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6 Tips For Organizing a Bachelorette Party Budget

SavvySugar — Fri, 08 May 2009 06:30:03 -0700

Splitting a dinner bill in a large group can be difficult, but that frustration is multiplied when gathering funds for a bachelorette event. Even if all the ladies say they want to give the bride the most memorable weekend possible, it's likely that some of those attending will have different ideas about how much money it takes to make that happen. Use my tips as a guide to organizing a budget for your next bachelorette party.

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What Would You Do? Broke Bridesmaid

SavvySugar — Fri, 16 May 2008 12:26:04 -0700

Imagine that you're a bridesmaid in the wedding of one of your closest friends, and you've been selected to spearhead the bachelorette party. Organized is your middle name, and you've been planning the weekend practically since your friend was engaged, all the while including the other girls on emails and asking for feedback every step of the way.

It's a month from the big bachelorette weekend, and you get a call from one of the bridesmaids who you don't know very well. She asks if she can pay you in installments of $50 per week, after the weekend has come and gone, instead of handing over her portion of the expenses at the start of the weekend. If you were the in-charge bridesmaid, how would you handle this situation? This is a true story - it happened to my friend who is planning a bachelorette- so to see how my she handled it just read more.

She told the bridesmaid that her proposal was absolutely not an option. Instead, she suggested the girl put a portion of the weekend on her credit card and pay the rest in cash upon arrival just like everyone else. I think that the situation was handled well, though I know my friend was totally shocked by the request from someone she doesn't know well to essentially lend her money for the weekend. The bride has been engaged for a year, so there wasn't much of an excuse why she couldn't save $30 per month for the bachelorette party, other than the fact that she's notoriously bad with money.

Would you have handled things differently, or do you think this was the best solution?

To see all of our wedding season coverage, check out IDoSugar.

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The Best Way to Organize Bachelorette Party Funds

SavvySugar — Thu, 15 May 2008 15:04:32 -0700

If you think splitting a dinner bill with a large group can be difficult, multiply that frustration by a million when trying to collect funds for a bachelorette weekend. Even if everyone involved says they want to give the bride the most memorable weekend possible, it's likely that some of those attending will have different ideas about how much money it takes to make that happen.

In order to avoid arguments over money with other bridesmaids or friends of the bride that will be celebrating the bachelorette, it's important that one or two people are designated as spearheading the event. While the maid of honor is a natural selection, there's not always a MOH to call on and perhaps the bachelorette is one time it's acceptable for the other bridesmaids to handle some of the heavier planning. For my tips on how to organize funds for the weekend, just read more.

The best and most organized way to handle the group's funds it to designate one person as the bank for the weekend. This can be the same person who spearheaded the weekend, but it doesn't have to be. Everyone attending should be told a set amount of cash to bring for the weekend, which will be handed to the bank person upon gathering. At the end of the weekend, whatever money is left will be divided equally among everyone.

This set amount should ideally be figured out a couple months before the bachelorette party, and whatever that amount includes should be clearly laid out in an email to everyone. For example, if the amount is $500, let them know it includes the hotel room, dinner with one drink, etc. If there are any parts of the weekend that won't be covered by the set amount, that should also be mentioned so nobody has any money surprises.

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I'm Asking: Are You Saving Up For Anything Special?

SavvySugar — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 13:00:14 -0700

Most of us are trying to be better about saving for the sake of having a cash cushion, but that doesn't mean we can't simultaneously save for a special something.

Aside from adding more padding to my emergency fund, I have my sights on saving for my honeymoon and my friend's bachelorette party and wedding. Do you have any savings goals in the pipeline?

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What Do You Think of This Wedding Fund-Raising Tradition?

SavvySugar — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 09:54:21 -0700

In the US, pre-wedding events can include an engagement party, a bridal shower, bachelorette and bachelor parties, and a rehearsal dinner. But engaged couples in Manitoba, Canada have one tradition that's unique to their community: Socials are pre-wedding parties thrown by engaged couples hoping to raise thousands of dollars for their weddings. These types of parties are held in other parts of Canada, too, but Manitoba considers the tradition to be a rite of passage.

