A few years ago, a friend told me I was basically the character from 27 Dresses—always the bridesmaid, never the bride. And listen… she wasn’t wrong. I’ve been in more weddings than I can count, and while I showed up with speeches, tissues, and decent dance moves, I seriously dropped the ball when it came to bachelorette party planning.
In my defense, I was busy planning my own trips and trying to keep up with work. But if I am being honest, I was overwhelmed by the group dynamics, the logistics, and the pressure to make everything Instagram-worthy. So if you were in my 20s bridal circle—this post is my official apology.
Now, after years of solo, group, and just-about-every-kind-of travel, I finally feel like I’ve earned the title of “redeemed bridesmaid.” So here it is—my guide to planning a destination bachelorette party that’s actually fun, organized, and not totally chaotic.
💭 Step 1: Figure Out the Vibe
Before anyone starts rattling off city names or Pinterest themes, ask: What kind of weekend do we want?
Is the bride dreaming of:
- Something beachy and laid-back?
- A wild weekend out?
- A cozy cabin in the woods?
Once you’ve got a vibe, the location gets a whole lot easier to choose—and it helps avoid a scenario where half the group packs heels and the other half shows up in hiking boots.
📅 Step 2: Lock in Dates Early-ish
Nail down the bride’s availability first, then offer a couple of options to the group. Don’t overthink it or try to make everyone 100% happy. A simple text or Google Form works—no need to overcomplicate it. Just don’t wait too long or you’ll end up paying festival weekend prices for a random cabin in the middle of nowhere.
🛏️ Step 3: Book Flights and a Place to Stay
Once you’ve got the dates and destination, jump on flights and lodging.
My advice? Keep it simple. Don’t get caught up in over-researching or finding “the perfect” Airbnb. Look for somewhere clean, safe, and centrally located—and double check there are enough beds before you click “book.”
I like to use Vrbo for easy group lodging options and Viator to find local experiences (both of which I now partner with as an affiliate).
📋 Step 4: Plan (But Don’t Overplan) the Weekend
The biggest mistake I used to make? Cramming the weekend with too many activities. People get tired. And hungry. And sometimes just want to sit by the pool with a mimosa and not have to be anywhere for a few hours.
Build in a mix of stuff like:
- A chill welcome night (pajamas + snacks are always a win)
- One “big” outing (like a dinner, winery tour, or night out)
- Some downtime—seriously, schedule it
A loose itinerary keeps things organized without making the whole thing feel like a work retreat. Overwhelmed? I create custom bachelorette itineraries complete with booking links, packing lists, and personalized lodging, activity, & restaurant suggestions tailored to your group —aka no more group chat chaos. Check them out here.
🎁 Step 5: The Little Things Matter
You don’t have to go overboard on the extras, but small touches go a long way:
- A shared playlist
- DIY hangover kits (Advil + Liquid IV are clutch)
- Matching t-shirts or cute room decor
- A Google Doc with addresses, activities, and room assignments
Basically: make things easy to follow and low-stress. Your future self (and the whole group) will thank you.
🧳 Final Thoughts
I may not have been the world’s best bachelorette planner back in the day, but I’ve learned a lot since then—and if I could go back, I’d do it completely differently. Planning a destination bachelorette doesn’t have to be overwhelming. It just takes a little intention, a bit of flexibility, and ideally…a weekend bag full of snacks.
If you’re the one organizing the trip: deep breaths. You’ve got this. And if you need a hand figuring out where to go, what to pack, or how to keep the group chat from mutinying—I’ve been there. I’m cheering you on. (And if you don’t? You know where to find me.)
Need help figuring out the perfect destination or itinerary? Drop your biggest planning question below—I’d love to help.
