How to Plan a Bang-for-Your-Buck Bachelorette Party
The costs of a bachelorette party can be steep. When you add up the price of airline tickets, hotel stays, meals, drinks, and entertainment, it's enough to break anyone's budget. According to Upgraded Points, the national average cost of a three-day bachelorette party trip is $1,400 per person. But with these tips, you can scale back the costs without scaling back the fun.
Most of the time, the maid of honor, bridesmaids, and any other friends who are attending pay for their own accommodations and transportation, and then pitch in to cover the rest of the costs of the bachelorette party. However, in some cases, the groom may decide to pay for the festivities as a gift to his bride and her friends. No matter who’s paying, remember that the bachelorette party doesn't have to encompass an entire three-day weekend. Celebrating for multiple days and nights can do some serious damage to your budget.
Where to Go If all (or at least most) of the bridesmaids live near the bride, there's no reason to splurge on traveling out of town. Keep the party local and go to some of the bride’s favorite hangout spots. Whether she loves hiking or singing karaoke at the bar, you are sure to find some fun activities locally without having to catch flights.
If you do decide to host a destination bachelorette party, it’s essential to plan far ahead. Track flight prices and try to pick a destination that's affordable for all the attendees. It doesn’t need to be a remote island or exotic locale; staying within the US can save you a lot of cash.
Whether in town or at a destination spot, rent a house through a service like Airbnb or Vrbo. You can all spend the night at a communal spot without spending all that money on hotel suites.
What to Do
Take it outdoors.
If you have a lot of people on the guest list, you can throw a shindig at the park or other outdoor venues without breaking the bank. Just check with the city to see if you need any permits for public locations. Check out AVParty.com for all your party rental needs. They rent everything from dishes and canopies to casino games and stages.
Make it a movie night.
If you are staying local, make it an outdoor movie night. Just rent (or borrow) a high-quality projector and screen. You can also order takeout from the bride’s favorite restaurant and mix up a few batches of signature cocktails. If you want to kick it up a notch, rent a popcorn machine on the cheap and buy big boxes of candy — and then you’ll be all set. For something a little extra, you can print tickets or set up a red carpet to add to the theme.
Roll or bowl.
Head to the roller rink for a skating party, or drop by the bowling alley to get in a few games. It's good cheap fun, provides a little exercise, and promotes healthy competition among your girlfriends. Have pizza and drinks at the rink or alley, or finish off the day by hanging out at the pool with cocktails in hand.
At-home spa day.
You don’t have to go to a ritzy spa or salon. Instead, enjoy some beauty time with your best friends at the house. All the guests should bring a bunch of hair and beauty products. You can do each other’s nail art, play around with eyelash extensions, and try out wild wash-out hair colors. It may even be a good idea to all chip in and buy the bride-to-be a vanity table for the occasion. Many vanity tables can be purchased for under $100, and they’re great for organizing cosmetics.
Have a sleepover.
Upgrade those slumber parties from your youth with rom-coms, grown-up party games, and wine. Stay up all night hanging out with your besties to celebrate the bride-to-be’s pending nuptials. Sleep in late and drag yourselves to your favorite brunch (or lunch) spot the next day.
Don't stress out about how to throw an incredible bachelor party on the cheap. It's the friends that make the fun, not the Benjamins. With this advice, the bride and all her besties can have a blast without busting anyone's budget.
Aimee Lyons Blog - diydarlin.com
