Make Your Bachelorette Party Count

Wedding planning is stressful, right? Besides the obvious decision of hiring a wedding planner, there's one more way to manage your stress leading up to your big day- your bachelorette party! Although it's meant to be a way to blow off some steam right before your wedding, bachelorette parties themselves have become full of traditions, do's and do not's, and high expectations. It's a big mistake to overlook the bachelorette party! Follow these tips to make your big night as wonderful as your big day will be!

Have a Vision

The first and arguably most important thing to decide is what you want your bachelorette party to look and feel like. Do you want a night to rival the movie "Hangover?" or do you prefer something quieter? Do you imagine you and your crew bar hopping all night, or staying in for a paint night with wine? Knowing your expectations and making them clear to your maid of honor will ensure you get the bachelorette party of your dreams!

Organize the Finances

Make sure that whatever you decide to do, it is affordable for your bridesmaids and other guests. If you dream of a presidential suite and bottle service in Las Vegas, keep in mind that many of your guests may not be able to afford that. Tuck that away for a post-honeymoon trip! Instead, think of an agenda that is manageable for everyone. This should be your maid of honor's job to figure out. Ask her to come up with a budget that works for everyone- then plan away!

Timeline

There are so many fun bachelorette party ideas out there, but don't feel obligated to overschedule! Our suggestion is to pick 1 or 2 "activities," followed by a night of bar hopping or wine tasting, for example. Make sure to consider time needed to have a snack or change clothes and freshen up if needed. Don't underestimate the importance of just relaxing with your friends and a couple of drinks!

Don't Drink and Drive

You know that list you have in your head of everything that could go wrong at your wedding? Add a DUI for you or one of your bridesmaids if you don't plan for transportation back from the bars. Not fun. An Uber of Lyft is such a simple and affordable way to get to and from the bars, you don't have an excuse NOT to go that route. If you and your guests are able to shell out the extra bucks, a limo or party bus is super memorable!

Keep it Personal

Don't make this just any night out on the town! Incorporate something special. Personalized matching temporary tattoos are super affordable, simple and fun! Maybe your crew is the scavenger hunt type- there are endless possibilities. If it's an overnight event, send your guests home with cute "hangover kits" filled with things like aspirin, bottled water, and mints. There are so many memorable ways to cherish your bachelorette party forever.

Wedding Etiquette- What Still Applies, and to Who?

Etiquette- it almost sounds like an antiquated word, doesn't it? With social etiquette, in general, becoming more relaxed in recent years, some people underestimate the importance of wedding etiquette. Yes- it's still important. 

However, with so many different styles and types of weddings, it can be difficult to determine which etiquette still applies and which may not. Mix an older generation with a new generation where many feel comfortable running to the grocery store in their pajama pants (which we're guilty of!) and it's even more confusing. 

Consider this your go-to guide on wedding etiquette so you can quit wondering and start having a good time at those weddings this summer! If you're planning your own wedding, use this guide to keep your guests in line.

White is Still A Big No

Remember when it was a considered bad etiquette to wear all white to a wedding? Yeah, it still is considered bad etiquette. Sure, having some white in your outfit is fine, but if you show up in an all-white dress or outfit, chances are, you will take attention away from the bride. So, save that bright white outfit for another occasion.

Social Media- to Post or Not to Post?

This is a newer, smartphone age etiquette conundrum. Many people take photos of the happy new couple on their phones and that's great! Many of those people also post it to Facebook, Twitter, and other social media platforms- right away. This can be frustrating for many brides, who have spent thousands of dollars on a professional photographer, only to have the first pictures of them in their beautiful dress unveiled to the world of social media by a guest who took it at a strange angle above Aunt Sally's perm on a smartphone.

Always RSVP

The number of brides that we've worked with who don't receive all of their RSVPs back is astounding. Always RSVP. Even if it's a "no." Imagine how stressful it is planning the biggest party of your life. Now imagine how stressful that would be if you only get 52 RSVPs from 150 invites. 

Without proper planning, the bride and groom either waste a ton of money on food for people who don't show up or don't have enough food when guests who didn't bother to RSVP attend. It doesn't take long- please RSVP.

Be on Time

This means the obvious- don't be late. Nothing throws off a beautiful, quiet ceremony like a guest rushing through the doors 5 minutes in. However, it also means don't be too early! A good time frame for arrival is 15 - 5 minutes before the start of the ceremony. If you arrive too early, you might throw off the family's plans, like pre-ceremony photography. You might even see the bride in her dress, which will ruin the magic of the ceremony for her and you!

Stick to the Registry

If you see a really cute slow cooker that you think they would love, resist the urge to buy it. It's likely not on the list because they already have a good slow cooker. It will help no one to fill up their home with useless items. Don't feel obligated to get something out of your budget, either. Most couples will have items in a large price range on their registry!

"Open Bar or Cash Bar" - The Positives and Negatives to a Open and Cash bar.

Every bride has wondered, "open or cash bar?" There are many positives and negatives to each, but the reality is that no one bar type fits every wedding! It depends on a number of factors,  like your budget and guests. 

Open Bar

Positives-

Guests save money

Starting with the obvious,  your guests won't have to shell out money for drinks (remember to put out a tip jar,  though!) There's not much more to elaborate on here- everyone loves saving money!

Party atmosphere

Ask yourself what type of partiers your guests are. Will there be a lot of your college friends there, ready to down shots and dance the night away? Do you want the reception to feel like a big party? Do you want it to go late into the night? An open bar almost guarantees a late night party! With the alcohol flowing, the dance floor will fill up and the guests will be more encouraged to keep the party going.  

Thanks guests and makes them feel more welcome

Your guests will really feel taken care of if they have complimentary drinks during your reception. It'll feel more like a party. It will also create fun memories that everyone will keep with them forever. 

Negatives- 

You spend a big chunk of your budget

Of course, an open bar is never cheap. If you've been stretching your wedding budget,  an open bar may not be in the cards for you. And that's ok!

Guests may get too drunk

Do you have a few guests that you just know will drink past their limits? To avoid any drama, damages, or obnoxious scenes, you may choose a cash bar instead. As we mentioned above,  it's all about knowing your guests. 

Driving home safety

This isn't a fun part of the night to think about, but it's important.  Do you feel your guests will drive home responsibly? The last thing you want on your wedding night is to feel responsible for a drunk driving incident. 

Cash Bar

Positives-

You save a ton of money on alcohol

Small budgets reap the benefits of a cash bar! 

Responsible drinking

Guests will be much more likely to drink responsibly with an open bar,  reducing the risk of any drunken accidents or scenes. 

Negatives-

Guests may feel restricted if on a budget

Guests on a budget or struggling financially may not be able to drink at your reception. 

Guests may get upset with bartender if they feel their order is incorrect 

Since guests are paying for each drink, they will be more critical of taste and ratios, potentially holding up the bar line. 

Party likely to end earlier

The longer guests stay, the more money is coming out of their pockets. This will make the reception more likely to end earlier.  

Compromising

A simple compromise to those on the fence is easy. You could have a limited open bar with just beer and wine. No liquor will likely keep "problem" relatives out of trouble. It's also more affordable. 

Another good option is limiting the hours of the open bar. An open bar that lasts through the first 2 hours of the reception is much cheaper than an open bar that lasts 4+ hours.