The Basics of Planning a Bachelorette Party

The Basics of Planning a Bachelorette Party

When you’re planning a bachelorette party you want to make sure that you put together the kind of event that the bride will love. This means that every bachelorette party has the potential to be an amazing time that is different from any party before it. It can be stressful to have this party planning assignment on your shoulders, but you have the tools you need to create an awesome event that the bride will remember forever. 

Create Your Itinerary 

The first step of any bachelorette party is figuring out what you are going to do for the night. Sometimes you may want to plan several stops so the party can keep moving and changing throughout the night. In other cases, staying with just one or two activities will be the exact right fit. Take time to think about how you want the party to flow and what kinds of things you think everyone will appreciate. When you have planned that out, you can put together a party that will be memorable and fun for everyone. 

Get Transportation 

If you are going to be traveling at all, you need to make sure that you have a plan for transportation. If you are having a destination bachelorette party, then the transportation may need to include a flight to the location. Then you just need to focus on how you will get to the party and move from place to place. Having transportation planned out in advance will ensure that everyone is safe and comfortable throughout the party. You can rent luxury vehicles, use your own cars, or even hire a chauffeur or call a rideshare. The most important thing is just that you have a plan for transportation, so you don’t get stranded. 

Buy Drinks 

No bachelorette party is complete without at least a few drinks. One fun way to tackle the problem of drinks is to come up with a signature cocktail for the bachelorette party. That will make the drink process simple since you won’t need to make more than one thing. It’s important that you choose something that the bride will love. It’s also a good idea to have some nonalcoholic beverages available in case any of the guests don’t drink or aren’t feeling it on the night of the party. Providing water as well will help to make the next morning a little easier on everyone. 

Make Food 

The food is another important aspect of any bachelorette party. Sometimes you may want to go out to eat, but eating in can create an intimate feeling that allows all the guests and the bride to bond with each other. It’s easier to create many awesome finger foods rather than a fancy sit down meal. But you don’t want the more casual feel to bring down the party. That’s why you want to add style and flair with the food and the way you serve it. For example, bamboo skewers add a level of detail to your presentation that will impress your guests. 

Know the Bride 

The bride is the most important part of any bachelorette party, so it is important that you know what she likes and what she wants from her party. Talk to her about her expectations, the style she is interested in and various elements that she might enjoy. Then you can take that knowledge and use it to create a party that she actually loves. This doesn’t mean that you have to ruin the surprise though. Just make sure you gather a lot of information so that you can create something that will surprise her without having to potentially put together a party that the bride won’t enjoy. Different people have different vibes that they want for their bachelorette and it’s important that you match it up to the bride. 

Choose the Space 

You need to choose a venue to host the party. This doesn’t have to be complicated; you just want to choose a space that will meet the needs of the party. If you are away, a hotel room could be a great place for a party, and a home can work well as well. Another option is going to a club or doing a bar crawl. You really just want to choose a location (or locations) that suit the vibe you are going for. The right location can set the tone for the party and ensure that everyone has a good time. 

Be Flexible 

It is always hard to deal with changes when you have spent so much time planning out an event. But it is important to know that changes are likely to happen and to plan flexibility into the party so you can go with the flow and keep things fun no matter what happens. There may be some elements of the party that are non negotiable, but other things are less set in stone and it’s important that you give yourself room to adjust if things don’t go exactly as planned. If you are flexible and calm, the bride will never know that something went wrong, and she will be able to simply enjoy her party. 

Invite the Guests 

You can’t have a successful bachelorette without having some great guests that the bride loves spending time with. Depending on the kind of party you are planning, you may have various levels of guest lists involved. Some parties are huge and extensive with tons of invitees while others are smaller and more intimate. Either type of party (or anything in between) can be a huge success if you plan it correctly. If you want to go the extra mile, send physical invitations to build up even more anticipation. 

A bachelorette party should be a fun time for the whole group, and it shouldn’t be a stressful situation. If you plan it right from the start, you can create something really great. Get started on your planning so you can create an amazing experience for the whole party.

Read this next: What Are Great Ways to Prep for a Girl’s Night Out?

4 Ways to Ensure Your Bachelorette Party Happens Without a Hitch

4 Ways to Ensure Your Bachelorette Party Happens Without a Hitch

Planning a bachelorette party might seem like a fairly easy thing to do. Not much goes into it other than making a few reservation phone calls. Although setting up the party itself is easy to accomplish, keeping things in order during your fun day out could be a little harder than you thought it would be. But, don’t worry, the following includes four ways to ensure your bachelorette party happens without a hitch.

Plan Carefully

One of the most common things a bride does is entrust a bridesmaid with the organizational part of the evening. Many brides do this in order to truly be surprised and to remove additional burdens on them during their wedding week. However, it should be noted that you must be very careful when choosing the person you entrust this day to. The person organizing the event must be someone who not only knows what you like but also what you don’t like. There’s nothing worse than going to your least favorite bars and restaurants.

Don’t Forget to Budget

When the excitement of a bachelorette party is flowing through people’s minds, it can be easy to forget how much you truly can and want to spend. Before anything else, it is important to set a budget for the night. This should include the amount each person is willing to donate to the party. Knowing your limits can help keep your bachelorette party from getting out of hand in the cost department.

