East coast beach bachelorette in Feb?

KNols

Hey everyone, 

I'm getting married in April 2018 and my first choice is to have a bachelorette getaway in Miami for a long weekend in either February or March. My MOH is keeping an eye on prices and they're a bit pricey, so I'm looking for back-up options. 

My main desire to drink on a beach haha We're flying from Boston, so does anyone have any suggestions of inexpensive locales? I'm not interested in Nashville and it looks like Myrtle Beach isn't very warm at that time of year. 

Thanks!

ILoveBeachMusic

Even northern Florida can be iffy that time of year. Maybe you could change you desire.

flantastic

KNols said:

Hey everyone, 

I'm getting married in April 2018 and my first choice is to have a bachelorette getaway in Miami for a long weekend in either February or March. My MOH is keeping an eye on prices and they're a bit pricey, so I'm looking for back-up options. 

My main desire to drink on a beach haha We're flying from Boston, so does anyone have any suggestions of inexpensive locales? I'm not interested in Nashville and it looks like Myrtle Beach isn't very warm at that time of year. 

Thanks!

This is going to be expensive any way you slice it - did your MOH ask the girls for individual max budgets before planning anything? If not, you guys can't be offended when people decline. I honestly think you may want to let go of the vision you have in your head of drinking on a beach. You're going to do this in February or March. It's not beach weather, unless you spend a lot of money to go really far south.

I went to Destin, FL in March and it wasn't too expensive and the beach weather was alright. We also drove and VRBO'd our lodging. However, this was for a mutually agreed upon spring break. I don't think I'd spend that kind of money on a bachelorette party trip, so as a BM or invitee of yours I'd decline. Too much.

STARMOON44

Puerto Rico?

climbingsingle

I don't think you're going to find anything that's not expensive that time of year. I'm going on a cruise in Feb with my in-laws, and trying to get a flight from NY to any part of Florida is so expensive. 

Key West is nice that time of year, but not really beachy. Other than that, if you're looking for warm and tropical besides Miami, you're going to have to either go to CA or out of the country. Maybe you need to adjust your expectations for a bach party. 

banana468

That sounds super pricey.  Unless you find really cheap flights you're looking at well over $1000 per person.

ahoywedding

Ditto the cost. Beaches on the Florida gulf coast will be iffy for weather that time of year, and places further north will be even chillier. 

Could you maybe rent a house closer to you and make a faux-beach? You could have tropical drinks, play beach music, tropical decorations, crank up the heat in the house, etc. That would be much more affordable as well!

KNols

We're all aware of the cost of a trip like this, we're just looking for alternative destinations that might be better priced than Miami. 

ahoywedding

KNols said:

We're all aware of the cost of a trip like this, we're just looking for alternative destinations that might be better priced than Miami. 

But I think what we're all saying is that there really aren't a ton of US-based beachy locations that will have favorable weather in Feb or March. I've lived near the NC coast for a few years and it's so inconsistent; it would be a bummer to plan a trip & hope to be at the beach but then not be able to. Some years it IS beach weather mid-March, but that might be getting a little close to your wedding. The Keys & Puerto Rico were mentioned, but they may not be much cheaper than Miami.

sparklepants41

ahoywedding said:

show previous quotes

KNols said:

We're all aware of the cost of a trip like this, we're just looking for alternative destinations that might be better priced than Miami. 

But I think what we're all saying is that there really aren't a ton of US-based beachy locations that will have favorable weather in Feb or March. I've lived near the NC coast for a few years and it's so inconsistent; it would be a bummer to plan a trip & hope to be at the beach but then not be able to. Some years it IS beach weather mid-March, but that might be getting a little close to your wedding. The Keys & Puerto Rico were mentioned, but they may not be much cheaper than Miami.

All of this plus if you're flying from Boston (also where I live) you have a much greater chance of having significant flight delays/cancellations due to blizzards in February, which would mean your trip would get shortened and/or cancelled altogether. Close friends of mine went to South Beach for a Babymoon in February and their flights from Boston were cancelled for two days. Luckily they both had flexible PTO and their hotel had availability so they were still able to go for 3 days as planned. 

