Source: Leonisa.com
These days, many prefer staying in to going out, and that goes for bachelorette parties as well. While a fun whirlwind weekend in a fun destination city might sound fabulous, it can be difficult to get multiple people on board in order to travel for a bachelorette weekend. Comparing schedules, planning pet and child care and other limitations make planning an out-of-town bachelorette bash a bit tricky.
Instead, many brides-to-be are opting for a celebration that’s much closer to home. The idea of a staycation bachelorette party takes away the stresses of travel and leaves all the fun activities you’d expect. Plus, staying nearby eliminates the cost of plane tickets or extra gas, leaving you with a less expensive weekend or a little more in your budget for decorations, activities and other surprises. If you’re planning a staycation bachelorette party, here are six tips to help you get started.
- Establish Your Home Base
With a staycation bachelorette party, some attendees might choose to sleep in their own homes to save money on child care, pet sitters or hotel costs. Still, you’ll want to designate a meeting spot and overall headquarters for the duration of the celebration. This could be a small rental home, single hotel room or even someone’s personal home. Remember that kids and husbands (especially the groom!) will take away from the staycation experience, so try to decide on a place that best creates a bachelorette oasis. No matter where you choose to set as your home base, make the area feel inviting and special. After all, you might be hosting some group activities here, so channel your creativity and transform the space with decorations, party favors, matching pajamas and loungewear for everyone, balloons, snacks and more.
- Fill the Itinerary
As for any bachelorette party, it’s important to plan out a schedule for the entirety of the day or weekend. However, this does not mean you have to be doing, going and seeing the whole time. Instead, balance your group schedule with both fun activities and time for more low-key activities and freshening up. With a fun-filled agenda, your staycation will feel even more like a getaway!
If you’re in need of ideas or inspiration for your hometown bachelorette celebration, check out these fun and creative ideas and adapt them as needed based on your staycation location as well as the bride’s preferences and interests. Your personalized bachelorette itinerary might include a self-guided local bar crawl, dinner at the bride’s favorite restaurant or a group fitness class at a local yoga or spin studio.
- Arrive in Style
Add some VIP flair to your staycation! You can ride to dinner or the club in a fancy party bus or limo instead of carpooling in your own cars or ordering Ubers. Check out your local party vehicle rental options as most companies have nightly rates so you and your bachelorette crew can move to different locations throughout the night.
You can also make a statement with fun and festive outfits and accessories. Some popular bachelorette coordinations include matching shirts or tank tops, wigs and other outrageous accessories. For a night out, you might let the bride shine in her white threads while the rest of the group focuses on another color or style. If you plan on taking a fitness class or doing a good bit of walking during the day, there are tons of matching women’s activewear options to take your girl gang style to the next level.
Source: Halay Alex/Shutterstock.com
- Play Tourist
Whether your staycation bachelorette party is located in a small town or larger city, think about what you and your crew might like to do if you were a first-time visitor. Consider activities and attractions that are close by like wineries, amusement parks, craft studios, cooking classes and popular restaurants. If there’s something in your hometown the bride has always wanted to do, then put it on the list!
Some cold-weather, tourist-minded activities might include indoor activities, shopping or a brewery or distillery session. If your staycation bash is located in a warmer climate or near the water, break out your cutest bathing suits and head to the lake, beach, pool or even just the backyard. Whatever you choose, being a tourist for a day with your girls by your side will be fun and memorable.
- Try Something New
A bachelorette party is the perfect time to try out a new group activity. Get with the bride and find out what she has yet to do and make it happen. This could be as simple as trying Vietnamese food for the first time or as extravagant as renting out a bar, boat or movie theatre. Either way, make your bride-to-be feel spoiled and treat her with a top-notch VIP experience. Get creative! With a bit of research, try something that’s not part of your normal routine.
Source: Studio Romantic/Shutterstock.com
- Enjoy a Night at Home
One of the absolute best parts of a staycation is that you can stay in, right? After a full day of activities, it’s a good idea to plan for some rest and relaxation as a group. This way, everyone will feel refreshed and ready to go the following day.
There are endless options when it comes to spending a night in as opposed to going out. Bring the party to you with a homemade cocktail bar and at-home champagne service. Get in your comfiest clothes and play bachelorette party games in the living room or transform your porch or yard into a private bachelorette nightclub with string lights and your favorite music. If you’re sticking to the classics, a good old-fashioned slumber party with face masks and nail painting can never disappoint.
Make It Memorable
Most importantly, the bachelorette party is meant to be a special time for a future bride and her bridesmaids or close friends. Even if you stay close to home to celebrate your bride, the weekend is about making her feel special. Dress up, take lots of photos and enjoy your celebration!
