Photo by Jamie Y Photography
A bride’s favorite day may be her wedding day, but the bachelorette party might just clock in as the second most anticipated day for a bride-to-be. What’s not to love about getting together with girlfriends and rocking the night in your best dress and heels? It can be equally as fun to stay in and sip cocktails while watching wedding-themed movies. No matter what the themes and activities are, there are a few key things to keep in mind when planning a stellar bachelorette bash. Make sure yours goes smoothly with these tips and tricks.
Set a Date and Give Plenty of Notice
Numero uno on the list of things to do is pick a date for the bachelorette party. The ideal time is four to six weeks in advance so that guests have time to prepare financially, and otherwise, and the bride has ample time to recover (if need be) before the big day. After the date’s been set and the guest list compiled, send out “save the dates” as early as possible to avoid scheduling conflicts.
Brainstorm Activities
Get feedback from the bride on what kinds of activities she’s down or not down for. You might think a Vegas-style bachelorette party is the way to go, but if the bride-to-be is more of a relaxed night-in gal, you’ll want to stay away from stripper poles and Jello shots. You’ll also want to keep your audience in mind. What’s the age range of the guests and how are they associated with the bride? Your answers will help you plan activities that will suit the group. If you’re short on theme ideas, here’s a list of 50 alternative bachelorette party ideas to get you started.
Research and Book Reservations
After you’ve decided on a theme/activities, research what kind of venues will best suit the party vibe. Also take into account how many guests will attend. Make sure the venues and restaurants you choose can accommodate the group size and make reservations in advance, especially if it’s a popular place. Confirm your reservations a week before the party. Oh! And don’t forget about transportation. Individual cars? Limo? Taxi? Rental car? What’s the most practical financially and will make getting around easy and stress-free?
Let Guests Know What They’re In For
You don’t have to have a strict itinerary, but it does help to have some idea of how the day will unfold. Write out a schedule and send it to each guest along with anything they might need to bring. For example, if the bachelorette party starts with a yoga class, guests will want to dress appropriately and bring yoga mats, water, towels, etc.