Why not go up to Stowe, VT? Fun roadtrip not that far and the resorts all have heated outdoor pools you can drink in while it's snowing. 

flantastic

But why are you asking your friends to spend that money? You're not entitled to a really inconvenient bachelorette vision. If you all want to go drink on a beach together, plan a trip for a time when things will be cheaper and/or warmer closer to home - it won't be a "bachelorette" or all about you, but who cares? You'll still all be friends in May, right?

If you all want to have an actual bachelorette party before your wedding, plan a reasonable trip for February or March. This is kind of unreasonable.

banana468

Flying on that horrible runway out of Logan in February?   No thanks. 

STARMOON44

flantastic said:

But why are you asking your friends to spend that money? You're not entitled to a really inconvenient bachelorette vision. If you all want to go drink on a beach together, plan a trip for a time when things will be cheaper and/or warmer closer to home - it won't be a "bachelorette" or all about you, but who cares? You'll still all be friends in May, right?

If you all want to have an actual bachelorette party before your wedding, plan a reasonable trip for February or March. This is kind of unreasonable.

But why are you assuming her friends aren't all super into this plan? Mine wouldn't find a weekend trip to the carribean unreasonable. 

KNols

STARMOON44 said:

show previous quotes

flantastic said:

But why are you asking your friends to spend that money? You're not entitled to a really inconvenient bachelorette vision. If you all want to go drink on a beach together, plan a trip for a time when things will be cheaper and/or warmer closer to home - it won't be a "bachelorette" or all about you, but who cares? You'll still all be friends in May, right?

If you all want to have an actual bachelorette party before your wedding, plan a reasonable trip for February or March. This is kind of unreasonable.

But why are you assuming her friends aren't all super into this plan? Mine wouldn't find a weekend trip to the carribean unreasonable. 

Precisely, the idea was run by everyone first (bridal party and additional guests alike). And @flantastic, I've been very clear that I completely understand people might not want to/be able to come and that's quite alright. 

KNols

sparklepants41 said:

show previous quotes

ahoywedding said:

KNols said:

We're all aware of the cost of a trip like this, we're just looking for alternative destinations that might be better priced than Miami. 

But I think what we're all saying is that there really aren't a ton of US-based beachy locations that will have favorable weather in Feb or March. I've lived near the NC coast for a few years and it's so inconsistent; it would be a bummer to plan a trip & hope to be at the beach but then not be able to. Some years it IS beach weather mid-March, but that might be getting a little close to your wedding. The Keys & Puerto Rico were mentioned, but they may not be much cheaper than Miami.

All of this plus if you're flying from Boston (also where I live) you have a much greater chance of having significant flight delays/cancellations due to blizzards in February, which would mean your trip would get shortened and/or cancelled altogether. Close friends of mine went to South Beach for a Babymoon in February and their flights from Boston were cancelled for two days. Luckily they both had flexible PTO and their hotel had availability so they were still able to go for 3 days as planned. 

Why not go up to Stowe, VT? Fun roadtrip not that far and the resorts all have heated outdoor pools you can drink in while it's snowing. 

Ugh the snow is a big fear of mine, but I feel like we'd also have that issue driving too (like if it's gonna be a Noreaster, we're not leaving our houses whether we're going to Miami or Burlington haha). 

I love Stowe (and go every year!) but feel like the "winter" destinations are going to be pricey too. We always spend so much when we go up for a long weekend in February. Taking out skiing might help that. Do you know of anywhere specific with outdoor heated pools? We stay at either Mountain Road Resort or the Stowehof and they don't have those womp 

ernursej

If you already know your wedding party members, can you move up the beach party to end of August/beginning of September? Otherwise, you can think California but that may not be better priced.

