Prior to a wedding, a bride's days are filled with endless tasks with so many things that need to be ticked off her to-do list. But while the days leading up to the wedding can be stressful sometimes, there are some things that can help a bride get excited for her special day: that's where the bridal shower and bachelorette party come in. Both occasions are terrific opportunities to put the bride in the spotlight, while celebrating her and her upcoming nuptials.
If you're organizing these parties (all the bridesmaids and maids of honor raise your hands!), you'll know that these things can get a little pricey. A recent study shows that the average cost of a bachelorette party is $1,400 per attendee, while a bridal shower can cost anywhere between $350 to $7,500 per person.
Moreover, putting together these events means having to carefully plan and compromise on different things. It also means spending a lot of time on logistics since everyone has to be on the same page, from the destination, to the games and activities. Fortunately, there are ways to simplify the planning process. One of those best ways to do so? Have them at the same time!
Why Host a Joint Bridal Shower and Bachelorette Party?
When it comes to pre-wedding celebrations, there's a rising trend that's turning heads and raising glasses: the Joint Bridal Shower and Bachelorette Party. Yep, you heard that right—it's a combo platter of joy that's got everyone buzzing. Why have one epic party when you can have two rolled into one?
Imagine combining the best of both worlds—the cozy, heartfelt vibes of a bridal shower mingled with the playful, let-your-hair-down spirit of a bachelorette bash. It's like having your cake and eating it too (quite literally, if cake's involved—fingers crossed!). Plus, there are two added benefits.
1. It's Easier to Coordinate with Guests
Planning a party, especially one that takes place out of town, is already complicated by itself. But planning two parties within weeks or days of each other is even more difficult. Consider the fact that you need to coordinate with all the attendees for both parties on things like the dates, locations, budget, activities, and gifts. By hosting a joint celebration, you'll have an easier time coordinating with everyone, and it's easier to agree or reach a compromise on important matters since they only have to attend one party.
Professional event planners recommend giving guests as much notice as possible so they can attend the bridal shower/bachelorette party. Ideally, this should be done about six to eight weeks in advance since people will need to file leave of absences from work, make arrangements for childcare, and prepare budgets for upcoming expenses, among other things. As for the date, plan on having the parties one to three months before the wedding. It's not recommended to host the parties less than a month out since the weeks before the wedding are usually hectic for the couple. Consider starting the bridal shower in the late afternoon, then have the bachelorette party after dinner.
2. It's More Budget Friendly
Traditionally, bachelorette party guests pay their own way through the celebration and even contribute money to cover the cost of the bride. Meanwhile, bridal shower attendees will need to purchase a shower gift from the registry to ensure that the bride will have something special to start her married life with. Since both events mean having to shell out money, combining them enables guests and organizers to save on things like transportation and hotel costs.
To reduce expenses even more, try having the joint celebrations somewhere in your area. Though it would be nice to fly to nightlife cities like Las Vegas, Miami, or NYC to have some fun, remember that hopping on a plane isn't necessary to have a good time.
How to Plan a Perfect Bridal Shower & Bachelorette Party Combo
To plan a successful joint bridal shower and bachelorette party, you need to come up with a theme for the celebrations. For this one, you'll need to consult the bride for ideas, since some women prefer a lively and raucous celebration, while others would like a more low-key event.
If the bride wants a simple and calm party, your theme can be “A Day of Pampering and Indulgence.” Start by having a bridal shower at a spa, and everyone can get massages, manicures, pedicures, and facials. Encourage guests to keep the theme in mind when choosing gifts. For this theme, luxury bath products, skincare items, perfume, and lingerie are all appropriate. After the bridal shower, have the bachelorette party at a winery and start the celebration with a catered dinner before having an elegant cocktail party.
Meanwhile, if the bride wants a livelier celebration, go with a Barbie theme (because who doesn't want the girly version of a mojo dojo casa house?). Have the bridal shower at a trendy cafe or resto-bar, and ask everyone to stick to the dress code theme: PINK! Give the bride gifts that help channel her inner Barbie, such as cosmetics, personalized stationery, charms for a charm bracelet, fragrance discovery sets, or a nail art kit. After the shower, have dinner, then move to a roller rink for a disco roller skating-themed bachelorette party.
Of course, there are so many themes and ideas to choose from when it comes to a bridal shower and bachelorette party combo. Maybe you'll want to do a:
- Boho Chic Bonanza: Think flower crowns, dream catchers, and a relaxed, outdoor vibe. Floral arrangements for the shower and a laid-back outdoor picnic for the bachelorette.
- Decades Throwback: Go retro with a '70s, '80s, or '90s theme. Play iconic music, dress up in era-appropriate attire, and have a 'nostalgia lane' showcasing the bride's life at the shower. Hit a retro club or karaoke bar for the bachelorette.
- Tropical Paradise: Hawaiian shirts, leis, and fruity cocktails. Decorate with palm leaves and pineapples for the shower, then hit the beach or have a poolside party for the bachelorette.
- DIY Extravaganza: Get crafty at the shower with DIY projects like creating personalized mugs or decorating keepsake boxes. Follow it up with a DIY cocktail-making session or painting party for the bachelorette.
- The Many Faces of [Groom's Name] Day: For this theme, guests would dress up as either the groom himself or any other famous or well-known individuals who share the groom's name. You can turn it into a game by having everyone guess each other's personas amidst trivia, photo ops, and prizes. It's also a great chance to incorporate the Newlywed Game into your plans.
Get to Planning!
Combining two celebrations is a great way to simplify the party planning process while saving guests money at the same time. Consider hosting a joint bridal shower and bachelorette party, and make sure to come up with fun and creative activities so that the bride and all the guests will have the time of their life!
P.S. If you're looking for ways to capture the fun, essence, and memories of the bride's final pre-marriage hurrah, why not use Celebrate.buzz's Video Guestbook? It's a great way to have everyone in attendance, throughout the day, share their well-wishes and congratulations with the bride (or marriage advice or even fun memories). Upload candid videos, photos from both events, and you're sure to give the bride a gift that she'll cherish for years to come!
