Axios Finish Line

June 05, 2026
Happy almost weekend! We're in the thick of wedding season, and Axios reporters Josephine Walker and Avery Lotz have the latest on what it takes to be a modern maid of honor.
- Smart Brevity™ count: 396 words … 1½ mins. Edited by Natalie Daher and copy edited by Amy Stern.
1 big thing: Bachelorette bootcamp
The modern bachelorette party has evolved from one night out to a multi-day production with matching pajamas, signature cocktails, costumes and daily themes, Josephine Walker and Avery Lotz, two Gen Z maids of honor, write.
- Bridesmaids in 2026 are dropping hundreds — in some cases, thousands — on other people's pre-wedding celebrations.
💸 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.
2. ⛰️ Parting shot: Blue skies, feeling fine

Axios Charlotte's Ashley Mahoney hiked along part of the Appalachian Trail and was rewarded with 360 views of the mountains in North Carolina and Tennessee. Check out her adventure.
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