So, you’ve been given the honor of planning the ultimate bachelorette weekend! No big deal, right? Just organize all the details, manage the budget, keep everyone happy, avoid any group drama, and make sure it’s everything the bride has dreamed of... Easy, no pressure at all!

Planning a bachelorette party is one of the most exciting parts of the pre-wedding festivities, but it can also be a bit overwhelming. Whether you’re the maid of honor, a member of the bridal party, or the bride herself, creating a fun and memorable bachelorette weekend requires some thoughtful planning.

This step-by-step guide will take you through everything from setting the budget to choosing a theme and organizing all the little details, ensuring that the bride has her perfect bachelorette party with her closest friends.

Every bride has her own vision for her bachelorette party, so it’s crucial to talk with her about what she has in mind. Does she want a relaxing weekend at a spa, or is she more of a party-til-the-sun-comes-up kind of girl? 

Make note of any important details so that you can refer back to them. This will help guide the rest of your decisions, from the location to the theme and main activities.

Once you know the type of celebration the bride wants, it’s time to come up with the invited guest list. This typically includes the bride's closest friends and members of the bridal party, but don’t forget to ask the bride if she wants to invite any other important people. Gather contact information for everyone to streamline communication later.

Next up: where will this amazing event take place? The bachelorette destination can be local or a full-on getaway. Discuss with the bride what kind of experience she’s hoping for—a quick city break, a beachside retreat, or maybe even a destination bachelorette party in a far-off locale. Make sure the destination suits both her preferences and the group trip budget.

If the bride doesn’t have a specific destination she has her heart set on, you can narrow it down to a few top options and have the bridal party weigh in for the final decision

To make sure everyone is on the same page and to get more specific with your planning, it’s a good idea to send out a bachelorette party questionnaire to all attendees. This will give you insight into their preferences, budget limits, and schedules. Ask about their availability, how many days they can attend, and any bachelorette party ideas they have for activities. This is also a great time to collect payment preferences —some guests may prefer to split costs on the spot via apps like Venmo or Cash App , while others might want to pool money together in advance.

For more information on everything you should know about making a bachelorette party questionnaire, check out this post. 

One of the most important steps in any bachelorette party planning process is to set a budget. Use the results of the bachelorette party questionnaire to guide the discussion with the bride’s closest friends on how much everyone is comfortable spending and how the costs will be split.

Some groups prefer to cover everything upfront with a lump sum, while others might want to go with a pay-as-you-go approach using platforms like Venmo or Cash App.

With the location, budget, and preferences in mind, it’s time to choose a date. To avoid overwhelming the bride, try to space the bachelorette party a few weeks before other major wedding events like the bridal shower or rehearsal dinner. 

Use the responses from your bachelorette questionnaire to gauge everyone's availability and preferences. Keep important factors like weather, travel time, and costs in mind when picking the final date—this can have a big impact, especially if you're planning a destination bachelorette weekend. The earlier you can finalize a date, the smoother everything else will fall into place.

Okay, let’s talk bachelorette party themes! While it’s not a make-or-break factor, picking a fun theme can really elevate your bachelorette party and help steer your choices for outfits, decor, and activities.

As a Type-A bride myself, I went all out and made a mood board for my bachelorette trip to get the creative juices flowing and build excitement for the adventure ahead. You can keep that mood board to yourself for inspiration, or share it with the whole group so everyone knows the vibe you’re going for! It’s a great way to get everyone involved and excited about the festivities!

Be sure to keep in mind the bride’s vision for the bachelorette trip and make sure it aligns the the theme.

With the destination, theme, and guest list all decided, it’s time to send out the invitations. These can be traditional paper invites or digital versions sent via email or text. Make sure to include the essential details like dates, location, and theme (if applicable).

To streamline communication, set up a group chat for all the attendees. This will make it easier to share updates, ideas, and any last-minute changes. Plus, it's a fun way to keep the excitement going as the event approaches.

Confirm your final guest list and make sure everyone has RSVP'd. This will help you lock in accommodations and make the appropriate reservations.

Now is the time to book travel plans and hotel rooms or accommodations. If you are renting a large space like an Airbnb, make sure it fits everyone comfortably and includes the amenities you’ll need for the weekend. If your bachelorette destination involves flying, make sure everyone has booked their tickets well in advance to get the best prices.

