Maid of Honor - Planning a Bachelorette Party

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While the concept is still relatively new, Bachelorette parties are becoming more and more common for modern brides. Just as the best man is expected to create a wild and entertaining "last night of single hood" for the groom, you may be expected to whip up your own version of this tradition for the blushing bride. Try holding the Bachelorette party a week or more before the wedding so she isn't stressing about last minute details when she's supposed to be having a good time.

Because Bachelorette parties are a relatively new custom, you've got tons of flexibility. Feel free to tailor the occasion according to what the bride likes to do. Here are some options to whet your appetite:

Bars

Although bar hopping may seem like a very "guy" thing to do, it can be a great bonding experience for girls as well. While it's never a good idea to get completely sloshed, a little beer-soaked laughter never hurt anybody. Remember that the bride might not be comfortable spending the night in a bar a night or two before the wedding (one word: bloating), so make sure the event fits her needs.

Weekend getaways/vacations

If you've got more time to work with, try planning a weekend or a night away at a spa or tropical resort. Get pampered, go sightseeing, dance with dashing foreign men who don't speak English.

Dining

If she's into food and dining, consider restaurant hopping for a night. Start out with appetizers at a Chinese restaurant, grab some Italian for dinner and end up at a small cafe for dessert and conversation. Or arrange for a private room at a chic new restaurant for you and the rest of the girls. Sign the guests up for a cooking class with tasting-time to follow, or take everyone for a day of wine or beer tasting.

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Sports

If your friend is into sports or adventure, arrange for a day of skiing, water-skiing or sailing. Go see a home game of the bride's favorite baseball team. Hike to the top of a mountain or take a bike ride along the beach and bring food along for a picnic lunch. If you're all into roughing it, go camping for a weekend. (We don't recommend this one in areas near poison ivy. Calamine lotion doesn't go too well with a white wedding dress.)

Music

Bring your music-loving buddy to a concert, or head off to a club for some dancing. If you're feeling especially bold, go do karaoke and make fools of yourselves.

Gambling

Take the bride to a casino for the night and hope she wins some extra dough for the honeymoon. Poker, roulette, slot machines . . . it's all good. Just make sure you've got enough cash if you choose this option. You don't want the bride pawning her engagement ring for cab fare home.

Regardless of the type of Bachelorette party you choose, you WILL need to do the following:

Talk the plans over with the bride. Assuming you're not putting together a surprise event of some sort, discuss your ideas with the bride beforehand to make sure she's okay with the plans. Even though you think you know her well, she might want to do something uncharacteristic on her wild night out. Librarian by day, swinger by night. Let her follow her fantasies.
Assign a designated driver. If your plan is to set a new record for most bars visited in one night, make sure there's a way for everyone to get home safely. There are three options: 1) decide beforehand which sucker is going to stay sober, 2) hail a cab, or 3) call a car service in advance. If you have the money to splurge, hire a limo and show up in style (even if you leave in a pool of your own vomit, it'll still be classy vomit).
Make reservations. If you're planning on dining in an exclusive restaurant or other venue, make sure you have reservations for your party well in advance.
Bring a camera. The pictures you take at the Bachelorette party will come in handy when you need to blackmail the bride later.
Be nostalgic. Most of the Bachelorette party attendees will likely be college pals, close relatives, or life-long friends of the bride. They'll have tons of embarrassing and touching memories to share at the party. Make her laugh by telling funny stories about the bride's first impressions of the groom, or make her cry by telling her why she is so important to each attendee. (The crying will be good practice for the wedding day).