The registry that makes honeymoons happen is teaming up with Alila Napa Valley to make this deserving couple's dreams a reality

CLEARWATER, Fla., April 16, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- In 2023, Honeyfund, the free gift registry that makes dream honeymoons happen for all couples, played a vital role in Ahmad Maksoud and Josef Perou's happily-ever-after. In lieu of a traditional wedding registry, the couple leveraged Honeyfund's platform to fund Perou's immigration and relocation fees, as covered in The New York Times last year. Today, the couple is married and Perou's immigration fees are covered, but a honeymoon was still out of reach.

That is, until Honeyfund stepped in to ensure the couple got the honeymoon of their dreams.

"After a long-distance relationship during COVID, the couple had been through their fair share of hardships when we came across their immigration fee registry," said CEO and Co-Founder of Honeyfund Sara Margulis. "We were proud to be a part of their love story and offer a platform for family and friends to fund a green card for Josef, but we just couldn't accept that their honeymoon wasn't happening. We're so grateful Alila Napa Valley wanted to work with us to make their dream honeymoon happen."

According to recent Honeyfund data, couples who take a honeymoon are more likely to experience a happier marriage than couples who do not. However, many couples are at risk for not taking a honeymoon based on race, location, sexual orientation, income and more. As part of the LGBTQIA+ community, Perou and Maskoud's story demonstrates these findings. This is just one reason why Honeyfund wanted to ensure the couple could honeymoon and nurture their relationship in a place like Alila Napa Valley, where quality time together is prioritized.

"Even when travel was finally permitted [during the pandemic], we faced bureaucratic hurdle after hurdle. With all we've been through, Honeyfund has been such a bright spot," Maksoud and Perou reminisced. "Honeyfund has allowed us to celebrate our marriage like we never thought we could. We're so grateful and so excited about our trip!"

Alila Napa Valley resort and spa is a respite for honeymooners to relax and connect among picturesque vineyards. Nestled against one of St. Helena's oldest cabernet vineyards, resort guests experience privacy and breathtaking views while being within walking distance to downtown St. Helena's main street, famous for several of the best wine tasting rooms and shopping in the valley. Couples can spark creativity and connection by enjoying one of Alila's many on-site immersive experiences, such as in-room private astrology readings, mixology and culinary classes, replenishing spa treatments and more.

"We take immense pride in being an inclusive and welcoming destination for all couples celebrating their love," said General Manager at Alila Napa Valley Heidi Miersemann. "Our team members believe that a honeymoon should be a cherished and magical experience. Ahmad and Josef's love story is truly inspiring and we are honored to be their dream honeymoon destination."

For more information on Honeyfund, please visit honeyfund.com. Please reach out to honeyfund@latelycollective.com to follow Perou and Maksoud's journey, receive imagery from their honeymoon or be connected to the couple directly for commentary. For more information on enjoying an Alila Napa Valley getaway, please visit alilahotels.com/napa-valley.

About Honeyfund
As the most trusted honeymoon and cash gift registry service since 2006, Honeyfund makes your dream honeymoon happen and powers your happily-ever-after with the help of friends and family. More than 1 million couples have created Honeyfund registries and nearly $1 billion has been gifted over the past 15+ years. The company's new wedding websites offer couples a page that will grow with them throughout their life together.

A new trend points to bridal parties increasingly choosing wellness retreats over boozy benders.

More and more brides are foregoing the rowdy Bachelorette parties of yore, and instead, they’re opting for healthy, calming wellness retreats. According to one bride, a physician’s assistant named Margaret Wilson who spoke to The New York Times, she and her bridal party were drawn to the idea of “a unique experience that wasn’t solely dependent on partying”.

“I had been through a lot of life changes the year leading up to my wedding, and I was looking for a low-stress, meaningful experience with my dearest friends,” Wilson explained of her bridal party’s 2023 trip to a wellness spa in Sedona, Arizona. “This trip was meant to enrich my relationship with my loved ones and myself, and it did exactly that.”

Intimate, low-stress weekends like these have seen an uptick in interest in recent years, with wellness travel in particular becoming especially trendy in 2024. Many brides are choosing experiences that soothe their mind, body, and soul before their big day as opposed to a trip guaranteed to end with a terrible hangover.

“This bachelorette trend may track a broader shift in how we celebrate milestones,” Sara Margulis, the chief executive of the honeymoon registry site Honeyfund, explained to the outlet. “There is a strong desire to go beyond the boozy party and get out and connect with nature and enjoy each other.

For those who aren’t down for a wild night on the town, a wellness retreat is the perfect lowkey alternative.

“There’s definitely still that group of girls who want to go to Nashville and wild out,” wedding planner Jesse Reing told the New York Post. “But I think the stereotypical bachelor or bachelorette party is maybe like a myth, or a bit antiquated at this point.”

The wedding planner added to the outlet that the majority of her clients over 25 are opting for calmer, healthier retreats or a day at their local spa. Whether it’s budget-friendly or a bougie affair, Reing noted that what’s out is hard partying.

“My clients want to go somewhere remote, quiet, and beautiful that takes care of every single thing for you. Somewhere where you can focus on your wellness and connect with your friends. They want it to be special and meaningful,” Reing said. “That’s common. I’ll tell you what is less common: partying and binge drinking.”

Wellness retreats are considered the grown-up alternative to reveling in a nightclub crawl across the Las Vegas Strip. Angela Adto Tepper, the founder of luxury brand AZA Travel, noted that during the pandemic, many people shifted their priorities to more intimate gatherings.

“We have been slammed, in a good way, with girls’ getaways,” she told Brides. “People just really want to bring focus to friendships. While it’s still [fun] to do something lively, like in the Bridesmaids movie, in Vegas, New York City, or Miami, you can have that and also a balance to feel like you’re connected with each other and come back feeling rejuvenated and like you had bonding moments.”

This trend indicates that more brides are prioritising spending quality time with their pals rather than attempting to live up to an ideal popularised by Hollywood movies.

"It’s all about capturing those moments that you’ll talk about for years," Honeyfund CEO Sara Margulis tells PEOPLE of the honeymoon experience

By Erin Clack

Published on March 31, 2024 10:38AM EDT

A new survey from the honeymoon registry site Honeyfund reveals that people are spending more on their honeymoon relative to their wedding than ever before, with a 2:1 ratio instead of 10:1.

Sara Margulis, CEO of Honeyfund, tells PEOPLE there are several factors driving the surprising shift. One of them is a pent-up desire to travel after lots of time spent cooped up at home amid the pandemic.

"The longing to travel and explore the world with one's partner has never been stronger," she says. "It’s like we’ve all been reminded how precious those shared experiences are."

Brides and grooms are also prioritizing experiences over material things more than ever before — and that includes an adventure-filled honeymoon. "Couples are realizing that the memories made during a once-in-a-lifetime trip beat out the flashiest of weddings," Margulis explains. "It’s all about capturing those moments that you’ll talk about for years — and revisit in your Instagram feed."

Another undeniable factor is the increasingly steep cost of throwing a wedding today. "The financial aspect can’t be ignored. Weddings are expensive, and when you look at the numbers, it can be a bit of a wake-up call," Margulis tells PEOPLE. "Couples are thinking, 'Where do we really want to put our money?' And with prices being what they are, it’s no surprise many decide on a more intimate wedding that allows for a dream honeymoon."

To help couples make the most of their honeymoon budget and ensure their dream post-wedding trip goes off without a hitch, Margulis shares her top planning tips.

Consider a honeymoon registry

While Margulis says it used to be "taboo" or bad etiquette to ask for money as a wedding gift, that attitude has changed. These days, creating a honeymoon fund and asking people to contribute is not only acceptable but embraced by guests.

"Honeyfunds are a way for friends and family to give a gift that’s not just about experiences but also about supporting the couple through happily ever after," she notes, adding, "Our research shows that couples who take a honeymoon together are more likely to be happily married more than a decade later."

Make sure your passport is in order

Don't forget your passport — whether you need to sort out a renewal or remember where you stored it.

"It sounds obvious, but you’d be surprised how many couples scramble last minute to get this in order. Start early to avoid stress," Margulis advises. "Trust me, dealing with passport panic is not a great pre-wedding or honeymoon activity."

She also suggests waiting until after your trip to do an official name change on your passport. "If you plan to change your last name after marriage, deal with all that when you get back from your honeymoon. Travel with your given name," she says.

When you're making your packing list, you might be tempted to focus on the fun stuff — like that new swimsuit you just bought or the stack of books you plan to dig into while relaxing on the beach. But there are a lot of small essentials — from sunscreen to bug spray — to remember to tuck into your suitcase that will not only make your trip more comfortable but also save you money.

