Key Takeaways
At a local bachelorette party, the bridesmaids and other guests pay for their own costs and the bride's expenses.
For destination bachelorette parties, guests cover own costs while the bride helps with extra expenses like lodging.
To save money, choose affordable accommodations and include budget-friendly or free activities in your plans.
Before the bride officially says "I do" to her future spouse, there are a number of pre-wedding events to celebrate her status as a soon-to-be newlywed. However, while many of these fêtes involve a range of loved ones of different ages, the bachelorette party is a time for the bride and her closest friends to honor her upcoming nuptials. In prior decades, this type of affair may have meant a dinner out with a few friends followed by a few hours of barhopping. Yet in the modern era, more brides are deciding to host their bachelorette party at a dream destination, booking a weekend away for themselves and those they love.
According to Abbie Clinton, the CEO and owner of bachelorette-party planning company Got Your Bash, the average cost of a bachelorette party is about $1,000 per person for a three-night stay, excluding flights. And with the influence of social media, these pre-wedding soirées are only getting more expensive, Clinton says. Although destination bachelorette parties are known to be the most costly since flights, hotels, and car rentals come with a hefty price tag, a single night on the town that includes a dinner, drinks, transportation, and a new outfit can still adds up. As a result, whether you're the bride or an invitee to such a getaway, you may be left wondering: Who pays for the bachelorette party?
Here, we asked Clinton to give us the breakdown on who really pays for the bachelorette party. Read on to discover who’s responsible for which costs.
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Who Pays for the Bachelorette Party?
Although most groups will figure out a system that works best for them, the rule of who pays for the bachelorette party ultimately depends on the location.
Who Pays for a Local Bachelorette Party?
If you’re hosting or attending a local bachelorette party that's a night on the town, rather than a weekend getaway, the bridesmaids and any other invited guests are expected to pay for their own share of the bill, plus the bride’s expenses, such as dinner, drinks, and other activities.
Who Pays for a Destination Bachelorette Party?
However, if you're jetting off to another destination for multiple days, expenses become a bit more nuanced. Whether you’re headed to San Diego or Puerto Rico for a weekend away, these trips require spending a significant amount of money on travel, accommodations, meals, activities, and more. Typically, the host and the rest of the guests usually pay for their own costs, but not the bride’s. “As a bride, if you’re expecting your guests to travel a ways away, [you should help] out with extra costs,” Clinton says.
The bride should cover her own airfare and share of the lodging. Sometimes, she’ll even chip in to alleviate the financial burden of her loved ones. “As a destination bachelorette bride myself, I’m helping with lodging accommodations because I was so appreciative of all my guests traveling for my bachelorette,” Clinton says. The bride may even purchase gifts for the attendees to show her gratitude.
From there, it’s up to the group to decide what else they want to pay for. For instance, the maid of honor may decide to stock the bride’s hotel room with supplies and decorations. Attendees might also want to treat the bride to dinner and drinks one night. However, for the majority of the outings, the bride is expected to cover her own expenses.
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How to Deal With Bachelorette-Party Finances
The responsibility of setting, managing, and tracking the budget falls on the person who is tasked with planning and hosting the bachelorette party (which is typically the maid of honor). If you’re in charge of spearheading this pre-wedding event, here’s a step-by-step guide to dealing with the finances.
Consult the Group
Before you make any decisions, like the destination, the hotel, or even an activity, have a conversation about the budget with anyone on the guest list. Since each individual will be financially contributing to the celebration, everyone should feel comfortable with the final amount. However, instead of holding a group discussion, which could sway each person’s response, Clinton suggests speaking with each person person individually. “We always recommend sending out a poll to your guests before you start planning and asking all your guests anonymously what they feel comfortable spending,” she says.
Establish a Realistic Budget
After you take everyone’s responses into consideration, set a budget that accommodates each request and financial status. Make sure to share the price point with the group, so everyone can decide whether or not they’re able to attend. “The best thing to do is be completely transparent from the beginning of the planning process,” Clinton says. Once you have your final number of attendees confirmed, start booking accommodations, planning activities, and making reservations.
Make the Payments
As the one hosting the bachelorette party, you’re in charge of making the payments—from the hotel to the group yoga class. Many hosts choose to put all of the expenses on their credit card and then have everyone pay them back via Venmo or Splitwise at the end of the celebration.
Track the Expenses
From the prepaid happenings to what's purchased on the actual trip, you’ll need to keep tabs on every expense, so you can charge each person the right amount. “Track what’s coming in and what’s going out,” Clinton says. Save all of your receipts and make a spreadsheet to input every bill.
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3 Tips to Save Money on the Bachelorette Party
A bachelorette party doesn't have to be expensive. Here, Clinton offers some key ways to save money on this celebration.
Look at More Affordable Accommodations
Instead of splurging on a costly resort, consider a less expensive option, like an Airbnb. Once you figure out which area you want to stay in, look at a few lodging spots that are within the price range. To keep costs down even more, Clinton recommends reaching out to the rental company instead of booking through Airbnb, so you can bypass some of the fees.
Add Budget-Friendly Activities to the Itinerary
If the bride has requested some high-cost activities, like getting a massage or a facial, make sure to incorporate ones that are more affordable or free, such as a local hike, a picnic in the park, or window shopping. You can also make the big-budget tasks optional, so those who don’t feel comfortable spending a large sum can opt out.
Consider a Unique Alternative
Weekends away are the most pricey types of bachelorette parties, so the best way to save money is forgoing a multi-day affair all together. Consider an alternative that costs little to no money, like an at-home movie night, a pottery-making session, or a group cooking class.
