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You were so excited when your best girlfriend told you she was getting married that you volunteered to plan one of the main events; the bachelorette party! Planning the bride-to-be’s last hurrah as a single girl can be tons of fun. When you sit down to start planning, don’t let yourself get overwhelmed. The sheer number of bachelorette party options can be daunting. Choosing the option that's best for your situation will be a challenge. Gather several ideas and choose your favorite.
Getting Started
Set the Date: First things first, check with the bride to find out what dates work best for her and the rest of the wedding party. The best time to hold a bachelorette party is some time in the 2 to 4 weeks prior to the wedding. Take out of town guests into consideration. If necessary, hold the party closer to the wedding date so out-of-towners can be included. Make sure to have it at least a couple of days before the wedding. Parties can be quite draining on everyone involved. Minimize tiredness and the possibility of hangovers on important days.
Select the Theme: Brainstorm and write down your ideas. Keep cost in mind. During the planning process, don't be afraid to ask for donations to help make it a memorable event. Other friends and relatives may decide to pitch in $10 or $20, which would go a long way in planning.
Your friend’s upcoming nuptials may be celebrated in a variety of ways. The bachelorette’s involvement in planning should be limited. To prevent possible embarrassment, check with her about what kinds of activities, games and favors she’s comfortable with. Ideas for a bachelorette party range from mellow to wild. If you plan any activities or games that could be offensive, you may want to warn guests ahead of time so they can opt out if they’re uncomfortable.
Bachelorette Party Themes and Considerations
Mild and Relaxed: One great way to include everyone, no matter their level of comfort, is to have a dinner at the bride’s favorite restaurant. After dinner, anyone who wants to can bow out of the more wild part of the evening. Ensure that everyone had a great time and give each guest a small thank-you gift for attending.
Consider looking into local ladies’ nights or calling ahead to find other special events. If you feel like splurging, check out local limousine services and go club hopping. If your bride’s not shy, it’s always fun to shine a spotlight on her. Get her a tiara and feather boa, or give her a personalized flask full of her favorite drink.
Low Budget Fun: For the bridesmaid on a budget, there are plenty of ideas for a memorable and fun evening. Consider hiring someone to come to your home and do manicures, pedicures and massages for the guests. You can save money on the food by preparing it yourself or doing a potluck. That leaves more room to splurge on games, party favors, or a special gift for the bride.
Consider planning the menu items yourself and asking guests to bring their favorite cocktail ingredients! It’s a fun way for everyone to have their favorite and provide a great range of cocktails without spending the money at a bar. Make sure to remember non-alcoholic options for any guests who aren’t drinking. You can prepare special treats like fondue or a chocolate fountain very easily on a budget. If you have a grill, that’s a great way to prepare veggies and other low-fat options. Summertime is great for grilling and sipping wine outside.
Slumber Party: Slumber parties aren’t just for kids! Women love taking an occasional night in with their favorite girlfriends staying up drinking, chatting, and laughing into the wee hours of the morning. One fun part about having a party at home is choosing and creating games to entertain the bride and guests. Look for ideas online or play games you played together as children. You can also check out the wedding planning section of your local bookstore. Create bridal gowns from toilet paper and vote on the prettiest, or play wedding themed bingo. Check out a variety of adult themed games for the more daring bride and party-goers.
You might also consider hosting a slumber party at the local hotel. At a hotel there's room service and a pool; and no one has to clean up the mess. Hosting the party at a hotel also reduces the chances that someone will drive home after partying. Take keys as your friends enter and have a fun night!
Lavish and Expensive: The most lavish parties can involve a destination gathering. Las Vegas is often the most popular choice. Keeping it local is more common and still provides plenty of options. It’s a good idea to consider both the financial situation of the bride and of her guests so as not to exclude anyone who doesn’t feel like they can afford to attend.
Consider a location within 100 miles of the bachelorette's home. Perhaps there is a beach, a popular and trendy night club, a theme park or something else fun. Something primarily indoors would be preferable. You don't want the bride-to-be to be sunburned or come down with a cold just weeks before her wedding.
Date? Check. Theme? Check.
Once you’ve got a date and theme, start thinking about activities. Games and other fun activities will round out the night and cause several laughs. With proper planning you may even elicit a few shy giggles without too much embarrassment. Start shopping for party supplies a month or two before the party. This is particularly important if you’re shopping online. Be sure to remember to include any time needed for shipping or personalization.
The bride is the focus of the evening. Don’t be afraid to ask for help from the other ladies with planning and executing her special night. Everyone in attendance is either a friend or relative of the bachelorette; they all want her special night to be memorable. After you've decided on a fun theme, ask guests to contribute by bringing themed gift in addition to their planned gift.
Whether you’ve planned a slumber party or just a late night, make sure to arrange for designated drivers or have the number for a local cab company handy. Everyone is there to have fun; safety needs to be a number-one priority. Ladies night on the town or girl’s night in, the perfect party idea is out there waiting for you!
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