If you're reading this, chances are you're a bride-to-be or a maid of honor, pondering just who makes the cut for the bachelorette party guest list. Like many aspects of wedding planning, it can be difficult to decide who gets invited to what—there's always the possibility of hurt feelings or mother-in-law going up in flames, and nobody wants that!
We hope this article helps you decide who to invite to the bachelorette party, so that the bachelorette can have an amazing time with her friends (and family, if she so desires).
Here's how to decide who to invite to the bachelorette party:
- Consult with the bride-to-be! Don't be shy here. If there's someone the bride-to-be doesn't want at her party, you need to know. She might be hemming and hawing about her new sister-in-law getting along with her oldest friend, or have two dear friends who can't stand one another. Remind her that it's HER party, and she can invite whomever she wants.
- Ask the bride-to-be if she wants a small, very-close-friends-only bachelorette party, or if she wants a larger affair where she can invite every woman she knows. Again, this preference will depend on your bride, and it's important to know! Introverts might want a small, at-home gathering with four besties. Extroverts might want to bar hop with distant cousins.
- Remind yourself that the party doesn't have to be perfect, and it's not your job to make sure everyone loves one another. If you spend your time worrying whether conservative friend Suzy is going to say something that upsets liberal aunt Linda, you're not going to be able to relax and have a good time! Everyone coming needs to be able to take care of themselves, leave their drama behind, and be there to celebrate the bachelorette. If you doubt anyone's ability to do that, they probably shouldn't be invited.
- Bachelorette parties have an average of about 10 attendees, while 25% of parties host 15 or more people. So don't be afraid to go small. Or big!
- If you're hosting a destination weekend, invite everyone the bachelorette wants there, even if you guess they won't be able to afford it. The invite matters, even if everyone isn't able to come.
- Know that you can plan a separate bridal shower, and that invite list is usually more broad. It includes friends, family, and colleagues.
Knowing who to invite can be the hardest part of planning a bachelorette party. Once you've got the guest list down and know where you're going, planning your activities, drinks and decorations can be a cinch!