The socials are thrown at an inexpensive venue and the couple makes money from the admission fee guests pay and the no-host bar. Businesses and sports teams are asked to make donations that are raffled off at the social, and the couple makes money from the raffle proceeds as well.

To see all of our wedding season coverage, check out IDoSugar.
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Surviving a Pricey Wedding Season, Part II

SavvySugar — Wed, 28 May 2008 09:28:45 -0700

Is your Summer calendar full of weddings and all of the events surrounding them? Are you trying not to make anymore female friends so that you don't have to add another one to the list? Just kidding. But wedding season can make you realize how many people you actually know, and how much money it will take for you to attend the Summer lovefest. Here are some of my survival tips.

Only attend the events that you can afford! If you really can't manage to pay for a bachelorette party / bridal shower / plane tickets to fly to a destination, simply don't go. The wedding is not optional if you're a close friend or in the wedding party, but brides will likely understand if you can't attend one of the other events because of money issues. Be honest with the bride and don't make up some lame excuse - she'll likely be understanding, thank you for your candor, and focus on the time you will have together.
Save on shoes: If you don't already have shoes that go with your bridesmaids dresses, try and buy a pair in a neutral color that will go with many shades of dress. And if the bride insists that everyone get matching shoes and presents an unreasonably priced pair, there's always room for suggestions. Try and hunt down a pair that looks similar and costs less - a bride has so many decisions to make, it's likely she didn't exhaust her bridal party footwear search and will be open to alternatives.

I have two more tips for wedding guests and bridesmaids alike, so just read more

Wedding gifts: Some people are naturally gifted in a crafty way and can create an inexpensive gift that's better and more thoughtful than anything on a registry. For the rest of us, there's the beautiful thing that is collective gifts. If you can't bear to give your friends a cookbook holder and mixing bowls, why not pitch in on one of the bigger ticket items with some other girls? The bride will appreciate that you all took the time to pick out a gift together and won't think anything of the fact that the card is signed by more than one person.
Swap dresses: If you have girlfriends who are the same size, suggest sharing dresses throughout wedding season to make your wardrobes stretch. Just make sure to respect something borrowed and take good care so you don't find yourself shelling out money to replace a damaged dress!

Check out all of our wedding season coverage at IDoSugar.

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Surviving a Pricey Wedding Season, Part I

SavvySugar — Wed, 28 May 2008 04:03:04 -0700

Memorial Day weekend suggests that Summer is just around the corner and is also the unofficial kickoff to an eventful wedding season. I've suggested plenty of budgeting tips for brides to be, but this edition is all about budgeting for your friends' big days. Looking ahead at the rest of 2008 has got me slightly stressed because of the many bachelorette parties and weddings that I'll be attending, and every event will require plane tickets, hotel stays, new apparel, and gifts. I know through good planning I'll be able to enjoy my Summer of witnessing wedding love and be the best bridesmaid and guest possible.

First and foremost, try and take the bitter out of the equation. Yes, weddings can be insanely expensive as a bridesmaid or guest, and I know that costs add up. But don't make your friends feel badly for all deciding to get married at the same time - it isn't a plot against you or your bank account. Like any relationship, friendships involve give and take, and your newlywed friends will be there when it's your turn or have been there for you already. Your friends will sense your bitterness and will prove that bitterness goes both ways. This is a time to make good memories, not to be talking behind each other's backs about so and so's ridiculously expensive tastes.

That doesn't mean that you should let the bride kick you around and be insensitive to her friends or unrealistic about her needs and wants. Some brides are highly demanding, but if you go into the situation with a good attitude, you're more likely to win her over with some of your lower-cost suggestions. Whether you're in the bridal party or you're a guest at the wedding, the bride-to-be has included you because you're her friend, and it's not part of some evil plot to make you go broke. Keep that in mind when the bitter-bug starts creeping.

Stay tuned for some of my tips for surviving a busy wedding season, and check out all our wedding coverage at IDoSugar.

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