How much does an average bachelorette party cost per person?
A rough estimate for a 3 day bachelorette weekend.
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We’re going to be brutally honest with you. Bachelorette party costs can be costly. VERY costly. There’s venue, food, drinks, events, and these all add up very quickly. And who on Earth is going to pay for all of this fun and nice stuff? Short answer: everyone will pay their fair share and also cover the bride’s costs. Long answer: there’s a lot more to the story of who pays for a bachelorette party. In this post, you are going to find exactly who pays and how much. You’ll then find practical advice on how to create a budget, how to save on your bachelorette party and how to avoid an awkward ‘who pays’ conversation with some bachelorette party ettiquette.
Who pays for a bachelorette party?
Bachelorette party costs are usually split evenly across all attendees. Everyone pays for their own transportation, accomodation, food is split evenly. Additionally, all the guests cover most if not all of the bride’s expenses.
How much do they pay for a bachelorette party?
How much each person pays for a bachelorette party can vary, but the average cost of a 2023 bachelorette party is $1200 according to Batch. The cost depends on how long and where you are going, and also how you are going to get there. A night out at the club with plenty of drinks can cost you $100 but a 3 day retreat to Disneyland is going to cost you at least $1000. (But hey, we don’t blame you Disneyland is a magical bachelorette party weekend idea that guarantees lots of opportunities for laughter and unforgettable memories.)
Now, coordinating the costs of everyone can be a nightmare. Imagine the worst scenario is you’ve paid for expensive dining at a resort with a spectacular mountain view but 10 minutes before everyone is about to arrive at the destination, Susie flakes and says shes suddenly ‘busy’. Now what? You’ve paid for the dining. But Susie hasn’t paid you so who on Earth is going to front this cost? You don’t want this to be you!
You can 100% avoid this scenario by having each guest pay a deposit beforehand. We’ll go through this later for all the ins and outs and bachelorette party etiquette for this.
What does the maid of honour pay for?
Like all guests, the maid of honor pays for her own share of the bachelorette party. Or, if she wishes to, she may want to shout all the guests drinks, pay for all the bride’s expenses or buy all the guests a ticket to a surprise event. The maid of honor should at a minimum pay her share, and if she wants to, cover other expenses.
In terms of payment, her role is also to determine what the costs are and arrange collecting all the costs from everyone.
What does the Bride pay for?
While the bride is not expected to cover the bulk of the expenses, it’s becoming more common for her to contribute, especially for specific treats or travel expenses. Usually, all the guests will split to cover all or most of the bride’s expenses. Because after all, she is the bride and star of this bachelorette party. Make her feel special! However much the bride pays for, the most important thing is to communicate!
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How To Create a Budget
Now that you know who pays for a bachelorette party and how much, let’s keep those costs down. Don’t want to blow your money? No one wants to! To manage all the costs and figure out where all the money is going to is critical for a sucessful bachelorette party. Here is how to create a budget:
Assessing the Group’s Financial Comfort: Begin by gauging the financial comfort of the group. Start a conversation, either through a group chat or in-person, to understand everyone’s budgetary constraints and expectations. This ensures inclusivity and sets the foundation for a budget that accommodates all.
Decide on a Total Budget: Establish a total budget for the bachelorette party based on the collective input. Consider the average spending capacity of the group and set a realistic total that covers expenses like accommodations, activities, and surprises. This step ensures that everyone is on the same page regarding the overall financial commitment.
In-Chat Poll for Key Decisions: Leverage technology to streamline decision-making. Create an in-chat poll for pivotal choices like the destination, accommodation preferences, or specific activities. You can make polls in Facebook Messenger or Whatsapp. This not only makes decision-making interactive and fun but also ensures that the majority’s preferences are taken into account, contributing to a more enjoyable celebration. No one likes a dictatorship-run bachelorette party!
Allocate Individual Contributions: Break down the total budget into an approximate individual payment. Let your guest know this is the approximate amount they will pay for and make sure everyone is happy with this.
Guest Deposit: To make sure there are no last-minute flakers who don’t have a good reason to flake, have each guest deposit a certain amount. The deposit could be 20% or have guests cover their accomodation costs. In the group chat, provide a deadline for the deposit and where to deposit the funds.
Consider Contingency: Integrate a contingency fund into the budget to account for unexpected expenses or spontaneous additions to the itinerary. This ensures flexibility during the planning process and prevents financial strain if unforeseen costs arise.
Transparent Communication: Maintain open communication throughout the budgeting process. Share the finalized budget, the breakdown of individual contributions, and any updates or changes promptly. Transparency fosters a sense of trust and collaboration among the group.
Regular Check-Ins: Conduct regular check-ins with the group to ensure ongoing financial comfort. If there are concerns or changes in individual circumstances, these can be addressed proactively. Flexibility and understanding within the group contribute to a smoother planning process.
By following these steps and integrating an in-chat poll for decision-making, you not only create a comprehensive budget but also successfully organize who pays and how much they pay for a bachelorette party.
