Here’s everything you need to know to plan the perfect bachelorette party for the bride-to-be. Learn how to find the right party theme, location, games and activities, food and drinks, party favors, and more.
Is your favorite girl getting married and you don’t know where to start? No need to stress. With lots of preparation and attention to detail, we can help you plan the most epic bachelorette party.
The bride
The key to any successful bachelorette party is to plan something that really fits the bride’s style. Some girls want a wild soiree, whereas others are more lowkey and just want a chance to relax with their best friends.
Each bride has a unique idea of a good time, so the first step is to have a conversation with her. You don’t have to talk specifics if you want it to be a surprise; just make sure you’re on the same page. Once you have all this information, it’s time to start planning.
The guest list
Bachelorette parties are a great opportunity to get all the bride’s favorite people together to have fun. You might not know everyone from every stage of the bride’s life, so ask her to help with the guest list.
Make sure to think about who’s attending when choosing the theme and location. You’ll want to make sure that everyone feels comfortable and included. Also, remember that people have crazy schedules, so try and give your guests lots of notice, especially if you are traveling or planning a whole weekend of events. You will also need to have a head count well in advance to book any reservations, classes, or housing arrangements.
The budget
Money is always an awkward topic to discuss, so clear communication is key when planning a bachelorette party. Everybody is in a different financial situation, so make sure to have a rough quote on the total cost when sending out invitations.
If attendees have concerns about the costs getting out of hand, consider scaling back activities or keeping the party closer to home. If you are planning a multiple day event, offer the guests the option of only attending a few activities to cut costs.
Be careful to avoid any conversations about money around the bride. She will be enjoying her party and should never feel guilty about the cost.
The theme
A unique theme is key to creating the perfect bachelorette party, and really sets the tone for the rest of the details. Again, this party is all about the bride, and the theme should reflect her personality as well.
Here are four popular bachelorette party themes that may inspire you.
Beachy
Since many weddings take place in the summer or fall, going for an ocean or lakeside vibe is the perfect festive tone to set for a bachelorette party. You could take this theme in many different directions: vintage deco, nautical, tropical. This theme is also great for a destination bachelorette party.
Boho
Good vibes only, and perfect for the chill, earthy bride-to-be. Think floral crowns, muted colors, and gold accents for your bride and her tribe.
Feminine
Classic bachelorette colors with a touch of elegance — pink, white, black, and gold — this theme never goes out of style. It allows you to incorporate fun patterns, such as stripes and polka dots, and pairs especially well with a bottle of pink bubbly.
Fiesta
If the bride is a fan of Mexican food and tequila, then make those things the center of the party! You can decorate with bright, festive colors, cacti, and piñatas. This theme is another great option for a warm weather location.
The location
The location will depend on the size of the party, your budget, the theme, and what activities you want to do during the event. Check to make sure the location is available to accommodate as many people’s schedules as possible.
Also, make sure the bachelorette party doesn’t fall too close to the wedding. You want the bride to get plenty of beauty sleep before her big day!
The activities
Whatever activities you decide on, make sure they suit the bride’s style. As fun as a bar crawl can be, you might want to opt for something more memorable and unique. Remember that not everyone will always know each other beforehand, so you might want to break the ice at the beginning of the party with something easy and light.
Here are four ideas for bachelorette party activities that could be fun.
Games
Get to know the other ladies by participating in a scavenger hunt, bridal jeopardy, groom trivia, and more! Feel free to search around the internet for inspiration too.
Experiences
A wine tasting, renting a boat for the day, attending a concert, seeing a comedy show, or booking a city tour are all great group activities.
Classes
Learning a new skill really brings people together and can be a lot of fun. Sign your guests up for classes to learn how to dance, paint, or cook. You could also try a workout class or make-your-own ceramics studio.
Low-key
Wild and crazy not your bride’s style? Spa treatments, a day at the beach, a relaxing pool day, a yoga class, or a movie marathon are great ways to kick back and relax.
