Bachelorette Party Costs

What is Your Bachelorette Party Budget?

Your best friend has just told you she's going to get married and that she wants you to be a bridesmaid- you know what that means - time to plan the party! Yay! Hang the expense(s)! 

Really? Okay, so we've just had lockdown, and you're itching to put your stilettos back on and to have some serious fun, but do you know what the average cost of a bachelorette party actually is? In 2021, it’s about $537 per person on average, with one-day parties starting around $150 and five-day destination trips climbing to roughly $1,900 per person.

If you’re a bridesmaid, friend, or guest trying to figure out what you may be expected to spend, those numbers matter. Bachelorette parties have shifted from simple nights out to bigger, multi-day celebrations that can put real pressure on everyone’s budget, so it helps to know the typical costs, who usually pays, how destination choices change the total, how spending has changed since the pandemic, and what you can do to keep the celebration fun without overspending.

Weddings...

Weddings themselves aren't cheap, and when you factor in the extras such as drinks, food, and the hotels, many people could find that this whole affair could spiral to ridiculous amounts to pay because the average cost of this type of party in 2021 is about $537 per person. 

On average, women spend about $250 per day party, with one-day bachelorette costs starting on the low end of about $150 and five-day bachelorette destination parties costs reaching around $1900 on the higher end. That's a serious lot of cash!

It's easy to get carried away with these kinds of parties, and before you know it, the money has run away with you - and it's not just your money you're planning to spend. When you think about what the party will entail, you'll find the cost can balloon... 

They used to be low-key dinners held the day before the wedding. Still, the 2021 party has manifested in recent times into a full-blown destination vacation weekend – complete with matching swimming suits, t-shirts, a custom hashtag (goes without saying...), and fabulous memories with all of your best girlfriends spending time together before the wedding day. 

But with any girlie weekend comes masses of planning, coordination, and cost– which can make the party time stressful and expensive - not just for you but others as well! Because although a party is by far the best fun of the bridesmaids' duties, it can also be one of the most expensive per person. 

The Bachelorette Party Cost

You might not be planning a destination bachelorette out-of-town party, therefore avoiding flights, cars, and all those restaurants, but the average cost per person for a typical bachelorette party can still rocket when you think about all those dinners, drinks, transportation, clothes and perhaps a hotel room you'll have to fork out for. 

So who foots this growing bill? You and your friends.

Anyone attending will probably pay for themselves and the bride according to etiquette, so you'll need a lot of available money.

The city or town you intend to stay in or visit can also cost you additional money depending on where you go. Cities such as New YorkCity, Los Angeles,

 and San Francisco will inevitably hike up the total cost. So it's a good idea to think local where the cost of living is cheaper if money is an issue. You can still have fun!

But what happens when your friend, who is the bride-to-be, wants her time to be picture perfect at any cost? Friends' credit cards are maxed out, and debt increases for everyone because Instagram wedding envy usually wins the day.

Because over the last year, with the pandemic keeping us locked inside, coronavirus has not just thrown wedding ceremonies and receptions into total disarray but also the traditions that come before them, like the traditional bachelor or bachelorette party. 

Brides and grooms who decided to elope or have micro-weddings during the pandemic are now rescheduling these events, usually leading up to their vows, and are happy to go wild with post-wedding bachelorette and bachelor parties and are caution-free about the costs. 

Bachelorette Party Budgets

So, the bachelorette party has evolved from a low-key dinner or lunch held the day or so before the wedding into a full-blown destination weekend, complete with matching swimming cossies, private boat charters, and its own hashtags.

Traditionally, each bachelorette party guest pays his or her own way through the party celebrations and, on average, also steps up to cover the cost of the bride as a matter of etiquette. 

Therefore if the bach party is one night of dinner or drinks, it’s a lovely gesture to help cover the expenses of the main party girl. But luckily, if the bachelorette party is more than a bridal shower, and is more than a one-day affair, and requires jumping on a plane, it’s more common for the bride to pay for herself, especially when it comes to transportation and lodging. 

Party Times Are A'Changin'

There has been a noticeable change in the way bachelorette parties have been organized in the last year. The pandemic has left many friends happy to participate but still wary of staying in a hotel room or around strangers.

Destination bachelorette organizers are opting for Airbnbs rather than hotel rooms to help guests save money, as well as organizing putting $100 a month toward a 'wedding guest fund' that covers costs like gifts and international Covid testing.

Setting healthy budgets and determining what’s important to you should be at the forefront of all your wedding guest decision making, not just your guilt over potentially saying no, because a bachelorette party, however low-key, isn't going to be cheap, and you want to avoid hurt feelings!

Obviously, the exact cost of a bachelorette party can vary a lot depending on several factors. But if you can't afford it - don't be afraid to speak up and say so.

Spending Money

So, when thinking about the median cost, you should take into consideration: 

•     Travel

•     Accommodation

•     Alcohol

•     Clothes

•     Activities

•     Food

•    `Pre-wedding gifts

Median Cost of a Bachelor or Bachelorette Party

Needless to say, the exact costs can vary a lot depending on several factors. 

Evidently, one in two attendees of both bachelor and bachelorette parties are happy to spend nearly $1,000 on a party, with 74% of male attendees and 66% of female attendees splashing out more now that pandemic-related restrictions have more or less gone.

