If you’ve ever spent time binge-watching reality TV or scrolling through social media, you’ve undoubtedly seen videos or pictures of perfect bachelorette parties.
When you’re trying to plan one of these parties yourself, it’s hard not to think that you need to spend thousands of dollars to put together an amazing event for the bride-to-be.
There are all sorts of ways to throw an awesome bachelorette party without breaking the bank. You don’t even have to skimp on the details to do it.
By being conscious of your spending and shopping around for the best deals on the supplies you need, you can host an event that is both memorable and affordable.
Not sure where to get started?
Keep reading to discover a four ways to save money (but not skimp!) on a bachelorette party.
Minimize Travel Expenses
Traveling isn’t cheap. While you may be dreaming of sweeping the bride-to-be away for a girls’ weekend in the Caribbean or Las Vegas, you can save yourself a bundle simply by staying closer to home. After all, there is no rule that says you must travel to a far-off destination to have a good party.
If you are dreaming of a beach weekend, consider camping at a local lake instead of planning a tropical getaway. Or, if you happen to live near the ocean, book a local beach house for a few nights.
If your idea of an amazing bachelorette party involves a night on the town, check out the nightlife in a nearby city. Even if you drive an hour or two, a weekend road trip is cheaper than a Vegas getaway.
When travel is a necessity because you and your gal pals all live in different cities, consider planning the party in a central location. This can cut down on everyone’s travel expenses and give you an opportunity to check out a new city with your friends.
Shop for Supplies in Bulk
Buying in bulk is a good way to save on everything from party supplies and decorations to food and drinks. Hit up your local Sam’s Club or Costco to stock up on snacks, beverages, partyware, and other essentials.
If you plan on boozing it up, your local liquor store may even be able to give you a discount if you buy your alcohol in large quantities. And, of course, this option would be significantly cheaper than getting your drink on at a bar.
If you plan on buying custom t-shirts for everyone in the bridal party, consider making your own instead. Wholesale t-shirts are super inexpensive, and there are all sorts of ways to customize them.
If someone in the bridal party or another friend or family member has a vinyl cutter, you can create custom iron-on decals to turn a plain t-shirt into a one-of-a-kind masterpiece. You can also use fabric paint, inkjet iron-on transfer sheets, or other materials to create your shirts.
Buying in bulk does sometimes mean that you end up with more supplies than you need. That isn’t necessarily a bad thing, though! Chances are, you will be able to sell the extras in a local online buy-sell-trade group.
And if you have extra shirts, you could even go ahead and customize them for other people and use your leftovers to start a lucrative side hustle.
Create Your Own Entertainment
You don’t have to score tickets to the hottest show in town or spend a fortune on high-priced activities. The best part of a bachelorette party is simply spending time with friends and doing something you enjoy.
Before you break the bank paying for tickets or experiences, consider creating your own entertainment.
Pinterest is a great source for bachelorette party activity ideas. Whether you are planning an event that is mild or wild, there are countless games and activities that you can make yourself. Who says having fun has to cost a lot of money?
Keep the bride-to-be’s interests and personality in mind when planning entertainment, too. If she is more of a homebody, spending a fortune on a night of club hopping probably isn’t her idea of fun anyway.
She might be happier with a night spent at home or in a nice hotel binging on chick flicks. And if she’s not much of a foodie, you can probably skip the expensive gourmet dinner in favor of something simple like takeout pizza.
Don’t get so caught up in planning the “perfect” party that you spend a fortune on activities the guest of honor won’t even enjoy.
Shop Around for the Best Deals
Start planning the party far enough in advance to allow yourself some time to shop around for the best deals. Figure out exactly what you need in terms of supplies, travel accommodations, etc.
Instead of buying the first things you see, check prices from multiple retailers. When you’re looking for flights and hotels, check prices regularly to score a good deal.
As a general rule, you’ll snag the best rates when booking domestic flights two to three weeks in advance.
Fridays and Saturdays are generally the cheapest days to book hotel rooms in the U.S. Hotel rooms are usually cheapest when booked one to three days in advance, but when booking at the last minute, you run the risk of not being able to find a room.
This is especially true when searching for rooms in popular tourist destinations or when major events are in town. Consider booking a refundable room when you book your flight.
A few days prior to the event, see if you can find a better deal. If you do, cancel the refundable room. This ensures that you won’t be stuck without a place to stay, even if you are unable to snag an amazing deal.
Final Words
Remember that a bachelorette party is a time to celebrate the bride-to-be. There are all sorts of ways to make her feel special without draining your bank account.
Oftentimes, the best parties are the ones that are planned from the heart rather than the wallet.
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