Get your guests to pay for your honeymoon

You can create a honeymoon giftlist, allowing loved ones to help pay for your Unique Honeymoon

Time was when bed sheets and salt-shakers were the most likely wedding gifts. Not any more. Now you can create a honeymoon giftlist, allowing loved ones to help pay for your trip. This might mean they put money towards the total cost of the honeymoon or pay for individual experiences (a romantic meal, scuba dive etc), which can feel more personal.

Some schemes are run by tour operators (book a trip with them; they set up a list, for free); some are independent and help you create a bespoke microsite that friends and family can access. Here are a few options...

Western & Oriental (www.honeymiles.net) uses a credit system: each 'Honeymile' is worth £10. Honeymiles can be put towards the overall cost of the honeymoon or champagne breakfasts, massages etc. Couples can personal mini-sites with pics; it's also Facebook compatible.

Trailfinders' (www.trailfinders.com/giftlist) giftlist enables guests to contribute to specific experiences in denominations of £5 (minimum £10) by post, in person or online; Trailfinders will record accompanying messages on your list page.

Audley Travel (www.audleytravel.com) can create a giftlist once you've booked, so guests can pay for elements already planned in your itinerary. Log on to view contributions and comments; the site stays open to view after your trip so you can write appropriate thank-you cards.

Selective Asia's (www.selectiveasia.com) honeymoons to Borneo, Laos, Burma and beyond can be paid for via its giftlist service. If contributions exceed the cost of the honeymoon, the extra is refunded either before departure (spending money!) or afterwards.

Turquoise (www.turquoiseholidays.co.uk) giftlists can list specific experiences (ballon flight, spa etc), which many guests prefer rather than giving cash; however, you're not obliged to book all these elements if you'd rather have the money.

Send Us Packing (www.senduspacking.com) is not linked to a tour operator. Its giftlist service costs £59.99; you set up an online list ('flight upgrade', 'skydive' etc) and a PayPal account; your guests pay into the account. There's a free 'Honeymoon Butler' service that offers trip ideas. There are other similar sites such as www.buy-our-honeymoon.com (£55 fee), and www.justthething.co.uk and www.moneymoon.net (both have no set-up fee but a 7.5% fee on contributions).