"It’s easy to forget these essentials, but remembering them can save you from inflated resort prices and discomfort during what should be the most enjoyable moments of your honeymoon," Margulis tells PEOPLE.

Check the weather outlook before making your plans

As you're exploring potential honeymoon spots and putting your trip details together, be sure to look up the forecast for your destination and specific travel dates.

"You don’t want to be caught off guard by a rainy season or a heatwave," says Margulis. "A little research goes a long way in ensuring you pack appropriately and plan activities that make sense for the climate."

Book your activities in advance

The point of a honeymoon is to kick back and relax after the stress of wedding planning. So you don't want to arrive at your destination and have the pressure of arranging your itinerary on the spot.

Also, as Margulis points out, "activities, tours and excursions often require booking in advance. Waiting until the last minute might mean missing out on that dream snorkeling trip, museum or wine tour."

Don't overschedule your days

Sure, it's tempting to want to make the most of your time in an incredible destination like Italy or Hawaii. But Margulis says it's important to work in some downtime and not overpack your schedule where you're on the go the whole time.

"Your honeymoon is a rare chance to relax and connect with your partner without the distractions of daily life. Embrace it!" she urges.

Save extra funds for the unexpected

Even if you have your honeymoon planned out to the smallest of details, spontaneity is the spice of life. Make sure to leave room in your budget for special little extras along the way.

"From small things like spontaneous bottles of champagne to an unexpected hotel room upgrade, the 'just in case' fund may lead to the most cherished memories," Margulis says.

Consider a honeymoon package

While some couples might prefer the freedom of curating their own trip, others embrace the convenience of having all the details taken care of with a honeymoon package.

"For couples looking for a relaxing, 'have everything at their fingertips' experience, all-inclusive resorts can actually be a great deal. Everything is taken care of, from meals to activities, and you can often find packages that make luxury more affordable," Margulis says.

"And it's worth noting that while the upfront cost might seem higher, all-inclusives often end up being more economical, especially in destinations where the cost of living is high," she adds.

Start planning early

Margulis advises brides and grooms to start planning their honeymoon as soon as they've booked their wedding venue — and before they do any more wedding planning — ideally 12 months in advance of their trip.

"It’s not only practical for snagging the best deals and ensuring everything is booked, but it also makes wedding planning more exciting," she says. "Knowing you have an amazing trip on the horizon can be a joyful motivator through the busy wedding prep."

"Early planning means less stress and more time dreaming up your perfect getaway together," she adds, noting, "Some things like tours and internal transfers will need to be booked closer to the travel dates, but those items on your to-do list will be a welcome respite from the hectic wedding planning phase."

It may not be wedding season quite yet, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t already plans underway. They say the last three to six months before a wedding can be the hardest. And these months can also be the most costly.

The thing is, many Canadians heading to the altar are living a completely different scenario than our parents. Instead of moving in with each other after the wedding, many already live together. This means the necessities or essential items on your wedding registry have likely already been purchased.

So instead, cash is king. Especially if you want to use that money to purchase a home for your future family. But how do you go about still getting the wedding of your dreams, offering a great time for guests, and ending up with cash you can invest towards your future? Today, let’s solve that problem.

Communication is key

If you’re hoping to create a wedding that’s going to cost less and bring in cash flow, then communication is going to be a key part of this. It can be seen as rude to tell your guests to offer up cash straight out. So instead, it might be best to make a small note in your invitations.

It’s also quite common to have online registries for guests, and luckily there are many options that allow guests to donate to a fund. Therefore, you could create a small registry for traditional gifts for guests who prefer that option. Then, also include a cash fund registry through something like Zola or Honeyfund.

Word of mouth is also quite helpful. So make sure to keep your relatives and friends in the loop, and remind them of why you’re asking for funds. This can help them understand why you’re asking for cash contributions, and let them still feel helpful.

Keeping costs down

Now for the savings part, which can be incredibly tricky when it comes to planning a wedding. Just mention the word “wedding” and suddenly costs seem to rise astronomically. So cutting back on costs can be quite difficult.

When it comes to cutting costs however, you first need to come up with a must-haves list and a nice-to-have list. For instance, guests may not notice if you made decorations yourself if you were planning on some drapery. Flowers can be quite costly, so consider just opting for bouquets for the wedding party. Then, you may want to focus on what guests will really notice, such as good food and a great DJ.

Some other options you may want to consider to keep costs down are renting dresses and suits for the wedding party. Further, if you’re looking for a wedding dress, consider a vintage option or buying second hand. All this can add up in the end, just make sure you do not cut back on the service, and always tip your providers!

Be grateful

Finally, make sure that once you’ve put all this into place, that you tell your guests over and over again how grateful you are that they came to your special day. That special day will become all the more special now that you have some cash on hand to put towards your future.

And when all is said and done, that cash could certainly create some significant funds. For instance, newly weds may want to consider a company such as Brookfield Asset Management (TSX:BAM) if they want diversified assets, while also bringing in dividends.

BAM stock just increased its dividend after reporting a profit of US$95 million during its latest quarter. This was a whopping 19% dividend increase that investors can grab after the raise. Meanwhile, shares are up 15% in the last year, offering even more growth and passive income towards your future.

Tampa Bay Business & Wealth announced the winners of its 2023 Apogee Awards at Armature Works Wednesday night.

Presenting sponsors of the 2023 Apogee Awards include Older Lundy, Southstate and Forvis. The nonprofit partner is United Way Suncoast. The gold sponsor is M.E. Wilson.

WINNERS

Chief Business Development Officer – Raul Alfonso, Port Tampa Bay

Chief Financial Officer – Heather Ford, Power Design

Chief Human Resources Officer – Jasiel Legon, GTE Financial

Chief Information Officer – Mike Krieg, The Bank of Tampa

Chief Legal Officer – Marisol Hughes, WilsonHCG

Chief Marketing Officer – Cari Ellison, Ellison Construction

Chief Operating Officer – Leroy Moore, Tampa Housing Authority

Founder (Small) Less than 50 employees – Aakash Patel, Elevate Inc.

Founder (Large) More than 200 employees – Laura Sherman, Baldwin Risk Partners and Baldwin Krystyn Sherman Partners

Managing Partner – Eric W. Bailey, CAPTRUST Financial Advisors

Owner – Valerie Lavin, Luminary

President – Cory Ellison, Ellison Construction

Judge’s Choice – Brian K. Deming, Crucis, LLC

Chief Executive Officer

(Small) Less than 50 employees – Sara Margulis, Honeyfund.com, Inc.

(Medium) 51-199 employees – Jim Norman, MD, Norman/Clayman Endocrine Institute (at Hospital for Endocrine Surgery

(Large) More than 200 employees – Rick C. Brandt, BRANDT Inc.

With Three-Year Revenue Growth of 288 Percent, Honeyfund Ranks No. 3837 on the 2023 Inc. 5000

August 15, 2023

Inc. revealed today that Honeyfund, the gift registry that makes dream honeymoons happen and powers happily-ever-afters, has ranked No. 3837 on the 2023 Inc. 5000, its annual list of the fastest-growing private companies in America. The prestigious ranking provides a data-driven look at the most successful companies within the economy’s most dynamic segment—its independent, entrepreneurial businesses. Honeyfund has helped more than 1.2 million couples build and fund their dream honeymoon with nearly $1 billion in gifts since its inception in 2006, and has grown its revenue nearly 300 percent just in the last three years.

"Being recognized as one of Inc. 5000's fastest growing private companies is a testament to Honeyfund’s  mission: to make honeymoon dreams a reality for all couples,” said Sara Margulis, CEO and co-founder of Honeyfund. “This achievement is also  a reflection of our vision for couples – happily ever after –  the which means never accepted the status quo (traditional wedding gifts like china and KitchenAid mixers), embracing challenges (a national pandemic, for starters) and shaping a future that we envisioned from day one (making honeymoons happen, no matter a couples’ background, income or other limiting factors). As we continue to redefine what's possible in our industry, we are fueled by this honor..”

This years’ Inc. 5000 ranking represents companies that have driven rapid revenue growth while navigating inflationary pressure, the rising costs of capital and intractable hiring challenges. Among this year’s top 500 companies, the average median three-year revenue growth rate ticked up to an astonishing 2,238 percent. If those numbers are not reason enough to keep an eye on this list,, this year’s Inc. 5000 companies have added 1,187,266 jobs to the economy over the past three years. 

