For most bachelorette parties, the Maid of Honor (MOH) is in charge of planning the bachelorette party. In the case that there is no Maid of Honor, the bride can ask one bridesmaid, or a small group of friends to coordinate the party. We recommend that one person takes the lead, who is also in charge of communicating with the bride, but then to delegate tasks to other members so that the full load doesn’t land on the MOH. 

Planning a Bachelorette Party When the Maid of Honor Lives Out of Town

If the Maid of Honor doesn’t live near bride and/or where the bachelorette is taking place, it is extremely helpful to have someone else who lives near the bride either plan the bachelorette party, or help the MOH do tasks that she physically can’t do from far away.

Sharing responsibilities for the bachelorette party might look something like: after consulting the bride, the MOH picks the theme, coordinates the dates, and books reservations, while other tasks like ordering decorations, picking up food, and finding local activities are delegated. Remember that it is best to let go of any pride or wanting to take credit for planning the bachelorette because it is all about celebrating the bride, not who planned the party.

Involving the Bride in Planning the Bachelorette Party

Some brides might have a lot of ideas for the bachelorette party, or even want to plan the party herself, while others may want to be surprised by the weekend. Though you might be the bride’s best friend and know exactly what she wants, it is still good to gauge the bride’s expectations before pinning a bunch of ideas on Pinterest. (Again, we recommend that some responsibilities are shared for the planning, especially if the bride is in charge of the bachelorette.)

What to Ask the Bride Before Planning the Bachelorette Party

Before planning the bachelorette, ask the bride

1. If she has an idea of when she wants the bachelorette to take place.

2. If she has any activities she would like to include.

3. Who she would like to be invited.

4. How wild she would like the weekend to be.

5. If there are any boundaries she would like to set beforehand about invite list, activities, alcohol, etc.

6. How much of the weekend she would like to be a surprise.

With these questions, you have a pretty great understanding of how much or little the bride would like to be involved, and what her expectations are for the bachelorette party. Let her know that she doesn’t need to give specific answers unless she has a specific idea or worry in mind. 

Let us know below if you had a different experience in who planned your bachelorette party, or if you’re a bride who planned your own bachelorette party! Happy planning!