Parties held before marriage have existed for a very long time! In fact, as far back as 5 B.C., we can see that extravagant feasts were held for Spartan grooms the night before their wedding ceremony. However, pre-wedding celebrations for women didn’t exist for quite a bit longer, and it was only from the 15th century onwards that bridal showers began to become commonplace. These gatherings, which saw gifts and well wishes being given to the bride-to-be, were usually calm affairs, held during the day. But, by the 1960s, the term ‘bachelorette party’ was being used to describe a more rambunctious party women had before their vows. This event was now similar to the bachelor parties that men had been throwing for a long time beforehand!
The point of a bachelorette party has always been for the bride-to-be to connect with their close friends and family members without their soon-to-be partner present, before the big day. Nowadays, bachelorette parties consist of various games and activities, lavish locations, and funny dress themes, making them a true right-of-passage highly anticipated by many people!
Who Should Plan the Bachelorette Party?
When it comes to the planning duties of a bachelorette party, there are a few traditional nominees you should consider. Usually, the maid of honor takes on the role of organizing the bachelorette party for the bride, to help ease some of the stress, as they’re already putting a lot of work into planning their wedding celebration. However, these days, many brides decide not to have a maid of honor, and just opt for bridesmaids. In that case, one or multiple bridesmaids will often band together to pull off the bachelorette party for the bride. Although, it’s also become common for brides themselves to plan their own bachelorette party if they want to, and if they feel they have the capacity to orchestrate it! Whether you’re the maid of honor, a bridesmaid, or just a good friend of the bride-to-be, deciding on who plans the event is entirely up to the bride, so make sure to accommodate this for the individual in question.
Bachelorette Party Theme Ideas
Finding the perfect theme for a bachelorette party can be daunting. With so many different ways to celebrate, you might be feeling overwhelmed with the possibilities for the location, the dress code, and the refreshments. Well, don’t despair – we’re here to help! At Zazzle, we consider ourselves to be quite the bachelorette party experts. That’s why, in today’s post, we’ve decided to round up 21 of our favorite ideas for bachelorette parties! When it comes to planning a bachelorette party, it’s essential to consider the bride’s unique interests, hobbies, and favorite places to execute an event that she’ll adore.
We’ve made sure to provide our readers with a host of bachelorette party ideas that vary greatly in budget, activity level, and style, so you’ll find one that suits the bride-to-be’s tastes. To make things even easier for you, we’ve included a cocktail or mocktail recommendation, a dress code idea, some food inspiration, and a fun phrase for the party that can hashtag across your social media posts afterwards. We’re also going to include some wonderfully customizable product recommendations for each theme, to make your event extra memorable. Okay, let’s get this party started!
Beach Theme:
Dress Theme: Beach wear like floppy hats, swimwear, sundresses
Cocktail/Mocktail: Pina Colada
Food: Seafood buffet
Phrase: Last Toast on the Coast!
Alice in Wonderland Theme:
Dress Theme: Alice in Wonderland characters
Cocktail/Mocktail: Cheshire Cat cocktail. Make sure to add some ‘drink me’ wine charms!
Food: Traditional tea party food
Phrase: We’re all Mad Here!
Last Disco Theme:
Dress Theme: Disco wear – think glitter, sequins, feathers, and faux fur!
Cocktail/Mocktail: Screwdriver
Food: Your favorite hors d’oeuvres
Phrase: [Names’s] Last Disco!
Nautical Theme: Boat Trip
Dress Theme: Stripes, white, and blue
Cocktail/Mocktail: Dark ‘n’ Stormy
Food: Charcuterie boards
Phrase: Let’s Get Nauti!
Disney Princess Theme:
Dress Theme: Princess-inspired dresses
Cocktail/Mocktail: Disney Dole Whip cocktail
Food: Royal-inspired banquet
Phrase: [Name]’s Happily Ever After
60s Theme:
Dress Theme: 60s-inspired attire like flower prints, bell bottoms, and tie-dye
Cocktail/Mocktail: Moscow Mule
Food: Old-school appetizers like a cheese ball, fondue, and deviled eggs. You could even make jelly molds for total authenticity!
