In talking with couples there are very different opinions about honeymoon registries. I happen to think that this is a fun way for your friends and family to give you something different and memorable. Im mean, cmon…how long will it take for you to remember that you got another blender?
Honeymoon Registries are pretty new but here is how they work: You make your honeymoon arangements, book your flights & hotel, then select a honeymoon registry site and “register” for things such as “hot stone massage” or “horseback riding in ocean”. Your guests either write a check or pay with a credit card for these gifts, then you log into the account, see what people purchased, and can request a check for the gift money you received. At this point, the “hot stone massage” and “horseback riding” can be purchased with that gift money.
There are several options out there for registeries but watch out for the fees. Some are almost 10%! That means if you receive $1,000 in gifts from your honeymoon registry, you have to pay $100 to the service. Check out how they compare to one another:
Honeyfund
Price: FreePayment method: Check or paypal (paypal charges a fee)
How it works: Guests log into your registry, select the gift they want to buy you, print out a certificate showing what they bought you, then they write a check out to you, include it with the certificate, and give it to you at the wedding.
Pros: Free
Cons: May be a little confusing for guests who are used to paying for things online, may be difficult for guests who do not have computer access
Honeymoon Wishes
Price: 7% to you or your guest (you decide), 3% charge for credit card, potential is up to 10% fee
Payment methods: Check, debit, credit
How it works: Guests log into your registry, select your gift, then can pay directly online. If you chose to have your guests pay the 7% fee, they will be charged for the (let’s say) $100 gift plus a 7% or $7 service fee plus another $3 if they are paying with credit card. You can then log into your account and request that the funds be transferred to your account or mailed to you in a check.
Pros: Guests can pay directly online, non-computer savvy guests can call in to select items
Cons: High fees
The Big Day
Price: 7% to you or your guest (you decide), 3% to guest for use of credit card. Purchase a travel package through TheBigDay valued at $3,000 or more and the service fee will be reduced to 3.5% (plus the 3% for credit card, if used). Purchase a travel package through TheBigDay valued at $5,000 or more and the service fee will be reduced to 0.0% (with 3% for credit card transactions).
Payment methods: Debit, credit
How it works: Same as Honeymoon Wishes (above)
Pros: Guests can pay directly online, fees are reduced if you book travel through The Big Day, account stays open for 6 months after wedding date so you have time to take money out
Cons: High fees
The Honeymoon
Price: 3% credit card fee on all transactions + variable service fee depending on amount of gift (ranges from 2.85% to 5.85%), potential up to 8.85% fee
Payment methods: Visa, Mastercard, Discover, American Express
How it works: Same as above
Pros: Guests can pay directly online, checks are automatically issued 5 days prior to honeymoon and final check will be mailed 30 days after honeymoon
Cons: Account is only open for 30 days after wedding date, high fees
Posted under couples, fees, honeymoon, registry