“Running a business has only gotten harder since the end of the pandemic,” says Inc. editor-in-chief Scott Omelianuk. “To make the Inc. 5000—with the fast growth that requires—is truly an accomplishment. Inc. is thrilled to honor the companies that are building our future.”

Honeyfund powers happily ever after at no cost to its users or their wedding guests. Unlike its competitors, whose "no-fee" options mean asking wedding guests to make the awkward move toVenmo, Honeyfund allows friends and family to use a credit/debit card, Apple Pay, or Google Wallet right on their Honeyfund page, at no cost at all to the guest or couple.

For complete results of the Inc. 5000, including company profiles and an interactive database that can be sorted by industry, location, and other criteria, go to www.inc.com/inc5000. The top 500 companies are featured in the September issue of Inc. magazine, available on newsstands beginning Tuesday, August 23.

More about Inc. and the Inc. 5000

Methodology 

Companies on the 2023 Inc. 5000 are ranked according to percentage revenue growth from 2019 to 2022. To qualify, companies must have been founded and generating revenue by March 31, 2019. They must be U.S.-based, privately held, for-profit, and independent—not subsidiaries or divisions of other companies—as of December 31, 2022. (Since then, some on the list may have gone public or been acquired.) The minimum revenue required for 2019 is $100,000; the minimum for 2022 is $2 million. As always, Inc. reserves the right to decline applicants for subjective reasons. Growth rates used to determine company rankings were calculated to four decimal places.

About Inc. 

Inc. Business Media is the leading multimedia brand for entrepreneurs. Through its journalism, Inc. aims to inform, educate, and elevate the profile of our community: the risk-takers, the innovators, and the ultra-driven go-getters who are creating our future. Inc.’s award-winning work reaches more than 50 million people across a variety of channels, including events, print, digital, video, podcasts, newsletters, and social media. Its proprietary Inc. 5000 list, produced every year since 1982, analyzes company data to rank the fastest-growing privately held businesses in the United States. The recognition that comes with inclusion on this and other prestigious Inc. lists, such as Female Founders and Power Partners, gives the founders of top businesses the opportunity to engage with an exclusive community of their peers, and credibility that helps them drive sales and recruit talent. For more information, visit www.inc.com. 

For more information on the Inc. 5000 Conference & Gala, slated for October 31 - November 2 in San Antonio, visit http://conference.inc.com/.

People Magazine
March 29, 2023

Before even getting proposed to, lots of people already have a wedding dress style in mind, a Pinterest board filled with wedding inspo, and at least one contender for a first dance song. As for the wedding registry, however, not everyone puts as much forethought into it, despite it being an important part of the wedding planning process. The truth is, a wedding registry isn't just a wish list of household essentials, and as you may have already discovered, there's a lot to consider when deciding where to register.

Looking beyond the bonus gifts and completion discounts, the best wedding registries are ones that give you a lot of room for personalization. Whether you want to receive mainly housewares for a brand new home, just cash and gift cards, or a little bit of everything, you should be able to register for exactly what you want, in the way you want it. Getting to attend in-store registry events or having an interior design consultant might be up your alley, but if you want to register without having to leave your home, it's all a matter of picking the right registry. Each registry on our list has been proven to make registering a positive experience for both couples and gift-givers alike, so now it's just up to you to weigh all the pros and cons.

Honeyfund

Key Specs

• Completion Discount: None

• Group Gifting Option? No
• Syncs to Other Registries? Yes

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Funds your Honeymoon through cash gifts
• Option to add specific expenses like airfare and car rental
• Offers you travel discounts when you're ready to book

Cons

• Charges 3.5 percent plus a $0.59 fee if you transfer your funds to a bank account
• If you choose PayPal or Venmo, you can only withdraw a maximum of $2,000 at a time

Why It Made the List

Couples who already live together and have plenty of household items will probably get more out of Honeyfund than they would from a traditional wedding registry. Though you can still add actual products and sync other registries, Honeyfund is designed primarily for those whose main priority is to have the honeymoon of a lifetime. Honeyfund's wedding registries are set up so guests can contribute toward expenses like travel and accommodation, and also include access to tons of exclusive travel deals at partner hotels and travel booking websites.

When you register at Honeyfund, it doesn't matter if you have no idea where you're going yet or already have a full travel itinerary in place. Couples who are torn between an island vacation or a European tour can set up a general Honeymoon Fund for their travel expenses, while those who have already marked their calendars can instead fill their registries with more specific options like gift cards to restaurants at their destination, the honeymoon suite at the hotel they're staying at, or a first-class upgrade on plane tickets. When you're ready to cash out your Honeymoon fund, there's a 3.5 percent transaction fee plus a fixed charge of $0.59 for depositing it into your bank account, but the amount can also be exchanged for gift cards or transferred into your PayPal or Venmo account for free.

Thriving Business: Honeyfund CEO And Co-Founder Sara Margulis

Shelley Zalis

Senior Contributor

Jul 28, 2022,04:03pm EDT

You’re planning your dream wedding and an even dreamier honeymoon. When you and your partner set out to populate your wedding registry, you realize you already have all the dishes, small appliances, and cocktail shakers you need – after all, you’re both adults. What you really need is some time away together to launch your lives in a memorable fashion.

That’s what happened to Sara Margulis and her fiancé Josh when they decided to ask their wedding guests to help underwrite their honeymoon in lieu of gifts. They founded their own business to help others do the same, and today, Honeyfund is the most trusted cash gifting site. The platform has allowed 6 million givers to fund more than $640 million in gifts for more than one million couples. I spoke with Sara about shifting careers from marketing to tech start-up, the Shark Tank effect, striking out on her own, and balancing family life with running her own company.

Shelley Zalis: You formerly worked as the associate director of marketing at Golden Gate University. How did you decide to make a career switch and launch your own company at Honeyfund? What was your lightbulb moment?

Sara Margulis: Honeyfund’s co-founder and I were engaged to be married and planning our own wedding, and we had this dream of honeymooning somewhere exotic and far away like Fiji to get away from the stress of two full-time jobs. But we didn’t have the funds after paying for our own wedding. So instead of registering exclusively for traditional housewares, we created a makeshift wish list for the costs associated with our Fiji honeymoon – things like excursions, resort nights, island hopping flights, etc. Our wedding guests overwhelmed us with more than $5,000 in contributions, but more importantly, they loved the idea. They asked us to make something like it for other couples. That’s how Honeyfund was born.

I had just graduated with an MBA in marketing and my co-founder is a software engineer. I had been working at Golden Gate University on marketing projects such as the university’s new website, e-mail marketing programs, and a CRM implementation. We took the idea and enthusiasm from our own wedding guests, and all that professional background, and created and launched Honeyfund.com from our couch.

Zalis: How much prior experience, if any, did you have in the startup industry before launching Honeyfund? How did your time on Shark Tank catapult your journey?

Margulis: We were in San Francisco in the early 2000s when the technology startup boom was happening all around us. We had friends at Twitter when it first launched, for example. Neither of us really had any direct experience in startups, but we could create and manage projects. And we both had a dream of being financially independent and having a flexible schedule so we could be there for our future children.

In 2013 we were living that dream: the business was supporting our family and we had all the flexibility we envisioned. We had bought our dream home and we had two healthy children who were growing up in an idyllic town in Sonoma County, California.

When Shark Tank called, we had to make a tough decision – do we grow beyond our lifestyle business and enter the world of a fast-growing startup? Taking on investment capital, knowing exactly how we wanted to deploy it, knowing how to unlock the next phase of growth – those were all unfamiliar to us. Starting something is very different from growing it.

Nevertheless, we felt it was the right thing to do for the Honeyfund brand and our member community. So we applied for the show and got cast. Our episode aired in October 2013 and it was a hit! Our site crashed from all the traffic. We were so thrilled to have the attention on the Honeyfund brand. We knew that once people had heard of Honeyfund they loved the idea. So our Shark Tank appearance and the deal with Kevin O’Leary launched us onto the national stage. This drove a lot more traffic and members, but it also brought us the notoriety to form high-level partnerships, such as our registry integration with Target.

Zalis: What are the advantages and disadvantages that come with a career transition and branching out on your own to launch a business?

Margulis: We were extremely lucky that Honeyfund was well received and grew itself to the point that we were able to make a good living prior to being on Shark Tank. That was phase one of the transition from working for someone else to working for ourselves. It was what we had dreamed of. So we felt we were enjoying all the advantages of doing our own thing.

