Tips for Planning the Perfect Bachelorette Weekend from a Maid of Honor

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This post was posted by Fiona Moriarty on Hipmunk’s Tailwind blog on July 24, 2015

photo via: tinylittlemonster.com

Organizing your BFF’s last hoorah as a single lady before tying the knot can be a lot of pressure — even for those ladies who could pass as a new-age Martha Stewart (you know who you are).

If you’re organizing a destination bachelorette bash, you’re likely planning from out of town, or perhaps hosting out-of-towners. Either way, you’ll need work some serious travel agent wizardry to line up dinners, plan a killer bar crawl, book fabulous hotel rooms, and organize entertainment all in the name of making the weekend a success.

Take a deep breath. You’ve got this! By the end of the weekend, brides-to-be will be lining up around the block to have you as their MoH.

Pleasantly Surprising > Upsettingly Shocking

Watching the bride-to-be’s face light up when you surprise her with that special touch at her bachelorette can be absolutely priceless. But there’s a fine line between good surprise and bad surprise that even best BFFs can cross if they aren’t careful. Check in first to assess the type of weekend she’s expecting on a scale of “I invited your Mother-in-Law” to “Next up – Thunder Down Under!”

Go Old School: Pick up the Phone

Planning from afar can often mean relying on websites to choose where to stay, play, and eat. In situations like these, it’s better to consult a local expert. Take advantage of concierge services at the hotel where you’re staying. Most concierges are happy spend a few minutes on the phone to help you plan. From dinner reservations at a swanky watering hole near the hotel to recommendations for other activities in the area that could be fun for a bachelorette party, a concierge is always in the know.

Organize Your Options With a Trip Planning Tool

Searching for hotels and flights often leaves you with a pile of scribbled notes or a million tabs open. Let this Trip Planning tool do your dirty work. Save your searches by trip so you can compare booking options. The favorites feature collects top contenders, helping ensure you aren’t forgetting about an awesome deal at the hotel with the swanky rooftop bar.

Tell the Girls What’s Up

Chances are, some members of the bridal party might not know the others. Luckily, a bachelorette weekend can be the perfect way to bond before the wedding. Loop in the girls during the planning process so everyone can have a part in organizing the celebration. Start a Google Doc where everyone can contribute ideas. If other bridesmaids are excited about helping, don’t be afraid to lighten your load by delegating (just be sure to check in now and then to make sure everything is coming along).

The week before the big weekend, make sure every guest has the lowdown on important details. Create two itineraries–one that can be shared with the bride without ruining any surprises (think: basic timeline, attire for specific events, etc.), and another with the nitty gritty details of the weekend. Include the address of the hotel and other venues, guidelines for gifts, a detailed timeline of events and specifics on games and other festivities. You’ll save yourself and the bride-to-be and from answering a million “where’s the party” texts.