Here are some things to consider if you’re torn on if you should opt for hotel rooms or a shared rental home (like an AirBnb)

Hotels vs. Airbnbs: Pros and Cons for a Bachelorette Party

✅ PROS

🚫 CONS

Every great bachelorette party has a fun theme, whether it’s a chic black-and-white affair or something more playful, like a rock band-themed bash or a bachelorette world tour vibe. Decide on the bachelorette party theme and communicate the dress code with your guests so they can plan their outfits accordingly.

No matter your bachelorette destination, you’ll want to book any activities well in advance. Whether it’s a wine tour, spa day, or group outing to a concert. booking early ensures you don’t miss out on any fun experiences. 

Book brunch and dinner reservations for the bachelorette weekend at least a month in advance, especially if you have a larger group. 

Will you need transportation during the weekend? Whether it's arranging Uber/Lyfts for nights out or renting a car for a day trip, make sure you’ve got a plan for getting around.

Matching tees make for super cute group photos and help everyone feel included in the celebration. These can be worn on travel days, lounging on nights in, or for a night out. Plus, they’re a great keepsake for guests to keep forever.

If you’re looking for something personalized (but not cliche), check out our collection of personalized bachelorette outfits. We have options that will complement any theme, without feeling cheesy or tacky.

Who doesn’t love a themed goodie bag? Put together fun, personalized items for each bachelorette party attendee, such as personalized t-shirts, matching hats, mini bottles of champagne, or small gifts that reflect the bachelorette party theme. Customized gifts could take a little longer to ship, so make sure to order early.

Your bridesmaid goodie bag is not complete without a “hangover kit” (for obvious reasons). This includes all the essentials for nursing a hangover, such as pain relievers (like Advil or Aleve), hand sanitizer, bandages, electrolyte packets, vitamins, Alka-Seltzer, Tums, hangover patches etc.

To help your guests pack and plan, send a bachelorette packing list and detailed itinerary about a month before the party. This will help everyone stay organized and know what to expect. We created a completely done-for-you bachelorette packing checklist that you can edit, download, and send to your girls - grab it here.

Make sure to order any decorations or party favors to fit your theme, such as signs, balloons, banners, and fun props for photos. These small touches are what really make the trip memorable and special to the bride.

If your bride is excited about playing games, start by brainstorming which ones to include and make sure to order any supplies you'll need, including fun prizes for the winners!

Send out a final round of reminders to ensure everyone has booked their travel, packed accordingly, and is ready for the big weekend. If you have delegated any tasks, check-in to see to make sure everything is going smoothly.

If you’re staying in an Airbnb or similar space, now’s the time to order groceries for the weekend. Think breakfast items, snacks, and easy-to-make meals. If your group will be drinking, don’t forget to order drink mixers and plenty of water. Don’t forget to keep in mind any dietary restrictions that were mentioned on the bachelorette survey!

Double-check with your rental’s host to see if you need to supply your own sheets, towels, toilet paper, paper towels, etc, and make a plan to have all of this ready when you arrive.

Confirm all travel arrangements, meal reservations, and activity reservations to be sure everything is in place. Keep a screenshot of all of the confirmation numbers or print them out and store them in your carry-on or purse.

A bachelorette party playlist is a non-negotiable for keeping the energy up throughout the weekend. Plus, having a curated list means you won’t have to scramble to find the next perfect song, and you can just focus on having a great time!

A unique bachelorette party hashtag is a fun way to capture and share the memories from your bachelorette weekend. Choose a catchy and memorable hashtag that reflects the theme or is a play on the bride’s new name. 

This will make it easy for everyone to share their photos and experiences on socials, and you’ll have a fun collection of moments to look back on. Be sure to let all your guests know the hashtag in advance, so they can use it when posting their pictures and updates.

This is the fun part! Arrive early at your destination to set up any decorations, put together the goodie bags, stock the fridge, and get everything ready for the arrival of the bride and guests. Hit play on your playlist before guests arrive to set the tone right away.

Don’t forget to give the bride any special gifts from the group—whether it's a sentimental keepsake or something fun for the weekend.

Use your photo-sharing app of choice to set up a shared album that the entire group can easily access and share photos from the weekend. 

Send a quick thank you text to everyone who helped make the weekend special.

Remind everyone to upload their photos so you can all relive the memories of this unforgettable bachelorette party weekend!

By following these steps, you’ll be able to create an unforgettable bachelorette weekend for the bride and her best friends. Keep communication open, plan ahead, and focus on the details that will make the bride feel celebrated. This is her big day, and planning her bachelorette bash with care will ensure she has the perfect bachelorette party with her friend group.

If you have any bachelorette party planning tips you think we missed, drop them in the comments below!