These days approximately 94% of brides choose to have a bachelorette party. Whether they embrace an intimate weekend together or a night out on the town with their best friends, celebrating the end of their singlehood has become a staple to the wedding experience. As of late, women have become more creative than ever with the themes they choose to follow. Nowadays, there is so much room to personalize these weekends or nights and you are able to make the bride feel special for the entirety of the weekend.
With the plethora of options available, it can be overwhelming to start planning for one. Begin with the basics. There are a lot of necessities you’ll need no matter the theme to execute the weekend successfully. Next, decide on a direction. Whether you’re the maid-of-honor taking the lead, or the bride herself figuring out the plans, it’s crucial to pinpoint what you’re striving for. One of the most important steps is to get the personality of the weekend figured out and make sure you don’t stray away from that.
Keep reading for the essentials you’ll need, no matter the theme, as well as unique ideas for any version of a bride!
First things first, the essentials…
Before deciding on any theme, it’s crucial the bridal party and anyone who joins the party, are prepared with the staples and essentials for the weekend. To start off your go-to bag, be sure to include some medical necessities. Tylenol to help with those hangovers you might experience and maybe even some disposable masks to ensure if any guests forget theirs you have them covered. Understandably, these items can be forgotten or you simply didn’t realize you’d require them. With new online services, you can opt to have those over-the-counter items delivered to your location – to save you from getting that dreaded FOMO and having to run to the store. Another thing to keep in mind to pack is an organized planner. If you are the maid of honor planning or hosting, it’s crucial to have a flexible schedule written with a loose itinerary. With a planner you can have something to base the weekend on and ensure you hit everything you wish to do!
For the Laid Back Bride…
Yoga escape
In the past when you thought of bachelorette parties, your mind may have gone to the typical Hollywood portrayal. Spending the night in a new city and traipsing from bar to bar with the whole group. However, this does not have to be the case. While that can be a lot of fun and a priority for some brides, there are others that prefer a more laid back and relaxing atmosphere. A yoga escape might be the perfect solution for that “laid back bride.” Meditating and eating healthy are great ways to really decompress from that stressful planning and enjoy the end of singledom. Not to mention, this can really give you a chance to take a step back and really show appreciation to your bride tribe!
First things first, find a retreat you like. There are plenty around and you might be surprised at how many are close to you. If you have a bigger budget, look into resorts in the Caribbean or in a tropical location. There are wellness resorts that offer an extensive amount of relaxing amenities other than yoga, so do some research on these. It’s important to note that you don’t have to be an expert yogi to go to these retreats! On the other hand, there are cheaper options as well! Opting for a local spa or creating your own yoga morning at a neighborhood park can still fulfill your bride’s wish to remain low-key. Be sure to get a gauge on everyone’s budget and availability and discuss how the majority wishes to execute.
For the Adventurous Bride…
Glamping Weekend
Whether you are outdoorsy or not, a glamorous-camping weekend has a little something for everyone. Immediate access to hiking trails while having an insulated area to spend the night allows for a comfortable weekend that isn’t as extreme as camping. This escape into the woods is another perfect way to remove yourself from the every-day stress and responsibilities. Not to mention, there are so many activities to do throughout the weekend!
You can get extremely creative when planning a wedding-themed camping trip. Start with the party favors! Creating a fire starter kit for all of the guests as they arrive is the perfect way to really immerse them into the theme. Similar to the yoga retreat, you can make this atmosphere low-key and cozy. Piling the cabin or tent with blankets gives the perfect vibe for a Friday-night card game and ultimately leading into a Saturday morning hike. Exploring a new area is a perfect symbolic challenge for that adventurous bride. The best part, this weekend is very easy to keep on a budget! Bringing your own food and drinks will keep the cost down and give an easy way for others to contribute. If you’re feeling extra creative, bring a DIY craft for one of the days. If some of your bridesmaids aren’t the best in nature, they’ll have the perfect activity to do to keep everyone happy.
For the Life of the Party Bride…
Casino night
Now, for the more traditional bachelorette weekend, a weekend out on the town. When thinking about the classic girls weekend, your mind may land on Las Vegas. A weekend spent with your best friends, letting loose is a lot of brides’ dreams. However, getting to Las Vegas tends to fall out of most financial plans. Luckily, this lively atmosphere can be found in a lot of places. Local casinos tend to come with hotels attached and can give you that Vegas feel.
However, there are even ways to incorporate a casino night at home! A staycation casino night might be even better than the real thing! Throw an elvis themed costume party, organize a poker night, or even dress up in your favorite outfit and head to dinner at the fanciest restaurant in town. Buying into the theme is crucial and there are so many small details that can really make the night special. Give your bride that cheesy veil to wear the whole night and maybe the hot pink sash paired with the tiara. Singling her out and making her feel special will make the night memorable. Don’t forget to add in a killer playlist to really put the cherry on top of the night.
Whether you’re in the mood for an out-of the box idea or prefer to stick with the classics, there are plenty of ways to make your wishes come true for your bachelorette weekend. This is one of the most enjoyable aspects for the bride-to-be – have fun with it!
Here are some more ideas to consider:
– Puzzle it out together in an escape room
– Pamper yourselves at an Austin med spa
– Keep it civilized with Napa Valley wine tasting
Comment below your favorite bachelorette party theme you’ve gone to! We’d love to hear more ideas.
