There are so many things to plan and arrange once you get engaged. With all of the extra things to do, it’s not always easy to find time to celebrate the end of your life as a single woman and the beginning of your life with the person you love the most. Fortunately for brides all around, there is the bachelorette party–a perfect opportunity to kick back, relax, and have a good time, provided everything goes according to plan.

Book Everything Early

The sooner everything is booked, the better. Bachelorette parties usually happen about a month before the wedding and planning usually starts about four months before the wedding. 

Locations, venues, restaurants, travel, hotel accommodations, salons, spas, and more will all need arranging, depending on the type of bachelorette party and the activities being planned. It’s a lot, but that’s why you start early. Planning the event and booking early increases the chances of having the experience you want.

Have Someone Else Plan It

Typically, the bride doesn’t plan her bachelorette party–that’s the maid of honor’s job. Remember, bachelorette parties are supposed to be an opportunity for the bride to relax, celebrate, and enjoy herself. 

That’s hard to do if you’re waist-deep in planning your own party. That said, with everything that needs to be planned and booked, even the maid of honor may benefit from turning to someone else for help with planning. An event planner may have contacts with vendors you can use for the party. It never hurts to call around and ask.

Clearly Communicate What You Do and Don’t Want

Stereotypical bachelorette parties may include dirty jokes, decorations, and gifts, along with ample quantities of alcohol. While that’s exactly what some brides-to-be want, it’s the exact opposite of what others want. If you want your bachelorette party to go the way you want it to, clearly communicate what you do and don’t want to do at your party to your maid of honor. Hopefully, you’ve chosen a maid of honor who you can trust to honor your wishes and who will put your desires first so you’re comfortable at your party.

To enjoy your bachelorette party as much as possible, do your part as the bride to make sure it goes according to plan. Brides aren’t typically heavily involved in the planning process (though you certainly can be if you want), but that doesn’t mean that you can’t influence things along the way. Don’t be afraid to check in and ask how things are going if that helps you feel better about it.

Did you enjoy reading this article? Here’s more to read: The Basics of Planning a Bachelorette Party