One of my best friends is getting married this summer and all of us bridesmaids have already started thinking about the bachelorette party. We’re going the popular Las Vegas weekend route, but there are so many different options to consider when planning a bachelorette party.

Some key points to remember:

1. The bachelorette party should be organized by the bridesmaids and the bride should not have to pay for any of the festivities.

2. Surprise activities are okay, but it is good to establish before hand what the bride is and is not okay with. For this you should create a “Bachelorette Wish List.” The bride should make a list of three to five things she has always wished she could do as a single woman, and also list a few things that she would not be comfortable with. This will make sure that the festivities planned for the night will be enjoyable and appropriate.

3. Send out the invitations at least a month in advance. Also remember that anyone who is invited to the bachelorette party should also be invited to the wedding. Be sure to invite everyone the bride would want to celebrate with, including girlfriends, cousins, etc.

4. Set the date of the bachelorette party at least a week before the wedding so the bride can really enjoy herself and still have time to recover before the big day!

Possible bachelorette party ideas:

• Spa Day
• Karaoke party
• Fondue party
• Winery
• Beach or pool party
• Girly slumber party
• Pole dancing lesson
• Dinner Cruise
• Destination Bachelorette Party: Vegas, Miami, New Orleans, Cabo

The theme of the party will be largely dependent on the personality of the bride. If the bride herself is quiet and wants to do something relaxing and low-key, a spa day will be a better option than partying or doing something crazy and extravagent. Most importantly the bride will just want to have fun with all her close friends and do something truly memorable!

Planning the Bachelorette Party

Many brides take their bachelorette party as a fun excuse to get out of town, but some fail to realize that this means their bridesmaids and close friends all feel obligated to dip into their savings to come along for the ride.

As this bachelorette party planning checklist from The Knot attests, it’s important to give the bride the bachelorette experience she wants, but when do you draw the line? Would you sign up for a trip to Palm Springs? New York? Mexico? Europe? Would you be excited or annoyed?

Do out of town bachelorette parties make you want to rant or rave?

Rant or Rave: Out of Town Bachelorette Parties

Then, match your bridal party gifts with this appropriately fun and wildly colorful invitation for a memorable night with the ladies!

Wedding Tees