Bachelorette Party Advice - Ask Doctor G

Dear Dr. G,

I'm planning my best friends bachelorette party, and I have a few questions. The bride herself is only 18, and all her friends are all under 21. I'm wondering how far in advance to send out the invitations, and when the party should be. She is getting married on July 22nd. I'm also curious as to what/where it should be, being that we are all under 21. We don't like the 18 and over club idea, but I want to make this a fun and crazy night for her. I'm BEGGING for your help :) Thanks so much '

Signed, Bachelorette Help Needed

Hi Bachelorette Help Needed,

Thank you for your email. We hear this a lot and the most important thing is to have a great time with your friends and not worry about the age issue. The bachelorette party invitations should be sent out as soon as you know where the party is and what dates so you can give the bachelorettes enough time to plan and go. The rule of thumb is at least two to three months in advance if possible but start the buzz early with emails out. There are so many great ideas that include a favorite restaurant or hangout, dance class, pampering fun at a spa, favorite concert or musical and even just a get-away to a fun hotel or hotspot. Bring lots of bachelorette party games which will fill in the time and decorate any place you go in making it more festive. You will not go wrong! Check out our travel tips if you are traveling to another destination. I hope this helps and check out our entertainment ideas page as well as some other great sites to help including:

BachelorettePartyIdeas.net * BacheloretteParties101.com * BachelorettePartyGames101.com

I hope these help and have a great time at your friend's last night out!

Regards,

Dr. G

Dear Dr. G,

We are planning a bachelorette party in NYC for my cousin. There are three bridesmaids that are under 21. We are trying to find a 18 and over bar/restaurant in NYC so we can all be together. We also wanted to find a suite in NYC that will not be way to overpriced. Do you  have any suggestions for fun 18 and over bars?

Thank you, NB

Dear NB,

Thank you for your email. I get this question a lot since there are many younger bridesmaids that participate in weddings. My suggestion is to start out at a cool trendy restaurant that has a bar. Then, the younger bridesmaids can leave and the older ones will continue till their hearts content. You can hit bars, clubs, rent a limo and do whatever you want! I hope this is helpful and that you have a great bachelorette party.

Dr. G

Dear Dr. G,

I am in a bit of a predicament, thankfully time is on my side for planning my best friend's bachelorette party. A bit about my bride-to-be friend: She is a atheist, scientific-minded doctor of occupational therapy. She is of a personality more on the wild side a brain to keep it under control. I am the exact opposite in most ways. I am extremely embarrassed by anything that is too much at all and am nowhere near a wild child; more like a repressed old-fashioned quiet type. We do have a few things in common: We aren't for ANYTHING overdone. No strippers, no clubs, no getting wildly drunk and bar-hopping. Though this is her wedding, I cannot help but be caught between what she would consider fun and what I would be too embarrassed to participate in! The other members of the bridal party are either just as wild-sided and one other, as far as I am aware, may be a bit more like me but I do not know her well, she is the groom's sister.

I am willing to bend a bit and perhaps get that lifesavers shirt you mentioned cause that sounds like something I could deal with and she would like, we just don't want anything embarrassing. We are not going any farther than one city away (so no Las Vegas for us). We are in Wisconsin and going to Chicago for the last night out. Most of the bachelorettes are in their mid to upper 20's, all legal, if that helps any. Thanks for any help you can get me here.

Thanks!
HelpOnTheWay

Hi HelpOnTheWay,

Thanks for the email and great description. I understand your predicament and many are in the same boat. My suggestion is to speak with the bachelorette on how she wants her bachelorette party to go. We have a great page on bachelorette party entertainment that deals more than just strippers. Chicago is a great town with great entertainment, whether you want to mix it up and go to a spa hotel, dinner and a male review which is more tame as it is a show. Or you can always keep it mellow and have a dinner at a favorite social spot and get an exotic dance lesson. Our suggestion is to ask the bachelorette on what she wants as it is her party and not the bridesmaids or other bachelorettes. That way, you know your friend will have a great time.

Regards,
Dr. G

Dear Dr. G,

I am the Maid of Honor for my sister's wedding in September. We've already planned the date for her Bachelorette party and where we are going to eat. After we eat at her favorite restaurant, we are going to go wine tasting. There isn't much to do in Michigan. So, what can we do after the wine tasting that doesn't involve strippers, spas, beaches, bowling alleys, casinos or bars but is still fun for 15 or more ladies?

Thank you!
Unbelievably Frustrated by a Bridezilla

Hi Bridezilla,

Thank you for the email. There are a lot of great things to do after wine tasting such as going to a day or evening such as getting pedicures, seeing a great show or musical, going to a concert, going back to someone's house and playing bachelorette party games or even taking a exotic dance class. I hope one of these works for you and have an awesome time!

Regards,

Dr. G.

Dear Dr. G,

I am planning my sister's bachelorette party for about 2 weeks from now. She's pregnant but still wants a bit of the traditional bachelorette party. So we are doing a Las Vegas spa component, then out to a fondue restaurant, then out to some bars. The community we're in has all smoke-free bars, and clearly she won't drink alcohol. The catch is how to turn away the potential drink/shot offers from (possibly drunk) guys. While we're all very excited about the baby on the way, my sister would prefer that we not tell complete strangers about her pregnancy, because she just doesn't want to deal with their possible reactions. I completely agree and so do the bridesmaids! I want her to have a perfect night and not have to deal with any inappropriate or judgmental reactions. Any thoughts on creative ways to explain my sister's non-alcoholic beverage choice throughout the evening? As a medical student, I could come up with some fancy medical explanation, but I would really like something more fun than that.

Thanks in advance!
Creativity-less

Hi Creativity-Less,

Great question and also valuable as we don't want her drinking or in an awkward situation. The best thing to do is to say that she is on medication that does not allow her to drink or to state, in a joke like fashion, that she is in a 12 step program for brides that don't party prior to their big wedding day. Always have a friend around her to make sure there are no pushy boys who either pretend to give her a virgin daiquiri and actually place alcohol in it. She can also always make sure to walk around with a drink in hand that is semi full so no-one tries to purchase another. As long as you have someone around her who is watching, there will be no accidents.

Regards,

Dr. G.