Planning a Bachelorette Party
Planning a bachelorette party can be a daunting task. Gone are the days of heading to the bar for the night and calling it good. Now, the expectation is a weekend-long event, and planning for something like that takes time. Everyone is busy, so to help with all of your planning needs we’ve created our breakdown of the top things to consider when planning a bachelorette party!
Lodging:
Book Early - As soon as you have a date & budget locked in, book your rental. Especially in Northern Michigan, the best rentals are booked out 6+ months in advance, so if you want a killer spot, you need to be on it early.
Location - Picking a rental near the places you want to spend your time is important. It can be tough getting a large group around town so being close by is super helpful (and can reduce money spent on Ubers!).
# of Beds - Most girls are willing to share a bed, but if some people will be forced onto couches or the floor, there could be a bit of animosity around everyone paying the same price for the rental. Save yourself the stress and get a place with enough beds for everyone.
Parking - Most AirBnbs will allow 2-3 cars in the driveway, but if you’re planning on staying downtown there may be limited parking options. Paid parking can quickly add an extra $100 onto the weekend so be sure to think this through.
Onsite Amenities - Look for hot tubs, fire pits, outdoor furniture, basically anything to keep the group entertained while you’re hanging out around the house. It’s also important to make sure there’s enough seating for everyone if you plan on eating together - picnic tables are ideal!
Food:
Make Reservations - If you have a big group, it’s essential that you make reservations! Especially in Traverse City it can take a long time to get a large table at a restaurant, so it’s important to plan ahead.
Bring Snacks - You’re not going to want to eat out for every meal of the weekend, so plan on stocking up beforehand so you have something to munch on throughout the day. Tom’s Food Market has locations around town & will have everything you need without the hassle of driving all the way out to Meijer.
Be Mindful of Budgets - Bachelorette parties get expensive quick, so consider that when picking out restaurants. You can also save a lot of money by eating breakfast in and having your own booze at the house. Typically one nice dinner is standard and maybe Sunday brunch.
Decorations:
Pick a Theme - Themed bachelorette parties certainly aren’t for everyone, but they do add a ton of fun to the party! This is a time to get goofy with your girls, so think outside the box and pick something that fits their vibe.
Book TC Decorating Co. - We couldn’t create a blog post without a little plug for our business, so if decorating is not your thing, let us take care of it for you! We have package sizes for every budget, and we’ll head to your rental before your bride to set it all up! Learn more HERE.
Send People Early - It’s special for your bride to walk in to all of her friends already there and snacks & décor set up, so send a few girls early so they can get everything ready!
Gifts & Special Touches:
Make a Plan & Stick to it - Every bachelorette party has a different approach to gift giving. Sometimes there are no gifts, other times everyone gets the bride something spicy, and sometimes people all buy something within the same theme - like wine. Whatever the plan, decide as a group and stick to it. Don’t go rouge!
Make the Bride Feel Special - At the end of the day, this weekend is all about her and you want to make sure she feels special. So plan a fun game of “what do you meme” using photos of the bride & groom, or organize a painting night if she’s artistic - something to show her that you love her and know her the best!
Final Considerations:
Plan Activities - You’re going to want to have a few fun activities to keep the group entertained over the weekend. This doesn’t mean you have to spend the big bucks, but it does mean you need to think ahead a bit. Check out our Bachelorette Guide blog post for our top suggestion of things to do in Northern Michigan!
Ask the Bride What She Wants - Far too often people try and plan a bach party without actually knowing what their bride is looking for… so ask! They may be looking for something low key, so the last thing you want to do is go over the top. It’s important to make sure this weekend meets her expectations and is exactly what she’s hoping for!
Ask the Groom to do Something Special - Boys don’t think in advance like we do, they probably have no idea that their fiancée is hoping for them to do something special over their weekend. Sometimes a little encouragement is all he needs, so give him that nudge and let him know a handwritten note or a special drink at dinner could make her weekend even more unforgettable!