We totally get how important it is for the bachelorette (or one of her besties) to have a super clear understanding of what expenses are covered by the MOH & crew and what expenses fall on the bride-to-be.
Before you pack your bags, set the itinerary, or even order bachelorette t-shirts, one question needs to be asked: Who pays for the bachelorette party?
Like all things wedding, traditions of who pays and who doesn't have gone by the wayside in recent decades. For example, at one point, the bride's family paid for the wedding while the groom's family paid for the rehearsal dinner. But today, it's far more common for the happy couple to foot the bill themselves, with both sets of parents chipping in where they can.
But traditions haven't been so clear-cut when it comes to paying for the bachelorette party. With changing times and itineraries, it can be difficult to know who picks up the tab.
Here's one thing we know for sure—every guest has the right to know which costs they’ll be responsible for before the bachelorette bash occurs. That way, there are no surprises. Below, we explain who should (and who shouldn’t) be responsible for certain costs, how to approach the subject, and different ways to divvy up the bill.
Who Pays for the Bachelorette Party?
Typically, one of the duties of the Maid of Honor and the bridesmaids is splitting the bachelorette party's cost. The bride's expenses (including her drinks, meals, and transportation) are split evenly between the bridal party. To thank her besties for covering the costs, a bride usually purchases gifts like tumblers, nail polish, or koozies. The maid of honor may offer smaller party favors, like hair ties, lip balm, or face masks. At least, that's how things used to be done.
Now, with so many bachelorette parties taking place in other cities, the bride pays for her hotel and transportation costs. Suppose you're hosting a destination bachelorette party where costs easily add up. In that case, it's only fair to split the costs evenly between everyone in attendance (bridesmaids, friends, and even the bride-to-be herself).
There are a couple of factors to consider when deciding how to split costs at a bachelorette party. Let’s take a look at some of them.
A Bachelorette Party and Bridal Shower Party
If you're throwing a bridal shower in addition to a bachelorette party, typically, the wedding party and the bride's mother share the costs. However, whoever hosts the party (which could easily be an aunt, a friend of the family, or a godmother) foots the bill for the bridal shower.
A Local Bachelorette Party
If it takes place over a single evening and doesn’t require airfare or an Airbnb, the Maid of Honor and bridesmaids will typically cover the costs of the party food and drinks. If there are additional costs, such as a party bus rental, the costs will be split evenly amongst the entire group, minus the bride.
A Destination Bachelorette Party
If your bachelorette weekend takes place in another city, it's only fair to split costs for transportation, entertainment, and lodging evenly amongst the entire guest list, including the bride. The Maid of Honor or bridal party typically picks up the tab for expenses like decorations, drinks, snacks, or t-shirts. As a side note, be sure to check out some of the best bachelorette party destinations.
What Does the Maid of Honor Pay For?
As the main event planner and bride's right-hand gal or guy, the MOH is often the one who covers some of the bachelorette party expenses. These extra fun additions include decorations, a stocked fridge, or a first-class upgrade for the bride’s flight (if you’re feeling extra generous). But, let's be real, it all comes down to the bride's desires and the size of the party’s budget.
The Maid of Honor, or the whole crew, might pitch in and pick up the tab for the bride's share of the fun, food, and entertainment during the bachelorette getaway, but this is absolutely subjective. Our advice is to consult the bride and the group to clearly understand the budget and who is responsible for the expenses so there’s no room for any misunderstanding.
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Should the Bachelorette Pay for Anything?
So what does the bride pay for? You may have guessed it: It's typical for the bride to foot some of the bills. But don't worry, the exact amount is absolutely up for negotiation and can vary depending on how wild and adventurous the trip is!
If you're planning an extravagant escapade, the bride may want to chip in a bit more, but if you're opting for a more intimate and low-key celebration, the squad might cover most (if not all) of the expenses.
The bottom line is that it's all about finding a balance and making sure the bride-to-be has an unforgettable and fun-filled celebration with her crew. So, grab your Maid of Honor, pour some bubbly, and start hashing out the deets!
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How to Approach the "Who Pays?" Conversation With Your Friends
When planning for bachelorette party expenses, transparency is the best policy. Before you book anything, have a conversation with the bridal party and bride's besties to ensure each person in attendance knows which costs they will be responsible for. That’s definitely one of the more important dos and don'ts of planning a bachelorette party.
A bride recently went viral on TikTok for putting together a "bridesmaid letter" before her wedding, outlining financial responsibilities and time commitments, and this news got us very excited.
