Destination Bachelorette Parties
April 16th, 2007 @ 9:31 am by Mrs. Pumpkin
Next Wednesday I am flying to Vegas to celebrate the last days of singleton-ness of one of my oldest friends. There are 5 of us girls and then the Bride’s super cool Mom and Aunt. It’s a pretty small group but it’ll be a blast I’m sure.
Anyhow, I have been wondering over the last couple of days whether or not I am expected to bring a present with me. I have never been to any sort of bachelorette party before, let alone a destination bachelorette party, so I don’t know the rules here. We are going to be doing a couple of event type things while in Vegas (hopefully going to see Prince!!!), but we aren’t doing anything like a spa day or something specifically centered around the Bride like I know happens at some destination parties. I am pretty sure that she chose to go to Vegas to avoid the typical “dress the Bride up in penis accessories and take her out to the bar to get hammered” event, but I am certain that we won’t go through the weekend without acknowledging the fact that it is her bachelorette party in some way or another.
What do you think? Are presents expected at a destination Bachelor/Bachelorette Party? Have any of you had/been to a weekend getaway like this? What else should I know before going?
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10 Responses to “Destination Bachelorette Parties”
I’m planning to have a destination bachelorette party also. And I definitely do not expect gifts…especially since my girlfriends are paying for their own travel expenses and taking out time for the event. I’m just happy that they’re all agree that it’s a great idea. Bachelorette parties should be about fun and memorable good time. If you want to bring a gift, then maybe a small fun gift…lingerie, tantric stuff, edible undies…something the bride may not buy herself. 
Have a great time!
I agree with Christina. I personally do not expect to get gifts at my bachelorette party. There are so many things that guests need to spend money on when invited to a wedding - now another party where you are expected to give gifts?? I’m also throwing a bachelorette party and, except for joke gifts that the bride will wear when we go out, there are no gifts expected!!
Yes, a small fun gag gift would be more than enough. Like under $10! The expense of your travel to be there for the bride is your real gift. And she’ll know this.
If anything, you and the other girls could pitch in and treat your friend to a nice dinner!
I just got back from a recent bachelorette party in NYC and it went ok. I think too many girls too much drama. So its great that you will be only having a handful of friends and family.
As far as what you should know before going? Definitely definitely try to make it HER weekend. I think its also helpful if you guys offer suggestions to places to go and eat. It can be really stressful having to coordinate everything and everyone for the weekend so a helpful few suggestions would be a life saver for her.
As for gifts. I don’t think its really neccessary. You traveling so far to celebrate is more than enough. If you feel empty without a gift, I suggest a really nice and thoughtful card written to her would be lovely. It keeps the mood light. =)
good luck and most of all - celebrate with lots of love!
Destination BP-we went to Vegas for a friend and it was a hoot. What to know…know if she has any desire to see what we called “a man show” because my friend did not. Those shows are pretty cheesy.
Wear comfortable shoes and outfits! We walked everywhere which is no big deal for the most part, but if you are wearing nice shoes…watch out. PS I don’t recommend it, but I definitely just walked back to the hotel drunk and barefoot one night. 
Be ready for a long haul if that’s what the bride wants! Those clubs close at sunrise and if your friend is up for it, you might be up all night!
We did no gifts in the conventional sense but paid for everything on a dress-up night (dinner, drinks and many plays at the piano bar at the New York, New York hotel).
Finally, the night where we had the most fun, was not the night where we got dresses up for the BP, but was the following night when the bride and I left the rest of our group to just drink wine and play the slot machines at the Bellagio. No cover charge, no line…and we had a BLAST. Don’t be afraid to do something less “active.” The rest of our group insisted on going to The Palms and they paid a 40 dollar cover and waiting in line for 2 hours. I only bring that up because I believe that going VIP is the way to go, if you can.
Recommended stops: if your friend’s up for a man show, Thunder Down Under and Olympic Gardens are reputably the best. We had a lot of fun at the Times Square piano bar, as they put my friend on the piano and had a bunch of guys sing to her on one knee! Spend time poolside for sure! A couple of my friends are shoppers…but the places we could “afford” are stores that we have at home, so there was no reason to waste time perusing the mall, IMO. Studio 54 was fun when we were there, but I think it’s not the hot spot anymore.
HAVE FUN! This was the plan for my BP until everyone came up broke. 
i don’t think gifts are required especially since it’s a destination thing…it could be a bit of a pain to transport extra stuff in a suitcase especially if you weren’t prepared for it. i agree with everyone else, if you want to give her something, a small cute maybe gag gift would work or you all could pitch in for a dinner or some drinks. either way it’ll be a lot of fun. enjoy!
I’m sure you already know about this, but my friends just went to Vegas over Spring Break and they got a Bachelorette Party Pass for about $85. I think it included VIp passes so you could cut the lines, and it included your cover. So if you plan on going to lots of clubs it sounds like a deal to me!
just got back from a destination bp. a group of 7 girls traveled to south beach from la. the 6 of us split the cost of the entire trip for the bride - aka we paid for our own portion of the trip and covered all of the expenses for the bride. as her bm’s, we will be giving her a tangible gift at her shower as well as a separate wedding gift with a bigger group.
if you are covering the bride’s expenses at a destination bp, as we did, i don’t think a gift is necessary. even if your group isn’t covering all of the expenses but paying for just one thing, like her prince concert ticket, a separate gift doesn’t seem necessary. however, if it’s kept local and low-key, gag gifts or token gifts seem appropriate.
Mrs. Pumpkin, Saskatchewan, Canada
Blogger Since: April 10, 2007
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I’m having somewhat of a destination bachelorette up in Boston… I live in NJ.
Even if it was in my town- I don’t expect presents!!! That’s a shower thing. I thought the bachelorette was just being shown a good time for the night or weekend and spending it with good friends.