Are you planning your bachelorette party or preparing a surprise bachelorette party for a friend and wondering who to invite? Would you like some help in creating a guest list?
You’re in the right place.
As a wedding planning professional, I understand how a bachelorette party can create unforgettable memories and help everyone unwind before the big day.
However, the issue of invitations can sometimes lead to confusion. That’s why I’ve put together this simple and effective guide to help you quickly and easily create your guest list for your bachelorette party.
For your bachelorette party, it’s important to invite the people who mean the most to you. Your maid of honor and bridesmaids, of course, should be there, but you can also include a few close friends, and even your sister, sister-in-law, or cousin. If you’d like to invite your mom or an older aunt, that’s certainly possible, but make sure the activities you plan will be suitable for them. Ideally, each of your guests should know in advance who will be attending, so that they can plan surprise activities (if they want) that everyone can enjoy. Aim for a small group of trusted individuals who are likely to get along well, ensuring a fun time for all! If some are unable to come, you can always set aside time to spend with them later!
Would you like more details? Keep reading to find out:
- Who are the special guests for a bachelorette party,
- A step-by-step method to create your guest list,
- Tips to organize and choose a date and plan your activities,
- How to go about planning a surprise bachelorette party for a friend,
- And a list of accessories and items to prepare for the guests to make this day unforgettable!
Who to Invite to Your Bachelorette Party if You’re the Bride?
The bachelorette party is a tradition that originated in the United States, but has now become a classic part of weddings here as well. It’s an opportunity to enjoy some time with friends before your wedding and take a moment just for yourself amidst the preparations for your ceremony.
Who Should You Traditionally Invite to Your Bachelorette Party?
Generally speaking, a bachelorette party is a moment shared with your bridesmaids and female witnesses, but also possibly a few close friends. It may seem obvious, but everyone you invite to your bachelorette party should also be invited to your wedding.
However, your guest list depends on several factors:
- the activities you want to do for this occasion,
- the location where the celebrations will take place,
- and of course, your personal preferences! Do you prefer a big party or a small gathering?
Should you invite family members to your bachelorette party?
This is a question I often get asked as a wedding planner and decorator. There is no obligation at all, and it really depends on what you want to do for your bridal shower. If you’re planning more relaxed activities and have a good relationship with your mother, aunt, or a family member from another generation, go for it!
If you plan on staying out late into the night, you might prefer to invite only the members of your generation in the family (sister, sister-in-law, cousin…).
👉 In any case, don’t forget to let your friends know that you’ll have someone with you who is part of your family.
Finally, another solution is to plan your bachelorette party in two parts:
- A quieter afternoon where you can invite everyone,
- Then transition into the evening with just your friends for a night of fun.
How to Create a Customized Guest List for Your Bachelorette Party?
Want to take action? Here’s a simple method to prepare your guest list. All you need is a blank sheet of paper and a pen to jot down the names of the people you’d like to have with you, along with any constraints that may require a few adjustments.
Step One: Assess Your Options
Creating your guest list will largely depend on the activities you have planned for your bachelorette party. If you have the opportunity to have your best friend with you during this process, her input will be valuable in helping you decide.
On your sheet, draw three columns:
- One for the possible dates,
- One for the activities you’d like to do,
- And one for the potential guests.
First, fill out this sheet without worrying too much about the constraints. Imagine that everyone can be there and that anything is possible! Let your imagination run wild: this is how you’ll come up with original ideas.
Step Two: Sort and Organize!
Once your list is complete, start by highlighting the people whose presence is absolutely essential for you. From there, tally the total number of highlighted individuals: this will help you think about which activities you might undertake. You can also highlight the activities you enjoy the most that can be done with these people.
👉 For example, if you have five friends and you see that it’s possible to do a pottery workshop or go bungee jumping with them… you might want to choose the pottery workshop, which will be easier to organize as a group! You can always suggest they give you a bungee jump as a wedding gift. 😉
🎉Would you like to give your friends the freedom to plan a surprise activity for you? If so, you can certainly arrange that. However, you’ll need to make sure to let them know in advance:
- the guest list,
- how to contact them,
- and the chosen date.
