13 Bachelorette Party Trends We Fully Support

We’re living in the golden age of bachelorette parties. Head on over to any social media platform and you’ll quickly see what we mean: Right now, our feeds are inundated with epic bachelorettes that seem bigger and better than ever before. And since those one-night-only events are being replaced with elongated trips, it makes sense that a new slate of trends have emerged, as well. 

While these fads—like far-flung parties that span four days and ultra-personalized experiences—might feel overwhelming at first (do you really need to participate in each one?), they can be a helpful guide for anyone currently in the prep phase. After all, planning the ultimate bachelorette party is no small feat, and cycling through a list of ideas upfront will help you pick and choose the trends that are right for your crew (and their budgets). From elevated favors to alternative locales and co-ed parties, we spoke with the experts to break down the latest and greatest ideas to ensure your bachelorette party is nothing short of epic.

Whether you're a bride-to-be seeking inspiration for your upcoming pre-wedding party or a maid of honor on a mission to plan the ultimate girls' getaway, we asked several experts to help us curate a list of these bachelorette party trends that have our stamp of approval.

Alternative Destinations 

While Vegas and Miami are constants, there’s been a rise in international travel and alternative bachelorette destinations, and we’re here for it. “A big trend we are seeing for this year and beyond is traveling internationally,” says Allison Odhner, the CEO of Bach to Basic. “Brides are looking for unique destinations and going abroad is as easy as ever.” Odhner notes that Cabo, Tulum, Aruba, Costa Rica, and European travel are getting more interest. These faraway places, however, don’t come cheap—which is why plenty of brides-to-be are opting for stateside alternatives to lower travel costs. “Domestically, we are seeing more groups who want to travel to unique destinations such as Jackson Hole, Salt Lake City, and Aspen,” Odhner shares. 

Want to go somewhere different for your destination bachelorette party, but don’t know how to nail down a locale? Look to your destination wedding wishlist as a guide. “I’m seeing people pick the destinations where they may have wanted to have a destination wedding, but weren’t able to,” says Fallon Carter, the founder and creative director of Fallon Carter Events and the host of the Betches Brides podcast. “It’s a good way to get the best of both worlds of having a domestic wedding and a unique bachelorette party destination.”

Luxury Lodgings and Experiences Covered by the Bride

Another popular bachelorette trend? More groups are renting a multi-bedroom luxury villa and using its amenities to experience activities and meals at home. According to Dain Rasmussen, senior vice president of member success at Inspirato, bridal parties want two things in a luxury venue: a big enough communal space to gather together and celebrate, but enough bedrooms and bathrooms that everyone can have a quiet space to retreat to. And with some upscale villas and home rentals, you get the added element of a signature high-touch service, including pre-trip planning, private chefs, daily housekeeping, stocked groceries, and an on-site concierge who can make dinner reservations and even grab an extra bottle of Champagne when you run out.

As more bachelorette parties shift to this luxury venue model, changes are also being made on the budget side. There’s been an uptick in brides contributing to their weekends to offset the costs of these over-the-top spaces and experiences. “While this is not expected, brides understand that the bachelorette trip can become a financial strain if they are asking too much from their guests,” says Odhner. “So instead, they are covering portions of the weekend that might be above the group's budget if they want a more luxurious experience.”

Wellness-Focused Trips

Partying isn’t the only way to celebrate your final single days. “Another trend we are seeing more of is having more of a wellness weekend with good friends,” notes Odhner. In today's fast-paced world, many are prioritizing self-care, making a wellness retreat an attractive option for pre-wedding celebrations. These trips often include activities such as yoga, meditation, spa treatments, healthy meals, and outdoor adventures, providing an opportunity for the bridal party to de-stress, connect with nature, and focus on their physical and mental health.

The all-inclusive resort StolenTime in St. Lucia, for example, launched a new style of bachelorette trip, ideal for those who prefer pampering over partying. With the “Bachelorette on the Beach” package, brides-to-be and their friends experience wedding-worthy wellness experiences. Think beach boot camps, personalized robes, morning yoga, meditation sessions, Caribbean dance classes, off-site excursions, and therapeutic care at the spa. 

Including Family

Family members typically play significant roles during the wedding-planning process, but more brides-to-be are including these VIPs in their pre-wedding festivities. “One trend we are seeing is including family members in the bachelorette celebration,” says Odhner. “This is likely because many of these events have gotten much more extravagant and are less of a [one-night-only party], so they are mother-, aunt-, and family-friendly!” 

If the bride has children or is marrying into a blended family, this is the ideal way to strengthen those bonds and include them, as well. “Everyone is a lot more family-focused,” affirms Carter, noting that this type of inclusion is playing out in wedding parties, too. “We’re seeing brides having these micro celebrations that still include the matrons of the family—and they’re including everyone in the wedding party, too.” 

