Bachelorette Party Articles - Page 2
Michael Lasky
9420 Reseda Boulevard, Suite 510, Northridge, CA
91324
818-718-1104
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Bachelorette and Bachelor Party Consumers
Significantly Using Internet More for
Information and Purchasing Supplies.
June 1st, 2006 Los Angeles - A new study was conducted in the first quarter of 2006 by the largest network of bachelor and bachelorette party sites which found that women are using the Internet 51.9% more than last year to find bachelorette party supplies and information, while men are using the Internet only 24.6% more than last year to find bachelor party related information and products. I-Volution, Inc which own www.bachelorettepartyfun.com, the largest bachelorette party sites in a network of pre-wedding party bridal sites reports these statistics from their first quarter. Michael Lasky, president of I-Volution, states, "I am not surprised about these statistics, especially since women appear to use the internet more than men for information gathering and shopping in the pre-wedding party field." Lasky reports that he expects over 4.7 million visitors to come to his network of pre-wedding party websites during 2006.
According to Michael Lasky, "My websites are a bachelorette party portal to get nationwide information on transportation/limousines, nightclubs, restaurants, concerts, spas, strip clubs, game ideas as well as over 300 party items for their bachelor and bachelorette parties to make it a one stop shop." Many other sites also offer a wide range of information that make bachelorette planning easier in the ever-growing party planning field.
The history of bachelor(ette) parties is thought to have originated with a bachelor dinner that was traditional in ancient Sparta (5th century) where soldiers would toast each other on the eve of a friend's wedding. Bachelorette parties grew out of this tradition starting with tea parties that evolved into very similar parties to the male-related bachelor party in current times. During the last few years, more and more bachelor(ette) party (also known as stag and hen parties in Europe) websites have been appearing, offering great information, ideas, novelty supplies and gifts to the bachelor and bachelorette marketplace.
According to the US Census Bureau and The Knot, there are over 2.3 million weddings in the US per year (over 6,200 weddings a day), the potential of 4.6 million bachelor(ette) parties, and 72 billion per year spent on weddings, it is no wonder why the online market is growing in conjunction with the increase in overall web users. When asked why there is a substancial difference in the relationship of males to females using bachelor(ette) online services, Michael Lasky from I-Volution stated, "Women are more information oriented. It is just like being lost while driving and asking for directions. Women are the first to use third party sources to gain increased information while men like to be more independent and stubborn with deciding what to plan without trying to get more help."
Not only has the traffic increased on the bachelorette party websites, but the type of events that occur during the bachelor(ette) parties has also changed. "The statistics show that women are more interested in focusing on a night out with their friends with events like spas, musicals, dinners, and now exotic dance lessons which has become very popular," states Lasky. The website www.bachelorettepartyfun.com statistically tracks where visitors go on the site to increase information in areas that are more popular. The bachelor party venues also changing with more men wanting to go on a golf retreat, concert, or resort than to have a night out to bars and exotic dancers. Las Vegas still holds as the number one US destination for bachelor and bachelorette parties.
With so many people using the Internet for pre-wedding party information, more and more party planning companies that take care of all of the bachelor, bachelorette and bridal party arrangments are appearing. Overall, it seems that the bachelor and bachelorette party industry is here to stay and continue to substancially grow online in conjunction with the wedding industry. It is an amazing time to think that someone can go online and type one term into a search engine and plan an entire party for their friends without having to pick up a telephone or open a book.
Not Your
Typical Bachelorette Party
By Sean Knox
In the last decade the term bachelorette party has become synonymous with wild parties, going to bars, exotic dancers and dressing the bride in blinking veils with adult party favors. The interesting history of the pre-wedding party dates back century's ago where the women would dress up in conservative dresses, carry umbrellas, and attend a tea party for the "bride-to-be". This event could have also been seen as the precursor to the bridal shower.
Bachelorette parties of today have swung back more to the middle ground where brides'- to-be are still dressing up, but planning more of a memorable time for their bachelorette party with their good friends. Below, I have listed some of the more fun and creative ideas that are becoming more popular with pre-wedding parties of today:
Treat Yourself To A Spa / Resort - If you and the girls feel more like getting pampered, there are many resorts and spas throughout the US that are great places to relax! This gives the girls time with the bachelorette as the center of focus.
Sail Away - There is nothing like a little weekend cruise with the girls. What's better than fun, sun, great food and your favorite friends around the bachelorette.
Nature Lover - Camping is another way to enjoy your party. Whether you choose to rough-it in tents or enjoy cabin craziness, you are sure to have an awesome time!