But the business was growing faster than we were. It needed more from us. We didn’t have enough employees to serve our couples and maintain the site. That launched us into a growth phase that was really tricky to learn how to manage – we didn’t have the experience there. Ultimately after a long and winding road, we split up and I bought my co-founder out of the company. So that phase of growth came with a lot of stress and challenges. And I felt pulled in so many directions as a mother, wife, and business owner. I stopped taking care of myself and burned out. Then Covid hit and I faced another huge challenge with the business, this time alone at the helm. I had to take a long look in the mirror and ask myself if I had what it takes to ensure Honeyfund could survive a 90% drop in revenues and a pandemic with no end in sight.

I decided to step up and do my best to keep the company going for its members and employees. I invested a ton in growing as a leader, hired a leadership team to manage the growth, and clarified my role in the company. We launched a crowdfunding campaign to invite our members and gift givers to invest in the company’s next phase of growth. And we got through! But those were some of the hardest years of my life. Being responsible for a company, a team, and customers – it’s a huge burden at times.

However the opportunity to grow and become the leader of something remarkable comes once in a lifetime – so the advantages far outweigh the disadvantages for me. I see it as a journey and I am ever-evolving along the way.

Zalis: In the last few years, there has been an increasing trend of women leaving their jobs to start their own businesses during the Great Resignation. Based on your experience, is there a “right” time or are there ideal circumstances for a career change?

Margulis: The pull between career and family is so difficult. In a lot of ways, a job with a certain number of hours that you can leave and come home is so much healthier for that family balance and your personal self-care than a start-up. I would say there’s no right time to start your own thing; if you’re passionate about it just do it. But with this one caveat: women with partners and/or children should think long and hard about the amount of time and focus they want to be able to give their family. And then dedicate what’s left to a new venture. Everyone will tell you that you have to give 200% to a startup but that’s really not true. And it will lead to burnout so fast if you’re not careful.

Instead, start your venture with a team that can give their full focus. If you are holding the vision and goals, you can and should reserve time for self-care and your family. I know this can be so hard to accomplish, but I’m a realist so I break it down like a simple math problem. I look at how many hours I have in a week and I strive to first prioritize my own self-care, then my time with my kids and partner, then my work priorities.

I also consider the seasonality of my business and my children’s school. Summer is a great time to be able to give a little more to kids and a little less to the business. But if you’re starting a business (like mine) that has high summer demands it could be tough. The key is getting very real with yourself about how many hours of focus you are willing to give to a new venture.

Zalis: What advice would you give to women looking to change their career but who feel discouraged or unsure of where to begin?

Margulis: I would say start with a shift toward the industry or skills you want to learn and get really good at those while working for someone else with steady work hours, benefits, and pay. Or join a volunteer organization. Once you are confident in your skills and know exactly how you will manage your time and focus, then set up your new venture inside those parameters.

By Matt Turner

Aug 12, 2022 10:57am

If you're in need of a good elevator pitch for your married/engaged clients, how's this: Going on a honeymoon—and traveling together in general—bodes well for couples, according to just-released data from wedding gift registry Honeyfund.

According to a survey of 1,000 married Americans, of those who rated their marital satisfaction as “Excellent,” 84 percent of them also travel together regularly. In fact, upwards of 90 percent of couples who have taken three or more romantic trips since their honeymoon rate their relationship as “Good” or “Excellent.” Out of the people who rated their marital satisfaction as “Not so good,” 78 percent do not travel regularly.

The No. 1 reason couples travel, according to the survey, is to spend quality time together. The correlation between marital satisfaction and travel is evident, and Honeyfund is encouraging couples to prioritize the honeymoon and continue to plan romantic getaways throughout their marriage.

When it comes to the state with the most honeymooners, Illinois tops the list, with 91 percent of folks opting for one; this was followed by New York and North Carolina (80 percent each) and Florida (79 percent). The states with the highest rate of non-honeymooners included Kentucky (45 percent), Texas and California (27 percent each) and Virginia (26 percent).

Income, of course, plays as factor: Eighty-eight percent of those making $100,000 or more went on a honeymoon, while only 64 percent of those with an income under $50,000 did. It shouldn’t be surprising, then, to see that the top barrier keeping people from planning their next romantic trip was finances (48 percent). Other responses included concern about COVID (33 percent), childcare challenges (33 percent) and busy schedules (26 percent).

Honeyfund also looked into what other factors play into taking a honeymoon—everything from education to race. Eighty-two percent of those with a four-year college degree (or higher) went on a honeymoon; just 55 percent with a high school degree did so. White Americans (75 percent) were most likely to go on a honeymoon; following were Hispanic/Latinxs (71 percent), Asian Americans (66 percent); other non-white Americans (63 percent), and Black Americans (58 percent).

Find tips and examples for what to include in your invites and wedding website.

Throughout the wedding planning process, your registry will likely be top of mind. For many couples, this means registering for cozy linens, small appliances, and dinnerware. But what if you don’t actually need any of that? A honeymoon fund is a perfect alternative. “Many couples already live together and already have everything they need for their home,” says Sara Margulis, CEO and co-founder of Honeyfund. “When guests are able to contribute to a travel experience like the couple's dream honeymoon, they feel connected in a way you can't replicate by giving a toaster.”

How do you break away from the traditional shopping wedding registry and ask your guests for something else? Below, we’re breaking down how to tactfully word your honeymoon fund request for both your invitations and your wedding website.

MEET THE EXPERT

Sara Margulis is the CEO and co-founder of Honeyfund, a free honeymoon and registry website.

 What Is a Honeymoon Fund Box?

What Is a Honeymoon Fund?

A honeymoon fund is a great alternative to the traditional wedding registry for couples who don’t need physical items. Instead, it’s a request for guests to contribute money toward the couple’s travel plans for their honeymoon. While it can be treated similarly to a typical wedding registry, with details included on a wedding website or registry website, it’s helpful to include more specific wording to let guests know exactly what you’re requesting and how those generous funds are being used.

Wedding Invitations Honeymoon Fund Wording

Margulis says to treat your honeymoon fund request just like any wedding registry. “Standard etiquette says to direct your friends and family to your wedding website to learn more about the event and gift options,” she says. Keep the wording regarding gifts to a minimum on your wedding invitation, leaving room for the most pertinent details including time, place, and venue. Ultimately, it is best to include a separate insert card with your wedding website and wording specific to your registry wishes.

Honeymoon Fund Wording Suggestions for Wedding Invitations:

• Please visit [insert wedding website link] for more information and registry details. 
• For more information about our wedding and honeymoon fund registry, please visit [insert wedding website link].

Wedding Website Honeymoon Fund Wording

The ample space for text on your wedding website allows you to better explain your wishes in regard to a honeymoon fund. Once guests land on your homepage, you can share additional details with them. Where do you want to go? What activities are you planning? What's the plan for dinner or room service? Let them in on the planning details so they can help to make your honeymoon that much more special!

You can choose to keep your wording short and to the point, or add in a few extra details. Depending on how you set up your honeymoon fund, you may even have the opportunity to ask for funds related to specific tours and activities scheduled on your trip. Feel free to include specifics on why you're hoping to experience these individual activities or what the trip will mean to you and your partner. Ultimately, the goal is to be open and honest to share your wishes with your friends and family.

Honeymoon Fund Wording Suggestions for Wedding Websites:

• In lieu of gifts, please consider making a contribution to our honeymoon fund.
• We can’t wait to celebrate with you. Instead of gifts, we would appreciate a contribution to our honeymoon fund.
• We would love to create lifelong memories, instead of receiving physical gifts. Please consider making a contribution to our honeymoon fund.
• We can’t wait to begin our married life together and celebrate our bond on our honeymoon. In lieu of gifts, we would appreciate contributions toward our honeymoon fund.
• We are fortunate enough to already have all the physical items we need for our home. Instead, please contribute to our honeymoon fund to help us experience the trip of a lifetime.
• We’re planning an exciting adventure! Instead of physical gifts, please consider contributing to our honeymoon fund.

Making honeymoons happen for all couples just got easier - and less awkward - with the Honeyfund Wallet

CLEARWATER, Fla., Jan. 10, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Honeyfund, the gift registry that makes dream honeymoons happen and powers happily-ever-afters, has announced a game-changing rollout for 2023: it is the first and only completely fee-free, integrated cash gifting registry.

"Let's face it, while there are no-fee options out there currently, they are all a bit clunky and awkward. As a wedding guest, who wants to send your wedding gift directly to the bride and groom's Venmo account?" said Sara Margulis, CEO and co-founder of Honeyfund. "We wanted our couples - and their loved ones - to feel confident and comfortable in how their honeymoons were being funded, and the advent of our fee-free solution, Honeyfund Wallet, is making that happen."