Remain Calm if Something Goes Wrong

Bachelorette parties are meant to get a little wild. However, this will sometimes lead to altercations with other guests or even among your own friends. Then there’s always the possibility (although very slight) of an accident. Remaining courteous and clear-headed despite a stressful situation will allow you to keep enjoying your night afterward. The minute you invite more problems or simply don’t take action, your bachelorette party can quickly turn into a wreck.

Save the Date

Even if someone has already RSVP’d to your wedding, it does not mean they’re free for your bachelorette party as well. In order to avoid having only one or two people show up, make sure to ask your friends to save the date. Providing a month of advance notice should be a perfect amount of time to allow friends to alter their calendars. You want to make sure all your closest friends can be there for your fun night!

Your bachelorette party can be one of the best moments of your engagement. It is important to make sure that everything goes off without a hitch. Utilize the tips listed above to begin planning the best possible bachelorette party for yourself and your friends.

Check out our amazing bachelorette packages for your big night out!

Alcohol-Free Bachelorette Party Ideas for Young Brides

Alcohol-Free Bachelorette Party Ideas for Young Brides

Planning a wedding is an exciting time for many brides, but the bachelorette party holds its own significance. It’s the perfect time to go out with all your best gal pals and celebrate your happiness. As such, it can seem like a daunting task to figure out the perfect plan. When you’re marrying between the ages of eighteen and twenty, going out to a bar may not be an option. However, alcohol doesn’t have to be a part of a great bachelorette get-together. Instead of focusing on “adult drinks,” focus on how much fun you’re having with your best friends with these party ideas.

Go to an Amusement Park

Everyone loves amusement parks. Grab all your bridesmaids and go let loose. There’s so much to do between the rides and games. If you’re a thrill-seeker, get in line for those wild roller coasters. For more mild fun, many theme parks have smaller rides, such as carousels. Additionally, amusement parks offer great food and non-alcoholic beverages! Special parks like Disney can even help you to feel like a princess. You’ll have everything you need and all your favorite girls.

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Go to a Comedy Show

As another activity that doesn’t require alcohol, try going to a comedy show. Many comedy clubs provide their patrons with delicious foods in addition to classic entertainment. Now, there are different types of clubs that include different types of comedy, with everything from clean joking to raunchy jabs. Whatever type of laughter you’re looking for, call your local club ahead of time and request a front-row seat. Comedians and other audience members love to make brides feel special. Be prepared for jokes involving marriage and in-laws!

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Mocktails, Movies, and a Sleepover

Remember when you used to spend the night with your girlfriends and stay up eating popcorn? That can still make for a perfect bachelorette party. Rom-coms are always a good choice for your girls’ night. Your night doesn’t have to include alcohol, either, as there are many delicious mocktail ideas available. You and your girlfriends won’t even miss the booze. Underage drinkers are likely to consume more alcohol than adult drinkers, so aside from being illegal, it’s also unsafe to make alcohol available to minors. Mocktails, however, make for a fun and tasty alternative. Try a delicious recipe by mixing pineapple, orange, and lemon juice with ginger ale for the “Cinderella.” Whatever you decide to try, your girls will be happy to be with you.

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Your bachelorette party is all about having fun with the girls. Whether you’re hitting up an amusement park, laughing at a comedy show or enjoying some favorite movies, you don’t have to have alcohol to enjoy each other’s company.

If you want to have an amazing at-home bachelorette party but don’t want to plan it, let us take care of the details! Contact us to book a party today!

How to Get Around in Chicago During a Wedding Weekend

How to Get Around in Chicago During a Wedding Weekend

You’re ready for an exciting wedding weekend in Chicago, and you want everything to flow smoothly. Maybe you’re the bride or maybe you’re one of the bridesmaids helping your best friend out. You’ve left your car at home and want to try something out of the norm while you’re getting from place to place getting everything ready for the wedding. Thankfully, Chicago has a number of ways for you to get around while you enjoy your stay. Here are just a few of them.

Taxi or Rideshare Car

The pros and cons of conventional taxi service versus Uber or Lyft are still being weighed. Getting from point A to point B doesn’t need to be a headache. Pull up the app for rideshare or call a regular cab or use the cab company’s app if they have one. Specifics vary from city to city, and Chicago is no different. Choosing one service over the other is often a personal preference. If that’s the case, your problem is non-existent. According to Transportation Plus, the cost may differ due to surge rates, and most taxis and rideshare companies require a credit card. Tips might need to be paid with a credit card, too. Check with the service to make sure their requirements work for you.

Public Transport

Chicago, like most big cities, offers citizens and visitors public transportation in the form of trains, the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) and buses. Many people in the city thrive on these forms of transportation. According to Chicago on the Cheap, these options are generally less expensive than renting a car service and are a perfect opportunity for people watching. Any of these services is bound to give you more of a real feel of Chicago. Some people say that you are either a bus person or a train person. Why not be both?