Phrase: Dazed and Engaged
Harry Potter Theme:
Dress Theme: House colors or Harry Potter characters
Cocktail/Mocktail: Butterbeer
Food: Chocolate Frogs and Pumpkin Pasties
Phrase: The Unbreakable Vow
Outdoor Theme: Hiking Trip
Dress Theme: Hiking gear, activewear, or whatever is comfortable to walk in!
Cocktail/Mocktail: Tequila Sunrise
Food: Pack easy-to-carry picnic snacks and hot drinks or soups in flasks
Phrase: Last Trail Before the Veil!
Fiesta Theme:
Dress Theme: Embroidered Mexican shirts, flower crowns, bright colors
Cocktail/Mocktail: Margarita
Food: Nachos, tacos, fajitas
Phrase: Nacho Average Bach
Gothic Theme:
Dress Theme: Gothic wear, black, and alternative styles
Cocktail/Mocktail: Black Russian
Food: Serve black-colored foods like blackberries, figs, and caviar
Phrase: Till Death Do Us Party
Tennis Theme:
Dress Theme: Tennis skirts, skorts, polo shirts
Cocktail/Mocktail: Honey Deuce Cocktail
Food: BBQ food
Phrase: A Match Made in Heaven!
’90s Theme:
Dress Theme: ‘90s attire – think colorful hair clips, satin, and animal print
Cocktail/Mocktail: Cosmopolitan
Food: ‘90s snacks like poptarts, pizza rolls, and colorful candy
Phrase: Bach to the ’90s!
Wilderness Theme: Glamping
Dress Theme: Camping comfort. Make sure guests remember to bring something warm!
Cocktail/Mocktail: Red Wine Hot Cocoa
Food: S’mores, hot dogs, grilled vegetable skewers
Phrase: [Name’s] Getting Hitched!
Wine Tasting Theme:
Dress Theme: Smart casual
Cocktail/Mocktail: Wine, of course! It’s also a good idea to offer some non-alcoholic wine to guests who may not drink.
Food: Cheese boards
Phrase: Vino Before Vows
Mamma Mia Theme:
Dress Theme: Greek holiday wear
Cocktail/Mocktail: Orange Creamsicle
Food: Traditional Greek food spread
Phrase: Dancing Queens!
Cowgirl Theme:
Dress Theme: Cowboy hats, chaps, fringed clothing
Cocktail/Mocktail: Old Fashioned
Food: Cowboy Caviar
Phrase: [Name’s] Last Rodeo
F.R.I.E.N.D.S Theme
Dress Theme: F.R.I.E.N.D.S Characters
Cocktail/Mocktail: Monica’s Tiki Death Punch
Food: Joey’s Meatball Subs
Phrase: The One Where [Name] Gets Married!
Snow Adventure Theme: Ski Trip
Dress Theme: Ski resort attire
Cocktail/Mocktail: Aperol Spritz
Food: Fondue or lasagna
Phrase: Après-ski for the Bride to Be!
Golfing Theme:
Dress Theme: golf wear
Cocktail/Mocktail: John Daly
Food: Club sandwiches
Phrase: Last Swing Before the Ring!
Retreat Theme: Lakeside Getaway
Dress Theme: Summer dresses, sun hats, denim shorts
Cocktail/Mocktail: Blue Lagoon
Food: Picnic food
Phrase: Lake Life, Lake Wife
Tropical Theme:
Dress Theme: tropical prints, florals, bright greens, and pinks
Cocktail/Mocktail: Mojito
Food: Exotic fruit salads, poke bowls
Phrase: Tropic like it’s hot, [name’s] tying the knot!
Pizza Making Theme:
Dress Theme: Italian countryside-inspired outfits
Cocktail/Mocktail: Bloody Mary
Food: Homemade pizza, garlic bread, salad
Phrase: Last Slice of Single Life
Well, you’ve officially reached the end of our list! We’d like to think that you’ve now got some awesome ideas for the upcoming bachelorette party you’re planning. If you can think of any other ideas that we haven’t already mentioned, please feel free to leave them in the comments below to help out other eager party planners. We hope that your bachelorette party is one for the books, and that the bride-to-be is absolutely thrilled with the entire celebration!
Ella is a content specialist from Cork, Ireland. Her passions include spending time with her two energetic dogs, fashion, photography, and trying new vegan food!
