Do Both Couples Pay for a Honeymoon? Honest Answers and Smart Tips
Jun, 15 2025
Money talk can get weird fast, but if you're about to plan your honeymoon, it’s got to happen. These days, there’s no set rule on who pays—both people, one partner, or even parents sometimes chip in. What actually works depends on your situation, budget, and how comfortable you are talking about money together.
Forget those old movies where the groom magically pays for everything. That's not how most couples do it anymore. With travel prices higher than ever and dual incomes being more common, lots of couples split the costs or work out a plan that feels fair to both. Not sure how to get started? Figure out a ballpark for your trip, talk through your savings, and decide if you want to share expenses right down the middle or divvy things up by income.
There’s no right or wrong here—just what feels good for both of you. Some couples prefer equal splits to keep things simple, while others are okay if one person pays more. Family gifts, wedding registries, and cash gifts can also lighten the load. The bottom line: talking openly now saves headaches (and resentment) later.
- Traditional Honeymoon Payment Etiquette
- What Most Couples Do in 2025
- Splitting Costs: Pros and Cons
- Creative Ways to Pay Together
- Family Contributions and Gifting
- Cutting Costs Without Cutting Fun
Traditional Honeymoon Payment Etiquette
Back in the day, figuring out who pays for the honeymoon was a lot simpler. Tradition said the groom (and often his family) handled all the honeymoon expenses, from flights to the hotel—even if the bride’s family paid for most of the wedding. This was the go-to plan for decades, especially across the U.S., U.K., and Australia.
Why did it work this way? Some of it comes from older expectations: the groom was seen as the main provider, so footing the bill for the trip seemed natural. Even in the late 20th century, wedding etiquette books stuck to this setup. For many, the honeymoon was sort of the groom’s “gift” to his new spouse.
| Year | Who Paid (Commonly) |
|---|---|
| 1950s-1960s | Groom or groom’s parents |
| 1970s-1980s | Still groom/family, but bride’s parents occasionally helped |
| 1990s-early 2000s | Couple starts to contribute together |
Believe it or not, in the 1970s and ’80s, almost two-thirds of couples still followed this old-school method, according to a study by Brides magazine. But things were already shifting—more couples began saving together or teaming up on costs as women joined the workforce and dual incomes became the norm.
- Tradition was clear, but rarely included both people equally.
- Parents, especially the groom’s, got involved a lot more than now.
- Cultural backgrounds made a difference—a few families chose to pay off larger wedding costs while the couple covered the honeymoon, or vice versa.
If your parents or older relatives suggest paying your way, that’s where it comes from. These days, though, couples often make their own rules—bridging old etiquette with what works in real life.
What Most Couples Do in 2025
Let’s get real—few couples today stick to the old-school rule of expecting one side to cover all honeymoon payment costs. Most folks are all about teamwork now, both in planning the trip and handling the money for it. According to the 2025 Couples Travel Survey, about 67% of engaged partners split their honeymoon expenses, either right down the middle or based on what each can afford.
Here’s how couples typically split the bill in 2025:
- 50/50 split: The simplest way. Both save up and pay equal amounts, no matter who earns more.
- Based on income: Some split costs in proportion to their salaries. If one partner makes more, they’ll pay a bigger piece of the bill.
- Travel hacks: Many chip in extra travel points, miles, or discounts. These come from credit cards or work perks, and can sometimes cover half the trip.
- Divide by categories: Sometimes, one covers flights, the other pays for hotels, and they share spending money.
Still, a little help from family is not unheard of. Around 22% of couples in the survey said that parents or loved ones pay for at least part of their trip—usually as a wedding gift.
| How Couples Pay | % in 2025 |
|---|---|
| Split Equally (50/50) | 38% |
| Split by Income | 29% |
| Gifted by Family | 22% |
| One Partner Pays All | 7% |
| Honeymoon Fund/Registry | 4% |
Most couples say the key is being open early on. If you're engaged and planning a trip, start talking about budgets before booking anything. Decide together what feels fair so both sides start their marriage off on the right foot—no surprises, no drama.
Splitting Costs: Pros and Cons
Let's be real: talking about money can make people squirm, but splitting the bill is one of the top ways couples handle honeymoon finances. According to a 2024 WeddingWire survey, about 63% of couples now share honeymoon payment responsibilities in some way. There’s no one-size-fits-all system, and each method has its ups and downs.
Why do it? Here are the perks of splitting costs:
- Fairness: Both people feel like they’re contributing, which makes a big trip feel like a team project.
- Transparency: Everyone knows what’s being spent and where.
- Balanced budgeting: It lets you plan a honeymoon that fits both bank accounts, not just one.
Still, not everything about splitting costs is a walk in the park:
- Different budgets: If incomes aren’t equal, splitting 50/50 might feel unfair or even stressful for the person with less cash to spare.
- Money talk tension: Being totally open about finances for the first time can stir up stress and even awkwardness.
- Not-so-romantic: For some, the whole idea of dividing everything down the middle can feel a little unromantic or transactional, especially if one person loves surprising the other.
