Yahoo Autos How Much Should You Expect People To Pay for Bachelor/ette Parties?
While weddings are the main attraction, it may be the pre-wedding party — i.e., the bachelor or bachelorette party — where some of the best memories are made among friends.
That said, planning and attending one isn’t cheap. And since it’s a group effort, you’ll need to plan something that’s affordable for all involved. That can be tricky, especially if you have friends of varying affluence.
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“When you’re taking the plunge, friends and family want to chip in and help out,” said etiquette expert Lisa Grotts, AKA the “Golden Rules Gal.” Plus, she said, people who will be invited to the party are generally people in your wedding party. Therefore, they most likely know what they’re getting into financially.
“However, it doesn’t hurt to have a discussion ahead of time about cost, so there are no questions later on,” Grotts said. “The last thing anyone wants is to have hurt feelings before a wedding, especially among the wedding party.”
Before you get too deep into planning your festivities, it’s a good idea to estimate the total cost and then talk with your invitees to get a sense of what they’re comfortable paying. If you’ve never planned a bachelor/ette party before, you may be wondering what’s reasonable to expect. Read on for some useful guidance.
What’s the Average Cost of a Bachelor or Bachelorette Party?
The cost of a bachelor or bachelorette party will vary quite a bit depending on the activities planned, how many days the celebration lasts and whether travel is required.
According to a survey by Batch, for bachelorette parties that average a couple of days, like a weekend trip, and include airfare and lodging, the average spend is around $1,200. That’s around $300 for flights, $300 for lodging, $400 for “group experiences” and another $200 in discretionary funds. That’s quite a lot of money to be forking out for a weekend, so being thoughtful about cutting costs can increase the likelihood of friends attending.
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Dealing With Different Budgets
Though the typical bachelor or bachelorette party can run several hundred dollars (or more) per person, the budget you decide on will ultimately come down to your particular guests.
Grotts said it’s important to take age into consideration; younger guests might not have as much discretionary income to throw around. “If you are young and not making much money, that’s an awful lot to spend for a weekend, not to mention if you’re invited to be in the wedding party.”
It can also be tough to ascertain what people are willing to spend, as your guests likely want to ensure you’re happy and may be embarrassed to say they can’t afford your plans.
A way around this is to simply ask your bachelor/ette participants what they’re comfortable spending to get a more accurate gauge of people’s budgets.
Then you can plan your party around the budget of the guest with the least cash to spend. Or, each person can contribute what they’re able.
Don’t Overshadow the Wedding
As fun as it is to drink cocktails by the pool or hit the blackjack table with all your closest friends, your actual wedding is the main event. It’s important to balance the costs of pre-wedding activities with your big day so guests aren’t overwhelmed — especially if you’re planning a particularly lavish ceremony or destination wedding.
“Pre-wedding events can add up and fast,” Grotts said. If the cost of your bachelor or bachelorette party is a deal breaker for some guests, it may be time to rethink your plans and look for ways to bring down the cost.
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