Honeymoon fund: turn wedding gifts into trip money
A honeymoon fund lets guests put money toward your trip instead of buying things for the house. On RegistryBee you list gifts from any store, guests buy them, and the money goes to your bank account to spend on the honeymoon. It is free for couples, and guests pay 2.9% + 30 cents per transaction.
- Money you can spend on any part of the trip
- No booking restrictions, because the money is yours
- Payouts to your bank every Monday via Stripe
- Free to set up, with no sales tax for guests
By George H, founder of RegistryBee
First, what this is and is not
RegistryBee is a cash registry that works well as a honeymoon fund. It is not a travel service.
What it is
- A registry where every gift reaches you as money
- Flexible: flights, hotels and dinners are all your call
- Open to gifts from any store
What it is not
- A travel agent: nothing is booked for you
- A page of named excursions with trip photos
- A shipping service: bought gifts do not arrive by mail
Guests give real gifts from your list, and you keep 100% of every one to spend on the trip however you like.
Set it up in three steps
- 1
List gifts for the trip
Add gifts from any store, leaning toward things connected to travel, at a range of prices.
- 2
Share it with guests
Guests buy on your registry page. They are told the gift will not ship right away and that you decide when and where to get it.
- 3
Spend it on the honeymoon
The money goes to you, not the item. Payouts land in your bank account every Monday via Stripe.
There is a fuller walkthrough in how to set up a honeymoon fund.
Worked example: a $1,200 fund
Start from a number, then spread it across prices so every guest finds something comfortable. These prices are only an illustration.
| Gift | Price |
|---|---|
| Snorkel set | $60 |
| Beach bag and towels | $100 |
| Carry-on suitcase | $180 |
| Noise-cancelling headphones | $200 |
| Checked suitcase | $260 |
| Travel camera | $400 |
| Total to you if all six are bought | $1,200 |
You get the full $1,200 and decide when and where to get each gift, on your own schedule.
Plan around when the money arrives
Gift money follows your guests, not your travel deadlines. You cannot control when people buy, and payouts happen on Mondays.
A decision rule: if a deposit is due before gifts come in, pay it from savings and let the fund pay you back. Count only on money already in your account. The wedding budget calculator shows how the trip fits your overall spending.
What guests pay
Couples pay nothing. Guests pay 2.9% + 30 cents per transaction, so a $100 gift costs a guest $103.30 at checkout and pays you $100. The fee is worked out on the total charged. There is no sales tax, because nothing ships.
How to share your honeymoon fund
Be specific about the trip, so guests can picture their gift on the journey with you. They pick a gift from your list, and they see a note that it will not ship right away and that you decide when and where to get it.
We have everything we need at home, so we are getting ready for our honeymoon. Every gift on our registry helps us pack for the trip.
Honeymoon fund: choose any gift on our registry to help us get ready for our trip.
More options are in honeymoon fund wording, or build your own with the cash gift wording generator.
See how the fees stack up
Honeymoon funds differ on who pays and how much. Before you commit, try your target amount in the registry fee calculator and read best cash wedding registries to see the options side by side.
Frequently asked questions
- What is a honeymoon fund?
- A registry where guests contribute money toward your trip instead of buying household gifts.
- Is a honeymoon fund rude?
- Not when it is worded with care. Say what the trip means to you, keep the note short and leave the choice to guests.
- Do we have to spend the money on the honeymoon?
- The money is paid to your bank account and you decide. You keep 100% of every gift and get each one when and where you want.
- Can guests pay for a specific excursion or hotel night?
- RegistryBee is built around gifts from any store and books nothing for you. Because the money reaches your bank, you can put it toward any flight, hotel or excursion you choose.
- How much does a RegistryBee honeymoon fund cost?
- It is free for couples. Guests pay 2.9% + 30 cents per transaction, and no sales tax is charged because nothing ships.
- When does the money reach us?
- Payouts go to your bank account every Monday via Stripe.
Helpful next reads
Pick your number, list a few gifts and send your guests the link. It is free for couples.
Start your honeymoon fund