With Honeyfund Wallet, unlike other registry sites, friends and family no longer need to make an awkward jump to PayPal or Venmo; they can easily check out with a debit/credit card, Apple Pay or Google Wallet. Couples can easily and securely choose how and when to redeem their funds, whether it be through hundreds of gift card options, PayPal or Venmo.

"We are in an era where giving cash to a loved one is not only accepted but much appreciated; instead of giving china or silverware, guests love the idea of allowing couples to realize their honeymoon- and life-dreams. Honeyfund Wallet is the next iteration of our mission to make honeymoons happen for all couples," added Margulis.

Recently, Honeyfund updated its award-winning platform to offer wedding website features built right into the page. The company plans to expand beyond the wedding into "happily ever after" – so friends and family can continue to support the couple through the celebrations and even hardships of marriage.

For more information on Honeyfund, please visit honeyfund.com.

"Happily ever after" comes to life for fictional couples, from Jack and Rose to the Addams Family

CLEARWATER, Fla., March 1, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Honeyfund, the popular wedding gift registry that makes honeymoons happen, has tapped the AI generator ChatGPT to create dream honeymoons for some of the most beloved fictional couples of all time.

Just in time for National Wedding Planning Day on March 1, Honeyfund has launched a new set of "Finally Ever After" pages, which feature a fictional couples' fantasy honeymoon registry, complete with a theme, photo, and gift items that the couple might have registered for had they used Honeyfund.

The idea for the project was to use AI for fan fiction – specifically to imagine what the perfect honeymoon would be like for some of the most iconic and romantic fictional couples from movies, TV shows, and books. "Our mission is to make dream honeymoons happen for all couples – so why not create honeymoons for some of our favorite characters, too?" said Sara Margulis, Honeyfund's CEO and co-founder. "We wanted to show Honeyfund couples how AI can be used to inspire and plan honeymoons based on great love stories."

The AI-powered ChatGPT was used to generate the honeymoon ideas, which were then curated by the team at Honeyfund to create the perfect registry for each couple. The first three Fantasy Honeyfunds created by Honeyfund and ChatGPT go to Jack and Rose from Titanic, Patrick and David from Schitt's Creek, and Morticia and Gomez Addams from The Addams Family. Where did the AI send them?

• Jack Dawson and Rose DeWitt Bukater (Titanic)--Setting their sights on the ultra-glam city of New York, NY in 1912, Jack and Rose are registering for the cultural honeymoon of their dreams. $5 candlelit dinners, $10 hotel stays, and horseback riding - just like Jack promised - comprise this much-wished for honeymoon.
• Patrick Brewer and David Rose (Schitt's Creek)--Hello, wine country! Wine tastings and delicious food are the stars of this adored couple's honeyfund. With their love of the good life and penchant for Tina Turner, the couples' friends and family have plenty of options to choose from for donating to their dream honeymoon in Sonoma, California.
• Morticia and Gomez Addams (The Addams Family)--Honeyfunds aren't just for traditional honeymoons! This darkly romantic couple is renewing their vows and taking a second honeymoon to Transylvania, where the shadows are long and nights are filled with eerie delight. From a stay at Dracula's castle to hearse transportation, it's sure to be a macabre affair.

The AI tool didn't stop at the honeymoon destinations – it even generated a quote for this press release. "We're thrilled to have been able to partner with Honeyfund on this exciting project," said the ChatGPT. "Using AI to imagine the perfect honeymoon for these iconic fictional couples was a fun challenge, and we hope that fans of these characters will enjoy seeing what their dream honeymoons might have looked like."

Visit info.honeyfund.com/FinallyEverAfter to browse the fictional registries and suggest your favorite couple.

September 22, 2022—Research shows that couples who honeymoon have happier marriages. Honeyfund conducted an independent research study and found that of the couples who were married for more than 11 years and rated their marital satisfaction as ‘excellent,’ 59 percent of them went on a honeymoon versus 35 percent who didn't. Honeyfund’s data also showed that of the couples who were happy in their marriage, 84 percent also travel regularly. Out of the couples who rated their marriage as ‘not so good’, 78 percent do not take trips frequently.

“This data showed a connection between traveling together and how happy a couple is in a relationship, as well as how important it is to prioritize spending quality time with your partner,” says Sara Margulis, the CEO and co-founder of Honeyfund.

“The honeymoon is a symbolic, but also practical tradition that offers the couple time to celebrate and bond right after the wedding,” says Dr. Christie Kederian, a psychologist and Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. “It’s important to separate yourself from all the months of planning a wedding and start building a foundation for your marriage. A honeymoon affords you the space to connect and enjoy each other before you begin your new lives together.”

Read More coverage of this study conducted by Honeyfund on:
Yahoo!

Brides

MSN

August 19, 2022—In June 2022, Clearwater-based Honeyfund joined other Florida companies in filing a federal lawsuit to block enforcement of Florida’s Individual Rights Act, which is also know as the "Stop WOKE" Act.

The bill purports to “fight back against woke indoctrination” by, among other things, barring employers from engaging in speech that “advances” certain “concepts” regarding race, sex, religion, or national origin. The suit names Gov. Ron DeSantis and other Florida officials as defendants and challenges the statute as unconstitutional under the First and Fourteenth Amendments for barring the expression of viewpoints disfavored by government officials and chilling a wide range of speech in workplaces. 

As a result of this lawsuit, in August, a U.S. District Court judge struck down part of the law on First Amendment grounds. That portion of the law prohibited private companies from holding any mandatory training that "espouses, promotes, advances, inculcates, or compels [employees] to believe" eight concepts, such as that "members of one race, color, sex, or national origin are morally superior to members of another race, color, sex," and that your inherent characteristics make you "inherently racist, sexist, or oppressive."

Honeyfund co-founder and CEO, Sara Margulis says "Diversity in the workplace is good for business. Diversity training often addresses concepts like systemic racism, unconscious bias, and privilege. This is why Honeyfund challenged this illegal restriction on free speech."

Read the latest coverage of this story on:

New York Times

Fortune

Reason

July 11, 2022—Brides names Honeyfund the Best Overall in their list of the Best Honeymoon Registry Sites of 2022. The reason Honeyfund took top spot was 

"Simple and user-friendly, Honeyfund is a great option for couples looking to register for their honeymoon travel and more....This innovative online wedding gift registry operates a bit more like a crowd funding site than other travel specific registry programs. Through this service you can register for contributions to your wedding itself, as well as down payments for a home, donations to charities, and—most popularly—travel."

Brides independently researches, tests, reviews, and recommends the best products—learn more about their process. 

Read More

Honeyfund and its Shark Tank investor Kevin O’Leary have launched a crowdfunded investment opportunity that has already attracted nearly 200 investors and $80,000 in its first days. Honeyfund is a wedding gift registry helping couples starting out to receive the gift of funds for wedding, honeymoon and beyond from their friends and family. Now wedding guests can get something back from giving on Honeyfund by investing in the platform’s growth.

The most common feedback from wedding guests when they find out about Honeyfund is, “What a cool idea! I wish I had that when I got married.” Honeyfund has allowed 6 million gift givers to fund more than $640 million in gifts for more than 1 million couples. With this new crowdfunded investment opportunity, anyone can become an investor in Honeyfund. Offering terms can be found at http://www.startengine.com/honeyfund.

“Our mission at Honeyfund is to foster a community of fearless and authentic people in love, who are preparing to commit to and build a lasting marriage together. Honeyfund provides them with financial support, tools and information to succeed in planning and funding their wedding, taking a fantastic honeymoon, and building a successful marriage,” says co-founder and CEO Sara Margulis. “We are thrilled to invite our members and fans to take part in our next phase of growth, and to grow financially along with us.”

For more information relating to Honeyfund’s crowdfunding investment opportunity, please visit http://www.startengine.com/honeyfund or contact press@honeyfund.com.

About Honeyfund.com, Inc.
Honeyfund (https://www.honeyfund.com) was created for wedding guests to contribute to a dream honeymoon for modern couples. In 2014, the company received investment backing from renowned investor, Kevin O'Leary, who is an active partner to this day. Today, Honeyfund is the #1 wedding registry app, and a donation-based crowdfunding pioneer. With 100% free options, Honeyfund and Plumfund power giving and receiving cash and experiences for life's many occasions.

July 8, 2020 (Clearwater, FL) -- Honeyfund, the popular honeymoon registry service, has surveyed to-be-wed couples to understand how they are adjusting their wedding and honeymoon plans, including postponement timelines, honeymoons destinations and overall budgets.

