How to Plan a Bridal Shower & Bachelorette Party Combo

Usually, bridal showers and bachelorette parties are a separate affair. Both are events set up to celebrate the to-be-wed, but they each have a slightly different feel and focus. Some people choose to do a bridal shower and bachelorette party combo to get both out the way in one event.

There are multiple benefits of combining both celebrations, but questions may arise when it comes to planning. How do you communicate the combo event to guests? How do you organize the day? What's the best venue for a bridal shower bachelorette party combo? If you're leaning towards having a combined event, one of the first things to think about is a venue, which you can find on The Knot Vendor Marketplace. Here's a rundown of what you need to know when throwing both celebrations as one party.

In this article:

• Can You Combine a Bridal Shower & Bachelorette Party?
• When to have a Combined Bridal Shower & Bachelorette Party
• How to Communicate a Combined Bridal Shower & Bachelorette Party With Guests
• How to Plan a Bridal Shower & Bachelorette Party Combo

Can You Combine a Bridal Shower & Bachelorette Party?

There are no rules that say you can't combine a bridal shower and bachelorette party, so the short answer is 'yes'. While it may take careful planning to ensure the event achieves what both separate celebrations would have achieved in a single day, it can still be pulled off.

Combining both a bridal and bachelorette party can help save money. Whether the wed-to-be is paying or their loved ones are pulling together funds, doing one event instead of two can make the entire ordeal cheaper. Some expenses that can come with both events include food, the venues, props and activities.

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Another benefit of doing two events in one is that you can make it easier for guests. Having to attend two separate events can be expensive or stressful for some people, whereas just one event may be more doable. It can also be helpful for people traveling a distance who are concerned about logistics.

When to have a Combined Bridal Shower & Bachelorette Party

There are several instances where you may decide to combine both celebrations. One is if you're restricted on time and it isn't possible to have two separate events. For instance, if it's a shotgun wedding, the timing of a bridal shower, bachelorette party and other wedding festivities may not line up. Another could be due to budget constraints and not being able to afford to have both. It may also be ideal if the to-be-wed is overwhelmed and would prefer a single celebration.

How to Communicate a Combined Bridal Shower & Bachelorette Party With Guests

Communicating that you're going to have one bridal shower and bachelorette event with guests can be pretty simple. The main goal is to set the expectation about what guests will engage in on the day and also ensure it doesn't feel overwhelming. For example, the bridal shower bachelorette party combo invitation wording could state,

"You are formally invited to Lauren's Bridal Bachelorette Party. Come ready to exchange gifts, play classic bridal shower games, and celebrate Lauren's last days as an unmarried woman."

Somewhere in the invite you can also include a brief summary of events for the day.

How to Plan a Bridal Shower & Bachelorette Party Combo

Planning two events in one can seem like twice the stress, but it doesn't have to be. It's a chance to be creative, tailor the event to the to-be-wed and focus on what matters most.

Brainstorm ideas.

Just as you would do for the events separately, brainstorm ideas for all of the activities you want to include in the day. It's important to narrow down this list so the day isn't too much for guests. While you are combining two events, there may be things you have to cut out for the sake of time. It would be unfortunate if guests were already drained halfway through the event because there are simply too many items on the agenda. Think about what activities the to-be-wed would appreciate the most and skip the rest. For instance, if they're introverted you may skip the gift opening and replace that with a fun bachelorette game. Coming up with a theme for the event can help you pinpoint ideas everyone will enjoy.

Compose a guest list.

Bachelorette parties are sometimes smaller than bridal showers, but if you're combining both you may have a larger party. Think about whether that's something your budget can handle and if the wed-to-be would be ok with it. Assuming the party isn't a surprise, ask about guests you absolutely need to invite. Knowing how many people you're inviting will help with things like budgeting and choosing the right venue.

Put together a budget.

One of the pluses of combining events should be that you can save money. Keep this in mind when putting together the budget. An example is that instead of doing separate game segments for both the bachelorette party and the bridal shower, you can have one game segment. That means less items to purchase and prizes to buy since you'll be playing fewer games.

Some items you may want to include in the budget are:

• Venue
• Gifts for the celebrant
• Food
• Drinks
• Photo booth
• Bachelorette party props and decorations
• Photographer
• Cake
• Transportation

If the guests are paying, you want to break the budget down so you can tell each person how much they'll need to contribute. You may also ask them ahead of time what they can ford to contribute and tailor the event to that budget.

Create a checklist.

To keep track of everything on the agenda, create a checklist. You want to include checklist items from both the bachelorette party and bridal party. This should help you stay organized and on top of everything that needs to be done. If you're throwing the event with other individuals, collaborate on a single doc so everyone knows what tasks have been completed and which are still pending.

Finalize the agenda.

The agenda for the day or timetable for the party is an important part of planning. As mentioned earlier, consider running the day by the to-be-wed so they know what to expect and can tell you whether it matches their expectations or not. There's also the option to send the agenda for the day to guests so they can prepare ahead of time via email or text unless you prefer leaving the agenda for the day a mystery.

Send out invites.

The invites are an important step in the process and you want to make it clear that there will only be one event. If that's not clearly communicated, some people may wonder if they've been left out or kept in the dark. You may also include wording around people doing an RSVP so you know how many guests to budget for. If fewer people are coming than you anticipated, that's an opportunity to save money.