The Definitive Guide to Planning a Bachelorette Trip

Whether you’re a bride-to-be, a maid of honor or simply wedding-party adjacent, planning a bachelorette trip can be a lot of work.

In addition to coordinating everyone’s schedules, choosing a theme and picking the best (and most practical) destination, you’re also trying to make sure everyone in the bridal party is having the time of their lives. No pressure, right? But never fear, we have the ultimate guide to planning a bachelorette trip.

For both planning pros and total newbies, this definitive guide to planning a bachelorette trip will get you started and provide some useful insight from the world of group travel. 

Group Travel Basics for Bachelorette Trips

Before we dive into the specifics of what makes a bachelorette trip special, let’s first go back to the basics of group travel. Here are some quick tips and things to consider when planning a group trip for the girls.

Communication

It’s best to have a single communication platform with everyone invited on the trip. This consolidates important updates on trip plans, helps the group coordinate and lets you get the group’s opinion. It’s also a fun way to share photos later on. What you don’t want is to be juggling 10 different message threads with each attendee. A group text might work, but we also recommend apps such as GroupMe for your communication needs.

As the trip planner, it’s a good idea to provide updates regularly in the months leading up to the trip. Send reminders for everything from payment information to activities and packing suggestions. To keep all the attendees happy, send out polls to let them help choose activities (with the bride’s approval, of course). And finally, as you get closer to the trip, increase the frequency of your communication to coordinate travel and pump up the excitement.

TL; DR — Get an app to consolidate all the group’s communications and update it frequently.

Budget/Payment

When it comes to making payments for large group reservations, that responsibility usually falls on the trip planner. But if you’re new to the world of group travel, we’re going to let you in on a little secret: Often, the organizers of trips get discounted or even free accommodations, lodging, etc., because they have brought the group’s business to a destination (read more about this in our free PDF download Travel Free and Bring Your Friends).

Make sure to download a payment app such as Cash App, Venmo or Zelle to receive payments from each attendee upfront. That’s right, upfront. We can’t overstate the importance of getting those payments in advance of the trip. If you don’t, you may be stuck footing the bill or chasing those payments for months after the bachelorette trip.

TL; DR — Ask for payments from the attendees well in advance, and look for opportunities to get your own travel comped.

Itineraries

You may be catching on to a key group travel strategy by now: There’s an app for that. Dozens of apps and websites exist to create and distribute itineraries for your trip. This is a great reference for your attendees to have on hand. They’re usually very aesthetically appealing and build excitement for the trip. And they may also reduce the number of questions attendees have about where they’ll be going next.

Having a set itinerary may seem rigid to some “go with the flow” groups. But the key to crafting the perfect itinerary is to create it according to your group’s personality and build in lots of flexibility. Plan time for relaxation and recovery after a night of partying so that no one feels too pressured to start their day before they’re ready.

Just remember, if you’re booking tours or other scheduled activities, timeliness isn’t optional. If you don’t make sure the group shows up on time, you risk missing out on activities you’ve already paid for.

TL; DR — Distribute itineraries with links/apps, but tailor these itineraries to fit your group’s personality.

Transportation

Transportation to the destination will vary widely based on how far away your destination is from your group. If it’s something within driving distance from all of your attendees, great — you’ll save money, and everyone should get there around the same time. If some or all attendees have to fly, we recommend flying together. If that’s not possible, plan to spend the first day of the trip coordinating arrivals, picking people up from the airport, and dealing with delayed or cancelled flights.

When it comes to getting around in your city, it may be worthwhile to book a mini-bus to take you from destination to destination so you don’t have to take multiple cars. This can also ensure no one has to sit out the fun to play designated driver. Check with the area’s destination management organization (DMO) to see if they have any recommendations for good transportation companies around town.

TL; DR — Driving is ideal, but flying together to your destination — or simply building in a flexible day for arrivals — is OK too.

Lodging

When it comes to your accommodations for a bachelorette trip, you have a couple different options — traditional hotels versus short-term rentals. And choosing the one that’s right for your group is actually about much more than price — at the end of the day, you’ll often pay about the same for a nice Airbnb as you would for a group of hotel rooms. So let’s break down the advantages and disadvantages of each.

Hotels may be a great choice if you’re looking to be in the heart of a city. They’re often close to nightlife and activities and come with some amenities, including a pool, a fitness center and housekeeping (and often a bar). They also come with security, which can be nice when you’re traveling with your girlfriends. However, if your group is particularly rambunctious, this can also be a negative. Furthermore, individual hotel rooms lack a communal space for unstructured hangout time. To get around this problem, you can make one of the rooms in your group booking a suite to ensure there’s common space for group activities.

Short-term rentals, such as Airbnb or Vrbo, are another popular option for bachelorette parties. Groups can rent entire homes or cottages in the destination of their choosing, which may be a better setup for spending downtime together and preparing meals. Rentals also allow for a bit more privacy, which may be ideal if your group plans to party into the wee hours of the morning. And though specific inclusions vary from property to property, many short-term rentals offer amenities available rivaling what you would find in a hotel. However, these properties often lack a hotel’s convenience; if you need more towels or have a maintenance issue, for example, you can’t just call down to the front desk for help.

