planning the ultimate bachelorette weekend.

This weekend, I survived my second bachelorette party of 2013. Though I may not be a party planner by trade, I have learned a thing or two about putting together bachelorettes in the past three years. I'm here today to share a few tricks of the trade to make planning easier when you host your next bachelorette...

{photo via instagram}

ONE: Determine the bride's expectations of her bachelorette weekend. After all, it is her weekend. Does she want to go the naughty route? Or keep it clean? Does she want something a little crazy or more relaxing? Play to the bride--it is her party, after all. Most importantly, be willing to step outside of your comfort zone.

TWO: Be especially cognizant of everyone's budgets and limitations when choosing a location. You may not be able to make everyone happy with the end result, but don't pick a five-star hotel if you're on a three-star budget. Choosing a date can also be a bit of a challenge, but I found Doodle made it easier. Make the bride your first respondent, then ask the bridal party, and finally the other attendees. You need to make sure the essential players are there and the others are a definite bonus. 

THREE: If you're pulling together people from all corners of the country and world, Google Drive will be your best friend. Create a Google Doc to allow guests to input their travel arrangements to help coordinate their travel with other attendees. Trust me: it's much simpler to wrangle a boatload of information collaboratively than having to enter all the details on your own.

FOUR: Once the date, location, and general "feel" of the weekend are squared away, the real fun begins. Paper invitations are great, but Paperless Post is a wonderful way to keep costs in check. When it comes to decorations, gauge what you can actually bring with you. If you're lucky enough to drive, this gets much easier. If you have to fly, you may have to check a second bag to make it all come together. {I've done it.} Whatever you do, be realistic. Spending too much money or time on decor isn't ideal, but picking a few things to carry a theme through without killing your budget is the best plan.

FIVE: Consider making a welcome bag {like the one above!}. Travel-sized packs of makeup wipes, ibuprofen, and mouthwash may sound like strange goodies, but trust me, everyone will want them the morning after a fun night out--even if it is a tame one. Throw in the pj pants and make it a perfect slumbie party!

SIX: Ensure you have some tunes to keep the party going. Ask your guests to help you pull together a playlist which will get the bride-to-be excited, be it some ballads from Little Mermaid or Justin Bieber. You can even use the suggestions to choose a Pandora or Songza to help fill in the holes. Be ready for sing-a-longs of epic proportion.

SEVEN: Don't do it all on your own. The power of delegation is a marvelous thing. Lean on those included in the party who are good at one thing or another--be it food or decor. People want to be included, so don't exclude them. You'll save your sanity and make the party ten times better at the same time.

EIGHT: Roll with the punches. Really. As a perfectionist, this is the hardest--but best--thing I learned from bachelorette planning. Sometimes, schedules and plans are for the birds when fun is in session. The things you spend hours {or days} planning may take a backseat to what the bride is enjoying in that moment. Remember: it is all about her--and if she is happy, that's all that matters :)

What tips would you add to this list?! If you've attended a fun bachelorette, what made it great? 
Let's help each other--and the brides-to-be--have the best bach ever! xoxo {av}

STAY IN TOUCH: BLOGLOVIN + INSTAGRAM + TWITTER + PINTEREST + FACEBOOK

26 comments:

  1. Such great tips! I get to help plan one this summer, so it's super helpful!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Agreed, these are great tips!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Great tips! I'm in my best friend's wedding in May and her bachelorette party is coming up in April.. but the MOH is planning it so we'll see.

    Alissa
    FeelingGoodStyle.com

    ReplyDelete
  4. I'm so glad you posted this! I'm about to plan a bachelorette party and this is super helpful!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Ahh thank you! This is so perfect. I'm in the process of helping plan my sister-in-law (to be!)'s bachelorette party and these are all great ideas!

    Thanks girl - glad you survived the party! :)

    ReplyDelete
  6. These are great tips! I can't wait to plan them for my friends...so fun!

    ReplyDelete
  7. This is a great list! I'll definitely be referencing this in the future! xo

    ReplyDelete
  8. This. is. perfect. If my bachelorette party time ever comes around, I am so directing my friends to this list, and using it for ones I will hopefully be planning soon! The lobster pj pants as favors may be my favorite part :)

    ReplyDelete
  9. this is great! i am going to save this for the future!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Those PJ pants are adorable. Such a cute idea!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Number 8 is def key. When you spend so much time and effort planning such a big event you want everything to go as planned, but sometimes you just have to let go. As long as the bride is having fun that's all that matters.

    ReplyDelete
  12. this is amazing! i'm going to translate it for my italian girls, who are in the midst of planning now. haha! xoxoxo

    ReplyDelete
  13. Great - so when I get married you'll be available for the planning? Please and thank you :)

    ReplyDelete
  14. I seriously love that you used those lobster pants! I saw them and have been meaning to get them!! So cute in a gift bag and yours turned out awesome!!

    ReplyDelete
  15. I seriously think the lobster pjs were the cutest idea ever! hope you got a cute pic of all of the girls in them!

    ReplyDelete
  16. Great tips! I agree to check with the bride on the tone of the party and also...great idea with the goodie bags!!!

    ReplyDelete
  17. I could so use one of those right now: a bachelorette weekend. Love your tips. Don't forget about my link up tomorrow. HOpe you can join me.

    Agi:)

    vodkainfusedlemonade.com

    ReplyDelete
  18. WOW. This is a fabulous list. I just may have to pass this on to my maid of honor....
    -Becky
    The Pumpkin Spot

    ReplyDelete
  19. This is a great list! And the absolute most important part is making sure the bride is getting the bachelorette she wants. Missed expectations can be messy!

    ReplyDelete
  20. This is a great list! I've thrown and attended numerous bachelorette parties and would have to agree with all of the above :) My only other addition would be to have ideas, but not to over-plan the weekend. That way you have things to do, but aren't committed to a hectic schedule - especially if there are a lot of girls attending. Know your crowd and have FUN!! :)
    ~lisa
    Floating Along

    ReplyDelete
  21. ok this is PERFECT timing! I'm in the wedding party for my boyfriend's sister and we're doing a weekend at their cottage. This is definitely helpful!

    ReplyDelete
  22. these tips are great! ... maybe you should really think of being a party planner!! :)

    ReplyDelete