Then trust them to coordinate among themselves to create an unforgettable experience for you!
Step Three: Set the Date
To choose a date that works for the most people possible, it’s best to make suggestions and see what suits everyone. To make your planning easier, you can use Doodle, which helps you find common availability for meetings.
Step Four: Book Activities and Finalize Your Preparations
This step can take place before the previous one if it’s difficult to book one or more of the planned activities, but it doesn’t guarantee that everyone will be able to attend.
In any case, make sure to plan ahead so that everything goes smoothly.
👉 If you want to add one or two people to your bachelorette party, there’s still time! You can also plan a special moment to celebrate your upcoming wedding with others, like going out for drinks with colleagues, for example.
Step Five: Send the Invitations!
Once the date is set and the guest list is finalized, it’s time to send out your official invitations! You can do this with a simple message or get creative by sending a card, a video, or something more unique…
How to Organize a Bachelorette Party if You’re a Friend Wanting to Surprise the Bride?
Are you looking to plan a surprise party for your friend or sister who is getting married? It’s a fantastic idea to give her a break from all the wedding preparations and show her how much you care.
The guidance provided in the previous paragraphs can certainly assist you, but in the following lines, you will find some dedicated tips to help you further.
Who to Invite to a Friend’s Bachelorette Party?
Choosing guests for someone else can be tricky: the simplest approach is to invite people who get along well with each other and who are very close to the bride. If you’re part of a group of friends, you can decide to do this all together!
👉 If you have any doubts about someone, about their connection to the bride, or if you don’t know them well, it might be best not to invite them. The bride can enjoy their presence on the wedding day or even invite them specifically in advance.
The most important thing is that there is a great atmosphere and that the bride-to-be has a wonderful day!
How to Invite the Bride-to-Be to Her Bachelorette Party?
Would you like the bachelorette party to be a true surprise for the bride-to-be? That’s a great idea to catch her off guard! To do this, the simplest way is for one of the guests to send her a message inviting her to spend some time together, have a coffee, or go to the movies… and surprise her as soon as she arrives!
👉 Consider letting your partner in on the details of this event! They can offer you valuable advice and may even bring you a backup outfit or any items you might need for this magical day. 😉
What to Plan for the Guests at a Bachelorette Party?
No matter what activities you have planned for that day, it’s always nice to bring along a few accessories to get you in the mood. In the following lines, discover some ideas to choose from!
Custom Clothing
When strolling through the city on the weekend, it’s common to see groups of young women wearing “bride-to-be” t-shirts, which signify “future bride,” and “bridesmaid” shirts, which mean “maid of honor.” While you can easily find these t-shirts in stores, getting custom-made shirts with each bridesmaid’s name along with “Bachelorette party for…” is a fantastic idea that will make each one feel special:
- to feel immediately included in the event,
- to have a keepsake from this beautiful day.
👉 By wearing the same outfits, passersby will immediately see that you’re a team supporting the bride-to-be. This will also make it easier to tackle challenges (selling items, etc.) if you’ve planned activities like that.
A Flower Crown
In addition to custom clothing, you can also plan to wear unique accessories. Providing a flower crown for each of your guests is a great way to highlight the festive spirit of the day.
This will also allow you to take nice group photos to capture the moment and preserve beautiful memories of this event!
In this type of situation, I recommend choosing artificial flower crowns, as they are practical because they withstand heat and movement.
🌺 To see examples, check out our synthetic flower crowns directly on our online store! You’re sure to find a style you love that will be perfect for your bachelorette party or a friend’s!
I hope this article has helped you create your guest list for your bachelorette party! Remember: to have a great time, trust the people around you, and keep your group small for an unforgettable experience with your close friends!
Also discover a variety of decoration ideas for your upcoming wedding or bachelorette party on our online store, as well as comprehensive articles to assist you with your planning on our blog!