1.     How many ladies should be invited to the bachelorette party?

A bachelorette party invite list should come from the bride.  It should include all the bridesmaids and close friends and relatives of the bride to be.  Ideally the group should be limited to 10 when flying for a destination weekend and not exceed 20 ladies.  You can always have more ladies but just remember that more ladies requires more planning!

2.     Should I include the bride’s mother?

For modern bachelorette parties, that don’t include blow up items, I think that it is always a nice touch to include the bride’s mother, provided that the bride has requested her there.  Having the Mother of the Bride present is a special time for her all the special women in the bride’s life.

3.     What are some tips on saving money on a bachelorette party?

The best way to save money on a bachelorette party is to host all or part of the party at home.  You can cut your food and alcohol bill in half by doing this, and the bride probably won’t even notice.  Order some platters from a local grocery store, mix a few martinis, and set out some candles and flowers.  With these few simple tricks you can turn your place into the bachelorette party lounge.  The main focus of the bachelorette party is having fun together, no matter where you are.

4.     Who should plan the bachelorette party?

Either a bridesmaid or sister of the bride should be the lead on the party.  It is important for one person to be the main contact, especially when dealing with coordinating a few different things.  It is a really good idea to recruit some fellow bridesmaids or family members to help plan the party.  This way more people feel involved in the party, and as a result making the bride feel more special at her party.

5.     Do I need to send out formal invitations?

Formal invitations are a nice touch; however, they are not necessary for a bachelorette party.  Online, web-based invitations, such as evite.com, are a great tool for bachelorette invites.  You can personalize them with pictures and inside jokes, and see everyone respond as to who is attending as who is not.  It is a great way to start communication and get people excited about the upcoming soiree.

 

6. I am a bridesmaid who lives out of state, and I am unable to attend the bachelorette party because I am in another wedding that weekend. (Talk about 27 dresses, right?!) Should I still help the maid of honor pay for the party?

    Wow, you are a busy bridesmaid!  A bachelorette party is a little different from a     bridal shower, because usually at the bachelorette party everyone who attends chips in a pays for the taking the bride out for the evening. However, since you can’t be there, I think that it is always a nice gesture to offer to help pay for the bride-to-be or call ahead an order a bottle of champagne or round of shots for the ladies to enjoy on you. If that isn’t your style, by a silly gift for the bride to open at the party, and have it sent to the MOH ahead of time.  By doing something small for your bride, it will go a long way.