Bachelorette Party - Durant,OK

I haven't read other responses but her is my take...I recently had a baby shower for my sister that lives out of state. We did a money tree and it went over well. In the invatation, I included a small envelope(donated from a florist) and ribbon, when each lady came in, they tied their envelope to the tree (branch, cemented in a coffe can). She received more than $500.00 from just 20 ladies. That saved my sister and I the cost of shipping everything home to New York but we could still celebrate with her high school friends and family.

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A friend of mine was recently married, an older couple with grown kids and young grandchildren. They requested guests to offer a cash donation for an upcoming surgery and trip to Dinsey Land for their grandchild who had brain cancer. They had a really cute sign of the child wearing mickey mouse ears or something. noone was offended and they got lots of cash to help the family out.

As for game ideas... dares? Like, make up crazy tasks, like stand in the middle of a restaurant and act like a children while doing the chicken dance... and people have to bid on those.

Also, a silent auction we had, people offered services. Like, if one girl was a hairstylist, she offer highlights, one was a dental asst and she got a great deal for free teeth whitening.... people gave a lot for these auctions. I'm sure between the bridesmaids and such, some of them can come up with things to donate.

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Why not just all chip in and get one gift---like a really nice restaurant, then see if the restaurant has gift certificates and give her those as a present. If it's enough of you, you can probably do something fancy! Maybe even a night in a nice hotel to celebrate their first anniversary too! Definitely don't ask for money or "fundraise' but rather a group gift! People would be more open to contributing to that rather than just handing over some cash for the couple (that's a bit tasteless)

If she has "shelves" of scented baskets, why not auction them off!!!!!!

Maybe you can ask some of the guests who you are comfortable with, like your mutual friends and ask them not to buy gifts but ask them how they feel about all of you pooling in to send them to a hotel for a night or something like that for their honeymoon. Would be more practical then getting them things they already have or something they would never use.

Because this is not traditional, you will have people that will be uncomfortable. You don't want their discomfort to be attributed to the bride. I would plan regular games (tons of websites out there for ideas) and just offer to buy some of the gift baskets the bride has (she could use the cash) and use those for prizes.

On the bottom of the invitation, print something like, "If you wish to use the money tree, just bring your gift in a small envelope." Then you could provide a spool of ribbon and a hole punch and a little tree. If you have no tree, just draw one on a piece of poster board. You can attach it to a bulletin board and offer thumb tacks or you can just have them tape it to the tree.

There are always going to be people who give money gifts and gift cards. Some people have a set gift they always give, whether it is homemade or has a special meaning. Don't take that joy away from them. If she gets something she has already, let her decide if it is something she would love to have brand new.

Making this party a fundraiser sends the message (true or not) that this couple is not good at money management and using their wedding to get some money. Instead make this a party to celebrate their marriage and their lives. People want to come to celebrate. I am sad that the bride would go along with this. I'd rather hear that she just wants to celebrate not raise funds...

I went to a good friends bachelorrette party last weekend. The invitation said - Last chance to Wig Out onthe front and inside it asked everyone to wear a pink wig. All the girls showed up in pink wigs. The bride wore a cheap white bridal veil with hers. We met at a karaoke bar and had a blast. Then we met up with the bachelor party guys at a bar with a live band. They brought the whole group of pink wigged ladies up on stage with the band dancing. No gifts. No games. Just everyone taking turns buying the bride and groom shots! It was perfect.

I have never heard of the silent auction going towards the wedding? I always thought the games that were played had prizes for the guests. All of the bachelorette parties i have been to, we dont do gifts for the bride. We cover her costs for the night along with ours. Maybe you are thinking of the bridal shower? There is where people bring gifts for the bride. For my sisters shower registry she had a honeymoon site that she was on. Guests could gift money towards all kinds of things for her honeymoon. If i remember correctly, it is www.honeymoonwishes.com

why not sell some of her sented basket thingys? HA! otherwise you can put together some cute travel size goodies to gether for pretty cheap. do a sort of bake sale, or even grage sale asking ppl to donate. HECK why not have a grage sale for the public asking all the gals to gather at one location? or host a slumber party for little girls doing hair and nails for 30 per child...or something of the sort. thats all i have. let us know what worked out for you.

One of my friends had everything so I threw a little get together at a restaurant and informed everyone on the invite that gift cards/cash was the norm and they delivered. I didn't have any complaints. She got a lot of cash.

It's been FOREVER since I've been to a bachelorette party or wedding, but as I recall, couples (who are already established and don't need to set up household) CAN register for a honeymoon. I googled it, and came up with this, but I'm sure there are plenty others out there.

http://honeymoons.about.com/cs/activeadventures/a/honeymo...

Best wishes!
M.