BACHELOR & BACHELORETTE PARTY PLANNING TIMELINE

One of the biggest questions we get from brides, grooms and friends helping to plan the bachelor or bachelorette party is "When do we need to start this process?" With so much involved in making the weekend come together, and coordinating the schedules of large groups, we get it! Especially, if traveling to an outside location, timing is everything.

We've put together a tentative timeline that will hopefully be helpful in the planning process, and letting the guests know when you will need responses by.

SETTING A DATE

One of the most important pieces of the puzzle and something that is never discussed too early. Especially if flying, we recommend settling on a date at least six months in advance of the party. When coordinating weddings, bridal showers and other bachelorette parties, friends' calendars will fill up fast! This gives the guests plenty of time to make sure they are available and can prepare for the adventure.

SELECTING A LOCATION & BOOKING FLIGHTS (IF NEEDED)

Next on the list is choosing a location for your bachelor or bachelorette party.  If the bride or groom already have a spot selected, then you are good to go and can notify the guests right away! If not, consider basing your location on flight prices or an awesome house rental (we can provide suggestions!). Websites like Kayak Explore and Google Flights let you input dates or timeframes and see where you can fly for the best price. If flying, we recommend selecting a location and booking flights at least 5-6 months in advance. If driving, we recommend selecting the location at least 4 months in advance.

BOOKING ACCOMMODATIONS

Depending on where the party is, this can be an urgent task. Popular cities like Miami, NYC, Chicago and Charleston fill up fast, especially during their prime seasons. We very often recommend house rentals for large groups allowing more unstructured hangout time and budget-friendly options. That said, sites like Airbnb have become go-to options for all travelers and if you wait too long, it is possible all house rentals within your budget will be booked. Where you are staying can also determine a number of other factors to your trip, so it is definitely a priority to book early! We suggest looking for accommodations 3-5 months in advance of your party.

MEALS AND ACTIVITIES

The key ingredients to make your bachelor or bachelorette party perfect for your bride or groom! There is such a range of meals and activities, and it is important to make sure you have a wide selection to choose from. Like house rentals, a lot of their availability depends on how popular of a city you are going to, or the season you are traveling in. We've found that high profile restaurants will fill up very quickly (even months in advance!), especially when booking reservations for large groups. Many activities may have a limited number of spaces available, and in order to get your preferred date and time, it is crucial to make contact with the vendor earlier than you might think. In popular cities (ie: NYC, Charleston, Miami, Chicago), we recommend looking into meals and activities at least 2-3 months prior to the bach. For less popular destinations, we recommend making bookings at least 2 months in advance. 

DECORATIONS AND PARTY SWAG

While often this is the first thing to come to mind, this should be last on your list of to-dos! Sometimes the most fun part of the planning is the decorating and compiling party swag for your I Do Crew. From hats to t-shirts to sunglasses and confetti to balloons to garlands, this is what makes your trip Instagram worthy, right?! We recommend gathering intel on party swag and decorations around one month in advance of your trip. This will give plenty of time to gather sizes (if needed), make sure products are in stock and have them arrive to you safely before embarking on your journey. Visit Bach to Basic on Pinterest for party inspiration - we would be happy to curate a custom box to send directly to your party to alleviate the stress!

Whether planning a bachelor or bachelorette party on your own, or with our help at Bach to Basic, we hope this helps to make sure your bride or groom get everything they are hoping for! Keeping a relative timeline for your planning always helps when trying to coordinate a large group, and lots of busy schedules. Feel free to reach out to us with any questions, or for help in the planning process by visiting our Contact Us page and filling out your party form!