Staycations 

Planning a staycation for a bachelorette party has underrated benefit. For starters, they’re more budget friendly, since they eliminate the need for expensive travel. Staying local also allows for greater flexibility in scheduling, making it easier for busy bridesmaids to attend. Plus, it provides an opportunity to appreciate the bride's city, discover hidden gems, and enjoy familiar surroundings in a new way. 

More brides are choosing this option, since it can foster a sense of comfort with no need to navigate unfamiliar places or deal with travel-related stress. A staycation bachelorette party also creates a more intimate and cozy atmosphere, perfect for bonding with close friends and creating memories before the wedding. A New York-based bride may look to a Manhattan overnight paired with The Ritz Carlton Nomad’s bougie High Tea experience and a Broadway show—or take a road trip to Marram in Montauk for a laid-back getaway that offers retreats and wellness weekends. 

Tech-Savvy Bachelorette Party Budgeting 

New, innovative budgeting tools can help anyone preparing for a bachelorette party save—which is why we’re hoping this trend is here to stay. With the rising costs associated with travel and accommodation, bridal parties are turning to budget-tracking and expense-splitting apps to manage efficiently and communicate balances with the party. Platforms like Splitwise, Bridesquad, and Batch have become the go-to choices for seamless transactions, allowing bachelorette party attendees to split costs evenly and track in real-time, ensuring transparency and fairness. 

DIY Bartending 

Rather than spending money at a bar or club, bachelorette groups are catching on to the fact that they can be their own best mixologists—and save that cash. For example, services like BarBees Bartending offer classes virtually and in-person around the country in cities like Nashville, Scottsdale, Austin, Palm Springs, and Brooklyn. Hosted by BarBees bartenders, trained professionals who create thoughtfully crafted cocktails and mocktails, classes are designed to create moments of celebration and connection at a bachelorette party.

Ultra-Personalized Parties

There’s a rise in ultra-personalized bachelorette parties—and groups are customizing every last detail. Each itinerary and experience has the bride in mind. For example, Odhner’s Bach to Basic has seen more requests for custom experience-based itineraries based on the bride's interests, resulting in custom mood boards, logos, and branding. “The décor and favors are also customized to each group matching their theme and color scheme for the weekend. It is all about these small details—gathering the bride's favorite drink, food, color, movie, etc., and incorporating them throughout the weekend,” says Odnher. “Having different themed activities with small touches makes for an extremely customized weekend the bride will remember.”

Wardrobe Mood Boards

Say goodbye to matching outfits and hello to wardrobe mood boards. Brides are increasingly veering away from the traditional concept of matching for bachelorette parties and opting for unique, upbeat outfit themes (think sunset palettes and Western chic), instead. “We are seeing our clients want custom wardrobe mood boards,” shares Odhner.  “While brides are not looking for matching items, having a monochromatic moment or a fun theme night out is trending.”

Joint Bachelor and Bachelorette Parties 

Co-ed bachelor and bachelorette bashes are all the rage right now. Why? Well, picture this: two partners surrounded by their awesome crew of friends, celebrating together in one epic weekend. It's all about embracing the changing dynamics of modern relationships, where each partner can share everything—including their friend group. By throwing a joint party, it’s not just about celebrating the upcoming wedding; you're creating core memories together as a team. This trend also aligns with the growing emphasis on equality and inclusivity in weddings and relationships, where couples are empowered to customize their celebrations to reflect their values.

Unique Balloon Décor 

From elaborate balloon installations to customized designs that incorporate personal touches or themed elements, unique balloon creations add a wow factor and lend a sense of exclusivity to these pre-wedding parties. “Balloons are always a great décor option for bachelorette parties since they cover a lot of space and add color,” Odhner says. “We have seen a rise in brides being excited about unique balloon décor—not just your typical balloon arch. We've done a lot of helium balloons and inspired creative installations to transform a whole space versus just one small area.” 

Elevated Favors

Customized sweatshirts from quality brands, tiny purses, drinkware, sunglasses—the bachelorette party favor game is better than ever. “We have also seen some of our brides want elevated favors and gifts. They’re purchasing luxury products that guests can take home and use later,” Odhner shares. Carter has also seen several next-level bachelorette party welcome bags—and says that this celebration’s “merch” is becoming more thoughtful and fun, too. “People are leaning into the celebration and expressing themselves with new colors and elements for favors in a way that they may not be able to on their wedding day,” she says.

Outsourcing Planning and Content Creation

Bridal parties are increasingly turning to bachelorette planning services to organize their celebrations—instead of going it alone—for several reasons. Bach to Basic, for example, was the first company to offer an on-site concierge program. “Much like a day-of wedding coordinator, our team is on-site throughout the entire bachelorette party weekend to add in any of the small, detailed touches to create an especially luxurious and customized event,” notes Odhner. Because of this increase in demand, more bachelorette planning services have been popping up quickly over the past years, including a roster of more niche, destination-specific companies.

Another related trend? Bridal parties have started outsourcing content creation, too, hiring on-site assistants to capture all of the weekend’s photos and video footage. Odhner is all for it—your future viral Instagram Reel will thank you, she says.