Your friend is getting married and you're not just attending the wedding. You’re in the bridal party.
That means you’re paying for the bachelorette party, too. And if this wedding is like the other nuptials happening this year, it’s going to be big.
After postponing celebrations for several years, people are pulling out all the stops. And as much as you’re excited to party it up with the bride, you’re also a little nervous.
Money gets messy when dealing with these expensive shebangs because there are no clear-cut rules, standards, or traditions.
Who pays for what? How do you collect money? Is it ever okay to expect the bride to pitch in?
This article sets the record straight on paying for the bachelorette party, and how you can pool money with everyone to keep this time special, not stressful.
Contents:
- What is a typical budget for a bachelorette party?
- How do you ask your bridesmaids to pay for the bachelorette party?
- Do brides pay for the bachelorette party?
- Do bridesmaids pay for the bachelorette party?
- Who pays for what?
- Who pays for a destination bachelorette party?
- Who pays for bachelorette party favors?
- 7 reasons to use Braid when paying for the bachelorette party
Start your Braid Pool to pay for all things bachelorette party!
What is a typical budget for a bachelorette party?
A study from The Knot reveals that bachelorette parties are longer and pricier than they used to be.
According to The Knot, 56% of bachelorette parties in 2019 lasted one to two days. However, in 2021, 75% of parties lasted an average of three days.
The study also found that attendees spent about $300 per bachelorette party back in 2019. But fast forward two quick years and many attendees are forking out over $1,000.
With festivities lasting longer and costing more, paying for bachelorette parties is a growing challenge.
But if you know how to talk about money and set up some ground rules, you can easily overcome these challenges.
And do you want to know what else makes paying for bachelorette parties easier? Braid Money Pools. We’ll explain why below.
How do you ask your bridesmaids to pay for the bachelorette party?
Traditionally, the bridal party plans and pays for the bachelorette party. But most people don’t realize that the bride plays an important role, too.
1. The bride chooses her bridal party
The soon-to-be Mrs knows each friend personally, along with their current life situation, availability, and the kind of bachelorette party they’d be up for.
2. The bride can create a couple of bachelorette party outlines
Think of the bachelorette party outline as a registry that gives everyone a better understanding of the bride’s preferences. They can include suggestions for locations, venues, and activities.
If the bride hasn’t done this yet, invite her to do so!
And considering that when someone accepts an invitation to be part of a bridal party, they’re also committing to 1) attending the wedding, 2) buying appropriate wedding attire, 3) purchasing gifts from the bridal registry, and 4) paying for the bachelorette party, this is a great time for the bride to communicate what she plans to pay for so her friends don't have to incur any more expenses.
3. The bride can communicate to the entire bridal party who she has chosen to spearhead the bachelorette party
Most people assume that the maid of honor takes the lead on the bachelorette party, but it’s best not to make assumptions. If there’s any doubt about who’s taking the lead, ask the bride.
From there, the bridal party can discuss the bride’s preferences and decide on the most feasible bachelorette party option.
Your bridal party will like this approach for several reasons.
First off, the bridal party can’t (and shouldn’t be expected to) read the bride’s mind. If the bride shares her preferences early on, everyone can plan a party she’ll enjoy and remember for years to come.
Secondly, this approach gives the entire bridal party a chance to discuss their options and agree to a plan that everyone can afford before you make any concrete plans.
Paying for bachelorette parties might be more expensive than before, but communication clarifies the nitty-gritty and helps you pull off a fun event.
But who pays for what exactly? Let’s take a look.
Do brides pay for the bachelorette party?
In days of yore, brides did not pay for their bachelorette party. It was a gift from the bridal party - one last hoorah before she tied the knot.
But things have shifted now that many bachelorette parties have gone from being a fun night out to a 3-day getaway.
Most people agree that if the bachelorette party requires travel and lodging, the bride covers her expenses. But whatever you do - don’t rely on what most people do.
Instead, have a conversation with everyone in the bridal party - including the bride - to understand whether the bride will pay for certain expenses or not.
Do bridesmaids pay for the bachelorette party?
Traditionally speaking, bridesmaids pay for the bachelorette party. But there is no standard rule.
The good news is that you can set your own “rules” by talking about the following questions early on:
- Is the bridal party splitting the costs evenly?
- Is the bridal party splitting the bride’s expenses?
- Is the bride covering some or all of her expenses?
- Who pays for what at the bachelorette party, like group dinners, drinks, activities, the bride’s gift, etc?
- Who pays for the bachelorette party favors?
