Your special day wouldn’t be the same without an unforgettable celebration with your favorite people. But no need to worry – throwing an unforgettable bachelorette party doesn’t have to be stressful. However, it does require a massive amount of preparation, organization, and communication.
If you’re in charge of the sacred duty of bachelorette party planning, you’ve got to start early. You’ve got tons of things to do, such as:
· drawing up the guest list
· picking the perfect activity
· choosing dates
The best way to tackle these tasks is with a thought-out plan and some helpful tips. Before you know it, you’ll be planning an unforgettable bachelorette party for everyone attending.
Guest List
Forming a guest list is a great place to start when planning any event. The bride likely wishes for a getaway with her closest loved ones, but it’s your job to filter through the family politics on her behalf. The bridal party is an obvious yes, but after that, it’s up to you to think about the significant players in the bride’s past and future life.
Make sure to invite any close friends that the bride hasn’t included in the bridal party and consider sending an invite out to a new sister-in-law even if she might be a stranger to most of the group. Make sure to check in with the bride on the topic of her mom or mother-in-law.
Is her mom her best friend and down for a relaxed tour of a winery or a hot stone massage, or are you planning something a little too wild for her taste? Don’t feel pressured to invite everyone on the guest list; instead, try to pick an activity that limits the invites to between ten and twenty people, and let anyone who asks know that you’re keeping it small and intimate.
Timing
Timing is an important part of the planning process. Too close to the wedding is too hectic; the three days leading up to the wedding are full of last-minute planning, family member arrivals, and the rehearsal dinner.
However, if guests for the bachelorette party are coming from long-distance, they might not be able to attend a party if it’s planned two months out in the bride’s hometown and they have to fly in.
To avoid conflicts like these, talk to the bride early on. If the most important guests are traveling in for the big day, consider planning the bachelorette party four to seven days from the wedding, which gives the bride enough time to tackle last minute wedding decisions afterward.
On the other hand, if you’ve got an intense destination party planned, a month or two out from the wedding would give the bride enough time not to cross wires on packing between the bachelorette party and the honeymoon.
No matter the event, be sure to inform guests of the date at least three months in advance with a save-the-date card to ensure they can plan out their schedules. After the invites are sent, check in with them for RSVP’s to resolve any possible conflicts.
Fun Things to Do
Every bride is different, so it’s up to you as party planner to know the bride well enough to choose an activity she’ll cherish forever. If your party is large and your bride is frantic with wedding planning, consider a yoga retreat, spa weekend, or a group fitness class. If there’s only ten of you and you’re seeking adventure, try something cool and unforgettable like axe-throwing, glamping, or zip-lining.
Even low-budget events like a big sleepover (complete with makeovers) or a board game night can serve as the perfect reminder of all the love and support surrounding the bride. Inform guests in advance if they’re being billed for the activity to avoid day-of drama.
The Perfect Party is Headed Your Way
Whatever you choose to do, keep in mind that the day is about the bride. Although throwing an unforgettable party will keep you in good standing with all of the bride’s friends and family, it should still be centered around her.
If you take time to find the perfect activities, time, and group of friends to invite, the rest will work itself out. Stay positive and don’t forget to buy plenty of gifts.
*Guest post by Amanda Moore.
