Bachelorette Party Ideas

mrsjackson16

I'm kind of stuck on a bachelorette party idea.  I have an idea of what I would like to do.  Late last summer I went to a bridal show and booked a Pure Romance party.  Due to lack of responses I decided to push it back until the day of my party.  Only problem with this is it would be 18+.  One of my bridesmaids will only be 15 when I get married.  So I was thinking of doing something like going bowling.  That way if we can all have fun together and if someone does want to drink they can.  Plus some of the people I would be inviting have children so I know we can't do anything too crazy.  Would it be ok to do this?

redoryx

Well, you shouldn't be planning your own bachelorette party. That's something that should be hosted by someone else, but only if they offer to do it (ie: don't voluntold any of your bridesmaids that they need to plan a bachelorette party).

mrsjackson16

They have asked me for ideas on what I want to do.

mikenberger

mrsjackson16 said:

They have asked me for ideas on what I want to do.

You can do whatever you want. But your bridal party should really be planning this. Even if they're asking for ideas. It's easy to get caught up in just trying to be helpful and give ideas to planning your own shower/party. 

[Deleted User]

Nothing wrong with a bowling party. If you would enjoy it, that's what matters. Other ideas are getting your nails done together, or have a make your own sunday bar party. Everyone brings a topping to share. Depending on the time of year, if you have any putt putt places in the area, granted you can't drink at those.

thisismynickname2

I think bowling sounds like a fun bachelorette idea, yes. Especially since you'll have guests of a variety of ages. 

Pure Romance would be fun for a late evening activity, but considering you didn't get enough responses the first time you tried, perhaps these ladies wouldn't be into it no matter what. You could mention it though. 

novella1186

mrsjackson16 said:

I'm kind of stuck on a bachelorette party idea.  I have an idea of what I would like to do.  Late last summer I went to a bridal show and booked a Pure Romance party.  Due to lack of responses I decided to push it back until the day of my party.  Only problem with this is it would be 18+.  One of my bridesmaids will only be 15 when I get married.  So I was thinking of doing something like going bowling.  That way if we can all have fun together and if someone does want to drink they can.  Plus some of the people I would be inviting have children so I know we can't do anything too crazy.  Would it be ok to do this?

JIC 

You can do whatever you want for your bach party. But, as PP said, you shouldn't get caught up in ideas and end up pretty much planning it yourself. I think bowling is a fun idea, especially with the age range, so maybe tell your BMs "Something casual and fun that the younger people can join in on too, such as bowling" and let them take over from there. 

OliveOilsMom

I understand that you were asked for ideas for your b-party.  I also was asked about what I wanted for a b-party.  The difference is that I offered my ideas and then let them do all the planning. 

I also didn't request that a Pure Romance party be held in my honor.  Is this like a Pampered Chef shower where you have a wishlist of stuff you want from them and the attendees buy you the stuff?  If so, please just cancel that.  No one wants to buy you stuff to help you have sex with your FI.

mikenberger

OliveOilsMom said:

I understand that you were asked for ideas for your b-party.  I also was asked about what I wanted for a b-party.  The difference is that I offered my ideas and then let them do all the planning. 

I also didn't request that a Pure Romance party be held in my honor.  Is this like a Pampered Chef shower where you have a wishlist of stuff you want from them and the attendees buy you the stuff?  If so, please just cancel that.  No one wants to buy you stuff to help you have sex with your FI.

Totally agree. These kinds of bachelorette parties are the worst. "Not only I have to buy you something from your sex list, I should buy myself something. Then you'll use your host money for more stuff.... yeah. That's a great idea."

I'd save the Pure Romance party for a non-wedding event. 

mrsjackson16

It was actually and idea me and my MOH had thought of beforehand when the first one was cancelled.  People I had invited either forgot about it or had something come up last minute.  So we thought it might be better to do it the day of my bachelorette party.  And no, I would not have a wish list.  No one would be buying anything for me.  If I wanted anything I would get it myself.

jacques27

mrsjackson16 said:

It was actually and idea me and my MOH had thought of beforehand when the first one was cancelled.  People I had invited either forgot about it or had something come up last minute.  So we thought it might be better to do it the day of my bachelorette party.  And no, I would not have a wish list.  No one would be buying anything for me.  If I wanted anything I would get it myself.

But how these work is that you, as the host, get a credit (usually a percentage of the sales) when other people buy things for themselves.  So you're still benefiting and people still feel obligated to buy (generally, it's considered rude to show up to these parties and not buy something - though I'll counter that it's rude to host people at a party and then try to sell them stuff).

I went to one of these last year.  I'm not opposed to the products they sell.  I am opposed to browsing/purchasing my sex toys in front of my friends and coworkers in attendance at the party - I prefer some things be private between my SO and myself.  Also, it was three hours long and just eventually became tedious and boring.  I would skip it.  People want to celebrate with you for your bachelorette, and tying in a sales party will likely make people who might not otherwise be interested in it feel obligated because it's tied into an occasion.

climbingsingle

These types of parties (Pure Romance, Pampered Chef, etc.) are the worst. That's probably why no one showed up for the first one. No one wants to be invited to a party under the guise of spending money. Sure, not everyone has to buy. But I've attended enough of these parties to know that it's uncomfortable to not purchase at least something. And that sucks. 

I think the bowling party is a much better idea. 

redoryx

We had one of those similar type parties at work (not pure romance, obv. But jewelry). I was determined not to buy anything and I didn't and all my co-workers were aghast. But FFS, the host didn't just *invite* all of us there, she *expected* all of us to show up and then *expected* all of us to buy. I'll show up, but you can't tell me how to spend my money.

MyNameIsNot

mrsjackson16 said:

It was actually and idea me and my MOH had thought of beforehand when the first one was cancelled.  People I had invited either forgot about it or had something come up last minute.  So we thought it might be better to do it the day of my bachelorette party.  And no, I would not have a wish list.  No one would be buying anything for me.  If I wanted anything I would get it myself.

In theory maybe, but the whole purpose of the consultant being there is to pressure the attendees, your guests, to buy more and more stuff. They will automatically pressure them to buy things for the bride to up their commission. 

Sales pitch parties are never a good idea for showers or b-parties. Tell your friends that you'd like to do something that will work for all ages and leave it alone.