Figuring out how to plan a bachelorette party can be both exciting and daunting. After all, this is a big moment for any bride! You want to make sure it’s an event to remember—for all the right reasons.
Luckily, we’re here to help. From deciding the theme to planning the activities to picking the decorations, we’ve got you covered. So take a deep breath, relax, and let us help you plan the ultimate bachelorette party!
What to Consider When Planning a Bachelorette Party
There are a few important things to consider when starting to plan a bachelorette party. Getting these key details confirmed off the bat will help the rest of the planning run smoothly.
Decide Who’s in Charge of Planning
This is a big one! Some brides want to be heavily involved in the details of their bachelorette party, while others are happy to let the planning fall under bridesmaid or maid of honor duties so it’s a surprise. Have a conversation with the bride to figure out how she wants it to be handled, and make sure everyone is on the same page. It is her party, after all!
Brainstorm with the Bride
If the bride wants to be involved in the planning, have a discussion about her wants. What does she envision this being? Does she want it to be a big rager or a chill weekend? Is the priority making sure that everyone can attend, or going to unexpected locations? Does she want to travel or stay close to home? These questions and more will help you understand the tone of the event the bride has in mind, and help align some of your priorities.
Confirm the Guest List and Group Size
Once you’ve come up with a plan for who’s taking the lead on planning, the next step is to confirm the guest list, so you have an idea of the group size, as this can affect the kinds of activities you can do with your group.
You can invite guests beyond just the bridesmaids, or you can decide to keep the group small. Also, think about family members – does the bride want to invite her mother, future mother-in-law, or other relatives to attend?
And remember, just because someone is invited, doesn’t necessarily mean they will attend (due to conflicts, timing, or any number of reasons!).
Talk Dollars and Cents
This is a crucial step: confirm a general budget. It can seem like an uncomfortable conversation to have, but it’s way better to check in and get a general sense of everyone’s budget before planning – there’s nothing that can kill the vibe of a fun, celebratory weekend like getting hit with a surprise Venmo request that’s more than a month’s rent!
Keep in mind that the bridal party will also be spending money for a dress, hair and make-up, hotel & travel expenses, and a gift for the wedding. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t also have a bachelorette party, but it’s helpful to know what people are comfortable with spending before you start booking activities or hotels, so guests aren’t put in an uncomfortable position afterward if the costs turn out to be more than they can afford.
Decide on an Event Type
Once you’ve got the guest list and budget locked in, it’s time to decide what you’re going to do! The options are limitless, and there’s no right or wrong way to throw a bachelorette bash.
A bachelorette party can be anything from a night out with dinner and dancing at the bride’s favorite local spots, a day trip to somewhere like a winery or spa, or if you’re a group of friends who loves to travel, a weekend trip might be the perfect option for you!
Not sure where to go? Some of the best bachelorette party destinations at the moment include Nashville, Austin, and Charleston – or you can never go wrong with Miami or Vegas!
Choose a Theme
Picking a theme will set the tone for the event, help with choosing decor and bachelorette party supplies, and make things more fun for everyone involved. When choosing a theme, think about the bride’s favorite hobbies or interests – after all, she is the guest of honor! Some of our favorite ideas include:
• Garden Party – Have everyone dress up in their best floral dresses and sip on some delicious summer cocktails. Set up a DIY photo booth with some fun props and backdrops. Don’t forget the cucumber sandwiches!
- Harry Potter – calling all witches and wizards! If your bride is into Harry Potter, it can be a magical theme for the bachelorette party! Be sure to check out our guide on throwing the ultimate Harry Potter-themed bachelorette party.
• 80s Dance Party – Say hello to big hair, disco balls, and neon everything. Live out your retro dreams with a fun 80’s themed event. Check out our 80s theme party guide for tips and tricks on throwing the ultimate retro bash.
• Spa Day – Who doesn’t love a good spa day? Set up some massage chairs and have everyone give each other mini-facials. Make things extra special by hiring a professional manicurist to come and do everyone’s nails. Top it all off with champagne and chocolate-covered strawberries. Ahh, now that’s what we call relaxation!
Incorporate Fun Activities
You don’t have to choose a theme, but it does help to have a few planned activities to keep everyone entertained during the event. Here are a few things you can do no matter what the theme:
• Dance Lessons – Learn how to pole dance, salsa dance, or take a burlesque class together! This is a great way to get everyone out of their comfort zone and laugh together. Plus, it makes for some great photos – and you can use the moves you learn to tear up the dance floor if you go out that night!
• Wine Tasting – Head to a local winery or vineyard for a wine-tasting session. This can be especially fun if you live in an area with a few winemakers – rent a party bus and create your own vineyard tour! This can also be something you do at home by covering up the labels of a selection of wines, then having your guests taste and guess each one!
• Scavenger Hunt – Divide everyone into teams and send them off on a bachelorette-themed scavenger hunt to find certain items or take funny photos! You can make things more interesting by increasing the stakes – whichever team checks everything off their list first wins a fun prize!
You don’t need to schedule every minute of the weekend with activities that can get overwhelming), but having one or two main activities can help give the party some structure. That way you’re not just clubbing the entire time (unless that’s what you want!).
Dress the Part
You don’t get many opportunities in life to fully lean into potentially cheesy yet fun matching outfits with your friends, and there are so many possibilities for a bachelorette party, no matter your group’s style.
If you’re heading to a resort with a pool or enjoying a spa weekend, a bride swimsuit is a great group gift and can be an adorable way to make the bride feel recognized while looking stylish! Bridesmaids can get matching suits for a fun group look.
Another ever-popular item is bridesmaid pajamas, which can even be personalized for each person. These are a perfect item to include in a welcome bag for the party, and they make for super-adorable group photo ops!
Tip: Opt for matching pajamas in your bridesmaid dress colors, and ask your bridesmaids to wear them for a getting-ready photoshoot on the big day!
Don’t Forget the Music!
What’s a party without killer tunes? One fun thing you can do is ask each guest to add a few of their favorite songs to a communal Spotify playlist to play during the event or while you’re getting ready for a night out. This takes away the pressure of having just one person play DJ for the entire event, and it lets everyone feel like they get to contribute to the fun. Plus, they’ll be super excited when their songs come on!
Ready, Set, Get Planning!
With these tips in mind, you’re well on your way to planning the ultimate bachelorette party. As you plan, check out our other great resources, like how to create the best bachelorette party hashtags. You can also follow Bach Done Right on Pinterest, Instagram, and Amazon for inspiration as you plan.
Most importantly, remember to have fun, enjoy every moment, and take lots of photos with your friends. After all, this is a once-in-a-lifetime event!
We’d love to see pictures from your trip. Make sure to tag @BDR on Instagram!
16 thoughts on “Bachelorette 101: How to Plan a Bachelorette Party”