I’ve been really wanting to do a series of guest blog posts and when Aimee Lyons, owner of DIY Darlin’ emailed me suggesting she write a blog about budget friendly bachelorette party planning I was so excited! This blog post is so great for all of you out there planning and/or attending a bachelorette party in near future! I am currently looking to have more guest bloggers be featured here and would love to hear from you! Please email me alibphotography.info@gmail.com or fill out my contact form for more information and to set up your blog post!
Every year, over 2.2 million marriages take place in the United States — meaning some 4.4 million bachelor and bachelorette parties! Your bachelorette is a wonderful opportunity to enjoy quality time with your closest friends before you get married. Whether you want a wild bash in Cancun or prefer to sedately sip wine in Sonoma, there is a trip for every bride’s style. Planning the event can be difficult, however, especially if you’re on a budget. The last thing you want is for the weekend to become a legendary bachelorette party horror story. Follow these tips to ensure that doesn’t happen.
Create a Reasonable Budget
Establish a budget for your bachelorette party before you make any bookings. Decide on a guest list to figure out how many people you need to plan for. Then, there is transportation, accommodation, and food to take into account. If you’re planning to drink, consider alcohol costs, as these can quickly add up. You can save by having alcohol delivered to your hotel room via Drizly or a similar service depending on your location.
If you are thinking of attending an event, ticket prices are also a factor. Pop concerts, sporting games — a diversity of options is available. However, keep in mind that you don’t have to splurge on the most expensive tickets to have a great time. Also, check if group rates are possible. Some venues might offer discounts for larger bookings, which can often result in significant savings.
Choose an Affordable Destination
Once you have an idea of your budget, you can more realistically choose a bachelorette party destination that’s affordable for you. There’s no need to head across the ocean to Amsterdam or London or to fly down to Mexico. Many fun and popular destinations can be found within the United States. This guide from the Knot has fantastic ideas, from Cape May, New Jersey to Austin, Texas.
When picking your party city, look up transportation costs before making a final choice. Airline tickets can get expensive, especially if you’re not booking well in advance. If you’re strapped for cash, picking a spot within driving distance might be your best bet. A road trip is also a fun way to start the weekend. Follow these tips to save money on gas, such as avoiding highway gas stations and tuning the engine before you leave.
Pack Your Glam Ahead of Time
Part of the fun of your girly nights out during your bachelorette event comes from getting all dressed up. So, pack all your glam squad needs, such as nail polish and remover, makeup, party clothes, and hair straightener. If you’re flying, coordinate items like straighteners to avoid excess baggage fees — you don’t each need to bring one!
If you’re looking to vamp up more than usual for the weekend, consider getting eyelash extensions, which, according to Smart Style Today, have seen a boost in popularity. They look glamorous and even make you appear younger than you are. They also eliminate the need for mascara and heavy eye makeup, since they stand out on their own. Shop around and find a reputable salon, however; poor-quality extensions can leave your real lashes broken, damaged, and even falling out altogether.
Bring Some Bonding Entertainment
If your bachelorette party includes people from different areas of your life — for instance, work friends versus college pals — games are a great way to bond everyone. Cosmopolitan has a fun list of games you can play like a “How well do you know the bride?” quiz and a bar crawl scavenger hunt. These are cheap and not cringe-worthy.
As with any event, your bachelorette party is probably not going to go perfectly. Maybe a friend misses their flight or perhaps you drink too much one night — these things can happen. The important thing is to stay positive and not let these smaller setbacks derail the entire excursion. Follow the above tips to keep things running as smoothly as possible — and focus on enjoying the quality time with your friends.
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