Maid of Honor Responsibility - Bridal Shower/Bachelorette Party - Help!

[Sleepingbooty]

I was a bridesmaid recently, and another bridesmaid, myself and the maid of honor all pitched in together to pay for the shower. Don't try to take on all the expense yourself, I'm SURE the other bridesmaids would be happy to help.

For her bachelorette party, we went to a murder-mystery dinner theater. We had a blast, and everybody paid their own bill, plus we all pitched in to cover the bride's cost. I've heard of a lot of people lately doing big out-of-town bachelor or bachelorette weekends - I think that is going WAY overboard.

 

[mjkacmom]

That may work if the person is from down south but there is no way a cucumber sandwich would fly around here LOL- Bridal showers are typically held in a restaurant or catering place....
We also do the wineries tours as a bachlorette party- rent a limo and go on the tasting tour....or a overnighter to Atlantic City. But the maid of honor doesn't have to spring for the whole party- the briday party should all be splitting this one. Some bridal parties you can get to split up the shower to so its not that bad....last one I held cost us all only 200.00 each!

LOL - I thought the same thing! Of course, we would never even think to not serve pizza at a birthday party, even if it was 2 pm! It's all about the food.

 

[aprilgail2]

LOL - I thought the same thing! Of course, we would never even think to not serve pizza at a birthday party, even if it was 2 pm! It's all about the food.

Oh yea- never been to even a kids birthday party where they didn't serve Pizza or some other kind of food- no matter what the time of day!

 

[FSUDisneyGirl]

Definitely talk to the bride. I've been a bridesmaid (what feels like) a million times over the past few years. Every event was different...

First bride- Her family was throwing her a bridal shower, so a few of her college friends (still in college) threw her a very affordable shower in one of our apartments. We all brought food and gifts, played stupid games. The bachelorette party started out at the same apt, we played some dumb games, gave presents, and went out to dinner and an '80s club. Lots of fun!

Next...we were still in college, so money was scarce! We worked with a friend of the family in town and did the bridal shower at her house...as a well off 40-something good friend of the family, she wouldn't let us pay for anything! but we did plan games and make favors. Her bach. party was similar to the one above, but less club and more hanging out.

I would def. get the other bridesmaids in on the planning. The bride will def. have expectations, but they also should be realistic with who is throwing the parties. I'm a teacher, I understand...and I'm trying to plan a wedding in about a year on 2 teachers salaries! I feel ya on that!

 

[meliss8599]

Wow! So many cute ideas! I knew the DIS would come through. Well, I taked to my aunt (the future bride's mother) and I guess she's planning on having a huge bridal shower at a hall. She said I can plan a "personal" shower with the bridesmaids.

I really like the idea of the "Month" theme idea for "personal" shower gifts. That's adorable. Then for the bachelorette party, have the lingerie and toy party.

I have a feeling the bride-to-be is going to want a Vegas-like (if not IN Vegas) bar and stripper scene bachelorette party which I'm really not comfortable providing. UGH. I guess that's my biggest concern.

Any other ideas for tame bachelorette parties?

 

[Stitch And Friends]

For my bachelorette party we went out to dinner (hibachi which is a lot of fun in a big group - most places in my area often have buy one get one free or half price coupons so that can help with cost) and to a comedy show. Most of the bridal party including myself wanted nothing to do with strippers and were past the days of crazy bar hopping so we wanted to something more low-key. We had a lot of fun.

Another idea for the shower...a late breakfast. Apparently a big arguement broke out between my mom and members of the bridal party about whether they should have a party at someone's house (to cut cost) or in a restaurant. LOL, they only gave me bare details on the arguement afterwards because they didn't want the bride to hear about the stress They ended up finding a restaurant that offered a breakfast package and had it at 10AM. Breakfast was cheaper than lunch so it was better for the budget concious people involved, and those who didn't like the home idea felt it was still more formal since it was at a nice restuarant. Plus everyone who was invited said was a great idea since it was over by 1:00 and it didn't kill an entire afternoon like showers normally do!

 

[Handbag Lady]

I have a feeling the bride-to-be is going to want a Vegas-like (if not IN Vegas) bar and stripper scene bachelorette party which I'm really not comfortable providing. UGH. I guess that's my biggest concern.

Any other ideas for tame bachelorette parties?

Since you are already married and not into the stripper scene and the bride might be, why not try and assist with the arrangements and give her $20 in single bills and then let the single girls loose? You can make plans and be the MOH without actually having to go. It might be the best solution. I personally wouldn't want to go to a stripper thing myself, but I'd hate to disappoint the bride.

Or, maybe if they stay locally, you can be the designated driver and make sure everyone has a good time and gets home safe.

 

[bumbershoot]

....last one I held cost us all only 200.00 each!

Dagnabit, that's an "only" number???? I know very well that NY has a different cost of living and salary range, but my gosh. I would never feel comfortable having my friends spend that much each on me...

Wow! So many cute ideas! I knew the DIS would come through. Well, I taked to my aunt (the future bride's mother) and I guess she's planning on having a huge bridal shower at a hall. She said I can plan a "personal" shower with the bridesmaids.



I have a feeling the bride-to-be is going to want a Vegas-like (if not IN Vegas) bar and stripper scene bachelorette party which I'm really not comfortable providing. UGH. I guess that's my biggest concern.

