Do Both Couples Pay for a Honeymoon? What You Need to Know

Someone’s got to pay for the honeymoon, right? But who, exactly? This one’s a major pressure point for couples kicking off married life. Gone are the days when the groom or his family just handed over the cash every time—today, things are way more flexible.

If you’re staring down plane ticket prices and all-inclusive packages, you’re probably asking yourself how other couples handle it. Truth is, there’s no set rule now. Sometimes both dig into their wallets, sometimes one covers it as a ‘gift,’ and, in rare cases, parents chip in (sort of like one last wedding present, but with more sunscreen).

Skipping the guesswork isn’t just about numbers—it’s about being real with each other before you spend a single cent. The vibe you set now for talking about money can save you both drama later on, whether you’re booking Bora Bora or a little cabin road trip.

• The Tradition vs. Reality Check
• Who Typically Pays (and Why)
• Modern Arrangements That Work
• Budgeting and Splitting Expenses
• Tips for a Smooth Honeymoon Money Talk

The Tradition vs. Reality Check

Ask anyone’s grandparents, and you’ll probably hear the old-school answer: the groom (or his family) would pick up the whole tab for the honeymoon. This tradition stuck around for a long time—basically until more couples started paying for their own weddings and making their own rules. Back in the 1960s and 1970s, less than 20% of couples paid for their honeymoons themselves; most leaned heavily on parents. Fast forward to now, and the numbers have flipped in a massive way.

Today, the honeymoon costs aren’t just seen as the groom’s responsibility. According to a 2024 survey from The Knot, nearly 68% of couples report splitting the expenses or paying the whole thing together, while fewer than 10% said one partner covered it alone. Gifted honeymoons—where the trip is a wedding present—do still happen, but that’s less of a given and more of a nice bonus if your families are feeling generous.

This is partly because people get married later these days, tend to have their own income, and often already live together. The old tradition just doesn’t fit everyone anymore, and most modern couples are totally fine rewriting the rules.

So, if you’re feeling weird about not following the “rules,” don’t. Reality is, there’s no right or wrong way—it all comes down to what works for you and your soon-to-be spouse.

Who Typically Pays (and Why)

Back in the day, it was almost expected that the groom (or sometimes the groom's family) would foot the entire bill for the honeymoon. This tradition goes way back—like, borrowing-from-your-parents kind of history. The idea was that the honeymoon was a treat from the groom as a big finale after all the wedding planning. But times have changed, and fast.

Today, most couples are picking up the tab together. According to a honeymoon costs survey by The Knot in 2024, about 60% of couples split the cost of their honeymoon right down the middle. Only around 20% said one person paid for everything, and less than 15% had a parent or family member help out. So, if you're feeling guilty about asking your partner to chip in—or thinking you're weird for splitting everything—you're actually in the majority.

The shift isn’t really surprising if you think about it. Wedding bills are going up, and couples are waiting longer to get married. By the time they’re saying ‘I do’, most people have jobs, savings, and some idea how they want to handle money. Plus, a lot more couples live together before the wedding than in the past, so they're already used to sharing bills and talking budgets.

Sometimes parents still want to pitch in, especially if the wedding itself is simple or smaller. In those cases, the honeymoon can feel like a final gift. But this is pretty rare now—usually in super traditional families or when there’s a big budget to spread around.

What really matters? Being honest about your situation and what feels fair. If someone makes a lot more money or the trip is a surprise, you might adjust things. It isn’t about who “should” pay, but what makes sense for you both.

Modern Arrangements That Work

These days, couples are more practical than ever when it comes to honeymoon costs. There’s no one-size-fits-all formula, but a few setups are popping up everywhere. The main thing? Whatever works for both of you, without leaving anyone broke or awkward.

A lot of couples split everything down the middle. You agree upfront, and each person pays half—no drama, no weird feelings. This method especially works if your salaries are pretty close. Sometimes people use a joint savings account for all things wedding, then pull honeymoon money from there. It gives both sides control and makes spending feel like a team effort.

Sometimes, one person covers the bulk of the trip. It isn’t just tradition—sometimes it’s about who has the extra cash right now. You see this a lot when one person just got a bonus or has more vacation benefits at work. But couples usually talk openly about it first, so it doesn’t feel one-sided.

