30 Jul How to Plan a Bachelorette Party And What to Expect
Whether it’s a night on the town, a weekend in wine country, or a day at the spa, all bachelorette parties have one thing in common: They’re a wonderful way for the bride to spend some quality time with her nearest and dearest. But with so many options on where to go and what to do, it can feel like an overwhelming task to put together the perfect outing. We’ve compiled a list of the most commonly asked questions when it comes to how to plan a bachelorette party, so all the bride needs to do is relax and enjoy the time with her best buds.
Who should plan the bachelorette party?
Traditionally, the maid of honor plans the bachelorette fiesta, but this is not a hard and fast rule. Perhaps the MOH lives far away from the rest of the bridal party, or she’s in the middle of a super-intense graduate program, or maybe event planning is just not her forte. If the maid of honor isn’t up to the task, another bridesmaid or close friend can certainly step in. We’ve even heard of instances where the bride plans her own bachelorette party—sometimes a lady knows exactly what she wants, and we salute that. In short: When it comes to who coordinates the big night uut, pretty much anything goes.
Should the bride weigh in?
Before getting into the nitty-gritty, take a moment to sit down with the bride and ask about her preferences. After all, the party is for her, and there’s no sense in throwing her a wild night out on the town if she’s envisioning a peaceful hike through the woods with her closest pals. Ideally, the bride should decide on the guest list, whether the event is local or destination, and the general vibe of the soiree. You will also want to have the bride share her vision when it comes to if this is a one day event or a weekend style party along with if she is okay with traveling especially if it includes air travel. Another important pieces of the planning process to ask and keep in mind when the ideal time would be for the bride for this event to be hosted. You don’t want to book a weekend away only to find out later she needs to work or has another commitment.
How can everyone figure out the finances?
Talking about money can be, well, awkward, but when it comes to bachelorette parties, it’s a necessary evil. We recommend polling a few of the bride’s most important guests to get a sense of their budgets, and then planning a party that takes into account the smallest budget in the group. Once you establish a budget, it’s a good idea to be clear about financial expectations—how much everyone owes, what their contribution includes, and when it is due. Everyone will have more fun if they’re not stressed about money, and if everyone’s living it up, the bride will be happy too!
What details need to be figured out?
Now for the fun part! As the Esteemed Party Planner, you get to decide on all or at least most of he details. Make sure to take care of big to-dos, like making reservations, arranging transportation, and securing lodging at least two months in advance. You can also send out a save the date email around this time. Once that’s locked down, you can start thinking about the smaller stuff, like decorations and games.
What decorations are needed?
The only rule of decorating for a bachelorette party is…just kidding, there are no rules! As long as you take into account the comfort level of the bride, feel free to go crazy here. Pick a theme or a color scheme, dress up in matching outfits, crown the bride with a flashy veil, and supply props for photo ops. If the bride is into games, you can dream up a few organized activities to get the guests laughing. And as a final gesture, we like to put together a small thank-you gift for each guest. This can be something as simple as a wine glass or a canvas bag. No need to break the bank—it’s the thought that counts.
When should all the plans be confirmed?
Don’t forget to confirm your reservations for your accommodations, transportation, and travel plans. Do this a week out from the event, and then again the day before, just to be on the safe side. And that’s it—you’re all set! Party on.
Steps to planning the perfect bachelorette party!
Now that you have had a moment to review the most commonly asked questions when it comes to planning the perfect bachelorette party, you can follow our simple step-by-step guide to planning an unforgettable bachelorette party or weekend. Take a look at the 10 steps you need to take to create a one-of-a-kind bachelorette party or weekend.
- Select the guest list
Work with the bride to create the perfect guests list including members of the bridal party along with any other special friends or guests she would like to have there. - Decide on the location
The bride should fill you in with an idea of where she would like to party and from there you and your planning crew can get to work. - Figure out the dates
Get that group text going and work together to figure out the perfect date for the event or perfect dates if you are planning a longer weekend style event. - Decide on a theme
Some bachelorette parties and weekends will include a special theme so you might want to find a little inspiration and start sharing what you are thinking with the larger group. - Research & book accommodations
If you are traveling for the bachelorette party or weekend you will need to research and book your hotel accommodations. Work together with your planning crew to see if a hotel or a rental home is going to be needed for the trip. - Book travel plans
The earlier you can book those travel plans especially if it includes airline tickets the better. Get the word out to the group and try to coordinate flights to arrive close in time to make transportation easy. - Plan group activities
Now you are getting the fun part where you get to plan those fun group activities for both day and night time! - Book group meals
If you are traveling with a large group you should work to make restaurant reservations especially for dinner in advance. - Purchase tickets for attractions, shows or concerts
If you plan to attend any sort of attraction, show or concert type of event you will want to make sure you have your tickets in advance and if you are traveling with a large group you might even be able to qualify for a group discount. - Coordinate party decor and matching attire
It is popular to decorate the hotel or lodging space along with getting fun matching attire and items for the entire bride tribe. Explore more bachelorette party gifts and tees, plus little white dresses for the bride-to-be!
Top bachelorette party & weekend destinations
If you are planning on traveling out of town for a long weekend-style bachelorette party you might want to take a look at the current top destination for bachelorette weekends.
- Nashville – Grab your cowboy boots and hat because there is a good reason this city has become the unofficial bachelorette capitol of the world!
- Miami – Sun, sand and good times are waiting for you when you hit the beach in Miami.
- New Orleans – With lots of live music, good fun and historic neighborhoods NOLA has become popular with bride tribes.
- Charleston – This Southern city is filled it charm along with great hotels and awesome night life.
- Los Angeles – There are many spots in California that have gained popularity with bachelorette party goes but L.A. has remained high on the list.
- Las Vegas – The original party place still is a favorite for the wide variety of fun activities and events.
- Austin – Known for its amazing live music, great restaurants and laid back style this city has become a hit with the bride tribes out there.
- Atlantic City – It may not be Vegas but if you are on the East Coast and looking for a great alternative to traveling out West, Atlantic City is the perfect spot for you.
- New York – Hit the Big Apple and enjoy food, night life and perhaps a Broadway show or two.
- Chicago – The Windy City can provide a ton of fun brides and the bridal party especially in the Spring and Summer months.
