How to plan a bachelorette party in 10 easy steps
As a wedding approaches, the bride is bound to be busy with choosing flowers, attending dress fittings, and finalizing vendor contracts. Sounds like she needs a distraction—and we’re sure her bride tribe would be more than happy to oblige by throwing her an epic bachelorette party!
Planning a bachelorette party can be just as enjoyable as the event itself, especially when you’re working with friends and addressing all the details ahead of time. From epic weekend party trips to spa days to casual hangouts at home, learn how to organize any bachelorette party with these 10 straightforward steps to give the bride an experience she’ll never forget.
Table of Contents
1. Plan the guest list
First order of business: Set the guest list. About six to eight months before the wedding, talk to the bride to see who she’d like to invite to her party and whether she’d prefer to have a smaller get-together or a big bachelorette bash. If it’s a surprise party, make sure you know about the bride’s preferences and have her close contacts on hand before you start planning.
Bachelorette parties typically include all the bridesmaids, but they don’t need to be the only guests. You can also extend invitations to the bride’s friends and family members who aren’t in the wedding party—especially if they’re a ton of fun to be around!
You may also want to reach out to the party’s guests to see what kind of availability they have. Some may not be able to do a full weekend, while others might be free for extended periods of time. Ask about budget and travel constraints while you’re at it, especially if a lot of guests also have to travel for the wedding itself.
2. Set a budget
Once you know how many people you’re inviting, you can set a party budget. Your budget will determine the type of bachelorette party you can throw, whether you’re planning a bachelorette party weekend or a fun night at home with the girls. The good news is that you don’t have to pay for the whole thing yourself—you can ask guests to cover their own food and accommodations.
When writing out your bachelorette party budget, make sure these line items are included:
- Meals and drinks
- Hotel or house rental accommodations
- Invitations
- Decorations, party supplies, and party favors
- Transportation
- Event tickets (if you’re going to a show)
Remember to pay for the bride’s expenses or split her costs among all the attendees—this is your gift to her!
3. Choose a date
Bachelorette parties typically happen one to four months before the wedding. You can also host a bachelorette party before or after the bridal shower—it all depends on the bride’s timing and availability.
That said, the type of bachelorette party you’re hosting may affect your timing. Parties that depend on the weather, such as pool parties or beach getaways, should take place during summertime—but usually not less than a month before the wedding (no one wants visible tan lines on the big day!). However, parties that’ll include a lot of out-of-town guests already traveling in for a wedding may need to happen locally and closer to the wedding date.
Next, you’ll need to decide how long the party will be. Is this a one-night blowout or do you need to plan a bachelorette getaway? Check with the bride before you make any final decisions, as her schedule may fill up as the wedding gets closer.
4. Pick a location
The location of your bachelorette party depends on your budget—and the bride’s preferences. Does she want a Vegas trip away from the hustle and bustle of wedding planning, or is she looking for a cozy night in with a planned bachelorette party at home?
Once you know what she’d like to do, find a venue to host your party and book it ASAP (usually four to six months before the party date). If you’re staying in a hotel, consider setting up a hotel block so everyone can stay in the same place.
Common bachelorette party venues include:
- A hotel room, either local or out-of-town
- Vacation house rental
- Party bus or limousine
- Spa
- Poolside
- Tea house
- Restaurant or bar (or multiple bars)
- Someone’s home
Once you’ve booked your location, keep the confirmation information handy—you’ll need it later in the planning process.
5. Set the theme and activities
While most bachelorette party themes often include pink décor, inappropriate straws and hats, and lots of drinks, you can make your theme anything you like. If the bride loves a certain TV show or singer, theme the party around her favorites. Or, set a theme based on your venue, such as “Island Paradise” or “Viva Las Vegas!”
Don’t forget the bachelorette party games! Party games help break the ice and create the event’s best memories—and potential best friends going forward. You can also plan a gift exchange with all the bachelorette party guests. Ask them to bring an item from an assigned category to swap with the other members of the bride tribe for the ultimate icebreaker activity. Everyone wears their “gifts” for the whole party!
Popular gift exchanges for bachelorette parties include:
- Purses (or ugly purses—fanny packs included)
- Cute or ugly sunglasses
- Makeover kit (’80s makeup strongly encouraged)
- Socks
- T-shirts
- Sashes
- Tiaras or hats
6. Send invitations
You have the guests, the date, the place, and the theme—all you need now is a bachelorette party invitation that lets guests know all the details. Pick a stationery-inspired Card from Paperless Post for a classic feel, or go with an animated Flyer for a fun, energetic vibe.
Both options let you customize them by:
- Uploading a glowing photo of the bride-to-be in a photo Card or adding a few photos from her engagement shoot into a Photo Gallery Block
- Changing the color and font in the invitation to match her aesthetic
- Adding festive stickers and a custom stamp to get the party started early
- Including additional information about your itinerary of events with a Schedule Block below your invitation design
- Including dress codes and packing list suggestions in a Details Block
- Adding a Wedding Party Block to introduce guests to one another with photos and bios
- Adding an Accommodations Block to give guests more information about the hotel you’ve chosen
- Adding a Travel Block to provide airline and travel tips on how to get to the party destination as efficiently as possible
After all the logistical information is included in your bachelorette party invitation wording, it’s time for the invitation to go out. Plan on sending invitations two to three months before the party—more, if the event requires travel and accommodations. Send it via email, text, or shareable link on social media or a messaging app group chat, so everyone can access it as soon as it’s sent.
