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 When you’re in a wedding, the cost of paying for the dress, shoes, hair, makeup, travel, and bridal shower gift can add up. While an exact figure on how much it costs to be in a wedding party is lacking, $1,500 is usually cited as an average. The bachelorette party is a way for the bride and her friends to relax and have fun before the big day, but bridesmaids may worry it’s another expense to add to their bill. Luckily, there are plenty of ways to celebrate the bride’s upcoming nuptials without breaking the bank.
 
In Home
 
Traveling can make the total cost of the bachelorette party rapidly increase, and a night out on the town can be costly too. Consider ways to celebrate from the comfort of home to keep the bill low. How you spend the night will depend on the bride’s style and wants.
 
You can spend the evening enjoying at-home facials and watching old movies, or you can relax by candlelight, sharing stories and enjoying wine and hors d'oeuvres. Hosting a wine tasting is a great idea. Everyone can bring a bottle of wine, and for a fun twist, place the bottles in a brown bag and have everyone vote on which one they like best. Pair the wine with simple-to-make snacks and desserts.
 
If the bride is more nostalgic, have a slumber party. Serve her favorite snacks and watch her favorite “girlfriend” movies. Serve some fun drinks with a twist, including spiked cherry limeade or alcoholic root beer floats.
 
In Town
 
A night out on the town can be budget-friendly as well. Spend the morning shopping for lingerie for the bride and wrap things up with lunch. If you’re feeling crafty, attend a pottery class where everyone paints their own pieces. You can also attend a floral arrangement class or a cooking class.
 
If you live near a winery or brewery, go for a tour and tasting. Some cities have multiple wineries or breweries, so you can squeeze a few into your day. Typically, tours are inexpensive or free and include samples. Eat lunch before or grab dinner afterward. Another idea is to attend a concert or musical in your city.
 
For the more adventurous or fitness-focused bride, think of physical activities for the group. Head to a putt-putt course for a game of mini-golf or enjoy a few rounds of bowling. Most places have a private room you can book to enjoy a few private party games and cake. Check your city for group classes, such as aerial yoga, pole fitness, or a burlesque dance class.
 
Short Travel
 
Being on a budget doesn’t mean travelling is out of the question – you just have to scale down your travelling. Many cities are located within a few hours of a winery or distillery. See if someone has a van or SUV, and everyone can carpool. Most wineries have a picnic area, so pack a lunch to enjoy while you’re there.
 
If the bride has her heart set on spending the bachelorette party in a different city, you can pull it off by planning ahead. For starters, avoid a holiday weekend. Sites like Airbnb have houses and apartments you can rent that are typically less expensive than a hotel. You can also find one that includes a kitchen so you can eliminate the costs of eating out for every meal.
 
Find a way to split the cost of the trip between the other bridesmaids. You can ask for cash or use an app such as Venmo. Don’t forget to shop for deals on sites like Groupon, and make sure all of the bridesmaids and the bride have taken care of home security before heading out of town.
 
Staying on a budget doesn’t mean the bachelorette party fun will suffer. There are plenty of ways for the bride and her friends to unwind and let loose without spending a fortune. Whether you stay at home and go all out or cleverly plan an economical short trip, the point is to celebrate the bride and appreciate each other’s company, which you’re sure to accomplish.
 
Author: Aimee Lyons (DIYDarlin.com)

A bridal shower is such a special celebration for not only a bride and her wedding party, but also for all of the family and friends attending the event. These parties are a tradition that originated as early as the 1890’s, historically hosted by the mother of the bride or one of the bride’s relatives.
 
Over the years, these parties have certainly evolved. With that being said, the great thing about showers nowadays is that they can be whatever the bride, her relatives, and her bridal party want to make it. With so many fun themes out there, we’re taking you through some our latest favorite creative bridal shower ideas below.
 
Throw a flamingo flamingle

Flamingos are quite the trend lately, so why not incorporate them into a wedding shower? With so many fun accessories, decorations, and favors that center around this picturesque bird, this creates an element of fun at a shower. Make everything pink and enjoy the tropical vibes that are associated with flamingos and the shower is sure to be a hit!
 
Host a slumber party
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If you’re looking to throw a shower that is more intimate with close family and friends, why not have a good old fashioned slumber party? We’re talking pillow fights, movies and popcorn, painting each other’s nails, and cute PJs. This will be the perfect way for the bride to spend time with her besties and to discuss every detail of the big day!

Learn a new skill

Use a bridal party to teach guests a new skill and it will be something fun for the whole bunch! Some fun ideas are to host a flower-arranging class or to attend a cooking class as a group. Not only will everyone love spending time together, but the group will learn something new, which is always a plus!

Have a spa day 

Whether your group goes to a spa or if it’s more of a do it yourself situation, everyone loves to be pampered! From pedicures to face masks, this is the perfect way to allow the bride and her guests to relax and to spend a nice day together.
 
Create a buffet 

What shower wouldn’t benefit from a buffet? Whether it be a make your own mimosa bar, a s’mores buffet, or even one filled with candy, this is something guests will be unable to resist! Really, these are bound to be a hit at any party, but we think that this will add to the fun and ambiance of your shower. The great part about this is that you can customize the theme of the buffet to match the personality, interests, and style of the bride.
 
Make it pop-culture centered 

​If the bride has a passion for a particular movie or show, you can base the shower around whatever that interest is. For instance, a Breakfast at Tiffany’s shower would prove to be elegant and glamorous or a Friends themed shower would be quirky and fun. This would be an unforgettable and extremely personalized party that the pop culture loving bride would never forget.
 
Treating the bride to a day all about her is the ultimate way to make her feel loved, celebrated, and special. While these creative ideas are simply the icing on the cake when it comes to a lovely party honoring the bride, they certainly will add a nice level of flair and personalization to any wedding shower!

-Naomi Shaw, Guest Blogger