Planning a bachelor or bachelorette party on a budget

Bachelor and bachelorette parties are a fun way to celebrate an upcoming marriage with friends and family. But costs quickly add up, especially if the celebrations involve travel and accommodations, as hotels and transportation are often the biggest expenses. However, with some thoughtful planning and insider tips, you can throw an unforgettable party for the bride- or groom-to-be—without breaking the bank.

Budget-friendly party planning tips

How to plan a bachelorette party on a budget. What about a bachelor party? Organizing a memorable bash without dropping a lot of dough is entirely possible—you just need a strategy. Whether you’re planning this for the bride, groom, or both (or for yourself!), these tips can help you create an unforgettable celebration while staying within a manageable dollar limit.

Set a realistic budget upfront

Have an honest discussion with the group about what each person can afford to spend. This might include deciding whether attendees will be footing the bill for the guest or guests of honor.

Once these decisions are made, create a budget and stick to it. Allison Odhner, founder and CEO of a bachelor and bachelorette party planning service, says it will cost from $1,000 to $1,500 or more per person for a destination event that spans an entire weekend—but this can vary widely based on location, travel dates, and planned activities.

“The absolute best advice is to be upfront about costs and make sure the group is on the same page before committing to anything,” she says.

Keep the guest list small—and consider joining forces

Inviting fewer people helps reduce costs and makes planning more manageable. Prioritize the guest of honor’s closest friends and family first.

And if you’re up for it, consider throwing a larger co-ed celebration instead of taking the traditional route of separate bachelor and bachelorette parties. These combined parties are gaining in popularity, and not just for financial reasons. A co-ed gathering is also a fun way to make joint memories and let friends and family meet ahead of the wedding day.

Choose a location and accommodations wisely

Look for destinations with free or low-cost activities that are easy to get to so people can drive rather than fly.

That said, it might be worth going farther afield to find what you’re looking for on a budget. “Have a weekend where you stay outside of a city—in a more remote destination with a big house—and get creative,” Odhner suggests.

Booking a short-term rental house instead of hotel rooms allows the group to split lodging costs, cook some meals to save on dining-out costs, and spend more quality time together.

If you prefer hotels or other more formal lodging, “always double-check if there are group rates or direct sites for booking,” says Faith Midgarden, owner of a bachelorette planning company.

You can also lower costs by picking a less popular location or traveling during the off-season.

Prioritize experiences over material things

Focus your spending on making memories together rather than on decorations or party favors. Put more of the budget toward one or two fun experiences that align with the guest of honor’s interests. Do they have a favorite team? Get tickets to a game. Do they have a hobby? Enroll in a group class.

Plan some meals and activities at your home base

Balance eating at restaurants with cooking or catering some meals at your rental house or hotel. Stock the fridge with drinks and light bites so you can avoid paying for overpriced bottle service and appetizers at bars and clubs. Schedule downtime for casual activities like playing cards, multiplayer video games, or board games.

Bachelor and bachelorette party ideas: Free or low-cost 

Looking for bachelor or bachelorette party ideas on a budget? There are plenty of creative and affordable ways to celebrate the guest of honor. Here are some exciting and memorable options you might have overlooked.

Have an outdoorsy weekend at a cabin or lake house

Plan a bachelorette or bachelor party trip centered on activities like swimming, fishing, kayaking, hiking, grilling out, and stargazing. Forget glamping. Book a modest cabin or pitch some tents. Throw in some classic games and tell ghost stories or jokes around the campfire as you roast s’mores.

Do a brewery, winery, or distillery tour

Rent a party bus or limo or designate a driver for a day of tasting local craft beers, wines, or spirits. Look for places that waive tasting fees with bottle purchases and offer complimentary tours.

Organize a field day or “bachelor/bachelorette Olympics”

Embrace your inner child. Create teams and organize relay races, obstacle courses, tug-of-war matches, water balloon fights, and other nostalgic childhood games. Give trophies or small prizes to the winning teams.

Have a themed night at home

How about Casino Night? Set up poker, blackjack, and craps tables, and let everyone gamble with a set amount of fake money. Serve refreshments and award prizes at the end of the night.

Another budget-friendly stay-in theme that’s growing in popularity, according to Midgarden, is a “pajamas and prosecco” movie night with a “glamping” feel. In addition, paint-and-sip parties have become trendy. Participants bond over creating artwork or pottery while enjoying drinks.

Go on a food truck or budget bites crawl

Research the best-reviewed food trucks or hole-in-the-wall spots in town and plan to hit up several of them throughout the day or evening. Vote on favorites in categories like best taco, burger, pizza, or dessert.

Bachelor and bachelorette party ideas: Moderate cost

If you’re willing to spend a bit more, here are some ideas that balance a moderate price tag with a memorable experience.

Attend a music festival or concert together

Treat the guest of honor to a concert from their favorite band. To keep costs reasonable, get lawn seats or general admission tickets—bring your own snacks and drinks if the venue allows.

Go on an outdoor adventure

Rent gear and enlist a local guide for excursions like deep-sea fishing, whitewater rafting, rock climbing, or an ATV tour. Look for group discounts and package deals that include lunch.

Take a short cruise

Book a three- to five-day cruise to Mexico, the Caribbean, or just around your nearest coastal area. Cruises can be cost-effective since accommodations, food, entertainment, and transportation are often bundled together.

Throw an epic pool party

Rent a cabana or daybeds at a hotel or resort pool with a DJ and bar. Or host a pool party at someone’s house with rented speakers, inflatable floats, and a grill.

More money-saving tips for an unforgettable bachelor or bachelorette party

No matter what size your budget is, you shouldn’t have to compromise on togetherness and fun. Here are some additional tips to help you celebrate in style while keeping costs reasonable.

Take advantage of rewards and points

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Make the most of credit card rewards, hotel points, and airline miles to cover travel costs when possible. Use a cashback debit account or credit card for purchases to rack up the rewards. And cash in hotel points and airline miles to reduce lodging and transportation costs.

Ask for group discounts everywhere you go

Whether you’re at a hotel or a restaurant, on a tour or in a nightclub, it never hurts to ask for a special rate. Many places offer discounts for larger parties or throw in perks for the guest of honor.

Tap into your network for deals and freebies

Know someone who works at a restaurant? See if they can get you on the guest list or snag a discount. If you know a photographer or makeup artist, ask if they’ll give you a deal to be the group’s designated paparazzi or glam squad for the weekend.

Save on party decorations and supplies

Don’t spend a lot on decor. Hit the discount stores or shop online using coupons and promo codes. Or DIY: Have a crafting session ahead of time to create fun party favors, like personalized sunglasses or friendship bracelets, so you can add a personal touch while keeping costs low.

Throwing an epic bachelor or bachelorette party on a budget

Bachelor and bachelorette parties are all about celebrating the guest of honor and their upcoming marriage. And you can still be the host with the most without racking up debt or experiencing financial stress. With some strategic planning, savvy budgeting, and an emphasis on meaningful experiences, you can give them a send-off to remember without sacrificing your wallet.

The keys are to start planning early, be transparent about costs, get creative with activities, find ways to DIY, and remain focused on helping the bride- or groom-to-be feel special and appreciated.

By following these tips, you’ll be able to maximize the fun and minimize the financial burden for everyone. Remember: At the end of the day, it’s the people and memories that matter most—not the price tag.

When the time comes to attend your loved one’s big day, you’ll still want to stick to a reasonable budget where you can. Learn some top secrets for saving money when you’re a wedding guest.   

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