How to Have an Unforgettable Bachelorette Party in Austin, T
Your best friend announces she's engaged, and immediately you begin to think about the ultimate bachelorette party ideas. Giving her a fun, memorable girl's night out is essential and a part of traditional and non-traditional weddings.
Before you start planning, it's important to check in with the bride-to-be to see what type of party she wants to have. Parties can range from a small intimate affair to a weekend getaway. You'll also want to know if she and the groom have discussed a co-ed bachelorette celebration.
Hosting a bachelorette party, Austin, TX style, is something worth considering. It doesn't matter if you're a resident or looking for the perfect destination. There is always something fun and creative to get into.
In this article, we'll share everything you need to know when it comes to hosting the perfect bachelorette party. Keep reading to learn more about planning an unforgettable event that's an experience, not just a party.
Why Host a Destination Bachelorette Party Austin, TX Style?
If you already live in Austin, TX, you know what a great place it is and all the fantastic things to do. If it's your first visit, you are in store for a fantastic surprise.
Austin is a cultural mecca. It has everything from an energized nightlife to the best restaurants, museums, wineries, and arts.
The bride-to-be will have the time of her life celebrating her final days as a single lady. It doesn't matter how big or small your group, this is the perfect place for a bachelorette party.
Most important, visiting Austin, Texas for the bachelorette party is money well spent. There are fun activities for every budget, so that you won't break the bank.
Bring the Ladies Together to Plan
Don't let the bride-to-be or the maid of honor stress over the plans. Get the wedding party together to ensure everyone is on board with doing a bachelorette party in Austin.
You'll get better engagement if everyone feels their opinion counts. Once a final decision is made, you can move forward to make the final arrangements.
Don't forget to consult with the groom to ensure there is no conflict of interest. Parties often work out better when the bride and groom celebrate on the same weekend.
One Night vs. Weekend
An essential aspect of a bachelorette party is deciding whether it is one night or a weekend affair. For destination parties, planning a three-day weekend trip is a better option. You get to pace yourself and enjoy more of what Austin has to offer.
If you're traveling from a nearby city, you can have a one-night party, but still stay overnight and cap off the party at a nice brunch spot.
We'll discuss more on choosing suitable accommodations for a weekend trip later in the article.
Set the Date
Seal the date for the bachelorette party weekend. With an exact date, attendees can request time off for work and begin planning for the trip. The time of year can play a part in what to wear.
You will have enough time to save for the trip and make other necessary arrangements. Things like time-off and childcare should be taken into consideration. Stay away from holiday weekends and high tourist seasons.
The venues you want to visit will have longer waits or are sold out for the dates of your choice.
Create a Budget
Next, create a budget. Bachelor party ideas mean lots of fun, eating, and drinking. Your ultimate goal is for the bride-to-be to have a memorable time that she can look back on years from now.
There are various expenses the planning team will incur. There are expenses for decor, bachelorette party favors, and more. In most instances, the bride-to-be is not responsible for any expenses. She is being honored, so the wedding party should cover her expense.
You'll have two budgets to consider—one for the event and one for your expenses.
Also, keep in mind those individuals that are traveling from different locations. Not only will they incur travel expenses, but they also must budget for housing, outings, and meals.
Determine Financial Responsibility
Once the budget is laid out for the bachelorette in Austin, TX, you'll need to assign financial responsibility to everyone on the planning committee. The best practice is to divide expenses equally. Sometimes this isn't feasible based on everyone's financial situation.
If someone can take on greater responsibility, they should. More important, if finances become an issue, scale back the plans.
Instead of a three-day weekend, you can make it a day trip if the distance isn't an issue. Do more research to see where costs can get cut.
Always keep at the forefront, the bachelorette party is a festive occasion to celebrate the bride-to-be.
Create a Guest List
With all the planning out of the way, it's time to create the guest list. Bachelorette parties are for women who are close to the bride-to-be and participants in the wedding. You don't want your party to get too big so try following these rules.
Invite members of the wedding party that are 21 and older. This requirement will eliminate age restrictions when going to bars.
Don't invite the mother of the bride or groom. This weekend is for the bride to celebrate her last days as a single woman. You don't want her to feel restricted.
Last, invite the bride and groom's adult sisters. It will be an excellent opportunity for the families to bond.
Keep in mind, not everyone on the invite list will attend. Don't take it personally if someone can't make it.
Hotel Rooms or Airbnb
For your bachelor party in Austin, lodging is everything. Choosing the wrong lodging can take the air out of the event. Luckily, Austin has excellent lodging accommodations and many options from which you can choose.
Before searching for the right abode, make a list of must-haves. Do you want a spa, swimming pool, room service, complimentary breakfast, etc.?
The cost of the living quarters is also important. Take your personal preferences out of the equation and consider the budget of the guest. Keep in mind that guests are already absorbing the cost of being a wedding party member or may have to travel to attend.
Let's look at a few options for a bachelorette party in Austin, TX.
Airbnb
Airbnb is a property-sharing app that has changed the lodging industry. Private owners provide short-term lodging to vacationers. Airbnb is not always the least expensive option, but is an excellent option for large groups.
The housing inventory often includes large homes with multiple bedrooms. You also have access to a full kitchen. The best Airbnb's come with swimming pools, Wi-Fi, cable, and more, making it an essential bachelorette party idea.
Check out these options for your bachelorette weekend:
Historic Casa Cartel Stay
Clifftop Estate
Austin Iconic Ramp House
Governor's Mansion
Insta-worthy Rainey Street Home
Austin offers many themed Airbnb rentals. Do your research if you're hosting a themed bachelorette party.
