Honeymoon schmoneymoon

shayNnik

So I was hoping to have sort of a minimoon after the wedding. This is part because I get a 6 day holiday break that I can travel the standard 8 hours for without being charged leave(I'm using a good chunk of leave for the wedding and don't like to get down to zero) and part because we're on a small budget. Oh and third, I'm hoping to get an assignment overseas soon so I'd hate to plan a vacation months out and find out I'll be living alot closer to that place.

I was over on the honeymoon board lurking around and I CAN NOT believe how much people are paying for a honeymoon!! I know my wedding budget is smaller than most but still, alot of their vacations are costing more than double my wedding. It's just so frustrating that some of those same people are on the budget board trying to give advice such as no WP and skipping food, favors, DJ just to save. Isn't the point of that board to have everything you want within your budget? Being on a budget does not mean you're poor or deserve any less of a wedding than the bride with $20k, it just means you have to scale down a bit, sacrifice the quality of a few things, and get creative! **ok that rant is over now**

SO...my real issue is finding a location for our minimoon. I'm in the Florida panhandle and can only drive 8 hours. This means only the states of LA, MS, AL, GA and FL. Oh and parts of TN. I've lived in MS, been to New Orleans, and we spent a week in Orlando last year. We live 5 minutes from the beach so south FL does not interest me. I'd love TN but FI isn't crazy and I'm slightly worried about the weather in the winter. This trip would be around New Years so I"m hoping to find somewhere with great fireworks. I'm probably just babbling again, but just trying to get ideas. Everything else WR is sort of at a stand still so I thought I'd get started on this. TIA!

kyrgyzstan

You should go to Savannah! It's romantic, fun, and gorgeous! Or St. Augustine.

H and I went to Vegas for our mini-moon.

DaKelliAB09

I don't know if Nashville's too far, but I lived there for a while and LOVED it!  I actually really miss it!  There's A LOT to do and see and A LOT of free things to do too.  I think it's a big city with a small southern town feel to it :)Anyways it's Just a suggestion!  And New Years there will be tons of things going on and there will be fireworks for sure!    I don't know how far it is from you, but hopefully not too far!

shayNnik

Nashville is 7 hours, 59 minutes on google maps. Just on the brink! I'll have to do more research and visit the ticket office on base to see if they have any offers. The hotels I've found there so far seem waaay expensive but I think because they're the really nice ones. One was a converted train station-gorgeous but expensive.

Savannah sounds great, too. I'll have to ask FI what he thinks of it.

Thanks ladies!

iluvmytxrgr

I loved Nashville, but you should do Savannah for a honeymoon.  There are a ton of inns, hotels and B&Bs here.  We also have amazing restaurants.  I can give you a ton of recs.  Let me know if you want any info. 

LuluP82

You should totally go to Savannah. We have always wanted to spend New Year's there. Almost went last year, but then cancelled it because we had just had our honeymoon in early December and it seemed like too much money to spend in one month.

Just as a side note, I think it's really irritating when people criticize people's budgets. It would not be okay for someone spending more to tell you to spend more if you wanted something right? So why is it okay for you to judge people by how much they spend on their wedding or honeymoon? It's no one's business but their own! For all you know, they've saved for YEARS for this. So long as you're not one of their creditors, it's not your business. At ALL. And I give advice on the budget wedding board all the time because I've helped friends with budget weddings and I've thrown lots of budget parties. Just because I probably didn't have what you consider a budget wedding, doesn' t mean I don't have good ideas.

Irishcurls

Oh I want to go to Savannah so badly! It seems so quaint and romantic!

But also, are you on livingsocial or groupon? Both have started offering "escapes" as well as their normal coupons--there are some amazing hotel/B&B deals on there every day.

Irishcurls

Oh but also, I didn't want to say anything, but then I read Lulu's comment--totally agree. Don't be bitter about your budget, it's really not a comparison game. That'll tick people off pretty quickly...

crownsuperstar

I would also suggest Savannah.  I love that city it is full of history and just really fun little places to go.  My advise if you do choose Savannah is to go to Vinnie Van Go Gos.  It is the best pizza I have ever had.  Also, if you like sea food there is a really great place on Tybee Island that has wonderful food and is just a cool place.  There is also a great breakfast place on Tybee. 

