Budget 'Moons

Once all of the vendors for your wedding are paid for, you may be wondering how you're going to afford a fun and relaxing honeymoon. With a little creativity, you can create a fabulous and budget friendly trip. The key is to keep things closer to home and to focus on the activities you want to do, rather then the locale. For the next few weeks, we'll be featuring some fun, low cost trips in the pacific northwest that you can create for an amazing honeymoon!

Adventure 'Moon
For an active, outdoor, full of fun vacation, our first trip is (believe it or not!) Leavenworth, WA. Yes, I know Leavenworth has it's fair amount of kitsch and cheese but, by keeping it local and in the mountains you can save money and have a handful of outdoor activities right at your fingertips. And trust, me there's so much to do that hanging out in the town will be a mere afterthough!

For accommodations, check out the Abendblume Pension. Located in Leavenworth, but off the strip, it's close to town but still peaceful and quiet. Abendblume is a bed and breakfast that offers incredible service, amazing views, comfortable rooms and some of the most affordable rates I could find for the quality that you receive. As with any B&B, breakfast is included. Perhaps stay in their Schneewitchen room which comes with a beautiful canopied bed, jetted tub, private balcony and fireplace.

When it comes to activities, Leavenworth isn't short on anything. A sampling of to-do activities includes rock climbing, river rafting, fishing, hiking, mountain biking, wine tasting, tubing, movies, spa treatments, cooking classes, and more. You could easily find enough activities to fill each day.

So how does Leavenworth stack up on cost? For 6 days and 5 nights and a sample of activities:

• Hotel accommodations in a romantic suite+breakfast: $880
• River Rafting for two: $170
• Horseback riding for two: $90
• Full day mountain bike rentals for two: $80
• Touring local wineries: free
• Hiking: free
• Touring the town: free
• Tubing, two all day tube rentals: $30
• Total: $1,250

Our Picks for things to do: Check out the Osprey Rafting Co. For the above price, you get a half day of river rafting and lunch is included. Gustav's can't be beat when it comes to getting German sausages and saurkraut. They also have an amazing selection of beers to choose from. Tired from playing outside but not ready to hit your room yet? The Icicle Junction Activities Center has a movie house playing new films and mini golf (honeymoon+mini golf+sexy bet=fun for both of you!). Or wind down with a couples' massage in your room. Eagle Creek Ranch offers affordable horseback riding options for all skill levels and, if you're feeling gutsy, contact the Mountain School for guided rock climbs!