Planning a Bachelorette Party
Plan a bachelorette party
Planning a memorable bachelorette party requires careful thought and organization to ensure that the bride-to-be and her closest friends have an unforgettable experience.
Start by discussing the preferences and interests of the bride-to-be to tailor the party to her liking. More on this here. There’s no sense in planning a party or multiple-day-extravaganza that doesn’t actually aline with the wants of most honored guest, the bride!
Next, create a budget and outline the guest list, keeping in mind the bride's closest friends and family members. Setting a budget for the bachelorette party, especially if it’s a trip, is a crucial step to ensure you have a fulfilling and financially responsible experience. Having a clear understanding of your expenses will help you make the most of your trip without exceeding your financial capacities. Here is a step-by-step guide to help you set a budget and plan for your next bachelorette party:
Determine your destination and duration
Begin by deciding on your travel destination and the duration of the party. This will serve as the foundation for your planning process. Research the cost of possible restaurants, accommodation, transportation, and activities in the area you plan to visit. Popular travel websites, guidebooks, and fellow travelers' experiences can provide valuable insights.
Make a plan for transportation and determine accommodation costs
Transportation expenses may account for a significant portion of your trip budget if the bachelorette party is out of town for most of the attendees. Consider the cost of getting to and from airports or train stations as well. If driving, calculate fuel costs and any toll fees along your route.
Decide on the type of accommodation, whether it be luxury hotels, budget-friendly hostels, vacation rentals, or even camping. Research the average cost and availability in your chosen destination during your planned travel dates. Include all relevant expenses, such as taxes, service charges, and potential booking fees when creating your accommodation budget. Note that Airbnb/VRBO hosts may be resistant to the idea of hosting a bachelorette party, but having a house with a kitchen and common areas may help keep costs down.
Account for the OTHER expenses
Work with the group to create a daily budget by estimating the cost of meals, drinks, activities, and gifts. Consider if you plan to dine out at restaurants, cook your meals, or a combination of both. Don't forget to include expenses for local transportation, such as public transportation fares or rental cars, as well as attractions you wish to visit, tours, and even shopping. Every balloon arch, matching t-shirt, brewery tour, brunch, and Uber will add up for the attendees.
Themes
In the last few years, many bachelorette parties were oriented around a theme, like “Bride’s Last Rodeo” or “Beaches Be Crazy”. Now that TikTok and content-creation is so big, a new trend is to have at least a night dedicated to a theme that is fun to dress up for. Some examples are:
Iconic fashion movies like The Parent Trap, Clueless, Princess Diaries, etc.
Best of the Bald where everyone wears bald caps and dresses as a famous bald person or character
Silly wigs
Dressing as the Bride’s partner
Dressing as the Bride as a child/school photos
The best way to choose a theme is to base it on something the Bride really enjoys, like a favorite movie or TV show.
Communicate
It’s crucial that attendees understand the expectations and schedule of the event. Make sure everyone is on board with the budget, time commitment, activities (not everyone is comfortable with a pole dancing class or is a big drinker). Communicate as much detail as you can, frequently, to ensure there are no bad surprises. And try to manage your own expectations for how invested everyone else is in the plan.
Arrange fun activities such as spa treatments, wine tasting, or a themed cocktail-making class ahead of time. Coordinate transportation and accommodation if necessary, try to keep the energy high throughout the event. Ultimately, the key to planning a successful bachelorette party lies in thoughtful preparation, personalization, and ensuring the bride feels loved and celebrated every step of the way.