MyNameIsNot

STARMOON44 said:

show previous quotes

flantastic said:

But why are you asking your friends to spend that money? You're not entitled to a really inconvenient bachelorette vision. If you all want to go drink on a beach together, plan a trip for a time when things will be cheaper and/or warmer closer to home - it won't be a "bachelorette" or all about you, but who cares? You'll still all be friends in May, right?

If you all want to have an actual bachelorette party before your wedding, plan a reasonable trip for February or March. This is kind of unreasonable.

But why are you assuming her friends aren't all super into this plan? Mine wouldn't find a weekend trip to the carribean unreasonable. 

If Miami is unreasonable, the Carribean is going to be unreasonable. There's basically nowhere that you can go in the Carribean for cheaper than Miami. It's spring break, and busy season in the Carribean in Feb-March. 

flantastic

STARMOON44 said:

show previous quotes

flantastic said:

But why are you asking your friends to spend that money? You're not entitled to a really inconvenient bachelorette vision. If you all want to go drink on a beach together, plan a trip for a time when things will be cheaper and/or warmer closer to home - it won't be a "bachelorette" or all about you, but who cares? You'll still all be friends in May, right?

If you all want to have an actual bachelorette party before your wedding, plan a reasonable trip for February or March. This is kind of unreasonable.

But why are you assuming her friends aren't all super into this plan? Mine wouldn't find a weekend trip to the carribean unreasonable. 

I'm assuming based on the fact that they're looking for cheap options where there aren't any. They may all like the idea in theory, but the cheap option is actually to go to the beach some other time, and that's what I suggested. It's this particular plan of beach in February that people seem to be finding at least a little onerous.

sparklepants41

KNols said:

show previous quotes

sparklepants41 said:

ahoywedding said:

KNols said:

We're all aware of the cost of a trip like this, we're just looking for alternative destinations that might be better priced than Miami. 

But I think what we're all saying is that there really aren't a ton of US-based beachy locations that will have favorable weather in Feb or March. I've lived near the NC coast for a few years and it's so inconsistent; it would be a bummer to plan a trip & hope to be at the beach but then not be able to. Some years it IS beach weather mid-March, but that might be getting a little close to your wedding. The Keys & Puerto Rico were mentioned, but they may not be much cheaper than Miami.

All of this plus if you're flying from Boston (also where I live) you have a much greater chance of having significant flight delays/cancellations due to blizzards in February, which would mean your trip would get shortened and/or cancelled altogether. Close friends of mine went to South Beach for a Babymoon in February and their flights from Boston were cancelled for two days. Luckily they both had flexible PTO and their hotel had availability so they were still able to go for 3 days as planned. 

Why not go up to Stowe, VT? Fun roadtrip not that far and the resorts all have heated outdoor pools you can drink in while it's snowing. 

Ugh the snow is a big fear of mine, but I feel like we'd also have that issue driving too (like if it's gonna be a Noreaster, we're not leaving our houses whether we're going to Miami or Burlington haha). 

I love Stowe (and go every year!) but feel like the "winter" destinations are going to be pricey too. We always spend so much when we go up for a long weekend in February. Taking out skiing might help that. Do you know of anywhere specific with outdoor heated pools? We stay at either Mountain Road Resort or the Stowehof and they don't have those womp 

KNols said:

show previous quotes

sparklepants41 said:

ahoywedding said:

KNols said:

We're all aware of the cost of a trip like this, we're just looking for alternative destinations that might be better priced than Miami. 

But I think what we're all saying is that there really aren't a ton of US-based beachy locations that will have favorable weather in Feb or March. I've lived near the NC coast for a few years and it's so inconsistent; it would be a bummer to plan a trip & hope to be at the beach but then not be able to. Some years it IS beach weather mid-March, but that might be getting a little close to your wedding. The Keys & Puerto Rico were mentioned, but they may not be much cheaper than Miami.

