So, you’ve been tasked with planning the bachelorette party to end all bachelorette parties Congrats! While the job can sound stressful, it can actually be a lot of fun. The key is to figure out what type of bachelorette party the bride actually wants. Do they love small get togethers with their closest friends at home? Or are they they more “lets get our club on” kind of vibe. Whether you’re looking to travel near or far, high-key or low-key, we’ve got 10 of our favorite bachelorette party ideas below to help you plan the perfect pre-wedding bash. Let’s get into a few of the basics first!
Who plans the bachelorette party?
If there is a Maid of Honor role, then they are usually the ones who will spearhead the bachelorette party and take care of all of the planning. This typically means:
- Talking with the bride about what sounds fun, possible dates, and who should be invited
- Sending a mass email or group text to invitees with details such as the when and where it will take place
- Making reservations. You can also enlist the help of other bridesmaids and/or friends/family members who want to lend a hand organizing.
- Collecting payments. If there are any deposits or other costs that need to be paid these can be gathered from all guests via a service like Venmo.
Which brings us to the common question…
Who traditionally pays for a bachelorette party?
If the bachelorette party is local and revolves around one main event, then the cost is usually split between all the guests, which can include the bridesmaids and Maid of Honor, as well as other close friends and family members of the bride.
However, if the bachelorette party is a weekend away or other multi-day event, the bride should expect to contribute. For destination bachelorette parties, the bride would ideally pay for their own transportation and lodging, as well as some meals.
The planner of the party or weekend should also consult with attendees about budget as well. If a guest agrees to come to weekend in Vegas but is expected to shell out for a big show, suite, and multiple dinners or nights out with, say, bottle service, they should be aware. There should also be optional activities (like mani/pedis or excursions) that guests can skip without feeling awkward if it’s getting too expensive.
The Best Bachelorette Party Ideas
Ready to start planning? These tried and true ideas will make any bride happy, and there are options here for every budget.
Have an old-fashioned slumber party or game night
Grab your cutest PJs, microwaveable snacks and the biggest stack of movies you can find! For a bride who isn’t interested in a big night out, bring her the ultimate night in that will remind her of the Friday nights of childhood. But this time you don’t even have to ask for permission! Spend a laughter-filled night playing MASH and Truth or Dare. Or, you can stage living room photoshoots with the bride’s favorite movies from high school playing in the background. This is an excellent option for a bridal party made up of old high school friends to relive the glory days, or for friends made later in life who are making their first sleepover memories together.
If spending the night is too difficult for some of your gals with kiddos, then consider a game night instead. You can host a night of wine tasting and board games, and get ready to have some low-key fun. A few of our favorite group games include:
SEE MORE: 9 Maid of Honor Duties You Won’t Want to Forget
Spend a weekend at the beach or in the mountains
Gather the bride’s best girls for an outdoorsy destination along the coast or in the mountains. If the bride would prefer to rent out a beach house, spend your days by the ocean, on a rental boat or trying out the best of the local seafood. If she would prefer a cabin in the mountains, you can plan hikes, waterfall-side picnics, horseback rides and white-water rafting. A perfect choice for an adventurous bride, a weekend away is an especially great bonding experience for bridesmaids who are meeting for the first time.
Plan a spa day
Maybe the bride-to-be isn’t into crazy weekend adventures or nights out. But with the pressures of wedding planning mounting, any bride would jump at the opportunity to spend a day of manicures, pedicures, facials and massages with her best friends. Watch as the stress lifts off the bride’s shoulder with every relaxing moment spent during a bachelorette spa day…while also enjoying a bit of pampering yourself! Mimosas included!
Explore a new city
What city has the bride always wanted to spend a weekend exploring? Miami? New York City? Chicago? Austin? San Francisco? Schedule a weekend getaway for the bridesmaids immersing yourselves in the sights, sounds and cuisine of a new city. To keep expenses in check, take a look at Airbnb to find an alternative to pricey hotel accommodations.
Not interested in paying for travel? A staycation is a great idea, too! You can explore parts of your city that you’ve never seen before. Or you can contribute to your community by doing something charitable, like volunteering at a pet adoption center in your area. Everyone can feel good knowing that they’re lending a helping hand to pets in your city AND get a major dose of cuteness in return.