7. Communicate with guests
Now that your invitation is sent out, the RSVPs should be rolling in! Use Group Tags to organize guests into smaller groups—such as “Bridesmaids” or “Work Friends.” Send broadcast messages to communicate important updates to everyone leading up to the party, and follow up via direct message with anyone who hasn’t RSVPed (two to four weeks before the event). Guests can also communicate with you, and one another, by adding questions or messages of excitement on a Comment Wall as the day approaches.
If you need a one-stop website for all your party details, set up a custom URL for your invitation that’s easy to remember. That way, guests can use it to reference all the party details before the event, especially if travel or hotel block information is included.
8. Buy decorations and favors
Before the day gets any closer on your calendar, pick out bachelorette party decorations that are just right for your party. No need to go for a subtle touch here—bachelorette parties are famous for bright colors, bold designs, and spicy décor. (Check with the bride to determine how spicy you should go!)
Consider sending guests home with party favors to remember your incredible party. Common favors for bachelorette parties include:
- Cosmetic bags
- Water bottles
- Coffee mugs
- Hair accessories
- Makeup palettes
- Tee shirts or workout shirts
- Sunglasses
- Bags of candy or cookies
- Jewelry
Remember to get favors for the bride, too! She’s not the host, and chances are, she’d love a souvenir to remember her incredible bachelorette party.
Discover unforgettable decorations and supplies for a truly epic bach bash.
9. Double check reservations
Time to dot the i’s and cross the t’s! About two to four weeks before your party, double-check all your reservations:
- Call your hotel and confirm that they have the rooms you requested
- Contact any restaurants, spas, or facilities where you made reservations
- Make sure guests have made any travel arrangements if needed
Pro tip: Call hotels the day before your party to ask about possible upgrades. Hotels may have an empty suite, airlines may have first-class seats, and a spa may offer free service for special occasions. It doesn’t hurt to ask!
10. Have fun!
It’s the day of the party, and everyone’s ready to celebrate! You’ve already done your last-minute checks and coordination, so now it’s time to get an iced coffee and start the show.
Use this handy day-of checklist to make sure you have everything you need for a party the bride will never forget:
- Appropriate outfits (and shoes!) for your activities
- Everyone’s contact information, accessible either in your texts or in the Paperless Post app
- Back-up supplies in case someone forgot something (sunscreen, bandaids, tissues, snacks)
- Party decorations
- Bachelorette party favors
- Cash for tips (valet drivers, bartenders)
- Confirmation numbers and emails for all your reservations
- A playlist with a variety of upbeat songs to get the party going—and a speaker to play them on
Bachelorette party FAQs
Need more tips on how to plan a bachelorette party? Check out these bachelorette party FAQs for all your unanswered queries.
Who hosts a bachelorette party?
Traditionally, the maid of honor hosts the bachelorette party with help from the rest of the bridesmaids. She’s in charge of making the arrangements and sending invitations—and if she pays for things in advance, the other guests pay her back.
But it doesn’t have to be the MOH who hosts. If the bride’s family or best friend group wants to plan the event, they can take over—or work with the maid of honor if she’s not in one of those groups.
Should the bride help plan a bachelorette party?
The bride’s involvement in the planning depends on the bride herself. Some brides like a surprise—especially since they’re already planning so much for the wedding—while others want to be involved in every detail. The key is to consult the bride and get her opinion—without making it stressful for her.
When it comes to bachelorette party details, the bride should definitely weigh in on:
- The guest list
- The date and location
- Where you’re staying
- The party theme and activities
- The itinerary
- Where you’re eating
Traditionally, the bride does not pay for herself at the bachelorette party, so she doesn’t need to weigh in on the budget or cost. It’s up to the party hosts to make the trip affordable for the other guests.
Can you host a bachelorette party on a holiday weekend?
Holiday weekends are popular times for bachelorette parties because you get an extra day—or sometimes two—to celebrate. Check with the bride and your guests to make sure you’re not encroaching on plans they’ve already made for the holiday weekend. If not, you can plan your party during that time.
Keep in mind that hotel and travel costs tend to be higher during holidays since more people are traveling. You may also need to make your plans further in advance to ensure you get the accommodations you need during busier times, especially if you’re going to a town that’s popular with tourists.
Do you bring gifts to a bachelorette party?
Bachelorette parties aren’t traditionally gift-giving occasions like showers or weddings. The party itself is considered a gift to the bride, so she won’t be expecting anything extra. Your travel expenses, planning time, accommodation costs, and other commitments are more than enough to show the bride how much you love her.
But you can always bring something small or sweet for the bride if you’d like! Cute lingerie and bottles of wine make nice gifts at a bachelorette party, depending on the bride’s personality. And if all else fails, offer to buy her next drink—if the other girls don’t beat you to the bar.
Are bachelorette parties only for women?
While traditional bachelorette parties were for brides and their female friends and family members, times have changed. Feel free to invite male and non-binary guests to your bachelorette party, especially if they’re part of the wedding party or your group of close friends.
Another option is to host a combined bachelor/bachelorette party. These joint events celebrate both the bride and groom with all of their friends and often take place over multiple days with different activities to attend.
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Give your favorite bride a gift she’ll never forget: A night with her best friends and loved ones. Whether your bachelorette party is wild and crazy or sweet and subdued, the bride is sure to love everything you’ve planned—with a little help from Paperless Post.
The bachelorette party is just one of many wedding-related events. And if you’re also in charge of planning the bridal shower, find a classic or unique bridal shower theme that will make the guest of honor feel like the belle of the ball. Paperless Post knows how important these moments are, and we’re happy to manage the details so you can focus on what’s important.
