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| Typical costs: | - A bachelorette party can cost $15 to $30 per person, for a casual meal at the host's home , followed by an informal activity. Food ideas include: a back-yard barbecue, a clam bake, high tea, Chinese take-out, roll-your-own sushi, homemade lasagna or dinner at a pizza place, an Italian restaurant, a barbecue joint, a bistro or a brewery. Activity ideas include: yard or beach games such as horseshoes or bocce ball, bowling, ice skating, traditional games, a themed movie night, a slumber party, a do-it-yourself spa night, a scavenger hunt, playing pool or darts at a bar, or karaoke.
- A bachelorette party can cost $35 to $150 per person for a slightly more upscale dinner and activity. Food ideas include: a gourmet lunch or dinner at the host's home or going out to a steakhouse, a sushi bar, a fondue restaurant, a seafood place, or an ethnic restaurant such as Thai, Vietnamese, Mexican, Greek or Ethiopian. Activity ideas include: a jewelry-making party at a bead shop, a wine tasting, traditional bar hopping, a scrapbook or journal making class, or a yoga class or belly dancing lessons.
- A more elaborate bachelorette party can cost $150 to $300 per person. Food ideas include: hiring a personal chef to come to the host's home and cook a gourmet meal or a five-course meal at an upscale hotel or resort or a meal at French restaurant or a trendy urban spot. Activity ideas include a trip to a nightclub in a limousine, a party in a hotel suite with hired entertainment, a rock concert, a ballet, a day at a spa, a hot air balloon ride or a day of kayaking or whitewater rafting.
- Parties that involve travel fall into their own category, because each person is generally expected to pay their own way and pick up a portion of the bride's costs -- except for, usually, her plane or train ticket. It is a good idea to discuss this with everyone beforehand -- including the bride.
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| What should be included: | - Most bachelorette parties include some sort of food, drink -- alcoholic or not -- and a planned activity. Traditionally that means risque games or barhopping but, depending on the tastes of the bride-to-be and guests, could mean anything from bowling to wine tasting to a gourmet cooking class to white water rafting. TheKnot.com offers a bachelorette party planning timeline. And iVillage.com offers a list of traditional bachelorette party games.
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| Additional costs: | - The cost of favors and props, such as boas and a tiara for the bride, can add to the cost of the party. Favors can cost $5 to $15 and up per person. TheKnot.com offers a list of must-have extras for a traditional event.
- Hiring entertainment can add significantly to the cost of the party -- between $130 and $175 per hour for one entertainer, and possibly travel expenses.
- If alcohol will be involved, transportation or lodging should be arranged ahead of time, which can add to the cost. The price will depend on the type of vehicle you rent, how many hours you need it for and the number of passengers. Average costs range from $45 an hour for a sedan to $300 and up an hour, plus tip, for a stretch SUV. TheKnot.com has links to local limousine and car services.
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| Discounts: | - Traditionally, the maid of honor throws and pays for the bachelorette party. But, if money is an issue, she can ask other members of the bridal party to share in the planning and expense. Between $50 and $200 is a reasonable amount for each person to contribute, according to TheKnot.com.
- Joint bachelor/bachelorette -- or "Jack and Jill" -- parties have become popular recently. As a bonus, the maid or matron of honor and best man can split the cost on room rental fees.
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| Shopping for a bachelorette party: | - The first step is to pick an activity or theme for the party, based on the tastes of the bride-to-be. The Knot.com and BridalGuide.com offer lists of creative bachelorette party ideas, as does Brides.com.
- TheKnot.com offers bachelorette party ideas for those on a budget.
- Tip: If you are considering booking live entertainment, check in with the bride-to-be, before starting to plan the party, to make sure she approves. If you do decide to hire entertainment, ask friends for recommendations or check the Yellow pages for "adult entertainment." Or, Chippendales.com has a list of upcoming show locations.
- TheKnot.com offers a planning timeline.
- When traveling out of town, it is important to make reservations for shows and restaurants well ahead of time, to avoid disappointments. Brides.com offers a primer on destination bachelorette parties.
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Article updated July 2007 |
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