It seems that on average, 56% of bachelorette and bachelor parties last two or more days, and a recent 2021 study, saw an increase, with 75% of parties lasting more than two days. The average bachelorette party length this year is three days. A third of bachelor parties are now lasting four or more days - that's serious spending money. The longer the event, the more expensive it obviously is. 

Exactly how much does a weekend or even a week-long bach party cost?

A more affordable bachelorette weekend usually lands around $500 to $800 per person. Group activities often cost about $100 to $300 per person, though that can still add up quickly. The best way to cut costs is to choose options that range from free plans like a beach day to more pricey paid experiences.

You can save money by not traveling, even if the bridal party isn't getting bottle service in a nightclub and staying in a coastal villa with a pool which will cost you a lot of money...

So, one in two females said they were happy to spend over a $1,000 on an upcoming event, while 54% of males said the same thing, which can be difficult when the bridal party is made up of friends of varying affluence. Sometimes bachelor and bachelorette parties can be combined to help split the cost of the events and to save money.

Who Pays? How to Split Costs

Traditionally, the only person who doesn’t pay is the bride. This is usually when the event is an in-town local gathering and probably consists of a single night out, as opposed to a weekend away, as everything but individual transport can be split evenly between all attendants, thereby helping to save money for the essential things like the wine...

The bridesmaids and other guests will often split costs to cover the bride's expenses for shared items, while still paying their own expenses, which is usually the most fair approach for communal plans rather than every personal cost. Of course, this really depends on the wishes of the bride and the group as a whole.

Budget Ahead of Time to Save Money

It's a good idea to make sure the bride and all of the attendees agree on what they're comfortable spending well in advance of the event before booking anything, because everyone participating in the bachelorette festivities should be happy with the costs of attendance. 

Once a budget has been set that more or less satisfies everyone, you can start looking for ideas for locations and activities that will adhere to that budget. Booking accommodations early can help you avoid premium prices. Don't splash out any money on any big group ticket items without the approval of those you will be charging first.

Add a buffer of about 10% for extra expenses.

It's a good idea to have one or two people pay for the shared purchases like food, decor, dinner, gifts, wine, and group accommodations because it's easier to split it up later, especially if there are only a few people reimbursed. Also account for overlooked costs like tips, parking fees, additional food costs, and other fees. If you can split the price of the event between you, it'll help the overall expenses.

When you're budgeting for the wedding season, don't forget the dollars needed for bridal showers, the engagement party and any other celebration factors involved, including the bridesmaids' activities planned- and this is for each of the invitations you receive and intend to attend!

Fortunately, depending on the bride's vision, it's not impossible to plan fun events on a bachelorette party budget. The budget you decide on ultimately comes down to your particular guests and how much money they are willing to part with on these pre-wedding events...

Destination Bachelorette Party Planning

However, the etiquette rule of paying for the bride doesn’t usually apply to a destination party. Since travel and accommodations are involved and multiple meals out, the bride will also contribute to help cover the expenses. A multi-day destination bachelorette party in the U.S. often costs about $1,000 to $1,300 per person.

If you are a maid of honor, you may decide to get everyone to treat the bride to a night on the town, but she’ll have to have some money to cover the cost of that hangover brunch the next day. However, all those additional expenses add up, and many women who attend destination bachelorette parties, in particular, find themselves going without necessities, or worse—taking on debt.

One in four bachelorette trips now involve traveling by plane, up 9% since 2019 - the reason is simple as travel is a longed-for luxury for many women after being quarantined throughout much of Covid. Destination bachelorettes are becoming the norm, with an increased number of the bride's friends claiming they are willing to spend more than they would have in the past.

If you’re looking to save money, choose a bachelorette party destination that’s convenient to the majority of your attendees, and consider traveling off-season to reduce airfare and accommodation prices. 

Because whatever you see on Instagram, flying to a bachelorette destination isn't what everyone does. According to a recent study, only 17 per cent of bachelorette partygoers actually flew to the event’s location—nearly half drove themselves or went with a friend.

A Long Destination Bachelorette Party Weekend…

In 2026

couples are looking to celebrate their love for longer, with more than half of bach parties lasting for three or more days. More people are happy to fly to the party destination this year, and a quarter of people heading to bach parties in 2021 are flying to the event's destination, compared to 20% in 2019. 

Trip Expenses

So, the costs add up for parties when they become overnight affairs. The average length of time has gone up, and bachelorette parties are now even longer, averaging three days as opposed to the previous two, which inevitably makes them more costly for everyone invited. 

People invited are now willing to spend up to a $1,000or more on an upcoming bachelorette event, and a lot of this has to do with the pent-up demand for travel and group gatherings. 

It's Time to Party...

Bachelorette parties are a way to gather with our closest friends, and it seems that people invited want to spend more on these pre-wedding events post-pandemic and increase the length of their parties too.

It appears that, on average, one in two guests attending spend more than $300 on a bachelorette party, but when the party takes place in a major metropolitan city, that number goes up to 61%. And one in five celebrants is actually spending near enough $1,000 to party!

And if you throw in flights, the spend goes up. Of those attending who had to fly to their bachelorette party, nearly 40% spent close to or over $1,000. And, an unbelievable one in 10 spends more than $4,000. 

That's one serious party!