6 Bachelorette Party Planning Tips
Without further ado, I know many ladies have been waiting for this one 
Last week we shared some great tips on planning bachelor parties and we promised to write the female counterpart. Bachelorette parties differ from bachelor parties in so many ways; ditch the beer and the traditional bachelor party shenanigans and plan something for the bride that’s different and fun. Nowadays, no matter where you live there are so many great options. Even if you don’t reside in a big metropolitan city, take it upon yourself to coordinate something unique at your own venue. Here are some tips for planning an awesome party:
1. Know the bride- Remember the bachelorette party is about the bride, not about you. It’s easy to get caught up on things that you think are fun, but it’s about what the bride enjoys. Just because you like male strippers and shots doesn’t mean the bride-to-be does; she may prefer something a little more tame like a girls’ night in or a spa experience. Knowing the bride also means inviting the people she deems closest to her. The bachelorette party is going to be memorable for the bride and it’s important that the people she wants are present. Even if you may have issues with certain friends of hers, remember to keep that on the backburner and do your best to throw the bride a great night.
2. Stay organized- This is especially true when it comes to money. Bachelorette parties can get expensive and the bride should never have to pay. Figure out how much everything will cost (this includes favors, food, drinks, limo, or whatever other expenses are involved in the big event) and split it equally amongst all the ladies. Better yet, before making set plans, ask around to see how much each person is willing to spend; in this economy there are so many people who are on a budget, and you have to plan something that everyone will enjoy and feel financially comfortable with. In tune with staying organized, send out soft invites at least a month in advance that have a date and time; that way you can start planning early, and everyone can share ideas on what they think would be fun.
3. Take advantage of a long weekend- One of my childhood friends is getting married this fall in Orange County, CA but the bachelorette party is going to be in Chicago over July 4th weekend. A bachelorette party is a great time to take advantage of a long weekend, since you’ll benefit from a laid back environment (people out and about during the holiday weekend), more ladies can make it out (assuming they’ll have a few days off work), and it’s just another excuse to let loose!
4. You don’t have to leave town- Vegas seems to be the number one location for bachelorette parties, but if your bridal party is on a budget like many of us these days stay close to home. Explore your city and take advantage of new things it has to offer. This is really relevant to a bride that wants a low key party. Go on a camping trip nearby, make a few hour road trip rather than traveling somewhere far via plane. Look into cool vendors/venues/concerts in your city. Vavoom Pinups of Chicago, Illinois does awesome pin-up photo shoots for the bridal party, and even if you don’t live in Chicago you can find a similar photographer who likes to experiment with a fun photo shoot for the ladies.
5. Don’t be afraid to ask for help- Being the maid of honor is a great responsibility, but you can always use help. When you’re sending out invites and figuring out friends’ availability ask if any of them would be willing to help out on specific tasks. It’s better to include some “to do’s” and see who can volunteer rather for them than simply asking who can help without being specific.
6. It’s All About the Memories- Assuming the bachelorette party is going to be “photo taking appropriate” don’t forget the camera. If you have any hesitations about bringing a camera, then just don’t bring one. Now that doesn’t mean there won’t be any memories for the night. There are many cool things you can do and even make yourself so the bride has a memento of the night. If the bachelorette party is going to be hosted in a home environment (or at least starting off in a home) have a big poster board taped to the wall with markers so all the friends can write their well wishes and sign it for the bride. This will also work with a pretty journal or scrapbook; you can ask friends to bring old photos of them with the bride-to-be or mementos from past trips, experiences, high school, or college days to form a scrapbook she can keep forever.