The party has been planned, the bills have been paid, and the communications have been communicated. Now all you have to do is show up to the party ready to have a good time.

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But then! The bar you planned to go to is packed and you can’t get in! A thunderstorm completely ruins your plans to hit the outdoor market! One of the girls runs late and you totally miss your reservation! WHAT DO YOU DO NOW?!

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What you do is you stay totally cool—because we’ve got nine super-smart strategies to help you plan ahead, prepare for the unexpected, and make sure to give your girl the best batch weekend of her life, no matter what.

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Watch the weather

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If you have outdoor activities planned, like hiking, horseback riding, or boating, it’s always smart to keep an eye on the weather a few days in advance. If Mother Nature isn’t cooperating, have a plan for a backup indoor activity, like bowling, exploring a local shop, or grabbing a fancy cocktail while you wait out the storm.

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Have second and third venue ideas

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The restaurant you planned to go to is closed for a private event. Or maybe a pipe burst at the concert hall and it’s temporarily shuttered. This could throw off your whole night … unless you were so smart you thought ahead and researched alternative places to go just in case. We even bet you’re so smart you took the budget and the size of your party into consideration when thinking of your backup plans.

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Book refundable services

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It sucks when plans need to change last minute. It sucks even more when you’re still on the hook to pay for them even if you can’t go. No sweat—stick to booking refundable services (including things like transportation, accommodations, and activities) that allow for late cancellations or changes without charging you an arm and a leg.

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Be flexible

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If you go into the planning assuming things will change or that there will be unexpected delays, it will be much easier to go with the flow when things do happen. It also helps to leave some breathing room in your itinerary or to bake in buffer time, so a minor inconvenience like a traffic jam won’t wreck all your plans.

Have backups for your backups

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While you’re researching backup restaurants or venues, jot down a list of other fun possibilities to keep on hand during the trip, like popular dive bars, unique shopping areas, city tours, dessert stands, etc. Having options on top of options means there will never be a dull moment (and you’ll be the life of the party).

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Check in with your vendors ahead of time

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Confirm your bookings with your vendors a few days before the event to make sure everything is on track and you have all the final details. That way, if there are any issues, you’ll have enough extra time to adjust your plans without having to go into a panic.

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Communicate like crazy

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Let the girls know when there’s a potential for change and what the backup plan looks like. It’s so much easier to change gears when everyone is already on the same page and can easily transition to plan B.

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Consider travel insurance

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If you’re planning a destination batch, it’s probably smart to look into travel insurance. Hopefully you won’t need it—but if you do, you will be sooo glad you got it.

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Don’t worry, be happy!

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So your plans got canceled. It’s a bummer for sure. But you know what’s more important? Making sure the bride has a good time! And keeping a positive attitude and focusing on having fun and being together will go a long way toward turning any snafus into memories you can relive and laugh about for years to come.

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