Wedding Planning
Not all bachelorette parties involve loud music, shot glasses, nor “debauchery” games as we often see in movies. If you are a bridesmaid who was put in charge of the event, here’s how to get it just right.
Not all bachelorette parties involve loud music, shot glasses, nor “debauchery” games as we often see in movies. If you are a bridesmaid who was put in charge of the event, here’s how to get it just right.
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It is commonly known that The Maid of Honor (MOH) will host the bachelorette party with help from other bridesmaids. To prepare for a memorable and thoughtful party, we recommend that you discuss a variety of event options with the bride and follow her wishes . Then you continue with locations & activities that would most surprise and amaze the bride. You will be the one to discuss the plan with the bride and then work with other bridesmaids to develop ideas further. The bride will be extremely grateful for the love of her best friend when participating in a surprise bachelorette party.
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About a month before the wedding. This is ideal as the bride can rest and enjoy the break before getting married. If your bestie has a destination wedding or if many bridesmaids don't live in the same city, a few days before the wedding is also perfect. However, make sure you girls get enough sleep and don't drink too much!
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The bride will not know about the party nor the cost of it. For that reason, the MOH (and bridesmaids) will be the ones to budget and handle the party’s finances. Within reason, align your plans to fit the smallest budget based on the wishes of the bride. Be clear about what is and isn’t being covered, then ask everyone to pay upfront for travel, hotels, meals, or decoration to avoid unnecessary frustrations. You should be open and practical when estimating the costs. If there are concerns about the budget, talk to everyone, individually, and adjust the plan so that there are no problems before and during the party.
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Find out what she likes about bachelorette parties, then discuss the details with the rest of the band. Not every girl wants to go to nightclubs nor sleepovers. Be creative; if she is a nature-lover who enjoys outdoor activities, a camping trip away from the city might be a good proposition. If she prefers indoor, a hearty dinner at her favorite restaurant or simply cooking at her house aslo sounds like a good plan, it depends a lot on what the bride wants :D
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The most important part of the bachelorette party is the bride, right? So, be open and ready for the wildest ideas that the bride may wants. If she wants an all-out destination weekend with her besties, it is still worth to make her day joyful and memorable. Remember that the bride is the only protagonist of the party!
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Handling everything by yourself isn't the smart way to get things done. We recommend setting up a group chat and divide the work for everyone. It might be simple in the beginning, but you will have to make travel arrangements, find hotels, placing reservations, contact vendors, plan out details, etc. For that reason, don't hesitate to ask for help from other bridemaids.
If someone likes to cook, let them choose the menu or prepare snacks. If someone likes to take pictures, ask them to prepare the gear. Remember, being in charge does not mean you have to do everything on your own.
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There is no rule for decoration. Feel free to be creative as long as it stays within your budget. Here are some of our suggestions if you are going to shop for accessories & props:
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At first, propose activities that everyone can participate in, such as going to a spa, getting nails done, lying down to watch a romantic movie, participating in a wine tasting or cooking together. Then challenge the bride to do fun things like singing a song publicly or selling Bananas to strangers, or ask for a phone number of a cute receptionist or waiter you encounter during the day. Be open with whatever you do as long as it is comfortable. It will ensure that everyone have the good time together.
I personally love to lie down on the bed (with everyone) to relax after a day full of joy. We wear face masks, talk about the grooms (and boy friends) then reminisce our most memorable moments until late. Nothing fancy, just love!
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To thank the bridesmaids for their dedication and effort in organizing the bachelorette party, the bride should secretly prepare gifts for everyone.
Gifts can include bridesmaid dresses for the wedding day, nightgowns, hair ties, clothes hangers engraved with each person's name. Handwritten thank you cards for each bridesmaid is also a sincere way to show the gratitude.
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All photos in this article are taken from Nhung's bachelorette party - a bride of Meraki. Taken by photographer Yoon Kie Nguyen from KIE Photography
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