If you're a bride-to-be organizing your bachelorette party or a bridesmaid planning one for your best friend, it's only natural to want to jump right into the fun stuff. But before you get too far ahead of yourself, it's important to answer this question: How much should a bachelorette party cost?
The truth is there's no definitive right or wrong answer, but it's essential to settle on a budget that your crew agrees with. Getting everyone on the same page upfront will prevent problems down the line. It also helps with organizing parties to make for a great bachelorette celebration. Here's what you should know when it comes to calculating the average cost of a bachelorette party.
What Is the Average Cost of a Bachelorette Party?
The average cost of a bachelorette party depends on many factors, but typically, bridesmaids can expect to spend anywhere from $400 to $1,000.
Bachelorette celebrations come in all shapes and sizes, so it's difficult to pinpoint the exact amount you should spend. WeddingWire conducted a 2021 study that found 75% of bachelorette parties last two or more days, and the average length is three days. With a longer event, higher costs come naturally, and if you're also flying, things can get even pricier.
Overall, the same survey showed that roughly 50% of attendees anticipate spending around $1,000 on a bachelorette party. Of course, several factors can influence this amount.
Factors that influence the bachelorette party budget include:
- Destination
- Duration
- Travel method
- Size of group
- Date
- Accommodation style
Are you planning a destination bachelorette party? Cities like New York and Miami will likely be more expensive than Nashville or Austin. And if you’re flying across the country or out of a smaller airport with fewer flight options, you should consider how that can drive up the cost.
How long you stay can also dramatically affect how much a bachelorette party should cost. A night out in the bride's hometown is more affordable than a long weekend getaway. According to the WeddingWire data, you can expect to spend $150–$300 for a one-day event.
It might be tempting to book your trip over a holiday weekend, but that typically means higher airfare and increased demand for hotels and vacation rentals, which—you guessed it—drives up the cost for the whole group.
Lastly, consider the size of your group. You'll have more people to split costs with, which can help out with lodging. But you may be charged a premium for group activities or be hit with a higher automatic gratuity when the dinner bill arrives.
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Who Decides the Budget for a Bachelorette Party?
Planning the bachelorette party is usually one of the duties of the Maid of Honor, but it can also fall on other bridesmaids and guests or the bride herself.
Whoever is in charge of the budget needs to manage expectations up front—be transparent about what costs will be involved in the pre-wedding event and mindful of how these expenses fit in with other pre-wedding events like the shower. Use the free Batch app to poll the group about budget ranges and let everyone vote on how much they’re comfortable spending. Then, you can plan accordingly.
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How Much Should a Bachelorette Party Cost?
A bachelorette party should cost what the attendees are comfortable with. There are many fun options and activities to satisfy any budget. When you are budgeting, some items will be essential, and some will be extras.
Now that we've walked through some big-picture considerations, it's time to break down what a bachelorette bash budget usually entails and who pays for the bachelorette party.
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Essential Bachelorette Party Expenses
For a standard bachelorette weekend, you can bank on some of the following expenses.
Travel
Whether airfare, gas, or ground transportation, you have to get to the destination. Flights will account for a decent chunk of your budget, and you'll likely book those on your own. Once you arrive, the group can split the costs of a rental car, shuttle, or Uber/Lyft to get around. If you’re looking for ideas, here is a list of the best bachelorette party destinations.
Accommodation
Unless you really need your own space, plan on sharing hotel rooms or an Airbnb with the bachelorette party guests. Smaller groups can find a swanky suite at a hotel or get multiple rooms (ask about group discounts), while a larger squad should have the spending power to book an Airbnb with sweet amenities like a pool or rooftop deck.
Group Activities
The agenda for the weekend could be jam-packed or chill. Either way, leave room in the budget for experiences that everyone splits evenly, like a pedal bike tour or a yoga class.
Food and Beverage
It’s one of those line items that can vary pretty wildly, depending on your style. Decide whether everyone will be dining family-style and splitting the bill equally or if it's every woman for herself (not every restaurant will provide separate checks).
One way to get an idea of a meal's cost in advance is to book a private chef to come to your pad. Beyond dinners and brunches, you should budget for bar tabs, as well as snacks and drinks, to have at the hotel or Airbnb.
Health and Safety
Most partygoers avoid thinking about their health. Undeniably, you don’t want to be a downer and the “responsible one,” but precaution is better than cure.
Consider taking a first-aid kit with you along with essentials such as sunblock, sunscreen, vitamins, water, and anti-allergy meds. Also, ensure everyone knows each other's relevant medical history and emergency contact information.
The Bride's Share
It's customary for the bridal party to chip in for at least some of the bride's expenses. In the past, paying for her travel costs or accommodation was common, but now that bachelorette parties last longer, she may cover these for herself. Discuss with the group how you want to approach this, along with a plan for her activities, meals, and beverages.
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Extra Expenses
In addition to the core set of expenses, there are several items you may need to include in your budget.