Any other ideas for tame bachelorette parties?

Does your friend really need two showers????

You need to talk to HER about the bach party. And if she wants something you can't, or aren't comfortable to, provide, then don't be MOH. Let someone else step up, and you can be a b'maid that actually helps her with the other needed things (I always seem to be the go-to person on the day-of, while the MOH is off drinking or flirting, when I'm a b'maid).

My friends and I went to Canada. Took the train, stayed in a suite that we got a good deal on (not really a suite actually, but it had room for us all and a kitchen), did some sightseeing stuff, wandered around, had one night of drinking.

Hubby went with his buddies to the local waterpark and lunch.

Both about 2 months before the wedding, in case any bones were broken (me teetering in high heels in Vancouver could have done it) or sunburns were experienced. My brother had a very low-key bachelor night just hanging out with his guy friends in the hospitality suite at the hotel the night before his wedding, his guys were drinking a bit too much, they started arm wrestling, and the loser (who was so drunk he couldn't feel what was happening) ended up with a heinous spiral fracture of his arm (the break is why he lost). Brother spent most of the night at the hospital with his buddy, and my mom ended up having to drive the poor guy home two states away after the festivities! So even low-key nights can have craziness...which is why we did everything well before the day.

I was a b'maid for a stripper thing, it was held at the MOH's house, it was just so gross. I stayed for one circuit of the room, handed him a dollar, and when he was halfway around the room again, I left the house and just watched the sunset. I won't be part of it again (and that bride now has casual affairs whenever she's out of the state she lives in, guess that's her "rule" for affairs), so if a bride was expecting it of me I'd just step down as MOH.

 

[meliss8599]

So happy, the bride is thrilled with the lingerie themed bachelorette party idea! YAY! Thanks ladies, for that suggestion. Now on to the planning. I found a list of some songs to play in the background:

Bachelorette Party Songs

Track listing
1. Ladies Night
2. It's Raining Men
3. Bootylicious
4. Girls Just Want to Have Fun
5. I Will Survive
6. She's a Bad Mama Jama
7. Gonna Make You Sweat (Everybody Dance Now)
8. Get Down Tonight
9. Brick House
10. With a Twist
11. Like a Virgin
12. Supermodel (You Better Work)
13. Respect
14. Girls Rule
15. I Say a Little Prayer
16. Good Times

• Ladies Night - Kool & the Gang
• Respect - Aretha Franklin
• If I Can’t Have You - Yvonne Elliman
• We Are Family - Sister Sledge
• Let’s Hear It For The Boy - Deniece Williams • Chapel Of Love - Dixie Cups
• I’m So Excited - The Pointer Sisters
• I Only Want To Be With You - Dusty Springfield
• A Night To Remember - Shalamar
• Higher & Higher - Jackie Wilson

Any other ones you can think of to add?

What semi-tame games have you played? (Bride's mom and MIL will be there and she said she doesn't want to be too embarrassed)

Party favors?

Other fun ideas?

 

[rantnnravin]

So happy, the bride is thrilled with the lingerie themed bachelorette party idea! YAY! Thanks ladies, for that suggestion. Now on to the planning. I found a list of some songs to play in the background:

Bachelorette Party Songs

Track listing
1. Ladies Night
2. It's Raining Men
3. Bootylicious
4. Girls Just Want to Have Fun
5. I Will Survive
6. She's a Bad Mama Jama
7. Gonna Make You Sweat (Everybody Dance Now)
8. Get Down Tonight
9. Brick House
10. With a Twist
11. Like a Virgin
12. Supermodel (You Better Work)
13. Respect
14. Girls Rule
15. I Say a Little Prayer
16. Good Times

• Ladies Night - Kool & the Gang
• Respect - Aretha Franklin
• If I Can’t Have You - Yvonne Elliman
• We Are Family - Sister Sledge
• Let’s Hear It For The Boy - Deniece Williams • Chapel Of Love - Dixie Cups
• I’m So Excited - The Pointer Sisters
• I Only Want To Be With You - Dusty Springfield
• A Night To Remember - Shalamar
• Higher & Higher - Jackie Wilson

Any other ones you can think of to add?

What semi-tame games have you played? (Bride's mom and MIL will be there and she said she doesn't want to be too embarrassed)

Party favors?

Other fun ideas?

where's Beyonce's Single ladies (Put a Ring On It) ???

 

[meliss8599]

where's Beyonce's Single ladies (Put a Ring On It) ???

Too funny! I'll add it and it's actually going to be the song playing at her wedding during the bouquet toss LOL!

 

[meliss8599]

Bump

 

[PrincessMonkey]

The Make-a-Wedding-Dress-Out-of-Toilet-Paper game is always interesting.

Separate girls into teams with a roll of toilet paper, some tape, and 1 brave volunteer to get wrapped in the dress, and see who comes up with the most creative wedding dress in 5 minutes.

 

[Bastiansmom]

A really cute lingerie party game is the panty game.
Put on the invitation to have everyone bring a pair of panties for the bride.
Then hang them across the party room on a make shift closeline, (free decor!) and have the bride guess who brought what. So funny and the bride gets lots of new panties.