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
- Las Vegas
- New York City
- Miami
- Nashville
- Los Angeles
- New Orleans
- Orlando/Disney World
- Cabo San Lucas
- Austin
- 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
Austin Arcade Trolley
Perfect for gamer girls, groomsmen, or anyone who loves a good time, the Austin Arcade Trolley delivers excitement right to your doorstep! This fully equipped mobile video game arcade features 8 classic arcade games, plus fan favorites like Roblox and Minecraft, all in a climate-controlled space with WiFi. Rent the Austin Arcade Trolley to create unforgettable memories and add a unique, action-packed twist to your celebration!
Photo: Courtesy of Austin Arcade Trolley
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!
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 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
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.
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 and Fairmont Austin are both 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.
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.
Another great idea you can choose from when it comes to party favors and making sweet memories with your girls is permanent jewelry by Lasting Links or June Mae Co.! You can customize your own jewelry by adding charms, or if you’re wishing for something a little more permanent, you can create your own permanent piece to enjoy at any time! Whether you decide to purchase them pre-made or customized, they make for the perfect gift to give your bach crew!
Photo: Courtesy of June Mae Co.
Planning a virtual bachelorette party? Read our article on planning an “at home” event here!
Featured in this Post
Austin Glitter Bar
The Cupcake Bar
June Mae Co.
Austin Arcade Trolley
Other Local Vendors: Live Love Relax Massage + Wellness, Thompson Austin, part of Hyatt, Custom Simplicities, Social Hour Balloons, The Fancy Marshmallow Co