by A. South

Created on: December 24, 2008

Bachelorette parties are supposed to be nights of celebration, anticipation, nostalgia and pure, unadulterated fun.

If you're planning a bachelorette party there are a few things to take into consideration, namely, the bride.

Before you start planning:

Talk to the bride
You might think the bride-to-be wants a stripper, or even plan a quiet night in with the gals, talk to the guest of honor and see what she'd like to do the night before her wedding. She might surprise you, your party-animal best friend from college might just want to have a movie night with her girls and then go to bed early.

Figure out your budget
Bridal showers are thrown (and paid for) by the bridesmaids, but bachelorette parties are a group affair. Bridesmaids (or whoever the bride chooses) but attendees can be asked to split the costs all attendees except the bride, of course.

Timing is everything
Traditional bachelorette parties are thrown the night before the wedding, but with all the planning and preparations and desires for good night sleep, you might want to look for an earlier date.

Ideas for the party:

The traditional hen party
You can go the traditional route and take the bride to be out to her favorite bar, make her wear a veil and buy her shots until she can't spell "I Do". This is the most common because it can be a fun way to say goodbye to being single one last hurrah. Just make sure to look out for your girl, don't let her make any decisions she'll regret.

A girls' weekend
Why end the party at just one night? Plan a girls' weekend getaway and celebrate all weekend long.

Fierce competition
Take a cue from the guys and add some competition to the party. Take her to go-carting, playing darts, or pool. Even better, up the ante by combining it with the bachelor party, and pitting boys vs. girls.

Private viewing
Call a few movie theatres in your area and see if you can reserve a private theatre for the night. Bring your own wine and munchies and enjoy the show.

Pleasure cruise
Rent a boat and take a little cruise around a nearby river or lake. The boats aren't that expensive, and (depending on state laws) anyone can operate them. Bring along appetizers and drinks.

Mrs. Picasso
Stretch your artistic muscle with an art-themed party. Try painting or sculpting lessons, paint your own pottery, make beaded jewelry or spend time helping with a wedding-day craft (making invitations or programs, etc.) You'll end up with a DIY memory.

No matter what you do for the bachelorette party, make sure it's fun, memorable and all about the bride.

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