One Last Party Before the Honeymoon
(For Bridesmaids on a Budget)
If you want to give your soon-to-be-wed best friend a million dollar experience but your budget says, “crackers” instead of “caviar,” you’ve come to the right place. Here, we’ll cover a few DIY bachelorette parties that won’t leave you in debt.
Girlfriends Getaway
A girl’s weekend is the hottest and most intimate way to help your friend say goodbye to her single life. But it can get expensive. Thankfully, the internet means coupons and discounts are never out of reach. First, check out last-minute cruise prices if you live within a few hours of a port. You can often get deals that include food and drinks for $50 per night each. Glamping (glamorous camping) is another fun option that doesn’t require a second mortgage. Most importantly, set up a budget with the rest of the bridal party so you’re all on the same page about what people can and can’t afford.
Photo by Hans and Nicole Photography
Flash Finish
You know that saying, “Sisters before Misters?” Well, that’s about to fly right out the window. As good as her intentions may be, your betrothed BFF will inevitably turn the bulk of her attention to her spouse. A photoshoot is a perfect way to celebrate your friendship and preserve memories made for years to come. Make a day out of it by getting manicures, pedicures, and hair and makeup. Plan a themed photoshoot with flowers and make your own flower crowns. Plan on using the same varieties and colors she has picked out for the wedding to tie the two events together. If you want to really make it special, have the best group photo of your party printed and framed using the flowers from her crown to adorn the matting. Morning Chores offers great tips on how to press your own flowers in this DIY tutorial. Give this to her for her one year wedding anniversary, when she announces she’s pregnant, or before she moves away.
Photo by Frozen in Time Photography
Scavenge a Good Time
The good news is that all you need for a great night out is a smartphone, a designated driver, and a little bravery. A bachelorette party photo scavenger hunt is one of the coolest ways to get your gal pals out and about for a night to remember. Make a list of funny tasks and split into groups before meeting up for dinner and drinks. The team with the most photos completed at the end of the night wins. A few ideas include asking the tallest guy you can find to post a picture of you to his FB or IG account, taking a selfie with the DJ, or recreating the Abbey Road album cover.
Plan a Binge-A-Thon
There aren’t any hard-and-fast rules about what a bachelorette party should entail. Does it mean a crazy weekend in Vegas? Sure! Can you spend it touring nightclubs in your hometown? Of course! Does it mean you can curl up in the living room, gather some comfort food, and binge-watch your favorite shows to relax before the wedding? You bet!
Fortunately, in the modern world, you can have anything you want shipped or streamed directly to your home at very little cost. Not only can you have food delivered to your front door using the GrubHub app on your smartphone, but you can also hook up a streaming device to your television and have immediate access to tons of incredible content. With a streaming player, you can dive into hundreds of apps and thousands of shows and movies, all at the press of a button. This evening indoors is cheap, easily doable, and perfect for creating lasting memories.
Use Your Strengths
Time for a roll call. Make your bachelorette party list and start assigning your most talented friends to different jobs. For instance, does one of your best friends have a knack for beauty and fashion? Have her help everyone pick out their outfits and do their hair and makeup.
As for the rest of the group, if you know someone who knows how to throw down in the kitchen, have her cook. Have a masseuse in your inner circle? Free mini massages! You get the picture. Don’t feel bad about taking advantage of your friends’ strengths, they will consider it an honor to contribute to the cause. Don’t forget about those with graphic design, musical, and event coordination skills, you’ll need all the help you can get!
No matter how you choose to send her off, your friend will appreciate the effort. (And she doesn’t need to know that you’ve skirted a hefty bill.) The important thing isn’t how much you spend, but the value of your friendship and the quality of the memories you make together.
Thank you to guest blogger Aimee from DiyDarlin.com, for a great article!
