Bachelorette bootcamp: 6 tips for after your best friend says "yes"
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As these two Gen Z maids of honor will tell you, the modern bachelorette party has evolved from one night out to a multi-day production with matching pajamas, signature cocktails, costumes and daily themes.
Stunning stat: Bridesmaids in 2026 are dropping hundreds — in some cases, thousands — on other people's pre-wedding celebrations.
But these trips linger. You'll scroll the pics for years, thinking, "Bring me back to Charleston, Las Vegas, Miami, etc...."
- Yes, our best friends' bachelorette parties were chaotically magical. And yes, YouTube can teach you how to make a balloon arch in 25 minutes.
Follow the money: The average price tag per attendee shot to $1,300 in 2023, up $600 since 2019, per wedding planning site The Knot.
- Guests who flew spent an average of $2,000.
- Those who drove spent $900.
That price tag sounds absurd to some. We'll admit, it is.
- But as homeownership and other milestones drift further out of reach, more Zoomers are prioritizing smaller, meaningful moments instead.
Then there's the Instagram effect: the unavoidable, made-to-post trend of private jets, chefs, yachts and surreal spa dates.
Friction point: Assembling gift bags stocked with skin and makeup products, custom clothes and personalized gifts alone may feel staggering, especially if the price falls all on one bride or bridesmaid.
- Of course, zero shame to those squads — we're impressed. But we say the best trips hinge on preparation, practicality and positivity.
Here's what we learned:
- Don't: Obsess over the gifts, glam and social media (and remember, day one's decor is day three's groggy cleanup).
- Do: Provide an itinerary early so guests know what to pack.
- Don't: Choose themes that require a shopping spree.
- Do: Make your reservations — and ask about allergies — way in advance. Nobody enjoys a long wait, line or surprise trip to the ER.
- Don't: Buy tickets to any events, regardless of the bride's wishes, without clearing the cost with everyone first.
- Do: Supply electrolytes and ibuprofen. This one speaks for itself.
The bottom line: Spend what you can, skip what you can't — just make sure it's unforgettable.
- After all, these trips are the new rite of passage.
