4 Ultimate Bachelorette Party Packing Lists Bridesmaids Need to See
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Bachelorette parties range from extravagant destination vacations to casual nights out on the town.
Considering the range of party types, knowing exactly what to have on your bachelorette party packing list can be tricky. As someone who has attended her fair share of bachelorette parties, I learned what you should – and shouldn’t – be packing.
In this post, we list the most common types of bachelorette parties and show you the best packing lists to go with them.
Sample Bachelorette Party Packing Lists
Read the Bachelorette Party Itinerary
Before deciding what to pack for your bachelorette party, you should have a clear picture of what the party will look like.
Checking the itinerary helps with obvious details like packing for the weather and any activities and allows you to coordinate with other attendees.
Check the Weather
As in-your-face as it seems, being over or under-equipped for your bachelorette party is common. Make sure you check the weather over the days you’ll be celebrating, and consider the different locations you’ll be in. Packed bars get warm, and walks outside are chilly.
Clarify Transportation
Clarify transportation for the trip with whoever is planning the party. If that’s you, make sure you have a solid transportation plan communicated to all guests.
Knowing how you’re getting from place to place is not just an important logistical detail – it also helps you know what you’ll need to add to your bachelorette party packing list to use throughout the night. In the summer, you can get away with whatever cute outfit you have planned – even if you’ll need to do some walking.
You’ll need a jacket for any of the chillier seasons. This is especially important if you’ll be on foot throughout the night. If there’s a party bus or another private transportation option worked out, stash your jacket and any extra layers there so you don’t have to carry them to any indoor spaces.
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Bring Important Documents
Arguably, the most critical components of your bachelorette party packing list are required documents. At the very least, this is your photo ID. This could include a passport or other travel documents depending on where you’re headed.
Double-check any ticket confirmations, if applicable, and add them to your phone’s digital wallet. Preparing this in advance avoids the mess of trying to find an email while at the front of a line to get inside somewhere.
If there’s a set itinerary, have it saved on your phone. This helps everyone stay on track for the evening and takes the pressure off the bride to keep the night moving smoothly.
Throughout the evening, it’ll be easier than you’d expect to lose your phone or wallet. While little clutches are cute, they’re not the easiest to keep track of – especially when bar hopping. Cross-body bags, fanny packs, and neck wallets might not be the best fashion statement, but they guarantee your items stay secure. Neck wallets can hide under most clothing and are practically pickpocket-proof – if that’s something you’re concerned about.
Choose Your Luggage Wisely
Depending on the length of your bachelorette party festivities, you’ll need to choose appropriate luggage.
If there are a lot of bachelorette party attendees, try to keep your items as compact as possible. This is courteous of the other guests and gives you less to keep track of. In each of our packing lists above, we list the best piece of luggage for that type of celebration.
Party-Specific Items
If you have any party planning responsibilities, you might be responsible for organizing the purchase of party-specific items.
Many people who attended bachelorette parties said they saved a lot of money by pre-gaming their night out with canned or batch-made cocktails.
To go with a night (or a few!) of drinking, put together communal snacks and hangover kits for guests to use as they see fit.
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Bachelorette Party Swag
The bachelorette-party-specific swag that you feature really depends on what the bride would like. If they want to enjoy a night out with their friends without a ton of extra attention, items like crowns and sashes are probably best skipped.
If you’re a primary party planner, you can determine if games will be played – and purchase the prizes to go along with them. In addition to this, you may want some bachelorette-themed decor for fun photo opportunities.
Touch base with the bride to see if they have any goodie bags planned, and coordinate those with any other items you’re purchasing for the evening.
General Bachelorette Party Packing List Tips and Tricks
Many people have attended or hosted bachelorette parties – and there have been a lot of bad ones.
As you’re putting together your bachelorette party packing list, keep these expert tips in mind:
- Don’t bring large amounts of cash. Keep some on hand, but remember that stopping at an ATM is always an option. Additionally, try to pay everywhere with a card to reserve cash for cash-only transactions.
- Make sure your shoes are walkable! There are plenty of comfortable shoes that are fashion-forward.
- Keep your items, both the ones you have packed for the entirety of the party and the ones you have packed for the night(s) out relatively compact. This way, you’re less likely to lose things, and it’s courteous of the other guests you’re sharing spaces with.
