Invite Etiquette
No matter how great of a ladies night out you planned, it won't happen unless you get those invitations out. Your bachelorette party invitations can look however you choose, but they should tie in with your theme and include all important information (place, time, attire, directions, atc.). If you want to save some time or money, electronic invitations via email are great options. If you go the electronic route you can avoid the postage costs and you can customize them. However, make sure that you follow up as some people don't frequantly check their email. Regardless of how you get those invitations out, they should mention what type of party will be going down (naughty or nice), so that there are no surprises. How naughty this fiesta becomes is up to you and your invitees. But, be considerate of all involved and try not to make anyone feel uncomfortable. *If you expect any contributions (money, gifts, or food items) you should mention that on he invitations as well.
Girls Night In
Bachelorette party time? Instead of a girls night out, why not plan a girls night in, slumber party style?! Oh, I know you remember the nights you spent in your young adolescent years, giggling until dawn and just enjoying being a girl. What a great way for the future bride to spend her last single night with her closest friends! Before the night begins, set one important rule: Everyone must wear their PJs and bring sleeping bags. When the guests arrive order pizza, eat junk food, and throw some goodies into the VCR (think Sixteen Candles, The Breakfast Club, and Pretty and Pink). Then, sit back and feel lucky that you've all survived high school. If you want to put a little more of an adult spin on this event, blend up some margaritas and play truth or dare (I'm sure the game will be a lot more interesting than when you played it in the 9th grade). You don't need a guide to bachelorette party planning or an expensive event coordinatot to pull of a great party, you just need all the girls and a place to crash!
Make the Strippers Come to You
The last fling, the last hoorah, the last night of freedom! Whatever you choose to call the bachelorette party, make sure it's a doozy! You want your pal to have a great time. Keep in mind that she's about to commit herself to one man for the rest of her life. For goodness sake, make sure she gets to be surrounded with some hunky men on her last night as a single lady. Instead of going to a dirty strip club, arrange to have a stripper (or strippers) come to your living room or hotel room. If you hire your own personal stripper(s) you won't have to share them with an entire night club full of ladies and the future bride will get all of the attention that she deserves. In addition, if you order your own stripper, you can customize him. You have the luxury of specifying what you would like your man meat to look like and you may even get the opportunity to specify what type of costume you would like him to wear (police man, fireman, etc.). Go ahead and be selfish and get your very own stripper...your friend has earned it.
Go With The Flow
A bachelorette party is a night of bonding and unity between girls who are seeing a close friend or relative off into the world of commitment. Want to let the world know about your bond (and get a lot of great attention in the mean time)? Consider a bachelorette theme party. If you're going the theme route, don't just pick any theme or everyone on the guest list might not be able to pull something out of their closet that will do. And, a difficult theme might discourage some girls from dressing up or coming at all. Some easy themes to pull off are: black dresses, boas and tiaras, cowboy hats and jean skirts, or, if you really want to be simple, have everyone wear the same color. A theme party is sure to get you all noticed and you'll have heads turning your way all night long. Be sure, however, that you let the bride-to-be wear a little something extra that will help her stand out from the flock (a crown, a flashing button, or a sash).
Are They Really Meant to Be?
You don't have to break out the guide to bachelorette party bliss to paln a successful event. Get all the bachelorettes together for a great girls night. Make girly drinks, tell embarrassing stories, and reminisce about the past, pre-engagement days. Want a really great idea that will be fun for the bride-to-be? Make a list of very personal questions, "when was your first kiss" or "what was your most embarrassing moment with Katie?" or even "what do you like the best about Katie?" And, if you really want to pry, ask something like "how long does sex last?" Then, quiz the groom ahead of time. On the eve of the girls' gathering, ask the bride the same questions and see how many answers match up. This is a good opportunity to see how n' sync the bride and the groom really are.
Look Into My Crystal Ball!
