Bachelorette parties are noted for being fun, memorable, special occasions to celebrate the bride-to-be before her wedding. The bachelorette party does not have to feature racy venues, heavy drinking, and expensive 'Team Bride' gear to be remarkable. By the same token, it doesn't have to be a conservative tea party either. A memorable bachelorette party ideally falls somewhere between a well-choreographed mix of quality catch-up time and partying.
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Planning a bachelorette party can be overwhelming and stressful. You have so much to tackle, ranging from the destination to the transportation, food, décor, and gifts. You may not know where to start and what to include in the party. Here, Michelle’s Bridal & Tuxedo presents some dos and don'ts for planning an epic bachelorette party.
The Dos
1. Do make it 'bride-full'
The bachelorette party is for the bride and should be all about the bride. This means ensuring you know what the bride wants for the occasion, like must-haves and off-limits. Start by clarifying the vibe. Would she like to go clubbing, relax at a spa, attend a fancy dinner, or have a weekend getaway?
Make sure you prioritize the bride's preferences, even if they clash with your expectations. For instance, the bride may want a demure tea party, while some in the bridal party prefer a crazy night out with club-hopping.
Everything about the party should be tailored to fit the bride’s preferences, including games, food, drinks, and fun activities. If the bride wants a destination party, plan it early enough to give people time to prepare for it.
2. Do have a Plan B
At times, things don't work out as expected. Hence, it is advisable to have a back-up plan for the bachelorette party. Imagine if you had planned to patio-hop outdoors and then it rains. Maybe you made a reservation for a fancy dinner out and it was canceled at the last minute.
Perhaps the bride-to-be doesn't want to engage in the activity you had planned for the day. What happens next? Do you start panicking and start scrambling to find something else to do? To completely avoid this, you must have a back-up plan in case things don't work out as expected.
Use a spreadsheet to keep track of your options and contingency plans. Before the event, consider migrating content from an Excel file to PDF and sending it to the bridal party so everyone knows the plan. You can even give the bride final veto rights in the week prior to the party in case something really rubs her the wrong way.
The Don'ts
3. Don't underestimate costs
A bachelorette party comes at a price. The list of expenses never ends. You have to plan for food, drinks, presents, venue, transportation, and other costs. Ensure you and the rest of the party have a budget for the event, and don’t forget that the group pays for the bride.
You can involve the invitees when drafting the budget so that it is within their range. Also, decide how you will raise money to meet the budget. Many people prefer to share the budget among the invitees. Make sure everyone invited knows the costs upfront to avoid surprises. Most importantly, stick to your budget so that you don't have to keep asking the bridal party for additional cash.
It helps to ask the bride squad to share ideas on ways to keep costs down. For example, maybe instead of getting a hotel, you all chip in on a vacation rental. Not only will you avoid hotel bills and parking fees, but a rental means you have access to a kitchen. Plus, you can easily save money on entertainment by using a streaming device for music, television shows, and movies.
4. Don't invite everyone
Don't feel obliged to invite everyone to the bachelorette party. The party is meant for close friends and relatives of the bride-to-be. Your best bet is to ask the bride-to-be for a guest list. She’ll know best who should be in attendance.
5. Don’t go overboard
It’s easy to get caught up in party planning and making sure everything is just right for your BFF. But that’s not the most important part of this gathering. Remember, the purpose of this event is for friends to get together to support the bride, and celebrate this major milestone in her life. So don’t worry if you can’t find the perfect party favors or the best event caterer. Roll with it, and focus on keeping it light and fun.
Communicate for the Perfect Party
Planning a bachelorette party can overwhelm even the most laid-back person. To pull this off smoothly, ask the bride to weigh in on the venue and budget with the entire guest list so everyone is on the same page. Keep it wallet-friendly with entertainment and lodging, and don’t forget to have a good time! With these expert dos and don'ts, you can set yourself up for stress-free and painless planning.
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