TL; DR — When deciding whether to book hotel rooms or a rental house, determine your group’s needs and the personality of the destination itself.

Dining

There’s nothing worse than arriving to a restaurant with a group of a dozen friends only to find that they don’t have space for you on Saturday night in a busy city. What would you do then — head back to the hotel and order a pizza? That’s why group reservations are so important. To ensure your group can eat at one of the restaurants you’ve so carefully selected, call and make reservations with plenty of time to spare. Then, when your trip is approaching, call again to confirm they will still be ready to go.

Another pro tip to make sure all your attendees have a good time: Ask your group if there are any allergies/dietary needs to accommodate. If one of the bridal party is deathly allergic to shellfish, picking a seafood restaurant may not be the best idea. But if you know your group’s needs in advance, many restaurants will happily be able to accommodate them.

TL; DR — Make reservations for every place you go to, then double-check them.

Bachelorette Trip Ideas

Now comes the fun part, where we tell you all about some of the group activities and tours that will make your bachelorette party stand out. We’ve included some options that will appeal to any group’s personality. Mix and match for a well-rounded and memorable girls trip.

Turn Up the Volume

One of the primary purposes of a bachelorette party is to give the bride-to-be the party of a lifetime — a send-off she will remember for the rest of her married days. Here are some great options for the crew that loves to party.

• Rent a party bus — An increasingly popular alternative to simply spending the evening bar-hopping is to take your celebration on the road. Party buses are a great way to let your group see the city while also enjoying cocktails, music and fun. They will often have a bartender on board to mix drinks for the group, as well as a great sound system and even a dance floor. Many party buses take groups through the heart of the city, and some have open-air decks, meaning groups can share their festivities with the city.
• Tour a winery (or two) — Wine and bachelorette parties are a classic combination, and going straight to the source is a great way to experience the destination. The group can tour a winery, sample some of its wines and eat light bites for a great afternoon activity. Some tour companies even offer tours of multiple wineries in a region, and the group can hop from winery to winery to experience a flight from each. If wine isn’t your group’s thing, they can also tour distilleries or breweries for a similar experience.
• Sing your heart out— If your group is outgoing enough, karaoke can be a great way for the ladies to bond. Go to a karaoke bar or rent some karaoke equipment for your Airbnb and take turns performing. It’s a fun way to blow off steam and a great memory for your group to take forward.

Don’t Forget to Recover

After a night of partying, a little bit of rest and recovery is in order. These activities are a great way to spend the day following a rowdy night out, but they’re also wonderful, low-key activities for bachelorette groups that prefer to chill and rejuvenate themselves.

• Spa day — Another way to pamper the bridal party is with a visit to a spa for some professional beauty treatments. Opt for manicures, pedicures, facials or massages, or let the group mix and match. To save on costs, host a spa day at your rental. Get some face masks, nail polish and other spa goodies for a DIY spa experience.
• Yoga — Arranging a private class at a yoga studio for your group is a great way to rejuvenate and even stay lightly active while on your bachelorette trip. Whether your group is full of seasoned yogis or yoga beginners, a class with a good instructor can ensure everyone leaves feeling refreshed.
• Shopping — Retail therapy is a great bonding exercise. Set your group loose in a popular shopping district and everyone will leave with a little something extra. It’s a great way to get to know a town or kill time before a reservation. 

Get Creative

Some bachelorette groups will enjoy more creative pursuits — that’s true even if the group isn’t made up of creative types.

• Painting/pottery classes — Bring out your group’s creative side (and a whole lot of laughter) with an art experience such as a painting or pottery class. Sharpen your art skills or cringe at your creations, but get your hands dirty and have fun! For an added challenge (and an extra bit of fun) look for adult beverage add-ons to these art lessons.
• Cooking classes — Culinary experiences are an exceedingly popular activity for groups, so it should come as no surprise that a group cooking class is an educational and tasty way to spend an evening bonding with the girls. Have a professional chef guide your group through preparing a meal of their choice while sampling delicious food and beverages. For a budget-friendly alternative, watch a cooking tutorial on YouTube and recreate it at the Airbnb or hotel suite.
• Game Night — A night in with some Pictionary or board game trivia can be just as fun as a night out. Keep the snacks and drinks flowing for a low-key night in. We also have a list of group games for you to check out if none of the usual suspects will cut it or if your group wants to try something new.

Most Popular Destinations For A Bachelorette Trip

According to wedding websites Stag and Hen and The Knot, bachelorette trip attendees named these cities the most popular destinations for a bachelorette trip:

• Las Vegas
• Nashville, Tennessee
• Miami
• Mexico
• Charleston, South Carolina
• Los Angeles
• Napa Valley, California
• Key West, Florida
• New Orleans
• Austin, Texas