Making a bachelorette party one to remember is an exciting and fun responsibility. Whether you choose to make it a surprise or involve the bride in planning, setting expectations for the bachelorette party guests and keeping lines of communication open can help you ensure a safe, adventurous, and, hopefully, drama-free experience.
Creating a memorable bachelorette party means handling a lot of organization prior to the event so you can have fun and unwind when the party rolls around. Before you begin, make sure you know who else will be helping to plan and whether there are notable dates to choose or avoid. For example, many bachelorettes want to have their night out at the same time as their spouse’s separate party, while some couples opt to have their parties together.
Once you get the basics down, there’s still a lot to consider, whether you’re someone who wings it or a person who finds joy in spreadsheets. Consider these seven must-know tips to make your bachelorette party memorable.
Choose Activities the Bride-to-Be Will Love
Not every bride is the same, and your friend might not enjoy all the same activities you and your friends do. Before you dive into planning, consider whether the bachelorette and the guests would prefer a night in or a night out. When it comes to alcohol, think about whether the bachelorette or her friends are sober. Would she prefer a fancy dinner or a night at the club? You can get the best of both worlds and turn your own home into a chill party space with a bar for rent. This approach can reduce some safety risks and costs, and if guests can stay over, everyone can participate safely.
Remember: this night is about her and what she likes to do, so plan the time around her schedule, the financial considerations, and the group to make it something she’ll appreciate.
We’re all aware of the popularized images of what a bachelorette party should look like: strippers, clubbing, dancing, and more. That might work well for some brides-to-be, but it’s not everyone’s style.
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Manage the Guest List
When you’ve figured out the tone of the party, it’s time to put together the guest list. This can be less tricky if you involve the bride in planning, or at least put some time on her calendar for the party and ask her who she’d like to join. The size of the party might affect what venues you choose, because you’ll want venues that can accommodate your whole group. This is important for activities like bowling, escape rooms, or dinner reservations. If possible, finalize the guest list with the bride and remember to get everyone’s contact info!
Communicate With Guests About Financial Expectations
As the bride is getting married, she generally won’t be paying for her activities. That’s up to you and the group. Be tactful and get an honest feel about how everyone in the group feels about pitching in. Some party members might be new to the job market, unemployed, going through medical issues or divorce, etc. Don’t assume everyone can throw in a large sum of money to pull off the event.
Plus, you can float ideas about how people could contribute in other ways. For example, hired transportation (whether you get a limousine, town car, or take Ubers everywhere) can get expensive if you’re going to multiple locations during the party. If someone can’t chip in a lot financially but is able to be a designated driver, that’s an excellent way for them to contribute and reduce costs.
At this stage, it’s also important to be open and welcoming to concerns and suggestions from other party members. If you know your bachelorette might want to go to a club but aren’t sure about a location, use the group as a resource!
Make Reservations, Check In With Venues, and Have Back-Ups
Now that you have an idea about finances and the bachelorette’s preferences, it’s time to plan the evening. At this point, you’ll want to make reservations where needed to ensure a smooth night. As you receive each confirmation, consider building a loose itinerary to keep things organized.
Include where you’ll be, when you’ll be there, the expected cost per person, and how you’ll get there. A few days before the party, call and confirm all reservations. By then, you’ll also have collected RSVPs and will have a firm number of guests.
Lastly, include some backup locations in case the ones you have planned fall through. That way, you’re not scrambling at the minute if things don’t work out.
Establish a Way to Keep In Touch
As the date approaches, establish a way to keep in touch with the group. It’s recommended to start on an email chain, then progress to a group text later in the process. This way, people can contribute ideas and respond to you without too much interference. Less texts mean less potential for drama!
Having a text chain is vital for your final planning process and any night out. During the event, you can also use it to communicate about the bachelorette’s needs.
Create and Send a Digital Itinerary to Guests
The last stage of the bachelorette party planning involves finalizing a digital itinerary and sending it to guests. Duplicate your planning document and include only the necessary details for each activity: time, place, activity name, and cost. If you’re planning to handle the costs and have everyone else then chip in, you may wish to include your Venmo code as well.
Distribute the itinerary to guests via email and text message. Once you include the bride-to-be in planning (if she’s not already), add her in so she knows about the adventure.
Planning a memorable bachelorette party takes a lot of work, but proper planning results in less stress and drama during the actual event. Prioritize safety, follow these tips, and show your bachelorette an amazing time!
Agree Upon Safe and Fun Plans – and Get Cool Props!
At this stage, it’s time to do your best to make sure everyone will have a great time. Review your plan for safety, and make sure the guests are all on the same page about checking in and safety processes, especially if there’s alcohol involved. If there is, be prepared for the bachelorette or other party members to become inebriated, and have a good plan for caring for them.
Whether you’re going for a cozy night in or a wild night out, set the ambiance and make it special with some swag. Save yourself time by ordering a bachelorette party kit to help the world know that you’re having a bachelorette party!
