By Andrea Woroch
Most of us don’t have the budget for a Parisian-themed blowout àla Bridesmaids, but that doesn’t mean the bride-to-be should settle for the early bird special in the name of savings.
Though it may seem like bar-hopping at nearby watering holes is the cheapest way to go, money becomes no object once the booze start flowing. There are other ways to host a memorable ladies’ night out sans the life-size cookie and gut-wrenching bar tab, so consider these six ideas before rounding up the girls:
1. Get Out of Town:
This is the ideal option but not always the most economical. There are ways to reduce the costs associated with an all-girls getaway, but be prepared to plan well in advance. First, consider a one-night stay somewhere nearby, or relatively close to attendees’ respective homes. Once a location is established, let party-goers know the details so they can get booking. Find party accessories online for less, and outfit the bride in a little girl’s tiara for up to 75-percent less than speciality retailers.
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2. Scavenger Hunt:
Channel your inner child and create a scavenger hunt for the bride, complete with challenges to solicit free drinks from strangers and requests for silly photos. If you live in a big city, check out StrayBoots for inexpensive packages tailored for bachelorette parties and be prepared to uncover unknowns in your hometown.
3. At-home Wine Tasting:
If the bride-to-be isn’t into the bar-hopping-male-stripper scene, consider hosting an at-home wine tasting. Cut costs by asking attendees to bring a bottle of their favorite wine-and-snack duo. You’ll need a wine glass for every attendee, plus water and bread to serve as palette cleansers. If you want to go all out, consult this advice from Real Simple magazine.
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4. Lots of Laughs:
The stress of wedding planning is likely getting to everyone, so a night full of laughter might just be what the doctor ordered. Check out your local comedy club and call ahead for front-row seating. Make yourselves known to the entertainers by ordering bachelorette-themed party wear online, making sure to grab free shipping codes from sites like FreeShipping.org to avoid delivery charges.
5. Paint & Sip:
If you haven’t yet taken advantage of the paint and sip trend, consider this your golden opportunity. What better way to celebrate the bride’s pending nuptials than with a wine-laden arts and crafts session? Hit up Google for a nearby studio, or better yet, tap into a friend’s artistic talent by having her lead the session at someone’s home.
6. Bridal Bowling:
You’ll get plenty of attention as a group of all-girls in a bowling alley, but consider taking it a step further by outfitting the bride and attendants in the worst available versions of thrift-store wedding attire. Call ahead to reserve a couple lanes and talk to the manager about available packages, including pre-ordered food and a personal attendant. Let the good times roll!
Andrea Woroch is a consumer and money-saving expert for Kinoli Inc. She is available for in-studio, satellite or skype interviews and to write guest posts or articles. For more savings tips, follow Andrea on Facebook and Twitter.