Another move that’s picked up? Honeymoon funds instead of wedding gifts. You can set this up on sites like Honeyfund, Zola, and The Knot. Guests chip in cash or pay for specific activities, like dinners or ziplining. It’s way less awkward than passing the proverbial hat. Just so you know, WeddingWire found that in 2024, 59% of couples created some type of cash fund to help pay for their honeymoon.

Every couple’s money situation is unique, so figuring out your own plan is key. You both need to talk about what feels fair, and nobody should feel weird about asking questions or suggesting a compromise. The more open you are, the easier the trip planning gets.

Budgeting and Splitting Expenses

If you’re wondering how to get a handle on those honeymoon costs, you’re definitely not alone. Planning out your expenses—and splitting them in a way that works for you—actually takes a lot of stress out of the whole wedding aftermath. According to The Knot’s 2024 survey, couples spent an average of $5,100 on their honeymoon. That’s a solid chunk of change, especially after dealing with wedding bills.

The biggest money-eater? Flights and accommodation top the list, with about 65% of the budget going just to get there and sleep somewhere nice. Meals and activities follow right behind. Here’s a basic breakdown to give you an idea:

So how do couples actually split these costs? Here are a few tried-and-true approaches that work for lots of folks:

• 50/50 split: Super straightforward. Each person pays half, either by splitting each booking or divvying up the total cost at the end. Works best when incomes are similar.
• Proportional split: If one of you earns more, match payment to income. For example, if you make 60% of the combined income and your partner 40%, that’s how you split the expenses.
• Divide-and-conquer: One partner handles flights, the other covers hotels, meals, or activities. This can be useful if someone has reward points racked up or loyalty perks with a brand.
• Gift approach: Sometimes, one partner just wants to treat the other (maybe as a wedding present), so they cover most or all of the cost. Totally fine if you both agree!

Whatever system you go with, keep things open and honest from the start. I remember Annie and I had a good laugh looking over credit card charges after coming home from Hawaii—some restaurants we both thought the other had paid! No matter which method you use, the best move is to talk through every detail beforehand, right down to who picks up the snacks at the airport.

Here’s a useful tip from financial advisor Sarah Thompson, who’s helped dozens of engaged couples sort their money:

“Treat budgeting for your honeymoon like any other big life goal—make a plan, compare options, and keep a little wiggle room for surprises. Honest conversations before booking anything will keep things smooth later.”

Apps like Splitwise, Honeydue, or even just a shared Google Sheet can help track every bit. And don’t forget to check for deals, use points if you’ve got them, and look at off-season travel for big savings. When you’re clear about the math, you can focus more on the trip—and each other—instead of chasing down receipts.

Tips for a Smooth Honeymoon Money Talk

Money talks can be awkward, even for couples who've been together forever. But being up front about honeymoon costs makes everything easier. Believe it or not, a recent NerdWallet survey showed that 43% of newlyweds said they had disagreements about honeymoon expenses. The last thing you want is a surprise credit card bill or one person feeling burned.

Start by figuring out your combined budget before you fall in love with a five-star resort you can't actually afford. Here’s how to keep things stress-free and practical:

• Set Expectations Early: Don’t wait until after you’ve booked the flight. Lay it all out right away—what are your must-haves and what can you skip?
• List All Potential Costs: Airfare, hotels, food, activities, tips, and even souvenirs. Write it all down. That way, nothing sneaks up on you.
• Be Honest About Financial Comfort Zones: It's totally normal if you and your partner have different comfort levels. One of you might love splurging, while the other wants to save. Get on the same page.
• Decide on a Payment Strategy: Some couples split everything 50/50, some go by percentage of income, and others assign certain costs to each person. Figure out what feels fair.
• Check Out Tools and Apps: Apps like Splitwise or Honeydue can track shared expenses, which keeps things super clean and drama-free.

If you want the cold, hard numbers, take a look at how U.S. couples split honeymoon expenses, according to a 2024 wedding industry study:

If things ever feel tense, hit pause, and remind yourselves why you’re doing this—you want an awesome trip together, not a fight. Planning openly means you’ll start your marriage with fewer secrets and more trust, whether you’re hitting Bali or just driving up the coast.