We’ve all seen the horror stories: A bachelorette party that costs more than the wedding gift, happens in a random city no one wants to visit, and ends with everyone broke, cranky, and silently judging the bride or maid of honor. But guess what? In contrast, it doesn’t have to be that way.
Let’s talk about how to throw a bachelorette bash that’s fun, fabulous, and most importantly financially friendly for everyone involved.
Bachelorette Budgeting: How to Talk Money Without Killing the Vibe
🎯 First, Start with a Survey
Before you start booking flights or ordering matching “Bride Squad” shirts, gather the troops and get their input. Use a free tool like Google Forms or Jotform to send out a quick and easy survey.
💃 For the Guests:
- How far are you willing to travel?
- What’s your total budget for this weekend/day (lodging, food, activities, gifts)?
- Are you okay sharing accommodations (like an Airbnb) or do you prefer your own space?
- Would you rather splurge on one big activity or do multiple smaller ones?
- Are you open to cooking meals together to save money, or would you rather eat out?
- What’s your spending limit for group gifts, party outfits, or matching gear (if any)?
👰For the Bride:
- Who are your must-have people?
- Do you want this to be a full weekend, a single day, or something in between?
- What kind of vibe are you going for? (Mild, wild, or “there will be bail involved”)
- Any “hard no” activities or surprises?
- How much “bachelorette flair” do you want? (Penis straws, sashes, the whole nine yards?)
One bride we know was asked, “How much penis do you want?” It was a great way figure out how much money should be spent on extra items like that, and what the vibe of the party was going to be.
📅 Then Lock in the Date
Before choosing the destination or activities, find a date that works for most people. Tools like Calendly, Doodle, or When2Meet make this super easy.
📍 Pick a Convenient Location
You don’t need to hop on a plane to have a good time. In fact, the most convenient location might be:
- Within driving distance for the majority of guests
- A city with a major airport to make flying cheaper
- Someone’s home or a cozy rental where you can bring the party to you
💬 Talk Bachelorette Budgeting Early & Honestly
Let’s face it: Money talk can be awkward—but ignoring it is worse. Be upfront so no one feels blindsided later.
Here are some ways to make the budget convo smooth, clear, and drama-free:
💡 Budget-Chat Tips:
- First, kick things off with a group chat or email: Frame it like, “Hey! Want to make sure everyone has a great time and stays comfortable with the cost. Let’s figure out what works for all of us!”
- Next, break it down into categories: Lodging, food, activities, transportation, party extras (decor, gifts, matching outfits, etc.)
- For example, offer ranges instead of exact numbers, like:
- “Would you be comfortable with $50-$75/day for food?”
- “Would you rather spend $30 or $100 on a group activity?”
🧾 Budget Tracking Tools:
- Splitwise: Tracks shared expenses and lets you settle up easily
- Venmo Requests: Set expectations up front and collect ahead of time for group expenses
- Google Sheets: Great for organizing costs in categories and showing who paid what
- TravelSpend (app): Tracks trip spending in real time and supports multiple currencies for international trips
👯 Tips for Smooth Spending:
- Appoint one or two people to be the bachelorette budgeting coordinators (not the bride!)
- Build a shared cost fund for things like decorations, snacks, or rideshares
- Keep optional items optional, like spa treatments or boozy brunches
💎 Budget-Tier Ideas: Fun at Every Level
No matter your group’s budget, you can still have a memorable and meaningful time. Here are ideas for low, mid, and high-budget bachelorette parties:
🧃 Low Budget (Under $150/person total):
- Host at someone’s home or Airbnb nearby
- Potluck dinner + DIY cocktail bar
- Games, movies, and a playlist dance party
- Backyard glamping night or beach picnic
- Bar crawl using public transportation
- Scavenger hunt in your city with silly challenges
🍷 Mid Budget ($150–$400/person):
- Weekend Airbnb split among the group
- Group wine tasting or cooking class
- Themed dinner night out
- Private yoga or dance class at your rental
- Boat rental for a day (split cost)
- Hire a photographer for a group photoshoot
💎 High Budget ($400+ per person):
- Fly somewhere fabulous (Nashville, Miami, Vegas)
- Luxury hotel or villa rental
- Bottle service or VIP club experience
- Spa day or private chef dinner
- Custom itinerary with party bus or planned excursions
- Matching outfits or goodie bags with fancy extras
📝 TL;DR: Your Bachelorette Budgeting Checklist
- ✅ Send a survey to guests and the bride (include budget-specific questions!)
- ✅ Choose the date before the destination
- ✅ Pick a location that’s convenient and cost-friendly
- ✅ Use budget tools like Splitwise or Google Sheets
- ✅ Be open, honest, and non-judgy when talking money
- ✅ Lastly, tailor the activities to your group’s comfort zone
Bottom line you don’t need to blow thousands to throw a memorable bachelorette. Especially with these tips, a well-planned party with laughter, inside jokes, and a little glitter is what truly makes it unforgettable.
What’s your favorite bachelorette party tip or memory?
Lastly- Planning a Bachelorette at a Lakehouse? Watch our video: How 2 Bachelorette in a Lakehouse