Slumber Party City - If you are planning on having a local party due to limited funds or just because. One great idea is to have the girls stay over at your house or a friend's house for a slumber party. Put in a fun "girly" movie or one of the bachelorette's favorites. There are also many games you can play with the girls that are centered on the wedding. One of the more favorites, "How Well Do You Know the Groom" is to write down a whole bunch of answers from the groom (prior to the party) and ask the bachelorette if she can guess these answers!
Hotel/Condo - Whether you enjoy the beach, mountains, or desert, you can always rent a condo or stay at a hotel. Some of the most visited spots for Bachelorette parties consist of: Palm Springs, Las Vegas, Martha's Vineyard, Florida, Texas (after the storms are over), Louisiana (after the storms are over) and Atlantic City.
Road Trip - There is nothing like a road trip with the girls. Just pile in one or more cars and you will be on your way to the destination of your choice. Tape or burn your favorite bachelorette party songs which make great gifts for the girls.
Around Town - Take the girls on a fun trip around town; go and treat yourself to a manicure, pedicure, massage, and shopping.almost heaven! There are many places such as Beauty Bar (located in Las Vegas, New York, Los Angeles, and San Francisco) where you can get a manicure while drinking martinis! What more fun of a way to celebrate the bachelorette party!
Concert or Play of Choice - One of the more cultured ideas is to attend your favorite concert or theater. Choose something that you know the bride-to-be will love and make a day out of getting ready, going to the event and then going out after for dinner.
Visit a Winery - One of my favorites is to find a favorite winery and take the girls for wine tasting. You can also go in style and get a limo for you and the girls while going to multiple wineries to enjoy the ambiance of each place you visit.
The most
important tip to remember, no matter what type
of bachelorette party you create, is to enjoy
the moment with the bride-to-be and do something
that fits the bachelorette's personality, since
it is all about the bachelorette. You are sure
to have a great time!
Bacheloretiquette - The
Guide to Bachelorette Party and Bachelor Party
Planning
Michael Lasky - President
February 2006 - Last year my company helped with planning over 20,000 bachelor and bachelorette parties. A few questions frequently came up and I thought it would be helpful to discuss the top five bachelorette issues that many wonder about:
1) Who pays for the bachelorette party? Many bridesmaids, maid-of-honor, best man, and groomsmen have emailed me and have asked if they have to pay for the whole bachelorette party themselves if they are planning the pre-wedding party. The tradition is no. Usually everyone who attends the party is supposed to help pay for the bride-to-be or groom-to-be. It is not common for someone to have to cover the bill unless they are very generous. Since everyone is participating, everyone should help split the bill for the bachelorette. It is also helpful for the person(s) planning the pre-wedding party to ask everyone for money in advance since I have seen many get stuck with the majority of the bill if they wait until the party or after the party. My suggestion is to plan ahead and get everyone's email and phone number in advance so you can contact them about the amount as well as when you would like that amount by. It's the least the party-goers can do for those who are taking their time planning the event.
2) Do I have to purchase a gift for the bachelorette? It is customary to purchase a gift for the bridal shower but not for the bachelorette party. The bachelorette's "gift" is his/her party and everyone chipping in to pay for his/her memorable time. There is no need to purchase a gift. However, many do purchase party supplies, favors, and gag gifts for the event which can be found in local stores or on the internet by typing the words "bachelorette party" or "bachelor party". Again, everyone should chip in if supplies, decorations or gag gifts are going to be purchased and a budget should be formed to know how much everyone wants to spend on supplies. The common amount is around $45-$65 all together which comes out at an average of $5-$10 each. Again, the planner of the pre-wedding party should ask for those going to chip in early before the event.
3) How do I plan a bachelor(ette) party for those who are younger than 21? Many times there are some friends or family who fall into the under 21 range. I feel it is very important not to leave anyone who wants to go out of the pre-wedding party. A way to front this issue is to make the bachelorette party or bachelor party a two event night. The first part of the night would be for dinner with all the guys and/or girls at one of the bride's or groom's favorite restaurants. After the dinner is over, those who are under 21 can complete the night with the others going out on the town to bars or clubs. Another way is to do activities that do not have an age limit including going to see a play, concert, play golf, spa, home party or weekend getaway.
4) What should the bachelorette party be about? The big question is, "What does the bachelorette want to do for his/her party?" There are so many times when the bridesmaids or groomsmen want to plan a crazy night out when the bachelor(ette) does not want to get crazy. The important thing to remember about the party is that it is for the bachelorette and not as much for his/her friends. It is absolutely okay to ask the bachelorette what they want to do for their party. If you are still into surprising them, get a general idea and keep the rest of the evening a surprise but still appropriate for what they want to do. There have been way too many parties where the bachelorette is upset by the end of the night because of what his/her friends planned when all they wanted to do is hang out with their friends at a place they enjoy. Remember to plan for the bride-to-be and groom-to-be's personality.