Respondents answered questions such as "How have your honeymoon plans been impacted by COVID-19?"  in an effort to help the travel industry understand if couples are canceling or postponing and when travel will return. Couples answered questions about their adjusted budgets and whether or not they plan to change destinations. Some example findings include 1) a large percent of couples are changing from international to domestic destinations, and 2) postponing their original trip. Only 7% are planning to take their original honeymoon exactly as planned. The survey also captures what honeymooners expect from resorts and carriers to feel safe returning to travel, and how they are thinking about future, non-honeymoon travel in light of COVID-19.

Download the full report, here. 

August 14, 2019 (CNBC) — In 2011, the average honeymoon cost $4,466...At that time, more than half (62%) of the estimated 1.4 million couples who went on honeymoons annually paid for at least 90% of their honeymoon expenses themselves.

In 2017, the average honeymoon cost had climbed to $5,432. But by then, more people had started asking for wedding gifts in the form of honeymoon contributions rather than traditional presents, a trend that continues to grow.

Honeyfund is a popular online platform that facilitates this kind of gifting experience. Read more.

May 19, 2020 (Clearwater, FL)—Honeyfund, the popular honeymoon registry service, has partnered with Shark Tank investor Kevin O'Leary and the Jamaica Tourist Board to provide relief to wedding couples impacted by COVID-19. Couples can enter Mr. Wonderful's Wedding Rescue Giveaway by creating a Honeyfund account and sharing their wedding story, particularly how the Coronavirus pandemic has altered their lives and changed their wedding and honeymoon plans. One couple will win a 6-day all-inclusive trip to AAA Four-Diamond rated Moon Palace Jamaica, to be taken any time before December of 2021. Airfare and transfers are included. The same couple will be invited to get married on Zoom, with none other than Mr. Wonderful himself officiating the nuptials. Read more here.

June 1, 2018 (Clearwater, Fl.)—Honeyfund's newest gift card partner, Skyhour, allows you to use to book travel with 350+ airlines to anywhere in the world, for just $60/flight hour, all day every day! Learn more about Skyhour and how you can earn up to 360 Skyhours just by referring wedding guests to your honeyfund. We call it Love Around the World.

February 11, 2018 (Clearwater, Fl.)—Honeyfund and Target have partnered to take your wedding registry to the next level with honeymoon and experience giving! Read more about how you can register for honeyfund items on your Target Wedding Registry.

January 29, 2018 (Clearwater, Fl.)—Honeyfund, the #1 honeymoon and wedding registry app, has recently relocated their headquarters from Sonoma County, California to Clearwater, Florida.

“Being so close to Silicon Valley made hiring top-notch engineers a challenge. Tampa Bay’s tech boom — both in terms of talented employees and a vibrant entrepreneurial community — was very attractive. We realized we could hack our growth by moving the company here,” said CEO and co-founder Sara Margulis.

Honeyfund was launched in 2006 after Sara Margulis and her husband, Josh Margulis, CTO, discovered the need for a crowdfunding website that catered to couples wanting an experience over household items. Their crowdfunding wedding registry raised $5,000 for their exotic honeymoon to Fiji and inspired what later became Honeyfund.

In 2014, The Margulises were invited to pitch Honeyfund on ABC’s Shark Tank and won a deal with Kevin O’Leary (“Mr. Wonderful”). They have used the investment to expand their team and services, including launching the Honeyfund app and the Honeyfund gift card. In 2015, the company partnered with the nation’s top retail registries to offer one-stop giving. This year, the founders will realize a 12-year vision by offering zero-fee giving — a first in the crowdfunding industry.

Today, nearly 800,000 couples have used Honeyfund, receiving more than half a billion dollars in gift contributions. Apart from being a honeymoon registry, couples have the flexibility to have family and friends contribute to other savings goals such as home down payments, charity and more.

Beyond the wedding, sister-site Plumfund offers crowd-gifting for events such as baby showers, anniversaries, retirement and more. Recently, Plumfund users have raised money for everything from maternity leave to divorce, without the typical 5% crowdfunding fee.

Media Contact:
press@honeyfund.com

November 28, 2017—The Week discusses how Honeyfund kicked-off the honeymoon registry trend and has continued to stay at the head of the online crowd-giving registry pack. Read the full story here.

September 21, 2017—With the millennial bride and groom comes a new way of gift-giving for the modern couple. Vogue dives deep into how and why crowdfunding your honeymoon is now the norm. Read the full story here.

From millennials to baby boomers, weddings to retirement, anyone can now give an enriching life experience

San Francisco — (December 1, 2016) — Honeyfund, the #1 honeymoon wedding registry site, today unveiled the first-ever universal travel and experience gift card. Just in time for the holidays, Honeyfund Gift Card recipients can redeem the card for unlimited travel experiences from top partners including Hotels.com, Royal Caribbean International, Groupon, QVC, Uber, and many more.

After a successful Shark Tank appearance in 2014 where the company partnered with ‘Mr. Wonderful,’ Kevin O’Leary, Honeyfund has continued to grow in popularity – it’s now the #1 wedding registry app and most-used universal wedding registry site on the market. The site has doubled in giving volume since Shark Tank, with nearly $425 million in gifts since the company was founded back in 2006.

“With the Honeyfund Gift Card, anyone can buy the gift of a truly customizable experience for anyone else,” explains Sara Margulis, Honeyfund chief executive officer and co-founder. “From a once-in-a-lifetime experience, like scuba diving in Bali, to a simple spa day or wine-tasting trip, the memories of this gift will last a lifetime.”

New research from Airbnb shows that millennials would rather spend their money travelling over buying a home or paying off debt. Uber’s gift card launched recently to target wandering millennials. Indeed, Honeyfund has grown largely due to this trend, where wedding couples and guests alike continue to value experiences more than things.  The Honeyfund Gift Card was conceived to allow hundreds of millions of wedding guests to give a honeymoon gift even if the couple isn’t registered on Honeyfund. It turns out to be a great gift for any occasion.

Mr. O’Leary agrees. "Honeyfund has pioneered experience giving for weddings, offering people exactly what they want: a flexible, out-of-the box gift. The Honeyfund Gift Cards leverages more than 10 years experience in honeymoons to offer the perfect gift for the millennial generation – travel and experiences. Honeyfund has been a great investment with tremendous growth in the past two years. The gift card is a natural extension of that growth."

Top Three Reasons a Honeyfund Gift Card is the Perfect Holiday Gift

• Convenience: With the Honeyfund Gift Card, give a great travel experience instantly, with confidence the receiver will love it!
• Flexibility: The Honeyfund Gift Card can be redeemed through a wide array of air, cruise, hotel, restaurant and retail partners, offering unlimited experiences around the world!
• Fun & Meaningful: Givers love a unique and meaningful gift. The Honeyfund Gift Card offers a customized experience the recipient will never forget.

For more information about Honeyfund and the new Gift Card, please visit honeyfund.com/giftcard.

About Honeyfund
Founded in 2006, Honeyfund’s founders Sara and Josh Margulis discovered their own wedding guests enthusiastically preferred giving experiences and memories over housewares. As they prepared for their own wedding, they created a simple page for family and friends to contribute to their dream honeymoon in Fiji. In 2014, Sara and Josh brought their idea to Shark Tank, and received investment backing from renowned investor, Kevin O’Leary, who continues to be an active partner to this day.

Today, Honeyfund is the #1 wedding registry app, and a crowdfunding pioneer. With 100% free options, Honeyfund and sister-site Plumfund now power all kinds of experiences and savings goals, for all of life's occasions.

# # #

Media Contact:
Sara Margulis
press@honeyfund.com

November 18, 2016—Discussing women and business with Honeyfund/Plumfund co-founder and CEO Sara Margulis. Watch Sara give advice to women in the tech industry, tips on using Honeyfund and Plumfund and the scoop on a new Honeyfund product in the works! See the full interview here.

October 7, 2016—A blog post from a real couple making the decision between using a traditional registry or a honeymoon registry. Why not have both? Honeyfund is featured on Weddingbee as the couple's honeymoon registry of choice! Ultimately, the couple decided to do what worked best for them and gave their guests the option to contribute towards a trip of a lifetime or in store items. The perfect mix of modern and traditional gifting.

June 26, 2016—Cosmopolitan and Sara Margulis, CEO of Honeyfund, give us a history of honeymoons, where the tradition came from and how with time it has become increasingly difficult for the modern couple to achieve a honeymoon. Luckily, Honeyfund is available to help couples get their dream vacation.

June 10, 2016—Racked weighs in on the etiquette of wedding registries. They talk traditional versus modern options, what couples really want and what guests are comfortable giving. Honeyfund is mentioned as a great way to give guests gifting options as well as a way for couples to avoid the process of returning those unwanted tangible items. Read the full story here.

