First off, being chosen as the Maid/Matron of Honor or a Bridesmaid is a big honor. You're one of the people that the bride wants by her side when she makes her vows. You are her confidant, her friend, her shoulder to cry on. To the bride, you are super special in her life, so naturally, her Bachelorette party needs to be super special for her!
Now, you really need to find out what the bride has in mind for her girls celebration of the end of her single life and for her transition into marriage. Every bride is different and her vision that she has will be catered to her. Maybe you have a punk rock bride and she'll love hitting up a local band playing, or maybe she's looking for a relaxing get-away vacation, or even just a crazy night out, bar hopping with her girls. Whatever the case, it's your job to make that come true!
1. Ask the bride who she wants to invite. This will be a big help and let you avoid the scavenger hunt to remember her closest friends and family members. Either send an email, a Facebook message, something to give each girl a heads up!
1. Now it's time to pick the place. Remember to keep the bride in mind, or even ask her what she'd like to do when picking the place! Here is a list of the top Bachelorette party destinations:
Beach vacation/ Cruise
Vegas
Big city near you to club/bar hop all night
Relaxing weekend
Hotel slumber party
Tea party brunch
Winery
Spa day
Yacht/ Boat
Whether you want to spend a lot or a little, there is a fun place for every type of Bachelorette party, with each having their pros and cons. So really talk to the bride and figure out what she really wants.
2. Picking the theme. This is tough because you really want to be original. Think of the bride. Does she have a favorite color or a stand-out hobby? Does she have a perverted sense of humor, or is she more subtle and shy? This is the hardest part for me to decide.... Here's a list of some unique themes:
Slumber party: Include eye masks with the goodie bags, along with some calming lotion, a bag of popcorn and a scented candle. This can be a fun night packed with chick flicks and pillow fights, and maybe a couple games like Never Have I Ever and Charades.
A Black and White Affair: The ladies dress in their LBD and the bride wears white. All favors decked out in the color scheme and all the attention is on the stand-out bride! B&W M&Ms, boas, balloons, and desserts!
Beach Get-away: Have beach balls around the party, everyone dress in their fav. bikini, hand out leis when guests enter, drink sex on the beach cocktails, and light tiki torches at night! Include sun screen, bottle of water, lip balm, and cute shades in the gift bags.
Party like a Princess: Have each lady wear a colored (pink, red, blue) tutu and have the bride in a white one. Get her a special crown and possibly a wand. Get chauffeured around and have a dessert tower filled with tasty color corresponding treats! Give gifts encrusted in glitter, have cupcakes with tiaras on them, and have a hangover fairy god-mother gift each girl with a hangover cure kit!
Beauties and Bubbly: This is the theme that I'm planning on throwing at the Bachelorette party that I'm planning. Tons of champagne and sparkling juices for those ladies that don't want to drink, lots of fun girly activities including a pole dancing class (Boas included) and some relaxing downtime with facials and paraffin wax. Tons of sequins and glittery accessories will accompany my invites and decor. Champagne glasses with mini favors will be the gifts I give.
Brides Favorite Color: Pretty in Pink, Glamorous in Green, Picture Perfect in Peach, or Outrageous in Orange. Invites, balloons, favors, cupcakes, t-shirts, everything in the bride's preferred color! This one may be the easiest to do. Have all the girls wrap their presents with that color and have a signature drink in that color!
Penises: This seems to be a favorite among party stores and websites world-wide, so it should be pretty easy to throw a bash with this theme. Although this isn't one that I would choose (well maybe a game or two), there are many ways to incorporate this. The cake, the favors, even the brides gear can all have a penis added. I feel like this theme is a little played out and not really what a Bachelorette bash should be, but it's all up to what you think your bride would love!
3. After the guest list is finalized, the place has been booked, and the theme has been picked, it's now time to book transportation to bars/clubs if needed, plan and book the activities, and order a cake/cupcakes for the party! Depending on your theme and where the party will be, your activities will vary. For that outdoorsy bride, canoeing, zip lining, horseback riding, or camping may be what your looking for. For that fun, outgoing, crazy bride, a trip to the strip club, a pole dancing class, or a Pure Romance party. For that Must-Be-VIP bride, bottles of expensive champagne, a stretch limo, and VIP at the clubs. For that bride that just wants to relax, a spa day (either at the spa or at home), face masks and pedicures, followed up by a fun movie and some comfort food.
4. Have a great time! Let the chips fall as they may. You won't be able to control everything so don't try. It'll just make your time worse and you want to be able to enjoy the festivities you've planned too! Don't be that crazy girl with the itinerary and when one things doesn't go as planned freak out. Instead, plan for extra time. Tell every one that the dinner reservations were an hour earlier, or your activity is planned for 30 minutes before it actually is, that way those ladies that take extra time will be forced to hurry up so they won't be late! Hope for the best, but expect the worst, that's the best advice I can give!
Of course as the Maid/Matron of Honor you are not supposed to foot the whole bill so don't be afraid to ask for help from the other ladies that are attending. You are supposed to foot the bill for the Bridal Shower, but that's a whole different story! But don't dig yourself financial hole. The bride won't want to burden you, so host the bash on your budget! Sometimes a close-knit group of girls relaxing at home and cracking jokes is way better then a crazy night in Vegas, and way cheaper too!
Hope this helps you to plan the perfect party for your bride!
Color Yourself Happy
This is my mom. She is a beautiful, strong, independent, crazy, stubborn, giving, caring, know-it-all, wonderful woman. She will bring happiness and laughter to any occasion, be the life of the party, dress to the 9's, cook a delicious meal, and still be trying to please everyone. She has a piece of advice for any situation, and usually right, but it's hard for her to hear her own words. She has always been there for me, held my hand, helped me through hard situations, and praised me when I needed it most.
