If you are the Maid of Honor tasked with the duty of planning the perfect bachelorette party, you likely have no idea how to even begin! And let’s face it that was pre-covid. Now it is a bit more tricky! However, our team at Complete Weddings + Events Sarasota is here to help!
The good news? No matter how unique you want the weekend to be, there’s a formula for planning the perfect bash! The most important thing to remember is just to have FUN!
How to Plan a Bachelorette Party
So here we go…
Step 1: Pre-Plan…get to know what the bride truly wants
If you’re a MOH or bridesmaid, now’s the time to pick the bride’s brain about the bachelorette party weekend she’s always dreamed of. If you are the bride, you’ll need to drop some hints to your MOH and/or planning committee and share all of the ideas and inspirations with them. Now we know that right now, due to the pandemic that Vegas weekend you have been dreaming of may be postponed or may have to be with a smaller crowd than you envisioned but don’t worry your girls will still have a blast, no matter what you decide.
Big details like the bachelorette party location, theme, timeframe, and guest list plus smaller details like whether matching outfits will be required or what kind of excursions might be on the itinerary are essential to know before the planning process begins. Does the bride want a big part in planning, or does she want everything to be a surprise? Who’s paying for what and how long do people need to save? Will people have to ask for time off from work? Play detective and gather all of these essential details ahead of time, so when the real planning begins, there are no essential unknowns.
Step 2: Make sure everyone is on the same page
Just like with wedding save the dates, bachelorette party weekend info should be sent out way ahead of time. You will want to make sure that everyone has enough to request off of work and save up for the trips as well. Invites don’t have to be expensive! In fact who doesn’t like free?? You can use social media to create and invite guests! I mean who isn’t always on social media anyway.
Step 3: Now the hard part…
Once you have a rough idea of who’s onboard for the bachelorette weekend, you can start zeroing in on the big details when it comes to how to plan the bachelorette party. Choose your location! Are you traveling or just going to opt out for a local night out with the girls.
Step 4: Set All of the Deadlines.
Now that you’ve got decisions made, if you are traveling you’ll need to book—which means you’ll need money from the people on the guest list. Set deadlines for booking and for guests to send their cash by, so you can lock everything in. Fronting your own cash and getting paid back later by guests is an option if you want to do it, but it can be avoided if you plan right, and are firm with payment deadlines. Venmo is a great app to use for money transfers, especially if your guest list is scattered all over the country.
There’s also an app called BACH you can use to track, evenly split, and request due dates for expenses. Once you receive the cash you need, get booking! If guests are booking their own flights/transportation, set a deadline for them to do that, too. We understand that with the pandemic everyone’s comfort level with traveling may different so this is why getting everyone’s opinion in the early stages of planning is so important. Anyone uncomfortable with traveling can still participate from afar. With the power of zoom, live streaming, social media, and Face time/video calls they can virtually go with you and be with you every step of the way.
Step 5: Order Props, Décor, and Necessities.
Getting closer! Now it’s time for cutesy details—make a list of everything you need (and want) to take the party from great to perfect. Silly or cute bachelorette party decorations, dining essentials like cups and plates, personal details, banners, custom sweats/PJs/swimsuits—you get the idea! Matching or coordinating details make for the cutest photos!
Have Fun and Make Memories!
It’s happening, it’s really happening! The party is going great. You pulled it off—and now it’s time to check-in and ask yourself, hey, am I having fun too? Getting caught up in figuring out how to plan a bachelorette party weekend and making sure your bride has the best time of her life can make it easy to put yourself at the bottom of the priority list, but remember, you’re a guest, too, and you’re your bride’s bestie, and you deserve to kick back and have as much fun at this party as the next gal!
So, if you’re in the kitchen doing dishes while everyone else is playing a game, or if you’re stressed to the max about any of the details ask yourself do I need to be doing this right now? Or should I be having fun and making memories, because this is a once-in-a-lifetime weekend?? Go, grab a drink, and have some fun. You deserve it, you just planned one heck of a party for one of your closest friends!
We hope that this blog has helped point you in the right direction on How to Plan a Bachelorette Party!
Complete Weddings and Events in Sarasota, FL
If you’re looking to tie the knot or throw an epic event, you have come to the right place. Complete Weddings + Events in Sarasota, FL will help you find the right event or wedding photographer, videographer, and DJ to throw a phenomenal party, plus we have a fun photo booth and lighting rentals to elevate your event and give you the type of unforgettable experience you’re looking for. When you party with Complete Weddings and Events, it’s completely about you! In addition to Sarasota, Bradenton, & North Port, we also serve Parrish, Venice, Palmetto, Lakewood Ranch, Anna Maria Island, Englewood, Holmes Beach, Longboat Key, Siesta Key, Osprey, & Port Charlotte.
Complete Weddings + Events, Sarasota’s leading provider of event and wedding photography, videography, lighting, DJ services & photo booth rental.
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