- Can everyone contribute their share by the expected deadline?
- Can everyone afford this location, venue, activity, etc?
- Should we modify plans so everyone can pitch in more comfortably?
Paying for the bachelorette party doesn’t have to be a point of contention. And when you’re clear on these topics, you prevent uncomfortable scenarios and ensure that everyone can pay for what they agreed to.
Ready to collect money for the bachelorette party? Start your Braid Pool now.
Who pays for what at a bachelorette party?
In most cases, the bridal party splits the cost of the bachelorette party evenly.
A great way to ensure that this happens is to agree on a bachelorette party outline/itinerary first. When everyone agrees on what they can afford, they’re more likely to make their contributions on time.
Typical bachelorette party expenses include:
- Dinner
- Drinks
- Activities, like a mini cruise, a spa day, or glamping
- Party favors (See below for some fun ideas!)
- Gifts for the bride, like a lingerie set, a celebrity video message, or personalized jewelry
Who pays for a destination bachelorette party?
A destination bachelorette party comes with a higher price tag. So, before you make reservations, make sure that 1) everyone can afford it, and 2) everyone knows what they’re responsible for paying for beforehand.
It’s typical for each attendee (including the bride) to cover their airfare and hotel stay. From there, the bridal party splits costs, like meals, drinks, activities, bridal gifts, party favors, etc.
Who pays for a destination bachelorette party?
A destination bachelorette party comes with a higher price tag. So, before you make reservations, make sure that 1) everyone can afford it, and 2) everyone knows what they’re responsible for paying for beforehand.
It’s typical for each attendee (including the bride) to cover their airfare and hotel stay. From there, the bridal party splits costs, like meals, drinks, activities, bridal gifts, party favors, etc.
How do you fund a bachelorette party?
No matter how you and your friends divvy up expenses, Braid is the best way to manage all things bachelorette party money, from collecting to tracking to spending it.
Here are seven reasons why you’ll like using Braid.
7 reasons to use Braid when paying for bachelorette parties
1. Braid is a money pool for the entire bridal party
A Braid Money Pool is a wallet you share with everyone in the bridal party.
It’s free to download and free to set up, and once you do that, you can send everyone your customizable Pool Link so they can contribute, or you can send them an invitation link so they can join the pool.
It’s a fantastic place to collect everyone’s bachelorette money because it never mixes with your account; bachelorette money goes into the bachelorette wallet.
2. It’s free for everyone to add money with a debit card
It’s easy to put money into the pool. When people contribute with a debit card or via bank transfer, there are no fees. If your friends prefer to use their credit cards instead, there’s a 3% fee per contribution.
With Braid, you never have to worry about collecting cash or checks or transferring contributions to your bank account. It all comes into the pool and stays in the pool.
3. Everyone can track transactions from the pool
Usually, people transfer money to one person who then keeps group money in their personal account. With Braid, it’s different.
Everyone’s contributions are collected in your shared wallet and everyone can track contributions and transactions right in the app.
This keeps bachelorette party money transparent and easy to keep track of.
Start your free Braid Pool today!
4. Spend pool money with your Braid card
Every pool comes with a digital debit card so you can spend pool money everywhere Mastercard is accepted.
This allows you to make online payments or purchases quickly without having to wait for the money to transfer to your bank account.
If you need to do in-person shopping or pay for group dinners or drinks, you can request a physical debit card and easily spend pool funds anywhere in the U.S.
5. Share spending with other bridal party members
Once people accept the invitation to join the pool, you can give them spending permission so they can make payments and purchases with you.
This comes in handy when one person is responsible for taking care of party favors and another person is responsible for purchasing the bride’s gift, etc.
At no point does anyone have to spend their own money and get reimbursed later. When it comes time to spend money for the bachelorette party, everyone can spend the collected funds from the pool.
6. Your pool is always free
Braid is free to download and free to set up. There are no monthly fees, maintenance fees, or overdraft fees.
It’s also free to contribute to the pool with a debit card or via bank transfer. The only fee people incur is a 3% fee if they contribute with credit cards.
7. Keep money trouble at bay with Braid
When everyone in the bachelorette party is a member of your Braid Pool, it automatically keeps money trouble at bay.
Everyone can see incoming and outgoing transactions, along with who’s paid into the pool and who needs to contribute.
This transparency builds trust and accountability and keeps everyone on the same page.
With Braid, you can focus on creating a fantastic bachelorette party without getting caught up in bookkeeping, tracking down payments, or remembering to reimburse someone.
