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 | Design & Styling: Westcott Weddings | Venue: The Line Hotel Austin

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

Boat Rental: Float on Boat Rentals

What to Do for a Bachelorette Party

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.

Austin Party Boat Rentals

With spring being prime wedding season, girls typically want to get out and enjoy the sunshine. Renting a boat is at the top of our list! Float On Boat Rentals offers chartered boat rentals for bachelor and bachelorette parties on Lake Austin and Lake Travis for up to 16 people. Grab your bikinis and White Claws and hit the water!

9 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. JW Marriott Austin
3. Fairmont Austin
4. The Line Austin
5. Hotel Van Zandt
6. Horseshoe Bay Resort
7. Thompson Austin
8. Austin Marriott Downtown
9. 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!

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. The Driskill, Thompson Austin, Austin Marriott Downtown, Fairmont Austin, Hotel Van Zandt, JW Marriott Austin, The Line Hotel 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.

Austin Hotels & Lodging for Bachelorette Parties

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.

Our Favorite Bachelorette Party Themes & Favors

Bachelorette Party Decorations

Bachelorette Party Balloons

Is a bachelorette party even complete without a balloon arch for group photos? No way! LoveJoy and Co. Austin is a pro at knocking out bachelorette party balloons! Hire her 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.

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