The bachelorette party has become a wedding tradition. While it may not be as old as the bachelor party tradition, it’s still something that’s become an expected wedding event. Planning the perfect bachelorette party can be a daunting task, especially if you’ve never been to one. Don’t let the thought overwhelm you, though. We’ve got some tips to help you plan.
How Do You Choose the Host?
Usually, the Maid of Honor is the one to plan and host the bachelorette party, though in reality any friend or family member can host it even if he or she is not a part of the bridal party. Those who know the bride will make the best hosts. If more than one person offers a location for the party, decide with the rest of the bridesmaids on which venue would work best for the party you are trying to plan.
As for planning the party itself, don’t just drop the responsibility on one person. Planning a bachelorette party takes work and can be overwhelming. Talk to the wedding party to see who is willing and able to plan the party. You can even plan the party as a group. After all, party planning is less stressful when people work together.
Who Can Come?
Unlike some wedding events, the bachelorette party guest list isn’t limited to people who have been invited to the wedding. The guest list depends on what the bride wants and can include female friends, coworkers, and extended family. However, it’s important that you keep the group around 20 or fewer people, as larger groups can make transportation and reservations difficult.
Setting the Date
The day of the wedding is busy from start to finish, which means everyone in the bridal party will need to be in top shape. Hosting the bachelorette party the night before the wedding could interfere with the rehearsal dinner as well as the level of productivity on the wedding day. Try to choose a time that imposes the least amount of stress on the bride. A few days before the wedding usually works, as most of the wedding preparations will have been done by then.
Before setting a date for the party, check with the bride and bridal party about availability. If the wedding is out of town, be considerate of additional travel costs.
How to Plan
There are several ways to plan the party. If you’re someone that prefers to do things alone, it’s perfectly okay to make all the arrangements yourself. You can also split the planning between you and a few others, like the bridesmaids or other close friends of the bride.
Depending on the venue you choose or the events you plan, a bachelorette party can be too expensive for one person to handle. Don’t make the bride pay anything; this is a gift to her. Instead, ask other guests or party planners to contribute a portion of the cost.
If you and the other guests are on a tight budget, don’t worry! You can still have a fun night at someone’s home. Think about the bride and what she enjoys doing, and make plans around that.
Do Guests Need to RSVP?
Whether a guest needs to RSVP before the wedding depends on the bachelorette party you’re throwing. If you need to know exactly how many people will be there for reservations, then sending an invitation asking for an RSVP would be a good route to take. Otherwise, you can let people know about the party any way you’d like. You can send store-bought or homemade paper invitations, or you can also call people directly.
Whichever way you decide to go, make sure guests know about the party a few weeks in advance. This gives you plenty of time to make any reservations and allows guests the chance to make any pre-party arrangements.
Is There a Traditional Party Structure?
The wonderful thing about a bachelorette party is that there isn’t a structure it needs to follow. Your night doesn’t have to have a strict timetable, and you can plan events that you know the bride will enjoy without worrying about following any tradition. Often, people think a bachelorette party is a gaggle of gals bar-hopping with penis-shaped beads, suckers, and other paraphernalia.
If that isn’t the bride’s style, though, that’s okay! What’s most important is making sure everyone has a good time, especially the bride. There is no standard for how a bachelorette party should be, and it all depends on the bride’s preferences, whether that means a movie night at someone’s house, a trip to an arcade, or night out on the town. Really, the only limit is your imagination.
Do Guests Need to Bring Gifts?
Gift-giving is meant for the bridal shower, so guests don’t need to worry about giving a nice gift at a bachelorette party. Though this may be the best time to give a gag gift. These can be anything that plays off an inside joke to something from the 18+ section in certain stores.
Go crazy at your bachelorette party and have the time of your life with best friends before tying the knot. Planning a wedding can stressful once the ideas of venue, preparation and guests come to thought. Allow A Cut Above Photo Booth to take your wedding photography off your mind with one of our elegant photo booth rentals. They are customizable to be as free or formal as you desire and will accent your wedding décor. Contact us online for more information or call 800-295-0430.