all the gear, a quick camping trip is a great alternative to a traditional honeymoon. What better way to celebrate a new marriage than to be completely immersed in nature—and each other—before you have to go back to work?

When you plan your camping trip, pack a few little extras to make it more romantic like a bottle of champagne on ice or a pre-prepared meal that’s a little fancier than your typical hot dogs and s’mores. Also, don’t forget to pack your selfie stick or find a tree nearby to steady your phone for a timed picture—you’ll definitely want to take a few pictures of your first moments as a married couple.

Cook a Really Fancy Dinner Together

If you don’t have time to get away for a quick road trip and you’re not an outdoor enthusiast, one of the most romantic things you can do together after the wedding is to cook and share a fancy dinner together at home. Whether you’ve lived together for years or this is the first time you’ve stayed the night together, cooking a nice meal together is a fun way to celebrate your new marriage in your home.

So grab your nicest bottle of wine and look up Ina Garten’s fanciest recipe—and don’t be afraid to go to the good grocery store for ingredients.

A wedding is supposed to be a celebration of love with all of the people that you love. Unfortunately, for children of divorce, it can be a cruel reminder that two of the people you love the most—your parents—no longer care for each other. Whether your parents have been divorced for 10 months or 10 years, it can still be difficult to bring them up in conversation to the other parent, let alone have them be in the same room at the same time.

And eventually, your parents will start to move on to new love interests. This can be welcoming or difficult news to take, depending on how long it’s been since the divorce or the circumstances surrounding it.

While your parents’ new boyfriend or girlfriend may not affect your day-to-day life now that you’re an adult, if they want to bring them to your wedding you’ll be faced with a pretty tricky guest list dilemma. So, should you invite the new boyfriend or girlfriend and risk hurting the other parent, or should you not allow new dates at all? Is there a right or a wrong way to act when it comes to this very difficult subject?

Let’s go over some things to consider when your parents want to invite a plus-one to your wedding.

Is the Relationship Defined?

Sure, weddings are romantic, but you don’t exactly want your mom or dad going on a second or third date on a very important day of your life. There doesn’t need to be a ring and a date, but there should at least be an establishment of the word “partner” or “girlfriend/boyfriend” in order to justify an invitation. Is this someone they’re going to want a picture of at the wedding, or are they simply a passing ship in the night?

If it’s a brand new relationship, it might be best to skip their invitation—after all, that’s a lot of pressure on them too!

How Long Have Your Parents Been Divorced?

The amount of time your parents have been broken up won’t be the answer for everything, but it can certainly tell you a lot about whether or not it’s appropriate to invite a parent’s new boyfriend or girlfriend to the wedding. If your parents have been divorced for less than a year, inviting a new boyfriend/girlfriend could potentially be fodder for a dramatic scene in the middle of your reception (something you obviously don’t want). This is especially important to note if your parent’s new significant other is the reason why their marriage ended in the first place.

Of course, if it’s been more than a few years, then it’s likely that your parents have at least somewhat moved on from the marriage and that it’s safe to add someone new into the equation.

Have You Met Them Yet?

If this person is important enough to get a wedding invitation, then it’s reasonable to assume that you’ve met them at least once. Your wedding day is going to be filled with enough nerves—and it might be unfair for a parent to introduce you to a new boyfriend/girlfriend during the event.

If you have met them once or twice, you might feel more comfortable inviting them because you know how they’ll behave and have some insight into their personality.

Do You Even Want Them There?

Maybe it’s not the other parent who would be uncomfortable with their ex having a plus-one—maybe it’s actually you who is feeling unsure about it. No matter the reason (and no matter who is paying for the wedding), you have every right to confide in your parent that you are uncomfortable with inviting their new boyfriend/girlfriend to the wedding. After all, this is supposed to be an important day in your life, and not theirs.

Even if your parents have been divorced for 10+ years, you may feel strongly that you only want to share this day with them—and that’s completely okay. Gently ask your parent if it would be okay if they came to your wedding solo.

However, if your parent is in a long-term, committed relationship, it’s not really fair of you to ask them to stay behind. Although you can strategically leave them out of family photographs, it’s the right thing to do to invite them (in most cases).

If I Invite Them, Where Do They Sit?

If you decide to invite your parent’s new significant other, you’ll need to be strategic on where they sit and what their role is in the wedding. Remember, you are by no means obligated to include them in any official capacity at the wedding, and you shouldn’t feel obligated to invite them to the rehearsal dinner.

