How to Plan a Bachelorette Party

Pssst: start early!

First, consult with the bride. Ask:

1. Guest list: who does she want to invite to the bachelorette party? Get their names, email addresses, and phone numbers.

2. Vibes: what kind of bachelorette party would she like? Relaxed and low-key, or Magic Mike and clubbing?

3. Location: where would she like the bachelorette party?

4. Dates: ask for a few date options.

From there, start doing research. Is the location at home or somewhere else? Do you need to drive or fly there? Are Airbnbs and hotels available? What activities are offered there?

Second, ask the bridal party/bridesmaids/guests for a budget range and for their preferred dates by sending out a poll or Google Form. Give everyone a date when you would like their responses.

When picking a date, let the bride know who can go when, and let her make the final call. That way, if there are any ruffled feathers around dates, you can say that the chosen date is the one that works best for the bride.

Send out the RSVPs via email, Paperless Post, text, whatever floats your boat! Be sure to follow up with guests who haven't responded by the date you ask.

Once you have nailed down the budget and dates, check out activities, accommodation (if needed), and dining. Try not to overschedule and leave enough room between activities to give the entire group a buffer if there's traffic, your Uber gets canceled, etc. For restaurants, if you have a large guest list, consider requesting a private room.

After you've made the bookings and reservations, let the guests know the plan. Avoid having too many cooks in the kitchen as that will save a lot of stress later. If one attendee balks at one activity, they can decide to opt out. The most important thing is that the bride is happy with the party!

Be sure to give attendees plenty of notice on the budget and dates so they can plan ahead of time with PTO requests (if needed) and their own finances. A couple of months heads' up for a day is plenty, at least six months' notice is good for a whole weekend or lavish affair.

A couple of weeks before the bachelorette party, send out an itinerary so everyone knows where activities are, when to be ready by, and what to pack/wear. Get decorations (whether for the Airbnb, restaurant, or both), double-check and confirm reservations and bookings, and have fun!

If you need more tips, advice, or would rather leave the planning to someone else, Bach Planning Bestie is here for you! Get started today.