How to Take a Volunteer Honeymoon

"Voluntourists" are on the rise, and newlyweds are no exception. As more couples opt to give back instead of indulge in the typical uber-pampered honeymoon, our guide to How to Take a Volunteer Honeymoon shows you how.

"Voluntourists" are on the rise, and newlyweds are no exception. As more couples opt to give back instead of indulge in the typical uber-pampered honeymoon, our guide to How to Take a Volunteer Honeymoon shows you how.
Introduction
- You're getting married, and planning your honeymoon—but spending two weeks lolling around on a quiet beach isn't for you. Why not spend your time away giving back? The volunteer honeymoon has become increasingly popular in recent years, and it can certainly be a heartwarming way to start a life together with your new partner.
- Before you book flights halfway across the world, be sure to consider the realities of volunteering and what kind of place you'd be interested in traveling to. With careful research, you can choose a place that will become significant to both of you and will cement your commitment to each other as well as to an important cause.
Step 1: Should You Volunteer?
- Your first step is assessing whether this is the honeymoon for you.
1. No, you won't get to honeymoon for free. Most volunteer trips (which usually do not include airfare) start at around $800 per person.
2. Yes, you will likely have to put in some manual (or at least emotional) labor, but it won't be all pickaxes and hammers. Depending on the program you choose, there is usually free time built in for relaxation, too.
3. According to Michael Organ, the Executive Director of Charity Guide,
  - "For a newly married couple, participating in a cause greater than themselves may offer the perfect balance to their wedding. Some newlyweds find it especially meaningful to start their new lives together by giving back."
4. And remember that many of the most beautiful places in the world are also most in need of volunteer time. Once you gain access to a remote village with sweeping views of the ocean (albeit, without running water), you may realize that a typical vacation elsewhere wouldn't be nearly as stunning.
Step 2: Where to Go
- Is there a particular place where you are both motivated to volunteer?
1. If you met volunteering at your local beach cleanup, perhaps you want to focus your efforts on an environmentally focused trip.
2. Perhaps this trip is a response to a recent natural disaster. When Kris and Jena Douglas decided to volunteer in India for their honeymoon, they felt inspired by the South Asian tsunamis and realized they didn't feel justified in taking a lavish personal vacation.
3. If you are hoping to combine a more traditional honeymoon with a volunteer trip, you will want to choose a place that provides the opportunity to do both.
4. The following programs are a few of those that offer volunteer vacations. Be sure to research exactly what is expected of you in each program, as the degree of work can vary between trips.
5. For projects within the United States, consider Habitat for Humanity or the American Red Cross, particularly for any current national crises, like the California fires or Katrina.
6. For projects outside the U.S., consult our guide to How to Volunteer Abroad for further suggestions and project ideas.
Step 3: How Long Should You Go
- Volunteer trips can range from a few days to several weeks, or even longer (some newly married couples have been known to depart immediately for the Peace Corps).
- Ask yourselves the following questions before signing on for an extended trip:
1. How much time do you have? If it is only a week, it might be tough to squeeze in a volunteer frenzy in India—and you live in the midwest. You could very likely find a great volunteer experience closer to home, however.
2. Do you want to spend your entire honeymoon volunteering, or just part of it? How would you like to divide your time?
3. If you have a serious wedding planned, be sure to give yourself a little downtime before launching into an ambitious volunteer vacation.
4. Dana Oliver, of Global Crossroad, a program through which volunteers find projects, told the New York Times that because of how much volunteers experience each day, two weeks is the right length of time for one of her trips.
5. Know that you may need to be flexible with your travel dates, as most volunteer programs are scheduled far in advance, and the departure day may not coincide with the day after your wedding.
Step 4: Registering for Your Volunteer Trip
- With ever more creative bridal registries out there, it's possible to have friends and family donate to your volunteer mission.
1. Online registries like Send Us Off or The Big Day offer couples the chance to customize their travel wants and needs. You can simply add your travel plans—flights, trip costs, specific meals, even donations to an organization you're working with—to the registry, and guests will be able to contribute. Send Us Off will also help coordinate environmentally friendly honeymoons and help you with necessary carbon offsets for your travel.
2. You might also consider registering at a place like REI, where you may need to buy camping supplies, backpacks, or other outdoor gear for your volunteer honeymoon.
3. If you don't go the registry route, you might be able to qualify your trip as a tax deduction. If it doesn't involve too much downtime, and the organization is a registered non-profit, you can likely claim the trip is tax-deductible.
Step 5: Process Your Experience
- Don't forget to check in with each other and compare notes about your experiences.
1. One of the nicest things about giving back on your honeymoon is that it's a shared experience with your new spouse. Take time at the end of each day to reflect on what you accomplished and why you're doing what you're doing.
2. Consider sharing a journal to document your feelings about the experience.
3. And don't forget to exchange contact information with the people you meet. This may become a place you return to again, if only through regular communication.
4. You should also share your experience with friends and family upon your return, as many may enjoy guidance toward a similar adventure.
Programs and Organizations Offering Volunteer Vacations