Scooters

One fun way to get around town is by scooter. Chicago is one of the cities that has taken to the idea of renting scooters at various spots around town. Electric scooter companies have set up spots throughout the downtown area where you can rent a scooter one place and return it at another. Many scooter companies rent by the minute. In addition to scooters, some electric scooter companies also rent electric bikes. You need to know what you’re doing, though. According to Viles & Beckman, most major electric scooter companies have policies that make riders agree to a liability waiver.

Having choices can be a good thing. Let part of your fun-filled wedding weekend in Chicago be trying out the variety of transportation options available. You might find you want to put your own car away for good.

What Are Great Ways to Prep for a Girl’s Night Out?

What Are Great Ways to Prep for a Girl’s Night Out?

The ultimate girls’ night out is the bachelorette party. As such, a group of women might spend a considerable amount of time trying to make this important evening come off without a hitch. Some things you have to do in order to prepare are pretty self-explanatory. Others, you might miss. Here are some tips to make the “obvious” prep seamless and the non-so-obvious plain so that you don’t forget anything as you’re getting ready for your night out.

Set the Mood

While your bachelorette party may include an evening on the town, many times, these occasions start at home or a hotel room that you’ve rented especially for this purpose. The party gets off on the right foot if you set the mood in the venue. Setting the mood begins before the guests arrive. Your invitations should include visuals that tell the guests about the party’s theme. For example, if the bride has chosen an Alice in Wonderland theme, then the invitation could be a paper teacup or a replica of the Hatter’s hat. The venue itself should also support this theme, and in the case of a costume party, the guests should adhere to the theme as well.

Do Your Prep Before You Leave

If the bridal party decides to head out to enjoy cocktails somewhere, then you’ll want to give everyone the chance to get ready for your night out. If it’s going to be a long night, meaning a party at home first and then, drinks and dancing, then make room in the bathroom/s for the guests to get ready ahead of time. Don’t try to get ready in the car or limo. Driving is not a right— it’s a privilege. For the sake of others on the road, yourself, your makeup, and your ‘do, it’s best to do the personal grooming in a safer and more secure environment. The safest and most practical option is to beautify yourself using a mirror that’s bigger than a compact rather than the mirror in your car. Doing this allows everyone to look their best and to concentrate on the road when it’s time to do so.

Choose a DD (Designated Driver)

Don’t leave this important role to chance. Choose your designated driver before heading out for the night. That way, there are no misunderstandings about who is supposed to do what. Nor are their hard feelings if a person expected to be able to try the bubbly and now can’t because she is driving. If you really feel like you don’t want anyone at the party to have to worry about this, then call an Uber or hire a limo for the night just to be safe.

The bachelorette party is the ultimate girls’ party. It’s an excuse to get a bunch of best friends together and celebrate one of life’s big milestones. The key to making this party memorable (in a good way) is to plan everything ahead of time, including who will drive everyone around and where everyone will get ready before heading out on the town.

How to Make Your Bachelorette Party Memorable the Right Way

Bachelorette parties are all about the celebration of good things to come. These parties represent a rite of passage for many brides-to-be. As such, they should be memorable. Some of the elements that make such a party memorable – think spa days or comedy clubs – are easy to plan for. What isn’t always easy to plan for is the spirit behind a memorable bachelorette party. If you’ve been tasked with planning a friend or relative’s bachelorette party, you’ll want to plan a party that keeps following three tips in mind. These tips aren’t party specific. Rather, they are tips, that if followed, allow for a stress-free, fun evening regardless of the event’s theme or itinerary. 

Plan for Everyone

Some of your guests like a boisterous affair. Some like quiet chit chat. Because of this, it can be difficult to plan a successful bachelorette party. The trick is to create event time blocks. For example, during the first part of the party, you’ll maybe have dinner or Happy Hour snacks somewhere. You can open the gifts, play your games, and chat over coffee.
 

In the latter part of the evening, those who want to continue cocktail hour can go downtown, while those with kids and early morning obligations can head home if they wish. If you go with this type of plan, then be sure to put an itinerary of events in your invitations. This allows people to plan for the evening ahead of time.

Hire Transportation for the Night

This is a bit of a corollary to the suggestion above. The plain fact of the matter is many bachelorette parties will include alcohol and, in some cases, not enough to eat to counter the effects of the alcohol. This makes it unsafe to drive and opens up party guests to the risk of getting pulled over and getting a DUI/ DWI. Talk about a mood killer.

Hiring transportation for the night can help you avoid the consequences for driving drunk that could ruin the whole evening altogether. You have plenty of options for party transportation. You can go with a company like Uber or Lyft, hire a limo, or even talk some sober friends into providing your party with transportation for the night. 

Less is More

It’s understandable that you may want your bachelorette party to be a knockout. However, when you immerse yourself in this mindset, it’s easy to try to cram a zillion activities into one big, spectacular display of all things bridal. This leads to over-scheduling, which will just exhaust everyone in the end. Remember, the point of this get-together is togetherness and socializing.

Every activity should come second to the connections that everyone invited will make with one another. In this case, less is more. The fewer activities you plan for the party means the more time everyone has to spend socializing and getting to know one another.

The most memorable parties address all of these issues, without seeming like they were a very big deal in the first place.