Do You Have to Bring a Gift to a Bachelorette Party?
Celebrating alongside your bestie ahead of their wedding day is an honor (not to mention really fun). And if you've made the bachelorette party guest list, it's safe to assume you're one of the bride's favorite people. With that in mind, you're probably wondering about bachelorette party gift etiquette. Namely, do you have to bring a gift to the bachelorette party? Or is it sufficient to give the soonlyweds shower and wedding gifts only? It gets even more confusing if you're in the wedding party and have the additional financial responsibilities of a bridesmaid or MOH to think about. But don't worry—that's where we come in. We're here to spill the tea on bachelorette party gift etiquette for everyone in attendance.
Do you have to take a gift to a bachelorette party?
First things first, do you have to buy a gift for the bride-to-be at the bachelorette party? Ultimately, it's up to you. Giving a gift at the bachelorette party definitely isn't required, especially considering that guests are typically responsible for covering their own bach party costs. That said, some guests (including the MOH and bridesmaids) choose to bring a small token or contribute to a group gift that'll help the guest of honor celebrate her engaged or future newlywed status. This is usually factored into the budget ahead of time and organized by the maid of honor. It's also common for the group to pitch in and cover some of the bride-to-be's expenses in lieu of a gift (think: her bar tab or bachelorette party accommodations).
How much should you spend on a bachelorette party gift?
Seeing as bachelorette party presents are completely optional, there's so set amount you have to spend if you decide to get one. The majority of your wedding gift budget should go toward an actual wedding gift for the newlyweds, followed by a wedding shower gift. After you've comfortably budgeted for these, consider how much you can afford to spend on a bachelorette party gift. Anything from $5 to $30 is acceptable (and again, it's also okay to forgo giving a gift altogether). If you're banding together on a group gift, the amount required per person will depend on how many people are contributing (but it should be an amount that's affordable for everyone).
What is an appropriate gift for a bachelorette party?
Deciding to pick up a present for the guest of honor is just step one. What do you actually bring to a bachelorette party? Thankfully, bachelorette party gift etiquette is pretty simple. While we don't recommend handing over lingerie or other potentially risqué presents at the wedding shower, these types of gifts are generally fair game at the bachelorette. There is a catch, though: Just because something is okay from an etiquette standpoint doesn't necessarily mean the bride-to-be will appreciate it. Use your best judgment as a close friend of the bride to figure out what is and isn't appropriate.
In addition to lingerie, other good bachelorette party presents include jewelry, bath products, pajamas, candles, travel accessories for the honeymoon and merch that shows off her bride or future newlywed status. For more inspiration, check out our roundup of the best bachelorette party gifts for the bride.
When's the best time to give your gift?
If you contributed to a group gift, it's up to the maid, matron or man of honor to plan the exchange. Since it's a present that everyone contributed to, the other guests will likely want to see the bride's reaction upon receiving it. This could be a great bonding experience for guests (and a chance to sip some wine) before you head out for dinner or drinks together.
On the flipside, if you purchased your own present, it's a good idea to grab some alone time with the bride if you can. That way, you can properly express your congratulations and you don't run the risk of making other guests feel bad for not bringing a gift. If you know that most other guests also brought a gift, then presenting them all at once might make the most sense. Ultimately, you should take your cue from the MOH and the itinerary they have planned.