What’s popular right now? Here’s a quick look at three common ways couples are splitting the bill:
| Split Method | How It Works | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| 50/50 Split | Each person covers half of all costs, from flights to food. | Couples with similar incomes and budgeting habits. |
| Income-Based Split | Costs are split based on each person’s income (e.g., one pays 60%, the other 40%). | Partners with different salaries who want to keep things fair. |
| Divide by Category | One person pays for the flights, the other handles hotels or activities. | Folks who like taking turns or want to avoid lots of tiny transactions. |
If you’re weighing your options, talk numbers early and keep it honest. No method is perfect, but agreeing on a plan now keeps things smooth—and sets you up for less stress on the trip (and way after).
Creative Ways to Pay Together
If splitting the bill 50/50 sounds boring, you’re not alone. Couples today have gotten pretty creative when it comes to funding their honeymoon. It’s not just about who pays, but who pays for honeymoon in the smartest, least stressful way.
- Monthly Honeymoon Savings Account: Open a joint bank account and set up automatic transfers every month before the wedding. Even tossing in $50 each adds up quickly over a year.
- Expense Split by Category: One pays for flights, the other handles hotels, or someone grabs activities while the other covers food. This works well if you both have different travel priorities.
- Honeymoon Registry: No need for another toaster. Services like Honeyfund, Zola, and Blueprint let wedding guests contribute directly to your honeymoon costs—flights, excursions, or even dinners. In 2024, 28% of engaged couples used an online registry for their travels, according to The Knot.
- Cashback and Points Strategy: Try putting all wedding expenses on a good travel credit card. Some couples rack up enough points for free flights or hotel nights by the time they tie the knot. NerdWallet surveyed newlyweds in 2024 and found 21% covered most of their hotel costs this way.
- DIY Payment Plan: Use a shared spreadsheet or app to track who paid for what and even things out at the end, so no one gets stuck with more than their share.
Here’s a quick look at what couples actually did in 2024, based on a survey from WeddingWire:
| Payment Method | Percentage of Couples |
|---|---|
| Split all costs equally | 45% |
| One partner covers most or all costs | 23% |
| Used a honeymoon registry | 19% |
| Gift money from family/friends | 13% |
The best move? Think teamwork. Find what matches your budget and your style—whether that means matching deposits, leaning on that registry, or making the most of your loyalty points. You’ll start your trip feeling way less stressed, and that’s kind of the whole point of getting away together.
Family Contributions and Gifting
Believe it or not, some families still step up and help out with honeymoon costs. In fact, according to a 2024 survey from The Knot, about 16% of couples said their honeymoon was partly or fully paid for by parents or relatives. Sometimes both families chip in, or just one side does. There’s no standard—if your folks want to help, don't be shy about having an honest conversation early in the planning process.
Family support usually comes in a few different forms. The classic way is a direct cash gift, either before or after the wedding. Some parents prefer to pay for a specific part of the trip, like the flights or the hotel. If there’s something they’re really keen on, like treating you to a nice dinner or an upgrade, it never hurts to ask.
Worried it’ll be weird to ask for help toward your trip? You’re not alone. To make things easier, a lot of couples are adding honeymoons to their wedding registry these days. Honeymoon funds are totally normal in 2025, whether you set one up through your favorite travel site or a registry platform. This lets guests pitch in for activities, flights, or even just a little spending cash for your trip. It’s a no-pressure way for friends and family to help out if they want to.
- Be clear about what the money is for. Include details in your registry or talk openly if you’re getting direct gifts.
- Combine any family gifts with your own savings when figuring out your overall budget.
- If one side gives more than the other, don’t stress—there’s no rule about splitting this evenly.
Bottom line: using family contributions or gifts can make your honeymoon payment way more manageable. Just remember, it’s fine to accept help if it fits your situation, and you have a plan. Setting expectations with both each other and your families makes things a lot less awkward down the line.
Cutting Costs Without Cutting Fun
Honeymoons don’t have to drain your bank account for you to have an epic time. Tons of couples are finding ways to save cash and still score awesome memories. It comes down to smart choices, a bit of planning, and being open to creative options.
Here’s where you can trim costs and still get a killer experience:
- Travel Off-Peak: Booking during shoulder seasons (like late spring or early fall) can drop hotel and flight prices by as much as 40%. You’ll skip the crowds, too.
- Choose Less Tourist-Trapped Spots: Think Slovenia instead of Switzerland, or Mexico’s quieter beaches instead of Cancun. Often you get the same beauty for half the price.
- Book Early—and Track Deals: Most savings happen three to six months out. Use airfare trackers and vacation package alerts to jump on good deals fast.
- Mix up Splurges and Savers: Maybe you go fancy for two nights, then book a cozy Airbnb the rest of your trip. It’s an easy way to stretch your budget and still get some luxury.
- Use Cash Gifts or Points: About 48% of couples in 2024 used wedding gifts or credit card points to cut down honeymoon costs. Don’t be shy about using those rewards.
Check out how budgets can change based on your choices:
| Honeymoon Style | Avg. Cost (USD) | Tips to Save |
|---|---|---|
| Luxury Resort in Peak Season | $8,000+ | Book off-peak, look for package deals |
| European City Adventure | $4,500 | Travel shoulder season, use public transit |
| Road Trip & Local Stays | $2,000 | Book motels/Airbnbs, pack snacks & gear |
Remember, the most honeymoon payment fun comes from sharing the experience—not just the price tag. Whether you hit the beach, road trip, or explore a new city, there are tons of ways to save and still celebrate big. Don’t be swayed by what Instagram says is a "must." Focus on what’s meaningful for both of you. That’s what you’ll actually remember.