Guest Article Provided By: Cheryl Conklin at Wellness Central
Photo via Unsplash
If you’ve ever shopped for a bachelorette party, you already know how hard it is to say no to all those adorably monogrammed bridesmaid’s tanks, glittery confetti, and flashy ribbons. If only the cash in your bank account matched all of the fabulous ideas on your Pinterest board. But don’t remove those precious plastic tiaras from your Amazon cart just yet!
Let’s talk logistics so you can get all of those classy decorations and ideal reservations without any overdraft fees. Here, Lifeforce Glass presents some ideas to make your perfect bachelorette party on a budget!
Make the Invite List
Did you know that your bachelorette party can include more people than just your bridesmaids? It can! If you want to include more special friends than those you’ve asked to stand by you on your big day, do it! (As long as it fits into your budget.) So go ahead and look up the girlfriends who were so important in your formative years, but who have fallen to the wayside. This could be an amazing opportunity to reconnect!
Local Events
Most cities have something happening nearly every weekend of the year. Try combining a local event with your party. If there’s a festival, arts and crafts fair, or concert happening, you’ll probably be able to learn about them through community blogs and websites.
Couponing
Almost every major retailer has a promotional email list that sends coupons right to your smartphone. Go ahead and sign up for every restaurant or store that fits the bill of your theme. It might seem annoying to get all of those extra emails throughout the next several weeks, but those 10 to 30 percent discounts are absolutely worth the full inbox. If you decide you don’t need to be on their list anymore, you can unsubscribe whenever you wish.
If email lists aren’t really your thing, follow the small local businesses or Etsy shops on social media. Many of them frequently post flash sales or discount codes on Facebook or Instagram. Some of the shops might only require something as easy as a hashtagged post in exchange for an immediate percentage off your next purchase. Rack up the digital discounts to add a little more cushion to your budget.
Limo Alternatives
Many bach parties include getting from place to place via limo, which can really add up. But you can avoid the cost of a limo or other transportation by planning activities within a walkable distance. This is made all the more convenient if you happen to be in a walkable area. This idea gets everyone outside for a while and can further add to the fun as you stroll and show off your outfits.
If you’re planning a weekend getaway for your bride-to-be, plan to carpool with the rest of the guests. This simple tip will help save money on unneeded airfare, gas expenses, or parking fees. If you plan to go out for the bachelorette party without going out of town, share an Uber or Lyft ride with the other guests and split the trip fee later.
Set a Limit
The Knot notes that it’s important to draw out a budget during the planning so that expenses don’t get out of hand. If the party is at your place, be creative about how to save money. For instance, instead of a bar with expensive drinks served, consider setting up a coffee bar. You can brew the coffee yourself and even mix it up with espresso and other variations.
In addition to party supplies, airfare, hotel, and the like, don’t forget to set aside money for yourself. Factor in nail appointments, facials, and toiletries, among other personal expenses that may be on the agenda. Try to think of fun outfit ideas – after all, this is the perfect occasion to dress up!
When you’re out enjoying the party, stick to a firm limit of how much you want to spend. It’s easy to forget where the boundaries are when you have a bride to celebrate and a full group of guests to entertain. Brides.com suggests setting a realistic budget before you host the night and consider primarily using cash to better gauge how close you are to overspending. Determine ahead of time what types of expenses would be acceptable for extra debit card expenses, and which ones you should avoid.
Make it a Party to Remember Without the Debt
Your bride-to-be should have a classy, chic bachelorette party! Give her all the glam she wants without spending a dime more than you should. Be a fancy kind of frugal and let your wallet enjoy the party as much as you do!
If you are looking for inexpensive Party Favor ideas for your Bachelorette Party, send me an email at lauren@lifeforceglass.com. I would love to hear from you!