“We added a number of things we originally didn’t think we’d need; a fancy weed eater, an extendable ladder, lawn chairs for eight, a badminton set and specialty cookware like a pizza stone and a Dutch oven,” said Ms. Zesch, whose wedding is set for Sept. 18. “As the pandemic was happening we bought things off our registry ourselves like towels, bedding and a hammock, because we were home so much.”
Honeymoon sites have been hit hard since many couples have halted their travel plans or are choosing to explore locally. “We pivoted when we saw couples delaying their weddings,” said Brandon Warner, a founder of TravelersJoy.com, a honeymoon wedding registry that specializes in offering unforgettable travel experiences. “People were transitioning to local experiences and staying-home registry asks, like online yoga, or virtual cooking and cocktail classes, so that’s what we’ve added,” Mr. Warner said. “Couples are getting creative. That might include asking for a giant Jenga game, the opportunity to rent a fancy car for the day, or a slew of high-tech camping gear. Before this, no one registered for bikes or puzzles. Now that’s on people’s lists.”
In June, the site shifted its focus and categories to more local and experiential activities. ‘Staying home’ suggested items like a disc golf set for two and other lawn games, while ‘staying local’ offered monthly subscription services like coffee, flowers, and classes. “We also added instant registry U.S. destinations, like Charleston, Palm Springs and Vermont,” said Mr. Warner, where previous locations might have been snorkeling in the Maldives or a train ticket from Madrid to Barcelona.
In 2019, 24,000 couples took trips thanks to the gifts they received through Traveler’s Joy. In 2020 that number was only 9,000. Six thousand of those trips were local, and only 3,000 ventured out of state. “Those are not typical places to go on your honeymoon. We send couples to exotic places like New Zealand, Japan, Amalfi Coast. But it says couples still want to find a way to celebrate their marriage and have a sense of exploration.”
Other companies have been unable to navigate as successfully.
Honeyfund.com, is a cash wedding gift registry that acts as a crowdfunding site for couples to raise money for their honeymoon. Last year the company lost 75 percent of their revenue. “Less gifting is happening because couples are postponing their wedding or they’re eloping, so wedding guests are holding off sending their gifts or purchasing them because everything is impending, and they’re not sure what to do,” said Sara Margulis, a founder and the chief executive of Honeyfund.com. “Since Covid, we have created a new ‘flexibility fund’ where guests can add to what couples need. Instead of using the cash for a honeymoon, couples are raising money to pay for their wedding itself. Others who have lost money on their deposits are trying to recoup it from their guests.”