Make sure to give the itinerary to all your guests in advance so they can bring appropriate clothing options. Even if you want to surprise the bride, make sure she is prepared with the necessary essentials for the party. A sash, tiara, or veil for the bride is another touch to make her feel extra special.
Additionally, consider scheduling free time in your itinerary. Especially if you’re planning a weekend of festivities, make sure not to pack your schedule too tightly. The more people in the party, the more difficult it will be to wrangle everyone to move on to the next activity.
The food & drinks
Your choice of food and drinks will depend on the itinerary of your party. When we think of bachelorette parties, we think of lots of alcohol. If the bride likes to get boozy, consider making a large batch of something festive so guests don’t have to worry about mixing their own drinks. Jelly shots are also a fun and colorful way to get the party started.
Don’t forget to provide food if you are serving alcohol (or even if you’re not). If you’re not confident in the kitchen, there’s no shame in buying pre-made trays from the store or getting food catered.
Here are four of my favorite food go-tos depending on the time of day your event takes place.
Snacks
These are a great way to keep everyone from getting too tipsy or hangry. Light fare, such as fruit and veggie trays, charcuterie boards, chips and dips, etc., is easy to eat while socializing. Also, sweet treats like cookies, cupcakes, or chocolate covered strawberries are always welcome at parties.
Breakfast
If you’re planning a weekend getaway or just want to get the festivities started early, providing breakfast for your guests is important. Easy buffet-style ideas like a bagel bar and build-your-own yogurt parfaits can look impressive without a lot of effort. Also, fancy doughnuts or muffins can be great grab-and-go options. Bonus points for offering mimosas or bloody marys!
Lunch
For a mid-day meal on the go, pack a cooler of pre-made sandwiches. You can even buy a party tray from a restaurant or supermarket deli. And don’t forget sides, such as chips or a cold salad. You could also grill up burgers and hot dogs, or order takeout from your favorite spot.
Dinner
A meal out on the town is a great way to ease into the night. Be sure to call the restaurant ahead of time and make reservations to accommodate your group. Some places may do group pricing or packages, which could save time and money. If staying in is more your style, ordering pizza is always a good choice. A build-your-own taco bar is another great option when keeping dinner casual.
When planning your menu, ask the bride what some of her favorites are. Consider including a personal touch, such as a bottle of her favorite wine, a nostalgic snack you used to eat together, her mom’s cookie recipe, or dinner out at her favorite restaurant.
The favors
It’s always considerate to give out a little something special to your guests to thank them for attending your event. There’s a few routes you can take when it comes to bachelorette party favors.
One idea is to give out welcome bags with the essentials for the weekend. Ideas for items to include are T-shirts, ring pops, temporary tattoos, mini bottles of liquor/wine/champagne, bottle openers, koozies, flasks, personalized wine glasses, etc.
Have a big night of drinking planned? Give your attendees a hangover recovery kit to use the next morning. Some fun hangover recovery kit ideas include eye de-puffing patches, hair ties, make-up removing wipes, mints/gum, pain reliever, Emergen-C, mini water bottles/sports drinks, and snacks.
Want your guests to feel pampered after a long weekend of celebrating? Give them a spa kit as a parting gift. Some spa kit ideas include DIY sugar scrub, bath bombs, nail polish, lip balm, chocolate, candles, slippers, and pillow spray.
Also, don’t forget to leave the bride with something extra special to remember this celebration of her pending nuptials. A tangible gift, such as a guestbook, advice notes, or a framed photo of the group, is a great way to commemorate the occasion. Bonus points if you can think of a fun or creative hashtag to use on social media so the bride can relive her perfect party while scrolling through photos.
In closing…
Remember: The bride is the most important part of the event. The purpose of the bachelorette party is to have a blast, bond with the other girls, and make the bride feel super special and loved. Try not to let any drama, stress, or shenanigans get in the way of that.
If planning isn’t your strong suit, reach out to other guests and ask for help. Make sure to keep all lines of communication clear from start to finish. And, most important, try to have fun with the planning process.