Invitations
It pertains to the MOH or whoever is organizing the party. An electronic invite is usually the preferred choice these days, but you could pay extra for a special design template, RSVP tracking, or actual printed invitations.
Decorations and Swag
Whether you want to fill a hotel room with balloons, transform an Airbnb pool into a mermaid lagoon, or adorn the bride-to-be with a tiara and sash, make sure you build this into your budget. The Maid of Honor often takes this on herself, but if you've got elaborate plans, it might be fair to split the cost.
Professional Planner
Some people turn to a party planning pro to do the heavy lifting, especially if they're unfamiliar with the destination. Find out whether they charge a flat fee or a percentage on top of your bookings.
T-Shirts
The crew can coordinate in cute tees, either custom-designed or bachelorette-themed. Sometimes, the organizer will supply them, or they can be put on the group tab.
Favors or Gifts
The MOH or another bridesmaid might put together a cute little bag of favors or party essentials for the other party guests, like cups with naughty straws or lip balm and aspirin. Gifts for the bride aren't mandatory at bachelorette parties, but lingerie is a pretty common choice. The organizer should note it on the invitation, along with sizes if desired.
Clothes
Everyone loves a reason to buy a new outfit, but weigh that temptation against the rest of your budget before you go on a shopping spree. Sometimes, the bride requests that attendees wear particular colors or types of outfits, so use that as a guide.
Hiring a Photographer
Days and nights like these won’t come around often. Although it's not necessary, consider hiring a photographer for your girl’s getaway to capture and relive these wonderful moments over and over again. For those on a tighter budget, consider getting a Polaroid camera for nostalgic photo prints.
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Tips to Save Money During the Trip
Bachelorette parties typically aren't easy on the wallet. That's why having an open dialogue about everyone's comfort level is so important before major planning and booking happen. Here are some ways to rein in spending:
Stay close to home: Choosing not to travel will save a lot of money when you’re on a budget and evaluating how much a bachelorette party should cost.
Pick a central location: If you're going out of town, stay near most of your activities or nightlife options so you can walk instead of taking an Uber or Lyft.
Travel off-season: You might be able to score great deals on flights or accommodations when you adjust your timeline.
Use a credit card or airline points: Cashing in points or miles for flights can be of value if you know how to use them.
Book early: You know what they say; the early bird gets the worm. Waiting until the last minute to book flights or hotels can mean you pay a premium.
Combine the party with the bridal shower: Rather than having two separate events, a bachelorette party/shower combo cuts down on various expenses.
Play party games: Make room on your itinerary for some fun and affordable bachelorette party games you can play at your Airbnb or hotel.
Plan activities during off-peak times: If you want to book group activities, you’ll often find a lower price tag for Thursday nights or Friday afternoons versus the primetime hours on Friday and Saturday nights.
Split a gift: If you're bringing something for the bride, split the cost of the present with another bridesmaid. Alternatively, the whole group can spring for a bigger item together.
Pre-paid plans: In the rush of the moment, we often make expenses we realize we didn’t really need to make. It’s best to avoid such transactions when on a budget. Consider making payments beforehand for hotels, meals, activities, etc., so you don’t make an impulse purchase as a group (unless you can afford it).
Invite more people: While you shouldn’t add individuals merely to cut down on costs, remember the golden rule: “The more, the merrier.” The more bridesmaids there are, the easier it’s going to be on everyone’s pocket, as the expenses can be split equally among more people.
Smooth operations: The best way to save money is by ensuring everything goes smoothly, and to make sure no issues arrive, read our guide on the dos and don'ts of planning a bachelorette party.
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Bachelorette Party Budget Tracking With Batch
Nobody likes to be blindsided, especially when it comes to money and bills, which is why everyone attending should agree on a budget at the outset. Then, once you have a number to work with, it's up to the organizer to keep things on track.
However, you don't have to be a whiz at spreadsheets to oversee the budget. Download the Batch app and use the ledger feature to easily log expenses and payments. The app can help you split costs among all the girls, calculate who owes what, and notify the guests. By encouraging everyone in your crew to use the app, they’ll know what’s due, and you won’t have the pressure of constantly reminding them.
FAQs
How much would you spend on a bachelorette party?
There are so many factors that determine how much you will spend on a bachelorette party. The amount varies based on the number of attendees, activities planned, time, destination, and more.
Who usually pays for the bachelorette party?
The bridesmaids, friends, and families—essentially, all the members attending the party chip in. Even the bride sometimes contributes, but traditionally, it’s not necessary or expected for the bride to do so, as it is her special day and a gift from her friends.
What is the budget for the bachelorette?
The budget of a bachelorette varies based on the location, duration, number of people, accommodations, drinks, food, and many more factors.
How much should people spend on a bachelor party?
There are no rules, as it entirely depends upon what the group can spend together. It is best to consider not individual budgets but how much the group can comfortably pitch in so no one is put into an awkward situation. The average cost of a bachelorette party, lasting two to three days, is around $1,000.
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