I am the matron of honor and am trying to plan a bachelorette party in an area that I'm not familiar with on a budget. The bride says that she doesn't care and isn't expecting anything extravagant, but does want to do something "special." She has said no strippers or toy parties. She does not like to go to clubs either. She's not really a fan of putting herself in embarassing situations, so karaoke, etc. is out. Anyone have any ideas? The party will be taking place in the Orange County, CA area.
Re: Bachelorette Party on a Budget
Go out to dinner and to a comedy club.
Go bowling! Maybe even cosmic bowling.
Go to an amusement park during the day and order dinner in that night.
Bachelorette's don't have to be wild, crazy, drunken, stripper filled evenings or about making the bride the center of attention. It can be low key fun with your friends. I've been two of these parties and they were wonderful.
-Dinner at a tapas restaurant (everyone split the bill, except me)
-Gifts/games/drinks at home
-A drag queen show
-A few bars after
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Have a beach or pool party!
Go to a concert
Go get manicures
Go shopping for shoes, or clutches, or jewelry. Every girl loves to window shop. Go on Rodeo.
Whenever I don't know anything about the area, I get a restaurant.com gift certificates for whichever restaurant has decent online reviews.
If you join restaurant.com now, you'll get emails all the time about certificates 70-90% off so if you buy during a special you might be able to cut about 1/2 off the bill (or roughly up to $100 off).
But think about what your bride like doing and maybe post on a local board so people who know the area can assist
Newport Beach near balboa pier or dana point are nice areas where you can have dinner and maybe find a live band playing.
On one night we all more short dresses and a lacy garter. We were beautiful, on another night we all wore baseball caps with cute sayings. Both of these ideas allowed us to were our own cute clothes... We went out to dinner one night and out to a couple low key bars on the other night.
If she likes sports, take her to a Ducks or Angels game--you can get tix for pretty cheap.
The Irvine Improv at the Spectrum can be fun, and they usually actually bring in some pretty big names; Dave & Busters is in that complex, and the Yardhouse is right next to it as well if she's the beer type.
Nordstrom Spa in South Coast Plaza (the 4th floor of that Norstrom) will do private mani/pedi parties with champagne, wine and food from their cafe. It's pricey, but way cheaper than most full spas, and the people there are GREAT.
There's also atomic bowling in Orange near the Chapman University campus.
A relaxing and fun idea might be Zena's on Tustin in Orange--it's Lebanese food (which would be really fun if she's never had it before), hookahs out on the patio, and usually belly dancers on Fridays. The manager/owner is REALLY nice, I bet he'd hook you up if you brought in a decent sized gaggle of gals.
If you want some loud raucus FUN and some serious girl power, take her to a roller derby match! Check http://www.ocrollergirls.com/ for their schedule. There's a bout coming up on the 13th. There's always a band, food trucks galore, beer, and one helluva after party. It's something different, special, and if you've never been to a game, ADDICTIVE. If that's a bit too hardcore, how bout going to the skating rink in Fountain Valley? It's right next to a Boomers with a mini-golf course, which could be awesome too.
Ummm... This is starting to get REALLY long, so I'll leave it at that! Good luck!
If thats too pricy, I always loved the idea of a super old school slumber party! You could do facials, play truth or dare, watch scary movies, eat pop corn. fun stuff like that. (and why not include a cocktale or two to lighten the party up...)
http://www.easyweddings.com.au/HensParty/Articles/KitchenTea.asp
http://www.theweddingdirectory.co.za/planning-tools/wedding-planning-advice/kitchen-tea-pamper-party-bachelorette
http://www.tea-party-guide.com/kitchen-tea-ideas.html
http://www.suite101.com/content/modern-day-kitchen-tea-a37710
http://www.gtp.com.au/webweddings/html/tipsandtraditions/bridalshowergames.html
I like the idea of going wine tasting. I had another friend who is adventurous do a kayaking tour of Chicago, then later we all went to a piano bar. Go off what your friend likes to do but rarely gets a chance to, maybe a concert or a play. Another friend had hers at a water park because it's a place she loves but never seems to have the time to go.
I think the slumber party idea is great! My friends and I used to have sleepovers whenever we could back in the day while in high school! It would be so much fun to have another as my bachelorette party! Dinner out would be great, or a special dinner we cook together would be cool too! I am not so much the go out and party type.
Consider having a Spa Party at home. I don't know what kind of business you have there, but here in WI we have consultants for PartyLite, Mary Kay, and a few others that provide these in-home parties. You could provide a nice spread of finger foods and beverages, guests can endulge and maybe make purchases for themselves or as gifts for the bride.
I will be hostinga Spa Party from CandleLite about 3 months before just as a way to de-stress and the credits I will earn from guest purchases will help me to earn items from the catelog that will either be for my pampering session the night before (bath salts, lotions, etc.) or decorations for the reception (candles and holders).
I'm not a big drinker so I told them I'd rather do something low key. Dinner out is right up my alley. I also love baseball and since I'm getting married in the summer I know they've thought about taking me to a game before the wedding (like we've seen tons of other bachelor and bachelorette parties there). I've also given them an option that may be a little strange for me, but really fun and something I've always wanted to try. I've told them I'd do a Pole Chicks type of party. It's the pole excercise classes that you can go to that teaches you dance moves and gets you to work out. I've heard of other people doing it and loving it and one of my MOH's does it for exercise and fun and says it's great. Just something different that I gave the okay for for whenever they decide to plan the BP.
Do what you think your bride will like. Or ask her for some ideas so you know what's within her comfort zone to do. Whatever you decide on I'm positive you'll have a blast so no worries and have fun planning it!
If the bride is into sports, a game is a great idea. I am getting married in a few weeks and my bridesmaids are taking me to a college football game for my bachelorette party and then out to a bar afterwards. I'm so excited because I LOVE football!
Wine tasting sounds fun, too. Sometimes you can get some great group rates!
So here's the plan for us: My MOH glooked into a hotel room, verry nice, with lots of living space, not just for crashing after a night out on the town. We are going to paint wine glasses, I am fairly certain that her big surprise for me is karaoke, and then watching chik fliks, make cool beverages, and order Italian food to go. Total cost per person for the 8 ppl plus me is only going to be like 50-60 ABSOLUTE TOPS. and no one wakes up with a hang over, we wak away with a momentum of the occasion, and I don't have to feel awkward with strippers. I am so excited! 42 days til my wedding!b Good luck with planning!
Another cute idea that I've seen is going to a paint your own pottery place. Its really fun and its a nice way to de-stress
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