Looking for travel-specific bachelorette party ideas? Check this out: How to Plan an Amazing Nashville Bachelorette Party
Go to a theme park
If the bride is into roller coasters and swirling until her head won’t stop spinning, a theme park bachelorette vacation might be the perfect alternative party for you. If you’re looking to go all out, a trip to California or Florida for a Disney park or Universal Studios is never a bad idea. Or if you are looking for different bachelorette party ideas, there are a wide variety of theme parks across the country to explore, from Dollywood in the heart of the Great Smoky Mountains to one of the many Six Flags locations scattered across the country.
Plan a trip to see the bride’s favorite musical or musician
Is the bride a fan of musicals or music in general? Check out the tour schedules of her favorite singer, band or traveling stage production and schedule a dinner-and-a-show evening out. Bachelorette party ideas that involve joining in on something the bride-to-be loves to do is a wonderful way for her bridesmaids to show her how much they love her.
Learn a new skill
Whether it’s calligraphy, a cooking class, painting, pole dancing or even cocktail mixing there are so many new skills to learn, and a class in any of them is generally easy to find. Choose a course for the bride to take with her bridesmaids that will not only trigger the laughter but will also allow you all to walk away with a (slight) proficiency in a new area!
For instance you could get the girls together for a day of fresh flowers and wine. Many towns offer floral design classes where experts will invite you to their studio or come to a location of your choosing to teach you how to create your own flower arrangements. Each girl will walk away with a new skill, and a beautiful compilation of flowers (you could even create looks that can be replicated for the wedding day!)
Check out Groupon for options in your area!
Cheer on the bride’s team
Looking for sporty bachelorette party ideas? If the bride-to-be is a mega sports fan, plan a trip to her old college town, or the location of her favorite professional sports team to cheer on her team. Borrow some of her team gear, or buy some of your own to wear for the event along with cute souvenirs she can keep after.
And contrary to popular belief, you CAN actually plan a concurrent bachelor and bachelorette party. If the couple have the same group of friends, gather everyone together and get a wild and crazy day at the game going. You can set up a tailgate with delicious food and drinks until it’s time for the game where you can sit as a group and cheer on your team.
Pool party and backyard BBQ
Blow up the pool floaties and fire up the grill for the ideal summertime alternative bachelorette party! Spend the day poolside, playing bachelorette party games and eating delicious food with the bride squad. You can even add an extra layer of fun by adding slip and slides or water balloon fights. Bonus points if you manage to rent a bounce house!
90s night
For a bride who enjoys theme parties more than she likes to admit, one of our favorite bachelorette party ideas is to plan a childhood throwback out on the town with 90s themed activities like glow in the dark mini golf, roller skating and laser tag. Dress up in your favorite baby doll dress, add some butterfly clips to your hair, and get ready to do the running man…A LOT. LOL.
You can also easily thrown a 90s dance party at home. Create an old school Spotify playlist, pour the champagne, and get ready to rock out with your besties.
So, even if the bride-to-be isn’t looking to celebrate with a standard bachelorette party, maids-of-honor everywhere can rest easy knowing that there are a ton of options that their BFF’s will LOVE.
Bachelorette Party Ideas FAQ
Unlike a bridal shower where there are typically gifts, a bachelorette party is all about having fun and letting loose before the wedding! The goal is to make sure the bride has fun and gets to relax while she’s at it.
While tradition says the Maid of Honor should plan the bachelorette party, the bride should definitely be asked for her input! Also, it’s important to remember that when it comes to weddings—and especially wedding parties like showers and bachelorettes—anything goes. If the bride wants to be 100% in charge of planning the bachelorette, that works, too! It’s just important to know ahead of time who is expected to do what, so the bride and Maid of Honor or any other close friends should definitely have a conversation about the planning.
Even though bachelorette parties have a reputation for being wild, it doesn’t mean anything goes. Remember that the weekend is about the bride celebrating with her closest friends, and not about drama. You might also be celebrating alongside sisters, cousins, childhood friends, etc., so keep it cool and classy, if you know what we mean. 🙂
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