Who Pays for a Honeymoon? Modern Rules and Real-Life Choices

When you’re knee-deep in wedding planning, the honeymoon often feels like the sweet reward at the end of all the stress. But here’s the question no one talks about until it’s too late: who pays for a honeymoon? Is it the parents? The couple? The in-laws? The answer isn’t written in stone anymore-and that’s a good thing.

It Used to Be the Groom’s Family

A hundred years ago, the groom’s family paid for the whole wedding-and the honeymoon was part of that deal. Back then, weddings were about family alliances, not individual choice. The groom’s parents would cover the trip as a gift to the new couple, sometimes even booking it before the engagement was official. It was a status symbol, a way to show you could afford to take time off and travel in style.

That tradition doesn’t hold up today. Most couples don’t live with their parents, don’t rely on them for financial support, and don’t even want to spend their first vacation with their in-laws tagging along. The idea that one side of the family should foot the entire bill feels outdated-and frankly, unfair.

Today’s Reality: It’s Usually the Couple

A 2024 survey by The Knot showed that 62% of couples in Australia and the U.S. pay for their own honeymoon. That number jumps to 78% for couples under 30. Why? Because they’ve been saving since college. They’ve got student loans. They’re renting apartments. They’re not waiting for Mom and Dad to write a check.

Take Sarah and Mark from Melbourne. They got married last June. Their honeymoon was a two-week trip to Bali. They saved $12,000 over 18 months by cutting takeout, skipping gym memberships, and putting every birthday gift into a dedicated account. They didn’t ask anyone for help. They didn’t feel guilty. They just planned it like they planned their wedding: with a budget, a spreadsheet, and a lot of patience.

When Parents Step In

That doesn’t mean parents never help. In fact, 31% of couples receive some kind of financial contribution toward their honeymoon. But it’s rarely the full amount. Most parents give $1,000 to $3,000-not enough to cover a luxury resort, but enough to upgrade from a hostel to a boutique hotel.

It’s important to set boundaries here. If your parents say, “We’ll pay for your honeymoon,” don’t assume they mean “all of it.” Ask for specifics: “Are you covering flights? Accommodation? Or just a portion?” And be ready to say no if their offer comes with strings attached-like insisting you go to their favorite destination or inviting them along.

Some families still follow the old rule: the bride’s parents pay for the wedding, the groom’s parents pay for the honeymoon. But that only works if both families are financially comfortable and culturally aligned. If your parents are paying for the wedding, and your future in-laws are paying for the honeymoon, make sure you’re not stuck with a trip you didn’t choose. Communication is everything.

Wedding Gifts as Honeymoon Funds

Many couples now use wedding registries to ask for money instead of physical gifts. It’s not rude-it’s practical. About 45% of couples register for cash or honeymoon funds, according to Zola’s 2025 report. You can set up a fund through platforms like Honeyfund or PayPal, and guests can contribute directly.

Here’s how it works: you create a page that says, “We’re saving for our honeymoon in Portugal. Any contribution helps us fly business class and skip the hostels.” Guests see it as a thoughtful alternative to another set of wine glasses. And you get exactly what you need: cash to fund your dream trip.

Some people still feel awkward about asking for money. But if you frame it right, it’s not a demand-it’s an invitation. “We’d love to start our life together with a real break,” is better than “Please give us cash.”

What About Debt?

If you’re already carrying credit card debt, student loans, or medical bills, your honeymoon should not be a financial trap. A 2023 study by the Australian Financial Counselling Association found that 1 in 5 newlyweds took on new debt to fund their honeymoon-and regretted it within six months.

Don’t fall into that trap. A $5,000 honeymoon on a credit card with 18% interest will cost you $6,200 if you pay it off over two years. That’s $1,200 extra just for the privilege of saying you went to Santorini.

Instead, plan a trip that fits your budget. A weekend getaway to the Great Ocean Road, a cabin in the Blue Mountains, or a road trip to Tasmania can be just as memorable-and way less stressful. The point isn’t the destination. It’s the time together.

What If One Partner Earns More?

Some couples split the cost based on income. If one person makes $120,000 a year and the other makes $60,000, they might pay 67% and 33% respectively. That feels fair to them.

Others split it 50/50, no matter the income. That’s fair too. What matters isn’t the math-it’s the conversation. Talk about it early. Don’t wait until you’re looking at flight prices and realize you’re both thinking totally different things.

One couple from Sydney had this talk before they even booked the venue. They sat down with a calculator, listed their savings, their monthly expenses, and their dream trip. They realized they could afford a week in Bali if they skipped the fancy wedding cake and cut the guest list by 20 people. They did it. And they still got married in a garden with string lights and homemade jam as favors.

When Culture or Religion Changes the Rules

In some cultures, the groom’s family is expected to cover everything. In others, the bride’s family pays for the trip as part of the dowry tradition. In parts of India, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East, these customs are still strong.

If you’re blending cultures, don’t assume your partner’s family will follow your norms. Have an open, respectful conversation. Say: “In my family, we pay for our own trips. But I know in yours, it’s different. How do you see this working?”

Compromise doesn’t mean giving up your values. It means finding a solution that honors both sides. Maybe your partner’s parents pay for the flights, and you cover the hotel. Maybe you take a shorter trip, and they give you a lump sum to use later.

What If You Can’t Afford One?

Not every couple can-or should-go on a honeymoon. And that’s okay.

Some couples choose to delay it. They call it a “post-wedding trip.” They save for six months, then take a long weekend a year later. Others use their wedding money to pay off debt, buy a car, or put a deposit on a home. That’s not a failure. It’s a smart choice.

There’s no rule that says you need to leave the country to celebrate your marriage. A picnic at the Royal Botanic Garden, a night in a cozy B&B, or a weekend road trip with your dog counts too.

What you remember isn’t the five-star hotel. It’s the laughter over breakfast, the quiet walk on the beach, the way your partner looks at you when they think you’re not watching.

Final Rule: Talk Early, Talk Often

There’s no single answer to “who pays for a honeymoon?” because there’s no single couple. Every relationship is different. Every family is different. Every budget is different.

Don’t let tradition, guilt, or pressure decide for you. Sit down with your partner. Talk about your dreams, your limits, your fears. Make a plan together. Then stick to it.

The best honeymoon isn’t the most expensive one. It’s the one you both agree on-and can actually afford.