All of this plus if you're flying from Boston (also where I live) you have a much greater chance of having significant flight delays/cancellations due to blizzards in February, which would mean your trip would get shortened and/or cancelled altogether. Close friends of mine went to South Beach for a Babymoon in February and their flights from Boston were cancelled for two days. Luckily they both had flexible PTO and their hotel had availability so they were still able to go for 3 days as planned. 

Why not go up to Stowe, VT? Fun roadtrip not that far and the resorts all have heated outdoor pools you can drink in while it's snowing. 

Ugh the snow is a big fear of mine, but I feel like we'd also have that issue driving too (like if it's gonna be a Noreaster, we're not leaving our houses whether we're going to Miami or Burlington haha). 

I love Stowe (and go every year!) but feel like the "winter" destinations are going to be pricey too. We always spend so much when we go up for a long weekend in February. Taking out skiing might help that. Do you know of anywhere specific with outdoor heated pools? We stay at either Mountain Road Resort or the Stowehof and they don't have those womp 

Topnotch! My husband and I went for our second anniversary last October. Loved. It. 

STARMOON44

flantastic said:

show previous quotes

STARMOON44 said:

flantastic said:

But why are you asking your friends to spend that money? You're not entitled to a really inconvenient bachelorette vision. If you all want to go drink on a beach together, plan a trip for a time when things will be cheaper and/or warmer closer to home - it won't be a "bachelorette" or all about you, but who cares? You'll still all be friends in May, right?

If you all want to have an actual bachelorette party before your wedding, plan a reasonable trip for February or March. This is kind of unreasonable.

But why are you assuming her friends aren't all super into this plan? Mine wouldn't find a weekend trip to the carribean unreasonable. 

I'm assuming based on the fact that they're looking for cheap options where there aren't any. They may all like the idea in theory, but the cheap option is actually to go to the beach some other time, and that's what I suggested. It's this particular plan of beach in February that people seem to be finding at least a little onerous.

Sure there are! A carribean cruise is often cheaper than Miami, Puerto Rico can be, there are sometimes deals to Punta Cana. 

climbingsingle

If you're really set on a beach in Feb/March, I'd look at Puerto Rico. I don't think it will be much cheaper than Miami. My friends and I went to Puerto Rico (specifically San Juan) in late Feb once and the weather was great. Our flights weren't terribly expensive. We also rented an Airbnb which helped us save money. 

southernbelle0915

Winter is a high time for basically every beach destination that's warm that time of year. I don't think you're going to make the trip significantly cheaper unless you find a travel agent who can work wonders (they do exist!). 

If I were you, I'd adjust the "vision" and do a Fall wine tasting/spa trip to New Hampshire or even update NY if people are willing to drive a little further. 

banana468

Or drive down to the CT Casinos for the weekend.   
-You won't be stuck with the college spring breakers at the destinations you noted. 
-Winter travel in NE in flights is iffy at best.   If we get another winter of 2015 again you can be stuck with huge snow storms that mean you're partying in an airport. 

Instead, drive to Newport or the local casinos and grab hotels here.  Take the money you'd save on beach destinations and put them towards the fun time. 

bookmaiden17_

Don't know how the weather will be bu Tybee island in GA is beautiful. I don't remember it being overly priced either. 

KNols

Thanks for the suggestions everyone! 

CMGragain

KNols said:

Hey everyone, 

I'm getting married in April 2018 and my first choice is to have a bachelorette getaway in Miami for a long weekend in either February or March. My MOH is keeping an eye on prices and they're a bit pricey, so I'm looking for back-up options. 

My main desire to drink on a beach haha We're flying from Boston, so does anyone have any suggestions of inexpensive locales? I'm not interested in Nashville and it looks like Myrtle Beach isn't very warm at that time of year. 

Thanks!

Um, why are you planning your own bachelorette party?  This is not something that you get to choose.  Your bachelorette party is something that is planned for you by other people.  You can express a preference if given choices by the hosts, but you do not plan your party and choose a destination yourself.

Whose idea was this?  Your MOH?  Yours?  This is a very expensive trip and expecting your bridesmaids to pay for this is not reasonable.