What Happens at a Bachelorette Party
Have you ever been that person in the room nodding and smiling as people chat about “oh you know how bachelorette parties go…” You hear yourself go “OH YEAH totalllllllly. Bachelorette parties.” But your brain is going “haha yeah no clue.”
We’re here to tell you that you’re not alone. We know that these parties can seem overwhelming, especially if you haven't attended one before. So, we’re here to give you a rundown of what to expect and what's typically done during a bachelorette party. Let’s get into it!
What is a bachelorette party?
Let's start with the basics. A bachelorette party is a celebration thrown in honor of the bride-to-be, usually by her closest friends or bridesmaids, as a way to mark the last days of her single life. These parties can range from a night out on the town, to a weekend getaway, to a destination trip leading up to the wedding.
Every bachelorette party is different since the party is planned around the bride’s interests and personality. Usually, a bachelorette party is an extended weekend getaway within a few months leading up to the wedding.
The main goal is to spend quality time with the bride, celebrate her upcoming marriage, have some fun, and make unforgettable memories together.
What do you normally do at a bachelorette party?
As a bachelorette guest, you can typically expect to bring a gift for the bride, to stay somewhere with the group, to have an itinerary of fun activities, and eat and drink lots of great food. Bachelorettes also usually split the bill for the party, and cover the bride’s portion. You can see a better breakdown of the bill here.
Do you drink alcohol at a bachelorette party?
One of the most common activities involve going out to bars or clubs for a night out, but isn’t always the case. If you want a fun party that doesn’t involve alcohol, check out our ideas for an alcohol-free bachelorette.
Does a bachelorette party have to be a destination?
No, a bachelorette party does not have to be a destination. Quite often you’ll find that bachelorette parties take place in your home town or nearby city. While bachelorette parties can be a great excuse to experience a new place, there are usually plenty of great places near you to have fun.
What do people wear to a bachelorette party?
In terms of attire, bachelorette parties are often a time for the bride and her friends to dress up, have fun, and feel confident. Some brides and bridesmaids like to wear matching outfits, such as t-shirts or tank tops with cute slogans, while others prefer to dress in coordinating outfits.
If you’re having a weekend in the mountains, you probably won’t be bringing your cocktail dresses, and vice-versa if you’re having a night on the town.
Personally, we love a good jumpsuit for going out and dancing.
What kind of activities happen at a bachelorette party?
Usually, bachelorettes include a range of activities from going out on the town, to hanging around and chatting, to playing games and sharing gifts for the bride. The weekend can be as wild or as relaxed as the bride would like it to be.
One of the most common activities is to hit up a bar or club for a night out. This is a great way to dance the night away, drink, and just let loose. If you're not much of a drinker or dancer, don't worry. There are plenty of other options, like going to brunch, seeing a show, having a movie night, going golfing, having a spa day, taking a cooking class, hitting up an arcade, or even going camping.
Check out our list of 50 fantastic bachelorette activity ideas to get you started.
Do you play games at a bachelorette party?
Depending on the plans for the weekend, there might be a few games sprinkled throughout the bachelorette party. Not every bachelorette party will have games, but you might find that bachelorette games act as a great ice breaker in mixed friend groups, and can add some fun wedding trivia into the day.
Some of the most common bachelorette games are wedding Jeopardy, a panty drop, some version of pin the tail on the donkey, drinking games like beer pong, or wedding trivia.
Do you bring lingerie to a bachelorette party?
Whether or not you will bring lingerie as a gift for the bride will depend on the bride and the people planning the bachelorette party. The most common gift for a bachelorette party is to bring lingerie for the bride, but you may be asked to bring something different or off the registry, to split a bigger gift with the group, or to bring nothing at all.
Do all bachelorette parties have a theme?
No, not all bachelorette parties will have a theme. If you do have a theme for your party, it will most likeley include the name of the bachelorette party, the attire, the location, the bride’s name or married name, or activities for the party. The bachelorette theme can be as subtle or as specific as you would like.
Expect to communicate for the bachelorette party
Lastly, we want to talk about the importance of having open and honest communication with the bride and her bridesmaids. There are a lot of logistics involved in managing schedules, paying for events and lodging, and party planning, so it’s essential to make sure everyone is on the same page.
Managing everyone’s expectations before the bachelorette party ensures that everyone has a great time and that there are no misunderstandings or disagreements. So, don’t ghost the group chat, even if you don’t have everyone’s number saved!
We hope this clarified a few of the questions you may have about bachelorette parties! If you’re ready to start planning, we highly recommend checking out our Ultimate Bachelorette Planning Guide. We walk you step-by-step through the process to planning a great party for your bride-to-be!
For even more planning resources, check out these posts:
Happy Planning!