5) Does there have to be a bachelorette party? A majority of the brides and grooms do have a pre-wedding party besides the bridal shower but it is absolutely okay to not have a bachelor or bachelorette party. Many who get married for the second time do not have bachelorette parties. Some make the wedding shower a couple's event and have everyone attend without having a bachelorette party. I went to a combined bachelor party and bachelorette party in Las Vegas where it was a fun couples weekend with everyone always staying together and just having a great time without the traditional "Girl's Night Out" or "Last Night Out" agenda.
Any way you plan, the most important rule is
to have a fun and safe time with lots of
memories. The pre- wedding parties are a great
way for everyone who is involved in the wedding
to meet. The parties should be as stress free as
possible since it is all about having a great
time with some great friends.
Bachelorette Party:
Multicultural Product Awareness
By Michael Lasky
January 2006 - It seems that the bachelorette party product companies are finally getting smart on creating non-white products for the bachelorettes to choose from when shopping for their bachelorette party. Within the last year, there has been much more awareness to create items that are of the male or female anatomy in colors such as brown and black as well as the pictures on the packaging which have Hispanic, Black, and Asian women/bachelorettes on them. "I feel that the bachelorette party industry is way behind the wedding industry who is more sensitive to designing ads, products and accessories for women-of-color," states Michael Lasky, President of www.bachelorettepartyfun.com, the largest bachelorette party portal and supply company on the Internet. Mr. Lasky goes on to state that, "We purchase every item we can that is non-white so women have a choice of what type of products they want to select that are culturally sensitive."
With over 2.5 million weddings a year and
over 40 Billion spent per year on weddings, it
would make sense even from a financial point of
view for suppliers to take into consideration
race and culture in creating their wedding
related items! From a societal point of view, it
is sad that our world is not more sensitive to
multicultural issues and has only touched the
surface of being more aware. As for the
bachelorette party market, only a handful of
vendors are now creating packaging, products and
marketing materials that represent the new era
of sensitivity. Hopefully we will see this
change over time!
Top Bachelorette Party
Games
By Michael Lasky
February 2006 - Planning the Bachelorette Party does not have to be expensive to have a great time. Below I have listed some of the top games that can be created by the bachelorette party planner as to save money while still having a memorable time. It is important to take the bachelorette's comfort level into consideration before planning each game so you don't make her feel uncomfortable for her own bachelorette party. It is also important to take into consideration where you are having the party since you may not have an audience of strangers if you are at a home party which would change the type of games that you play. The top five bachelorette party games are as follows:
1) 'Lick for a Buck' T-Shirt - A Bachelorette Standard! All you need is a white t-shirt for the bachelorette and some lifesavers. Take a little water and stick them all over the shirt as well as writing the statement "Lick for a Buck". Have the bachelorette wear the shirt out and collect the money from each man who licks off a lifesaver!
2) Scavenger Hunt Game - Another bachelorette party game standard is the Scavenger Hunt. Send the bride- to-be on a scavenger hunt to come back with items that she finds from people at the bar or restaurant as well as dares. Some of the top ideas include:
1) Have A Guy Serenade You.
2) Have A Guy Give You A Condom.
3) Have A Guy Give You His Underwear/Boxers.
4) Kiss A Guy With The Same Name As The Groom.
5) Order a 'Sex On The Beach' Shot from a Bartender (Yell out your order for others to hear).
6) Dance with a Stranger Even If There Is No Music.
7) Do a Body Shot with a Stranger who has the Same Name as the Groom.
8) Have Someone Tattoo Your Butt with a Funny Saying (Use a pen).
9) Have A Guy Give You A Picture Of His Girlfriend.
10) Have 5 Guys Write Their Philosophy on Marriage on Napkins
3) Mardi Gras Madness - Have the bachelorette showered in Mardi Gras Beads and ask the men to take off their shirts for a strand of beads. A great way to give those men some of their own medicine!
4) Funniest Story of the Bachelorette - Have everyone tell a story about the bachelorette and see who has the juiciest story. It is also fun to play where girls make stories up and the girls have to guess if it is a true one or not!
5) 10 Questions about how well you know the Bride/Groom - Have the maid of honor select many tough questions about the bride and groom (created before the party) and see how many girls can get them right!
The most important point about the bachelorette party is to have a great time no matter what games you play or where you go. While at the bachelorette party, always make sure the games are planned for the bachelorette's temperament as not to make her feel uncomfortable at her own party. Have a great time!