I know you said you don't care about the beach but Hilton Head Island is really close to Savannah and you might want to look there.  We go there every summer and it is just a cool and relaxing place.  There is also a great piano bar that is so much fun.  The owners are just awesome and they have great people that come in a play.  We actually never went to the beach the entire time we are at Hilton Head. 

ggirl2001

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_military-brides_honeymoon-schmoneymoon?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special Topic Wedding BoardsForum:13Discussion:f4fccfdb-276f-4e6b-9287-ab1acf53f6a9Post:18c2e9d3-4337-42f3-a135-eeae69856dd0">Re: Honeymoon schmoneymoon</a>:
[QUOTE]I loved Nashville, but you should do Savannah for a honeymoon.  There are a ton of inns, hotels and B&Bs here.  We also have amazing restaurants.  I can give you a ton of recs.  Let me know if you want any info. 
Posted by iluvmytxrgr[/QUOTE]

Hey! I might be asking you for some restaurant rec's. Since H and I are only about 45 minutes away from Savannah we go there a lot, but I need the names of restaurants with awesome foods, across all price ranges :)

Also to OP, I also vote for Savannah, its just awesome there.

crownsuperstar

GG- you should try The Crab Shack on Tybee Island (just outside of Savannah) if you like sea food.  It is really a fun and great place.  They have a low country boil type of tray that you can get which is really yummy!  I posted the link to the web site for the place.  I am totally in love with this place. 

http://www.thecrabshack.com/

Also there are great little places on the water front every place I have ever been there is really good.  Spanky's is a good place to go.  Just like a little bar food. 

Here is a site for the Savannah Riverfront with all of the things going on.

http://www.riverstreetsavannah.com/

amh04

I didn't really care for Saint Augustine - but it's a very cute area. Have you thought about Key West or Pensacola Beach (I thought it was beautiful there and in Ft. Walton/Destin)
Tennesse - you could do pigeon forge
Alabama - Crystal Beach (I think thats what it's called)
I think Savannah GA would be gorgeous and I've heard a ton of good things about it!
As for the budget thing - I completely feel you. It's insane how much money some people are spending on the wedding and the honeymoon. I've seen quiet a few girls spend the amount I'm spending on the wedding on the honeymoon. Crazyyy!!! Just know your not alone and it's all going to be perfect because it's your day and at the end of it you will be a Mrs!

iluvmytxrgr

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_military-brides_honeymoon-schmoneymoon?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special Topic Wedding BoardsForum:13Discussion:f4fccfdb-276f-4e6b-9287-ab1acf53f6a9Post:f942df0c-f50f-474c-80ed-5314069b79ea">Re: Honeymoon schmoneymoon</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Honeymoon schmoneymoon : Hey! I might be asking you for some restaurant rec's. Since H and I are only about 45 minutes away from Savannah we go there a lot, but I need the names of restaurants with awesome foods, across all price ranges :) Also to OP, I also vote for Savannah, its just awesome there.
Posted by ggirl2001[/QUOTE]
Ask away any time.  I grew up here and know all the places the tourists don't know about.  Someone suggested the Crab Shack.  I love that place.  The two of you could share the sampler platter for one and throw in a couple of deviled crabs.  So yummy! 

crownsuperstar

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_military-brides_honeymoon-schmoneymoon?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special Topic Wedding BoardsForum:13Discussion:f4fccfdb-276f-4e6b-9287-ab1acf53f6a9Post:79ef79b2-edab-40e3-8191-64efd9d95118">Re: Honeymoon schmoneymoon</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Honeymoon schmoneymoon : Ask away any time.  I grew up here and know all the places the tourists don't know about.  Someone suggested the Crab Shack.  I love that place.  The two of you could share the sampler platter for one and throw in a couple of deviled crabs.  So yummy! 
Posted by iluvmytxrgr[/QUOTE]

It is so yummy right?  I love that place too.  H loves to go to Vinnie's for pizza every time we go to see his family.  When I first saw the place I thought "dive" and wanted no part of it.  I am so glad I went in. 

CAB1217

Oh yessss! Savannah FTW! It's gorgeous!

firsttimersluck

I would sign up for airfarewatchdog.com Then you can keep an eye on craaaazy low plane ticket prices. and maybe that will inspire you to pick a place...(the reason I suggest this is because driving can cost just as much as the plane tickets sometimes since you have to pay that gas) 
 If you're diong a minimooon, consider the weather during that time of year. For example I LOVE Chattanooga and it's always a mini vacation when we go. It's an incredibly beautiful small city and there is so much to do with live music, good hiking, great bars, etc. BUT it's in the 60s during December so it's not the warmest place. (not bad, but not warm)
I do suggest that you don't go to a place you have been before. Make it new and exciting. When you DO pick a place, go to living social and groupon to start collecting cheap things to do!! You can get 30 dollar massages through that website! amazing... and so many cool things that you wouldn't think of.

GL

iluvmytxrgr

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_military-brides_honeymoon-schmoneymoon?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special Topic Wedding BoardsForum:13Discussion:f4fccfdb-276f-4e6b-9287-ab1acf53f6a9Post:d4197bb6-2ff0-40c4-9e40-c633be7983aa">Re: Honeymoon schmoneymoon</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Honeymoon schmoneymoon : It is so yummy right?  I love that place too.  H loves to go to Vinnie's for pizza every time we go to see his family.  When I first saw the place I thought "dive" and wanted no part of it.  I am so glad I went in. 
Posted by crownsuperstar[/QUOTE]
I actually worked at the Crab Shack in highschool.  It was a blast. 
Vinnie van Go-Go's is one of my favorite pizza places here.  I always remind people that they are cash only. 
Have you been to Huck-a-poo's on Tybee?  The pizza is even better there.  I love to eat on the porch.  The Carnivore with jalapenos is my favorite. 

