According to a trusted source, there are 2.4 million weddings in the United States each year. Ninety-nine percent (wow – 99%) of all wedding couples take a honeymoon. The average couple will spend three times more on their honeymoon than a regular vacation. About 60% of you will travel to foreign countries, with the remaining newlyweds traveling in the United States.

With this much travel in your future, we thought you could use a little help. Here are our Top 10 travel tips:

  1. Have a Budget
  2. Where do you want to go?
  3. How long do you want to stay?
  4. When do you want to go?
  5. Travel agent?
  6. Research your Destination
  7. Plan Your Activities
  8. Get Your Passport Ready
  9. Share Your Plans
  10. Remember, its your trip. HAVE FUN!

Update 2/17/2010:
Travel Items That are Restricted on Airlines
Liquid Rules for Carry-Ons

Have a Budget How much can you spend? Discussing your honeymoon budget with your fiancé is very important to building a healthy and viable marriage. You’re starting your life together, and both of you should agree on the amount to spend, where the money will come from, and respect each other’s wishes.

Has a relative offered to contribute toward your honeymoon budget? Will you be using a honeymoon gift registry? There are many online to choose from.

Where do you want to go? Although Las Vegas, Hawaii, the Caribbean and Jamaica are popular destinations, where would you and your new spouse like to relax after the wedding? Choose a locale you both get excited about.

How long do you want to stay? A week – two weeks? Depending on how many vacation days you receive at work, your time off could be limited. If you can only spare a few days away from work, aim for a closer destination until the both of you can get a week or more off.

When should you go? Can you take a week off from work right after your wedding, or would you rather wait a month or two? If you have a new job, you may need to wait a few months before its feasible. With the two of you combining living arrangements, you might want some time just to settle in. In any case, make sure both of you are happy about the decision on when the honeymoon starts.

Should You Use a Travel Agent? Sure, you can find great fares online but you should also consider using a travel agent to help you plan the perfect honeymoon. Your travel agent may have actually visited the location you want to see. They can give you the inside scoop on where to stay, and what to avoid. And, you may even get a better deal because some travel providers will only work with agents.

You can spend a lot of time on the Internet researching your trip, but with wedding plans in the works, and perhaps moving plans as well, using a travel agent might be the best idea yet. The travel agent’s service could actually be FREE, or they may charge a small fee.

Destination information – Some people choose to go to a familiar location for their honeymoon, while others travel to exotic locales. If you’re going to an unknown spot, take some time to research the country for the most enjoyable trip. What is the best way to travel there? How will you travel once you are there? Will you stay in one town, or will you visit several cities? What will the weather be like?

Plan Your Activities Are you planning on staying on the beach every day, or would you like to tour different locations? Be sure you and your partner understand what both of you are thinking. Walking the countryside is different than touring a city by cab. Once you decide on your ‘must do’ list, provide for some time to do absolutely nothing. A honeymoon is a vacation after all!

Get Your Passport Ready A passport is an internationally recognized travel document that verifies the identity and nationality of the bearer. A valid U.S. passport is required to enter and leave most foreign countries. Only the U.S. Department of State has the authority to grant, issue or verify United States passports.

First time passport applicants need to apply in person. Note – all persons must have their own passports, including infants. Click on the link above and read through thoroughly. We want you to be able to go on your trip, so allow quite a bit of time to get things in order. Usually, it takes about six weeks, but it would be wise to apply six months ahead of time so that everything is in order for your planned trip.

Useful links:
How to Apply & Documentation
How to Get a Passport Quickly
Where to Apply in the U.S.
Where to Apply Abroad
How to Apply for a Passport Renewal
Correcting or Changing Information in Your Passport

Travel warnings are listed on the State Department website:

Travel warnings are issued as necessary and unless otherwise specified, and are in effect until the State Department issues either a new warning or a notice that the current warning will expire.