June 9, 2016—Vogue rounds up the nation's top registry options for modern wedding couples, including Honeyfund honeymoon registry.

June 8, 2016—Advice and tips for planning the perfect honeymoon. brides.com walks us through 9 apps and services for planning, booking, and finding limitless experiences for your honeymoon. Step one being Honeyfund.

June 3, 2016—SFGate runs through the most significant milestones in wedding history over 100 years. Honeyfund captures the mood of 2006. Read the full story here.

May, 2016—Find out what it's really like to survive the 'Shark Tank' by watching Honeyfund and Plumfund on ABC's 'Beyond The Tank.' A closer look at Honeyfund/Plumfund and the future of the company. Investor Kevin O'Leary gets real with founders Sara and Josh Margulis about making some risky business model changes.

May 20, 2016—Arianna Huffington joins Honeyfund/Plumfund CEO Sara Margulis along with investor Kevin O'Leary for "Beyond The Tank". The team meets to discuss Honeyfund updates and an exciting partnership between Plumfund and The Huffington Post.

March 3, 2016—Forget blenders! CBS reports on the now socially acceptable practice of asking your guests for cash instead of wedding gifts you may never use. Couples are turning to Honeyfund.com to crowd-fund their dream honeymoon trip.

December 28, 2015—The New York Times navigates the struggle of giving a wedding gift. What to give? How much to give? What does the couple actually want? Honeyfund is mentioned as a modern way for wedding guests to give the couple what they really want — cash for things like a honeymoon. Read the full story.

November 29, 2015—Honeyfund is featured as the #1 wedding crowd-gifting platform on about.com! Honeyfund gives modern couples a place to register for anything from a honeymoon, adventurous experiences, to cash for a home. Couples can even add traditional items or registries from top retail stores with the new universal registry tool. Read the full article on About.com.

September 11, 2015—Heavy.com recently interviewed Honeyfund CEO Sara Margulis about the growth of the company since Shark Tank, including news about sister-crowdfunding site Plumfund as well what it's like to work with Kevin O'Leary. O'Leary nominated Honeyfund for 'Shark Tank Week' and called the deal his favorite of Season 6. The episode will re-air Sept 13 at 8/7c on ABC.

September 10, 2015 —SEBASTOPOL, CA—Honeyfund, the #1 honeymoon registry, has created a first-of-its-kind, one-stop wedding registry, featuring partnerships with national retailers including Pottery Barn, Macy's and Target. The new feature displays retail registries alongside the honeymoon wish list, allowing wedding gift givers to choose from experience gifts or traditional housewares. "Wedding guests love choices when shopping for a gift. The more choices the better," explains Sara Margulis, Honeyfund CEO and co-founder. "Some will relish the chance to give a once-in-a-lifetime experience like wine tasting in France. Others will carefully choose an item for the home that will be cherished for years. Honeyfund is proud to be the first registry that lets givers choose."

Sara and her husband, Josh Margulis, developed Honeyfund in 2006 for couples to receive contributions toward a honeymoon, without paying high fees. After growing to the #7 most-used wedding registry in the US, the Margulises appeared on ABC's Shark Tank in 2014 and won a deal with shark Kevin O'Leary. Now they're using the investment to expand Honeyfund to all types of gifts, including charity and home-down-payment gifts, as well as retail.

The retail program not only allows users to choose a gift that's meaningful to them, it also keeps the nation's leading retail brands top-of-mind. Brides and grooms are invited to start a new retail gift registry directly from their Honeyfund account. "We've always encouraged couples to have store registries in addition to their Honeyfund. Now we can surface and suggest specific wedding registries like Macy's and Pottery Barn right in the Honeyfund account," says Sara Margulis.

The program was announced via email to more than 50,000 current Honeyfund couples on August 2. Alongside Macy's, Pottery Barn and Target the program includes West Elm, Bloomingdales, Sur La Table, Best Buy, Kohl's, Wal-Mart and Michael C. Fina, among others.

For more announcements about Honeyfund and to learn more about the company, please visit our website.

About Honeyfund:
Founded in 2006, Honeyfund is the #1 honeymoon registry, and a crowdfunding pioneer. With 100% free options, Honeyfund and sister-site Plumfund now power all kinds of experiences and savings goals, for all of life's occasions. Honeyfund couples have raised more than $300 million to-date!

Honeyfund Contact: press@honeyfund.com 

July 26, 2015—"When it comes to registering for gifts, a generational sea change has developed, with more and more millennial couples asking their guests to consider holding the gravy ladles and shelving the dishes in favor of gifts of a very different sort." Read the full story.

February 1, 2015—Sebastopol, CA—In conjunction with it's Shark Tank rerun, Honeyfund announces the launch of the Spanish service, Fondo de Miel. The first free Spanish-language honeymoon registry site, made possible by the Shark Tank investment from Kevin O'Leary, is demonstrated here by reporter Vanessa Hand Orellana of CNET Español.

November 5, 2014—Sebastopol, CA—Just in time for holiday gifting and wedding engagement season, Honeyfund, the popular honeymoon registry, recently closed a deal with Kevin O'Leary of ABC's hit reality show 'Shark Tank,' to expand its gift-funding business.

After multiple offers from three sharks, Honeyfund and Plumfund owners Sara and Josh Margulis chose a $400,000 deal from Kevin O'Leary (aka 'Mr. Wonderful') to grow their gift-funding websites for honeymoons, birthdays, anniversaries, projects and other life events. Without taking a stake in the company, O'Leary requested one third of net transaction revenues until he recoups his $400,000 three times.

"We are excited to use this investment to launch Fondo de Miel, the Spanish version of Honeyfund, and to further customize and expand what is already the easiest way to raise money for gifts," said Sara Margulis, Honeyfund Cofounder and CEO. "Working with 'Mr. Wonderful' is a dream-come-true, as he brings expertise in online transactions and opens new doors with potential partners," she added.

"Honeyfund and Plumfund make raising money for all kinds of gifts fun and easy. They have tremendous growth potential as we expand their gift funding offerings and global reach," said Kevin O'Leary, Founder of O'Leary Financial.

Founding Honeyfund in 2006, the Margulises are crowd funding pioneers. Their idea was born from their own need when planning their Fiji honeymoon. Honeyfund is now the top alternative wedding registry where friends and family help pay for a honeymoon or any savings goals, and can indicate specific gifts including meals, special outings, hotels, airfare and even a down payment on a home. To date, Honeyfund has transacted approximately $239 million in gifts.

In May of 2013, the Margulises launched a second site, Plumfund (www.plumfund.com.) for other gift-giving events such as birthdays, holiday gifting, baby showers and projects. Both sites offer free gift funding options for users as well as customization and upgrades.

The Margulises were initially invited to apply for the show by a Shark Tank staff member who had used Honeyfund and was a fan of the site.

About Honeyfund

Honeyfund is the world's most popular honeymoon registry. Together with Plumfund, they offer the easiest way to raise money for gifts or anything else – for free. To learn more, please visit www.honeyfund.com and www.plumfund.com.

About Kevin O'Leary

Kevin O'Leary is an entrepreneur and financier, best known for his role as an investor on ABC's Shark Tank. He leads a group of financial companies as chairman of O'Leary Financial Group. He is also the founder of O'Leary Fine Wines and the bestselling author of Cold Hard Truth on Men, Women and Money. Previously, O'Leary founded and was president of SoftKey (later called The Learning Company), a global educational software company, and negotiated its $4 billion acquisition by Mattel. For more information, visit www.olearyfinancial.com and follow @kevinolearytv .

Media: Photography is available at www.ABCMediaNet.com.

Honeyfund Contact: press@honeyfund.com 

October 27, 2014—Graham Winfrey of Inc.com recaps Honeyfund's apperance on ABC's hit reality show 'Shark Tank," saying "Sara and Josh Margulis had the sharks eating out of their hands..." Read the full story here.

Anna Post, great-great-granddaughter of Emily Post, breaks down the rules of the sometimes-taboo subject of giving money as a wedding gift. Read the story here.

July 1, 2014—Honeyfund's website appeared on Good Morning America today in a spot on crowdfunding your wedding.

June 2, 2014—Write Carole Dixon interviews Honeyfund CEO Sara Margulis for her Pasadena Weekly article on honeymoon funds. Read the full story here.