Your best buddy is getting married and you want to do something exciting for her on her last ladies night. Well, how about some soul searchingˇliterally. How about a phsychic or astrology party? Let a professional be your guide to bachelorette party magic. Invite all of the bride-to-be's closest friends and female relatives over and order up a real life psychic or astrologist (check your local yellow pages). If you're really picky, you might want to check out a few of these "mind readers" ahead of time so you don't risk being disappointed. Then, let the fun begin. Hold the main party in large room, like the living room. Set up a smaller room with a door to have the readings in. If you want to go all out, break out the candles, crystals, curtains, and crystal balls to make it look really authentic. Keep in mind, however, that the psychic or astrologist might bring her own items to set up or might feel uncomfortable with yours. Make sure that you talk to your hired guest ahead of time, letting her know who the bride-to-be is (she better know already) and arrange it so that the future bride gets an extra long and exciting reading.
Pamper the Bride-to-Be
Ahh, the future bride's days as a bachelorette are numbered, what are her closest partners in crime to do? Send her out in style, of course! What girl doesn't love to feel beautiful? Treat your bosom buddy to a day of getting gussied up. Start the day off shopping. Collect a pool of cash from the attendees and let the bride pick out a smashing outfit (make sure she models it and gets the vote of the crowd). Next, head off to the salon for facials, manicures, and pedicures that will leave everyone glowing. Then, to top off the day of beauty, let the guest of honor get her hair blown out. Finally, it's time to put the morning's shopping escapade to good use, put those killer outfits on ladies and head out to show them off, even if you're just planning a simple dinner. Everyone is sure to feel like a million dollars, especially the bride-to-be.
Give Her Something to Wine About
Don't want a stereotypical bachelorette party that ends with everyone slipping dollars into speedos or taking rounds of shots? Try something completely different. Instead of waiting for a girls night out, take a girls day or weekend and head to the vineyards. Winetastings are a great way to get in some bonding, take in some views, and sample some fine wines. When heading to the vineyards for a bachelorette party, consider packing a picnic lunch or some delicious cheese to enjoy with your wines. Once you're done sampling, purchase some bottles to take with you. Then, later in the evening, get the girls all cleaned up and break open the bottles. Spend the evening at someone's home chatting and sipping. Just because it isn't a crazy party doesn't mean it won't be memorable.
Make it Comical
Instead of laughing at the bride-to-be while she makes a fool of herself all night, try laughing at someone else instead. Take the bachelorette party to a comedy club and send the chuckles someone else's way. Do an Internet search or flip through the phone book to find some comedy clubs in your area. Buy tickets and make reservations far enough in advance and you might score yourself a table in the front row. Another good idea is to let the club know that you're having a bachelorette party and see if the offer any packages or extras. Make sure that you make it obvious that your gal pal is about to get married (make her wear a sash or tiara) and it's likely that the comedians will make her the butt of at least one joke!
Dress to Impressˇor Not
Don't you dare let the future bride go out in public without making a scene! This is HER night so try to get all eyes on the bride by making her a costume. Make her a veil covered in condoms and attach it to a flashing tiara. T-shirts printed with cheesy slogans or embarrassing pictures are always a hit (if you go this route, bring some permanent markers and let hunky guys decorate the shirt). A sash that reads "bachelorette" is another popular idea. Whatever you choose to dress the bride in, make sure she gets noticed and feels special. If you head out to a dance club make sure that you clue the DJ in so he can make a special announcement or even set her up with a spotlight dance.
An Elegant Evening
If you look through any guide to bachelorette party planning, you're likely to be greeted with a tasteless assortment of phallic-themed ideas. However, who says that bachelorette parties have to be tasteless and debaucherous? Plan an elegant affair instead. Lay out the white tablecloth and break out the silver and the crystal. Arrange a four course meal, even if it entails ordering from a fancy restaurant. Invite all of the girls that are the closest to the bride-to-be and tell them to wear their cocktail dresses and heels because this is a fancy dinner. For the evening let all of the ladies feel like they are VIPs at a five star restaurant. And, don't forget to break out the bubbly and give a toast to the real VIP and the guest of honor, the bride-to-be.