How to Plan a Bachelorette Party in Austin

Bachelorette parties are a right of passage in today’s pre-wedding festivities. The bride-to-be gathers all of her girlfriends, and they hit the town to celebrate her last days as a single lady. However, planning every detail of the party can be stressful on top of planning your upcoming wedding.

No worries – we’ve got you! We’ve pulled together all the essentials you need to get started, PLUS we are sharing how to shop our favorite #BachBash party themes. You’re just a few clicks away from being all set for your bride-to-be weekend that will leave your maids talking for years to come!

Photo: Caroline Lima Photography

When Do You Have a Bachelorette Party?

We suggest hosting your bachelorette party anywhere from two to six weeks before the wedding. Getting crazy with your girls so close to the big day can be a recipe for disaster. A hangover and dark circles don’t make for a very good bridal look. Extra planning tip: see if there’s a holiday weekend around that time to snag an extra paid vacation day!

Best Bachelorette Party Destinations

Austin, Texas is 100% the mecca for bachelorette parties! Which is why hosting one locally is a no brainer! With nearly infinite bars, restaurants and music joints, it’s no wonder brides and their besties choose to venture to Austin for their parties.

Looking to make a weekend out of your bach bash? Our team has celebrated brides-to-be with music filled nights in Nashville, outdoor adventure settings in San Diego, city exploration in New York City, a snowy retreat in Breckinridge, beachside at Florida’s Seaside, and party hopping in Miami and Las Vegas. Choose the city that best fits your group of pals.

Top 10 Bachelorette Party Destinations

1. Las Vegas
2. New York City
3. Miami
4. Nashville
5. Los Angeles
6. New Orleans
7. Orlando/Disney World
8. Cabo San Lucas
9. Austin
10. Napa Valley/Sonoma

Honorable Mentions: Palm Springs, Scottsdale, Charleston, Tulum, Aspen, Destin/30A, Dallas (Sources: WeddingWire Bach Study 2019, Fox Business Report 2021, Vogue 2022, PopSugar 2022)

Don’t get too caught up on the destination of your party, especially if your crew has a smaller budget – you can plan an awesome bachelorette party right at home or opt for a more low-key night on the town!

What activities should we have planned?

It’s important to create a unique experience based off of your own group. There truly is something for everyone. Gone are the days where every bachelorette party has to include bar hopping and hot pink everything. Try getting outdoors with your girls for a paddle board session or make reservations at a private pop up restaurant for a unique dining experience.

Mobile Massage Austin

Venture to a local Austin spa for a complete day of pampering. Shoot, you can even bring the spa to you by hiring Live Love Relax Massage + Wellness for massages at your location! Surprise your friends with a morning massage before hitting the strip (or even book Live Love Relax for a quick pre-wedding massage on the day of your wedding). This team brings their massage chairs to you and your squad and customizes massages based on each clients’ needs.

Photo: Courtesy of Live Love Relax Massage + Wellness

Getting Glam with Glitter

What says bachelorette party more than a glitter bar? If you and the girls are planning on going out, Austin Glitter Bar has you covered — in sparkles, that is! The bar features over 50 glitter blends, professional lighted mirrors, plenty of shimmering decor and glitter artists who are ready to make your vision come to life!

Photo: Courtesy of Austin Glitter Bar

4 Best Hotel Pools in Austin

Lounging at a chic hotel pool with a frozen cocktail always makes for a fun time. Below we’re listing our favorite resort and hotel pools in Austin!

1. W Austin Wet Deck
2. Fairmont Austin
3. Thompson Austin
4. Kalahari Resorts & Conventions

Also, activities that offer private style bookings have been super popular, like yoga sessions and cooking lessons. A team favorite is a guided calligraphy and watercolor class complete with wine and cupcakes!

Photo: Courtesy of Thompson Austin

Sweet Treats and Charcuterie

Nothing says fun like a few sweet treats, especially if they’re custom-made! Lucky for you and your bridal party, Austin has some of the yummiest food vendors around.

If you want something both sweet and stunning, consider some custom-frosted cookies from The Lucky Baker. If cupcakes are your thing, The Cupcake Bar is sure to please with their interactive spin on this classic dessert. The desserts offered at The Fancy Marshmallow Co are another fun and unique way to add some sweetness to your celebration!

Photo: Courtesy of The Lucky Baker

If the bride is more into savory, consider a charcuterie board from Hill Country Grazing Co! Whether you need a board, a platter, or boxes, Hill Country Grazing Co is ready to serve up the finest seasonal meats, cheeses, spreads and more!

Photo: Courtesy of Hill Country Grazing Co

Biggest Planning Mistakes

The biggest mistake bridesmaids can make is planning around what they think a bachelorette party should look like instead of what they think the bride really wants. If nightclubs, male strippers and phallic party favors aren’t your thing, don’t book the next ticket to Vegas. Get creative and plan a weekend filled with things that you love. As her wing women, this is your time to cater to your bride-to-be as well as foot the bill, so be sensitive of any personal budgets to avoid tension amongst the group.

Accommodations: Lucky Arrow Retreat

Where to Stay in Austin for a Bachelorette Party

Best Hotels in Austin for Bachelorette Party

Austin is home to some of the BEST hotels nation wide, many of which are located in or near downtown with fantastic accommodations for bachelorette parties. Thompson Austin, Fairmont Austin, and W Austin are all located in Downtown Austin. We recommend checking out our accommodations directory page for a complete list of our preferred hotels and lodging options in Austin.

Cabins & Yurts Near Austin

If you’re looking to get “off the grid” so to speak, we’ve got you! The glamping trend is thankfully here to stay! Our favorite local glamping resort, Lucky Arrow Retreat in Dripping Springs, offers 10 luxury yurts 25 beautifully designed cabins for you and your girls and guys to choose from. And yes, there are pools and hot tubs on site for use.

Photo: Courtesy of the Fairmont Austin

Bachelorette Party Decorations

Is a bachelorette party even complete without a balloon arch for group photos? No way! Social Hour Balloons is a pro at knocking out bachelorette party balloons! Hire them to hang “BRIDE” balloons up as a surprise for the gal in white or go all out on a fun balloon garland as a backdrop for your festivities.

Not into balloons? No worries! The team at Custom Simplicities is eager to help you plan your perfect event. From pop-up picnics to elegant dinner parties, they have everything needed to give the bride and her best gals a time to remember.

Photo: Courtesy of Custom Simplicities

Bachelorette Party Themes & Favors

Half the fun in planning the perfect bach bash is choosing the perfect bachelorette party theme, amiright?! Once you’ve nailed down your party destination and attendee list, it’s time to nail down the party favors. Check out our favorite bachelorette party themes with favors for each, all found on our Wed Society Amazon shop under Bachelorette Weekend Must Haves. Our top picks for an Austin bachelorette party theme are are Final Fiesta (tacos and margs are classic Austin), Feyoncé pool party, and Last Sail for a weekend on the lake.

Planning a virtual bachelorette party? Read our article on planning an “at home” event here!