crownsuperstar

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_military-brides_honeymoon-schmoneymoon?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special Topic Wedding BoardsForum:13Discussion:f4fccfdb-276f-4e6b-9287-ab1acf53f6a9Post:a1e8e377-8851-4224-977b-df66f5b70085">Re: Honeymoon schmoneymoon</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Honeymoon schmoneymoon : I actually worked at the Crab Shack in highschool.  It was a blast.  Vinnie van Go-Go's is one of my favorite pizza places here.  I always remind people that they are cash only.  Have you been to Huck-a-poo's on Tybee?  The pizza is even better there.  I love to eat on the porch.  The Carnivore with jalapenos is my favorite. 
Posted by iluvmytxrgr[/QUOTE]

I bet that was so fun to work at.  I loved feeding the baby gators.  I looked at H and asked if they were on the menu. HA  We eat there every time we are even close to Savannah. 

I have not been to that place on Tybee.  We are heading to Savannah so I might have to take a little ride out to Tybee to try it.  I have been to the Breakfast Club on Tybee and the pecan waffle....mouth watering!!!

I loved the little Scottish bar - Molly McPhersons. 

Beachy730

I've never been to Savannah but have heard amazing things and that was going to be my suggestion too.

As for the budget thing, like Lulu said, I don't think it's fair to judge anyone's budget, whether you're judging how big or small it is.  And while "budget" wedding to one person might mean $5k total, to someone with a lot more money "budget" could mean $30k.  The only reason I would judge the cost or expense of someone's wedding is if they were selfishly spending the expense, like cash bar and cheese and crackers for dinner while the bride is wearing a $5,000 gown and the couple is going on a $10k honeymoon.

divinemsbee

I'm totally voting Key West or any of the Keys, they just seem so romantic and quirky. I also would never turn down a trip to NOLA, especially if I got to plan something romantic and stay in one of those cute boutique hotels. We're going to try to see Kathy Griffin there for my b-day, I'm super pumped.

DaKelliAB09

Savannah sounds awesome!  I've never been to Georgia, but that does sound amazing!!

Nashville is nice, that's funny that it's 7 hours and 59 minutes haha that's awesome.  
You might want to check for hotels in little towns around Nashville like Goodlettesville or Ashland City (which is where I lived).  I could send you a list of places to check out.   I have family that lives there so they were my personal tour guides when I lived there and so I got to see the parts of Nashville (and outer cities) that you don't really hear about, so it was pretty neat.

I've been to Florida/Southern AL when FI was at Rucker.    I have some attachment to Ft. Walton/Destin because FI took me there and it was my first time to see the ocean, Crazy, right?  So it's special to me lol.

I'm sure whatever you do will be perfect  

Let me know if you wany any Nashville info and other ladies suggested Groupon and I TOTALLY agree! Definitely check it out, you never know what kind of deals you'll find!

prettyirishgirl

I also say savannah it's a good place to go and there is a lot to do between the downtown and tybee -Like others said lots of B&Bs and things to do, airport is very close to downtown and tybee is a very short drive. Charleston is also very close so it is a day trip along with Hilton Head depending on if you guys are into what's around there. Charleston might also be a good choice even though it is a little farther its is about 1-2 hours extra (depending on which way you go to get there and also will have a lot to do at that time of year between Ft. Sumner, the aquarium and the Citadel.

crown - my first date with FI was at vinnies and gelato on the other side of the marker - yummmy

SamiJoeB

Because I'm a total Bama girl, I say Gulf Shores or Orange Beach in Alabama.  They are sooo gorgeous! and there's lots of stuff to do!! Or even Montgomery.  I love MS (Cause it's where I met Husby!!, and where I got my second tat which I also love!)  NOLA is lots of fun!! Charleston SC is my one of my favorite places on earth, and you could do Charleston for cheap(ish).  Or Beaufort.  Although Savannah is amazing too.

Alas, I'm such a Belle.

shayNnik

Alright, I think my rant wasn't exactly portrayed correctly. I don't care how much anyone spends on their wedding or honeymoon, that is their own business. However, I have a problem when the people with large budgets tell people with small budgets to cut something out of their wedding. It seems like the short cut to giving advice. If someone posts about how to XX with $X, then obviously they are not wanting to cut that out of their wedding, they are looking at how to make it work on that amount. I've just seen alot of people give that type of advice and it's frustrating because often I look at the post because I"m looking for similar information. It just seems that it's easy to say 'just don't have it if you can't afford it' but some people(myself included) want to have everything a normal wedding would have-just on a smaller scale and budget. So we try harder to get creative and make that work for us.

So, sorry if I struck a nerve with anyone but it wasn't about how much anyone was spending on their wedding, it was more about how the people with more money to spend don't always give (IMO) the best advice. Some DO, don't get me wrong. It was just a shock seeing the same people who give that type of advie are on the honeymoon board spending 10K+ on a honeymoon.