WEDS&HONS 3-4 2/11/09 10:51 Page 48
knowledge weddings & honeymoons
Lists are gifts to agents
In these cash-strapped times, the prospect of getting family and friends to pay for your
honeymoon has never had such appeal. Debbie Ward finds out how agents can cash in
T
he John Lewis or Marks & Spencer Australia recently and 70% of their honey- more destination information will entice
bridal registry was once de rigeur moon was paid for by guests but it depends; family and friends from these personal pages
but with couples increasingly a good 50% is usually contributed. to the company’s main website.
co-habiting before they marry, “We had a couple who got married in Becky thinks young clients in particular
the holiday-of-a-lifetime has overtaken Mauritius who used some of the fund for will love the concept: “Facebook and Twitter
fluffy towels as the newly-wed must-have. a hen and stag party with family and friends are the norm now, we’re used to letting peo-
According to Mintel, a quarter of online gift while they were there. They went quad- ple see more about our lives this way. I’ve
lists are now for honeymoons. Here are biking the day before the wedding.” just had a couple out in Hawaii. They
some ways the trade is getting involved. . . Travel Counsellors has operated its Honey- wanted to surf and they wanted a candlelit
moon Gift Registry for several years. Becky dinner on the beach. They could have put
Agents Stephenson from Bradford, a keen user of pictures on their webpage. It’s nice for peo-
Hyde-Barker Travel Worldchoice in Notting- the system, says it is used by 80% of her hon- ple who’ve contributed to see what you’re
hamshire set up an online gift list service eymoon clients. She says some book their getting up to on your honeymoon – well,
called Over The Moon a few months ago. holiday first then either pocket the money the censored version!”
“We were getting quite a few people who they’re gifted, or use it for upgrades and
wanted to do this and weddings and honey- extras, while others wait to see what they’re
moons is part of the business we aim to given and set their honeymoon budget TOP TIPS
grow,” says sales manager Daniel Corbridge. accordingly. Some even book for seven
Over The Moon clients are nights with the hope of extending to 10.
■ Wedding fairs are a good place to meet couples early in
their planning
assigned a log-in code which they send in a Travel Counsellors sends registry
■ Most guests buy presents three weeks or less before
card with their wedding invita- clients gift list cards, thank you notes
the wedding. Remind honeymooners they will usually
tions. Guests can use it to make and a honeymoon planner/diary in an need to pay their balance beforehand
donations and leave messages on attractive keepsake box. From Decem-
■ When donations exceed the honeymoon balance some
the couple’s own web page. ber an upgrade to its online registry
agents credit the clients’ account or suggest upgrades,
while Trailfinders loads the extra on a card for future use
“Quite a lot of people who have will allow couples to post photos
■ Note that competition has increased with gift list
already signed up for it are using it and Facebook-style comments
favourite John Lewis now offering honeymoons
for upgrades on flights and hotels,” from their travels. With a view through in-house travel company Greenbee
says Daniel. “We had a couple go to to boosting business, links to
48 06.11.2009
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