During the ceremony and reception, your parent’s new partner should be seated next to them. If you’re going to invite them, you want to ensure they feel as comfortable as possible. However, they shouldn’t be involved in any receiving line or official family photographs (unless of course, you feel comfortable with it).

Some brides and grooms may dream of getting married in their hometown or in the place they’ve made their home together, but many couples prefer to jet set their way to “I do” instead. If you’re interested in a destination wedding—whether it’s getting married barefoot on an island or saying your vows at the top of a mountain—you may be wondering if it will fit within your budget. But even with adding in the cost of the flight, destination weddings don’t have to break the bank, and some of them don’t even require a passport. Let’s take a look at five of the most swoon-worthy (and Insta-worthy) destination wedding spots that are perfect for the couple who likes to save.

Santa Barbara, California

Home to several stars like Oprah and Ellen DeGeneres, you may think at first that Santa Barbara is an unaffordable destination wedding location—but think again. Although many of the exclusive beach-side wedding venues may have A-lister pricing, one of the best (and most beautiful) wedding venues in the city only costs about $500: the Santa Barbara courthouse. This unbelievably gorgeous Spanish-style building will have you thinking twice about scoffing at a courthouse wedding.

In addition to the courthouse, Santa Barbara also has plenty of state parks on the beach that are perfect for a small, intimate ceremony—or get married on the nearby Channel Islands, which is a national park that can be reserved by a special use permit.

National Parks

Want to get married somewhere beautiful? Look no further than our own National Park system. From Yellowstone to Bryce Canyon and Joshua Tree, there are dozens of unbelievable locations to get married right here in the United States. In addition to the stunning backdrops that these parks provide, getting married in one is fairly inexpensive.

If you do choose to get married in a National Park, just be aware that there may be restrictions on decor, restrooms, and where you can have the wedding. Plan ahead and be aware of when the park has its busiest season for tourists.

Belize

You may not have automatically thought of Belize for your wedding, but that would be a mistake. This beautiful Central American country has plenty to offer in sun, sand, and tropical rainforests. For about the same price as it costs to fly to Mexico, Belize is an increasingly popular, affordable destination wedding spot. The country has several all-inclusive resorts that will take care of the entire wedding ceremony and reception—so all you need to do is pack your bags to prep for your dream wedding.

The Dominican Republic

The Dominican Republic typically tops the list for wedding destinations—and it’s easy to see why. The small country is filled with all-inclusive destinations that are affordable for couples looking to get hitched on the beach without busting their budget. With white sands and the crystal clear ocean in the background, it’s a romantic spot for couples who want a more tropical vibe for their celebration.

Savannah, Georgia

The city of Savannah in the state of Georgia is the epitome of a beautiful backdrop: cobblestone streets, gorgeous old mansions, and oak trees with swooping Spanish moss. If you’re looking for a destination that is screaming romance, then this is it.

Best of all, for as beautiful as Savannah is, it’s still an affordable place for couples to get married. From the unbelievable Georgia coastal botanical gardens to the Tybee Island pier and a few historic mansions in town, there are plenty of inexpensive venues to choose from. Georgia is also a perfect wedding destination for out-of-towners as there is no waiting period in Georgia (meaning you will receive your license at the time you apply).

Remember, a Destination Wedding Requires Sacrifices

Unless you’ve got a Hollywood-level wedding budget, setting the date in a far away destination is most likely going to require a few sacrifices. One of the biggest sacrifices for a destination wedding is inviting fewer guests and having a smaller, more intimate ceremony. While this is no problem for many couples, some may struggle with the thought of having to leave people out. Of course, you may be able to invite as many people as you want, but be aware that a good portion of them may decline the invite because of the cost and other travel-related issues. A solution for this issue may be to have your destination wedding ceremony, and then have a large reception when you get home for those who were unable to make it. Of course, if you go this route, consider the cost of a separate celebration at home in addition to your actual wedding ceremony and reception.

Destination weddings also may require more logistical work when it comes to arranging the ceremony and reception. It’s much easier to plan your wedding flowers when you can pop over to the local florist, but getting married out of town means that a lot of planning will have to be done over the phone. It can also be challenging when it comes to getting your marriage license. Many top wedding destination spots may make it easy for you, but be sure to do your research well ahead of your trip to be prepared.