How To Save On Your Bachelorette Party
Even though everyone pays for a bachelorette party and there are differing comfort levels of how much they pay, we don’t want you to be pinching pennies when trying to save money on your bachelorette party. We don’t want you to be at a 1 star rated motel that’s falling apart and the toilet has a lot of buildup of EW WHAT IS THAT? So how do you strike the balance between comfort and cost? We’re going to provide a systematic breakdown of bachelorette costs in descending order along with cost estimates and practical tips to save. Note: the estimates are given for a bachelorette weekend of 3 days.
Accommodations:
- Cost Estimate: Accommodations typically make up a significant portion of the budget. Depending on the destination and style, costs can range from $50-$200 per person per night.
- How to Save:
- Go to Google Maps to research best accomodation locations and use the filter to narrow down your search for costs and reviews.
- In Google Maps, you can compare different hotel prices for different booking prices.
- Consider using booking.com which has a 10% off discount when you first sign up.
- Book a weekday. Weekends will be most popular and most expensive. Weekdays especially Sunday nights and monday mornings are cheapest.
- Consider vacation rentals or Airbnb for potentially lower rates.
- Explore group booking discounts for accommodations. Usually if you book a large apartment and you share the costs, it is much cheaper.
- Consider guests who want to spend less to sleep on the couches or bring their own sleeping bag for a slumber party. (We promise you it’ll be super exciting especially if you include tonnes of cute slumber party ideas, plus much cheaper prices)!
Activities and Entertainment:
- Cost Estimate: Activities such as spa days, excursions, or event tickets can range from $50 to $150 per person, with an estimated total of $250 for group experiences.
- How to Save:
- Look for group discounts or package deals for selected activities.
- Opt for free or low-cost activities, such as beach days or hiking.
- Research local events happening during your stay for budget-friendly entertainment. For example, just walking exploring local shops and markets is free and provides plenty of entertainment.
Dining Out:
- Cost Estimate: Meals at restaurants can add up, costing approximately $30 to $80 per person per meal with an estimated total of $200 for a full weekend.
- How to Save:
- Opt for lunch specials or early bird dinners, which are often more affordable.
- Explore local markets or food trucks for cost-effective and delicious options.
- Consider a potluck-style meal for one of the evenings to share costs.
- Create home-made meals. Buy groceries and have all the guests help cook. Plus, it doubles as an interesting activity guests will have fun partaking in!
Transportation:
- Cost Estimate: Travel expenses vary based on distance and mode of transportation (car vs flight), with costs ranging from $50 to $200 per person.
- How to Save:
- Carpool with attendees to share transportation costs.
- Utilize rideshare apps and explore group rates for transport services.
- Look for travel discounts during off-peak times.
- Take the train.
Decorations and Accessories:
- Cost Estimate: Decorative items and accessories can accumulate costs ranging from $20 to $50 per person.
- How to Save:
- Amazon! We love Amazon. You can purchase a party decoration pack from Amazon and it can be all you need for your.
- Look for group discounts when purchasing accessories.
- Reuse these decorations for the bridal shower or wedding.
- Heading to a thirft store to look for cheaper decorations.
By systematically assessing each cost and implementing these five practical saving tips, you can plan a bachelorette party that aligns with your budget without compromising on the fun and memorable experiences for the bride and attendees.
How To Have The 'Who Pays' Conversation
Navigating the financial aspect of a bachelorette party requires open communication and collaboration. Here’s a step-by-step guide to openly communicate who pays what for the bachelorette party.
Initiate a Group Discussion: Begin by initiating a group discussion about who pays for the bachelorette party. This can be done through a dedicated group chat or an informal gathering. Establish a positive and inclusive atmosphere to encourage everyone to share their thoughts.
Gauge Financial Comfort: Address the topic of finances openly. Ask participants to share their comfort levels regarding budget constraints. Encourage honesty, ensuring that each member feels heard and respected. This step sets the foundation for a budget that considers everyone’s financial situation.
Discuss Budgetary Expectations: Prompt a conversation about budgetary expectations for the bachelorette party. Discuss who pays in the bachelorette party, what participants are comfortable spending, whether they prefer a fixed budget or percentage-based contributions, and if there are specific financial considerations to keep in mind.
Introduce an In-Chat Poll: To streamline decision-making, introduce an in-chat poll for key choices. This can include selecting a destination, deciding on accommodation preferences, or choosing specific activities. The poll adds an interactive element to the conversation, ensuring that the majority’s preferences guide the planning process.
Clarify Individual Contributions: Based on the established total budget, clarify how individual contributions will be calculated. Whether it’s a flat rate or a percentage, ensure that everyone understands their financial commitment. Transparency in this step is crucial for avoiding misunderstandings later on.
Set a Payment Deadline: Establish a clear payment deadline for payments for each guest. This ensures that funds are collected in a timely manner, allowing for seamless planning without the stress of last-minute financial arrangements.
Address Contingency Planning: Discuss the possibility of unexpected expenses or additions to the itinerary. Integrate a contingency fund into the budget to accommodate unforeseen costs. This proactive approach adds flexibility to the planning process.
Encourage Ongoing Communication: Emphasize the importance of ongoing communication. Encourage participants to express any concerns or changes in their financial circumstances. Regular check-ins contribute to a collaborative and understanding environment.
By following these steps, talking about who pays for a bachelorette party can be a collaborative effort, ensuring that financial considerations are addressed transparently and inclusively.