As seen on Buzzfeed, the bride dives into the nitty-gritty of what she will pay for (hotel rooms for the night of the rehearsal dinner) and what the bridesmaids will pay for (wedding night hotels and bridesmaids’ dresses). For costs the bridal party picks up themselves, the bride provides a ballpark figure (e.g., a $500 trip to Mexico).
What we love about this approach is that all the tough discussions are handled upfront, preventing hurt feelings or outbursts later on. When approaching this discussion, there are some things to keep in mind.
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Know Your Wish List Upfront
As a bride, you need to put together a list of wants, needs, and non-negotiables for your bachelorette party. It would be unfair to expect your best friends to read your mind.
Start with your list of wants and needs, putting together your dream bachelorette party package (e.g., a Miami bachelorette party, a Nashville bachelorette party, etc). If saving for the big day seems too pricey, look for ways to scale back. You can easily shave off a few hundred dollars per person by staying at an Airbnb rather than an all-inclusive resort or by choosing another city within driving distance.
Ultimately, we suggest putting together Option A and Option B and then presenting both choices to your friends. If only 1–2 of your closest friends can afford your first choice, perhaps you would be happier aiming for the package at the lower price point where more of your friends could take part.
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Put Together an Estimate of Large Expenses
Work with your maid of honor to create a list of big-ticket items, mainly your hotel, airfare or car rental, and drinks or snacks for Airbnb.
Think of any bachelorette bash experiences that may present a higher cost, like a party bus, mural photo shoot with a photographer, pedal pub crawl, or yacht rental, and calculate the cost per person. You can also suggest some cheap and fun bachelorette party ideas they can easily fit into their monthly budget.
Once you've split large items evenly between guests, decide how you will divide the smaller expenses. If you want each person to handle their bar tabs, meals, and Uber to and from the airport, that's fine! Just be sure to communicate personal costs upfront.
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Let the Bridal Party Handle Decor and Party Favors
The Maid of Honor typically pays for smaller-ticket items, like a bachelorette sash, tiara, decorations, and swag for the party guests. If you, as the bride, don't want to pay for these smaller items, our advice is to let your friends take the reins. If, on the other hand, you want a say in the matter, you might need to pay for a portion of the costs.
If you are planning a hybrid between a bachelorette party and a bridal shower, talk with the bridal shower host and see if you can reuse some decor items. That can help decrease the overall cost of your bridal party.
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Mention Gifts on the Invitation
Gifts are typically given at bridal showers, but they aren't mandatory for bachelorette parties. If you expect gifts at your bachelorette party, you should include your registry on the invitation. That way, there will be no surprises for your guests.
Of course, a lot of the guests might bring a gift for your new lingerie collection. Be sure to mention your bra and underwear sizes on the invitation to clarify that a lingerie moment is happening, as it’s one of the most common things to do at a bachelorette party.
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Track Expenses of Your Bachelorette Party Using the Batch App
When it comes to bachelorette party etiquette, our best advice is to create an open dialogue with your bridal party and other guests. Split the big-ticket items, cover your travel expenses and a portion of the Airbnb, and create a plan B if your party isn't comfortable spending a high amount.
To make this easier, the Batch app can help you set up a shared itinerary and split costs with your friends. That way, everyone in your group can predict their costs upfront to avoid uncomfortable surprises.
With a little planning and a lot of communication, you can plan the best bachelorette party ever. Download the FREE Batch app on your phone to get started.
FAQs
Does the bride pay for any of the bachelorette parties?
The expenses of a bachelorette party are usually shared between the Maid of Honor and the bridesmaid. In exchange, the bride has to get gifts, like tumblers, nail polish, or koozies, while the Maid of Honor may offer smaller party favors, like hair ties, lip balm, or face masks.
What does the Maid of Honor pay for?
The Maid of Honor, or the bride’s right hand, bears the main expenses of the bachelorette party. These expenses include decor and first-class upgrades if the girls are taking a trip. The rest is split between the bridesmaids.
Whose responsibility is the bachelorette party?
The Maid of Honor is the most important person at a bachelorette party because she is the bride's chief bridesmaid and best friend.
How to split the cost of a bachelorette party?
The split occurs once the party ends. It includes expenses for group activities, flight tickets, accommodations, and meals. The total figure is divided among the Maid of Honor and bridesmaids. Remember, the bride is not included in the transaction.
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