January 24, 2014—Honeyfund.com, Inc and its founders, Sara and Josh Margulis, were featured in the Sunday Business section of the Press Democrat. Writer Robert Digitale interviews Sara and Josh about creating the crowd-gifting sites to help "fuel honeymoons and much more." Read the full story in Press Democrat

May 25, 2013—Honeyfund.com, Inc., one of TIME.com's 50 Best Websites of 2012, has launched the first free crowdfunding site at Plumfund.com. Plumfund offers free crowdfunding, cash gifting, and fundraising—the first site of its kind. Users can raise money for anything, including projects, startups, schools, charities, community groups and individual gift ocassions. The site processes "pledges" 100% free of charge where contributors pay offline, directly to the campaign organizer. Online payments are available via WePay or PayPal for just 3.9% + $0.30. Anyone can setup a free campaign. Visit Plumfund.com to learn more.

Media Contact:

press@honeyfund.com 

May 17, 2013—Good Morning Arizona interviews Arizona Weddings Magazine editor Kristina Celik about unique wedding registries including Honeyfund!

April 1, 2013 — Pittsburgh Tribune-Review writer Rachel Weaver recently interviewed Honeyfund.com's CEO Sara Margulis for her story on alternative wedding registries. The story also profiles Honeyfund couple Clara Cheng and Russell Phillips who used Honeyfund for their 10-day honeymoon in Paris in 2012. See the full story here.

March 11, 2013 — Honeyfund couple Christopher and Stephanie Tower were featured on MSN's 'glo' website in a story about modern wedding registries. The couple took a three-week honeymoon in Thailand with their honeyfund contributions. See the full feature here.

September 18, 2012 —Honeyfund.com enjoys the honor of being listed in "TIME's annual salute to sites and services that keep you entertained and informed, save you time and money — and maybe even change your life." See the feature here.

August 6, 2012 — For some couples a fabulous honeymoon is out of reach after paying for an expensive wedding, but Honeyfund newlyweds get the vacation of their dreams.

Watch the full story.

January 23, 2012 — Honeyfund.com, the web's leading honeymoon and cash gift registry, is excited to announce they have been selected to receive the prestigious WeddingWire Bride's Choice Awards™ 2012 for Unique Services.

The annual awards program recognizes the top wedding vendors from the WeddingWire Network who demonstrate excellence in quality, service, responsiveness and professionalism within the wedding industry. While many industry awards are selected by the organization, Honeyfund.com was selected based on its stellar reviews from past newlywed clients.

Honeyfund.com is recognized as part of the top five percent of wedding professionals in the WeddingWire local vendor community, comprised of over 200,000 wedding professionals throughout the United States and Canada.

"WeddingWire is thrilled to honor the success of the top-rated wedding professionals within the WeddingWire Community," said Timothy Chi, CEO, WeddingWire. "It is with great pleasure that we congratulate Honeyfund.com for their continued professionalism and commitment to enriching the wedding planning experience for engaged couples."

"We are honored to receive the award and would like to thank past clients for taking the time to review our business on WeddingWire," said Sara Margulis, CEO of Honeyfund.com, Inc. Thanks to their positive feedback, Honeyfund.com was able to receive the WeddingWire Bride's Choice Awards™ for 2012.

November 12, 2011 — Associated Press writer Leanne Italie details the rise of social media and all things "online" at weddings, in her article published in the Seattle Times. The article covers online cash registries and quotes Honeyfund couple Nicole Endres and Dan Rodriguez. Read the full article.

August 28, 2011 — New York Times writer Marianne Rohrlich quotes Honeyfund.com's CEO, Sara Margulis, in her Sunday Style article about the growing trend of cash gift registries. "'Using honeyfund.com enables guests to print out a gift certificate to send with the check. This makes giving money seem more graceful.'" The article goes on to quote Peggy Post, the etiquette expert, who said giving money now has a wider appeal. "In a recession money is always welcome," said Ms. Post. The full article is at newyorktimes.com.

June 21, 2011 — Boston Globe writer Bella English explains how modern couples may not need household items, so instead they are asking for non-traditional gifts like honeymoon contributions. Honeyfund.com helps couples who may not otherwise take a honeymoon. See the full article.

May 19, 2011 — Stacey Bradford details four unique gift registry ideas, including Honeyfund.com, in her CBS Money Watcharticle. See the full article.

January 20, 2011 — Darcy Miller, editorial director of Martha Stewart Weddings, featured Honeyfund.com in her "Darcy's Idea of they Day" column at marthstewartweddings.com. "Sign up for the vacation of a lifetime at Honeyfund.com, which divvies up your honeymoon components into monetary increments," said Miller. See this idea and more at marthstewartweddings.com.

September 21, 2010 — Sarah Jackson of The Daily Herald explains how Honeyfund makes life "pretty sweet" for couples, their families and friends. Read the full story at heraldnet.com.

October 23, 2009 — In her Frommers article on honeymoon registries, Charis Atlas Heelan mentions Honeyfund.com as a free option for honeymooners looking to ease the financial burden of their once-in-a-lifetime trip. Read the entire article at frommers.com.

August 4, 2009 — Honeyfund.com, Inc. announced today it has expanded its service to include most of Europe and New Zealand. Now residents of Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Portugal, Spain and New Zealand can use the free honeymoon registry service. Couples from any supported country can now create registries listed in New Zealand Dollars and Euros, in addition to already supported currencies (US, Canadian and Australian Dollars and Great British Pound).

Contact:
press@honeyfund.com 

Summer 2009 — Martha Stewart Weddings Summer 2009 issue details 50 cost-cutting tips in "The Well-Spent Wedding," listing Honeyfund.com in tip #47. "Instead of registering for stuff, ask guests to contribute to your honeymoon stash: At honeyfund.com, you can register for your trip, add vacation extras (from boat tours to spa treatments), then break the expenses down into gift-size increments."

View the entire article at marthastewartweddings.com.

February 25, 2009 — In her article, "The high price of love,"writer Alli Marshall give readers tips for planning a wedding on a budget, suggesting the use of honeymoon registries like Honeyfund.com. Read the full story.

December, 2008 —In the December 2008/January 2009 issue of Modern Bride, writer Elaine Glusac helps brides "in a honeymoon money crunch" by offering tips including Honeyfund.com. Honeyfund bride Heidi Weber is quoted in the article.

November 9, 2008 — Daily News writer Meredith Blake explores the growth of non-traditional registries in her article, 'With budgets tighter than ever, couples are requesting wedding gifts they actually need.' She writes, "An increasingly popular choice for frugal newlyweds is registering for a honeymoon through sites such as...HoneyFund.com." Read the full story.

January 30, 2008 — The Courier-Journal reports on a shift in wedding tradition from household gifts to cash gifts. In her article, "I'll Tell You What I Want," journalist Joanna Richard writes, "One popular service in recent years has been Honeyfund.com," which she says "...makes the gift of cash more personal by letting the guest choose what to sponsor, and it can even please those who like to hand the happy couple a present in person." Read the full story.

January 6, 2007 — The State, a North Carolina newspaper, reports on alternative gift registries, including Honeyfund.com, in Helena Oliviero's article 'Please, no toasters.'

SAN FRANCISCO, July 26, 2006 — Honeyfund.com, the Internet's first free honeymoon registry service, announced today it is going international. Now couples in Australia, Canada and the United Kingdom can use Honeyfund to receive parts of their honeymoon, such as airfare, hotel rooms, meals and excursions, as a wedding gift.

The expansion is evidence of a growing, world-wide trend in wedding gift registries. Many couples already have the household items that make up a typical wedding gift. What they often don't have is the extra cash to pay for a proper honeymoon. Unlike existing online honeymoon registries which charge up to nine percent in fees, Honeyfund is free to both couples and gift givers.

Visit Honeyfund for more information and to set up your Honeyfund registry today.

Contact:
press@honeyfund.com 

SAN FRANCISCO, March 21, 2006—Today Honeyfund.com announced the launch of the Internet's first free honeymoon registry service, helping more couples make their dream honeymoon a reality. The new registry offers guests the opportunity to pay for parts of the couples' honeymoon, such as airfare, hotel rooms, meals and excursions, as a wedding gift.

More than 2.5 million couples will marry this year, with an average age of 27-29 years. Many of these couples already have homes full of dishes, linens and kitchen gadgets. What they really want, and don't have, is money to pay for a luxury honeymoon. Unlike existing online honeymoon registries which charge up to nine percent in fees, Honeyfund is free to both couples and gift givers. The registry is quick for the couple to set up and an easy way for guests to give a gift the couple will truly enjoy.

More than 120 couples have applied to take part in Honeyfund.com's beta. Visit Honeyfund for more information and to set up your Honeyfund registry today.

Contact:
press@honeyfund.com