AN UNFORGETTABLE BACHELORETTE PARTY Planning and Perfecting

Writer / Alli Donovan Photography Provided

The Wedding Report estimates that there will be 2.24 million weddings in 2023. Many things come to mind upon hearing the word “wedding.” The reception, the food, the dress and the vows are all considerations. The lucky best friend who is selected as a maid of honor immediately thinks of the bachelorette party.

The history of bachelorette parties is fairly simple. After becoming somewhat common in the 1960s, the term “bachelorette party” became more popular by the 1980s. We can credit this to the women’s liberation movement and the desire for a fun affair to celebrate a wedding with the gals onlybesides a bridal shower.

TIME magazine published an article stating that weddings weren’t extremely lavish and elaborate until Princess Diana married Prince Charles in 1981.

But enough about the history. Let us tell you what you need to be the best maid of honor (or matron of honor) to plan your bride’s bachelorette party.

LOCAL VERSUS DESTINATION.

Our first recommendation is to talk to your bride. Consult with her on whether she wants a local celebration or destination party. Destination bachelorette parties have become more common, but not every bride wants that. As a maid of honor, it is up to you to chat with the bride and collaborate on what best fits her style.

Consult with the rest of the bridal party. This a pro tip from past brides - chat with the rest of the bridal party. This is crucial before planning a bachelorette party, because this helps set expectations across all participants on the budget and what everyone is comfortable with. This is a great time to talk with them, and determine what the bride will and will not pay for (travel and lodging expenses, food and drink bills, etcetera).

PICK A LOCATION.

If a destination bachelorette party is the move, then next is determining where you will go. Many brides already have a place in mind, which makes your job easy. However, if your best friend is indecisive about where to go, you are on deck to help with options and build a proand-con list. When brainstorming options, it is important to take into account factors like the time of year that you will be traveling, the overall budget, and the personality of the bride-to-be.

SELECT A DATE.

Once the question of location is answered, the group can consider when it will take place. Usually, a girls weekend away occurs Thursday through Sunday or Friday through Monday. You want to plan your trip for no earlier than two months before the wedding, but no later than two weeks before. This timing will guarantee that the bride has time for the party, and also ensure that the fun doesn’t come and go too soon.

Again, if it is a destination party, it is very important to consult with the rest of the bridesmaids on the date to confirm that everyone is available. Arrivals and departures do not necessarily have to happen all at the same time, but as long as the group has one full day and night together, the bride will be pleased.

BOOK LODGING AND TRAVEL.

You have decided on the when and where for the bachelorette party. Now it is time to decide on how everyone will travel there and where you will stay. Most destination bachelorette parties require a round-trip flight, so be sure to start searching as soon as possible.

While each bridesmaid is responsible for booking her own transportation, it is helpful if the maid of honor keeps everyone on the same page regarding flight times and prices. This will guarantee that everyone has the opportunity to travel together and that no single member of the bridal party must pay more than another.

While booking flights or rental cars, you should also be scoping out the lodging options available in the area. Depending on the size of your group and the overall budget, we suggest looking into renting a home through Airbnb or Vrbo, since they are typically cheaper to split and allow for everyone to remain together. Before booking, be sure to read reviews and double check that you are getting the most bang for your buck.

CHOOSE A THEME.

While this is not a necessary part of planning a bachelorette party, there are many brides who prefer to have a theme associated with their girls weekend. Typically this theme needs to be decided prior to planning the specifics for decorations, party favors, etcetera.

Please consult with the bride about her vision regarding her bachelorette theme before any major decisions are made. Chances are, she already has an idea of what she does and does not want.