Hotel
Choosing the right hotel for your bachelorette party weekend involves proximity to the things you're planning. Amenities are also a plus. Austin has fabulous hotels to fit every budget.
Unlike Airbnbs, your options in terms of room capacity are limited. Still, there are beautiful places to consider. Below is our list of great options for the weekend.
The Four Seasons
The Driskell
The Heywood
The Archer Hotel
Lake Austin Spa Resort
As we mentioned above, Austin is a cultural destination. Their hotel offerings are not all about luxury brand hotels. Check out these themed hotels to add to your bachelorette party ideas.
The Carpenter
Kimpton Van Zandt
South Congress Hotel
Hotel Ella
Native Hostel
This is only a short list to get you thinking. As you do a deep dive, you'll see Austin has a lot more to offer.
Vacation Rental
The French Polo Estate is a Walker Luxury Vacation Rental home. In Austin, TX, this means you'll receive a 5-star experience, including an entire team to cater to your needs.
You and your guests can enjoy over 5,700 square feet of space in this French-style home nestled outside of downtown Austin. It has seven bedrooms and five bathrooms that can comfortably house 28 guests.
If your bachelorette party in Austin, TX is in the springtime, you should consider the French Polo Estate to experience the breathtaking beauty of its flower gardens.
Make Travel Arrangements
Destination bachelorette parties most likely will require travel arrangements. For a large group, it's a good idea to consult with a travel agent. The travel experience they bring is undeniable.
The agents know the best airlines, best times to travel, and what works for groups regardless of size. Their insight into the places you are visiting is priceless.
Research Flight Arrangements
Travel agents have relationships with the airlines and can book flights at a discount even if guests come from various locations. The right agent will also become instrumental in getting the best rates at hotels.
Provide your guests with flexible travel options to ensure everyone arrives on time.
Charter Bus Service
Another bachelorette party idea for travel is renting a charter bus. Contracting transportation services is an excellent alternative if Austin, TX, is within five hours driving time from the original starting point.
Some bus carriers will make stops along the way to pick up passengers that live within 10-20 miles from the planned route. You need to make the request and set the pickup stops.
Bus travel has more flexibility when it comes to travel. Plus, everyone on board is part of your party, and you're free to start the celebration early. You can also arrange to use the bus for all your transportation needs while in Austin.
There is also flexibility if you need to adjust your arrival or departure times.
Book a Transportation Service
When your party arrives in Austin, you'll need transportation. For large parties, it's more economical to hire a transportation service to get your group from location to location. It may also become more economical than renting multiple cars or an SUV.
The most significant benefit of hiring a service is you don't have to appoint a designated driver. Everyone gets to participate in the festivities and live in the moment.
Last, a hired driver knows Austin, TX, and can navigate traffic, so you always arrive on time. The driver can also make recommendations on the best places to eat and party spots.
Design the Invitations and Launch a Website
Designing the invitations for a themed bachelorette party in Austin, TX, is an adventure within itself. Incorporate your party's theme while making sure your guest understands this is a party with a purpose.
Include the who, what, when, where, and why. Supply an RSVP by date and the methods to communicate their intentions.
In the digital era, it's easy to create a bachelorette-themed website or landing page to keep guests informed. A chatbot can answer questions. You can also include a registration page.
Shop for Bachelorette Party Decorations
Bachelorette party decorations give life to your party's theme. Staying on code from the invitations to the decorations will show your attention to detail. The bride-to-be and party-goers will not forget the love that went into planning a special event.
Decorations should get incorporated into the actual party and, when possible, at locations like a restaurant where you have brunch.
Fun decorations for a bachelorette party in Austin can vary. For the perfect party, include cowgirl boot-shaped beer can holders and customized cowgirl hats with each guest's name.
Coordinate the Bachelorette Party Attire and Favors
The night of the big bachelorette party outing, have matching attire for party guests. Customize t-shirts or tank tops to identify the members of the wedding party. Go all out and bedazzle the bride-to-be's top.
Get some feather boas crystal crowns, or wear your customized cowgirl hats.
Don't forget the bachelorette party favors. You're celebrating the bestie's final days as a single woman. Include favors to remind her that giving up her last name isn't the only thing she's leaving behind. Or incorporate favors to remind her to always keep it spicy in the bedroom.
Allow guests to create customized sashes. Or you can create a themed hashtag for the party and create customized sashes for everyone.
Set the Itinerary with Fun Outings
Don't make your Austin, TX, themed Bachelorette party all about bar hopping and drinking. There is a lot to get into in Austin to create a bachelorette party she'll never forget.
Below we've created a list of outings that's sure to spark fun in your bachelorette party weekend. Make sure you don't plan too much because it can lead to burnout. The last thing you want is for your guests to always be on the go.
Famous Sixth Street
Sixth Street gained its popularity for being the place for Austin, TX, the best array of bars, restaurants, and entertainment venues. It is definitely a tourist attraction and will give lasting memories.
Some popular spots include:
Driskill Bar
Maggie Mae's
Midnight Cowboy
For entertainment, consider these options:
Esther's Follies
Flamingo Cantina
The Parrish
Your dining options include:
Iron Cactus
Casino El Camino
Charm Korean BBQ
Before finalizing your plans, check review sites like Yelp to see what other visitors are saying. Also, visit each establishment's website to see if they offer what you and your group are looking for to complete your weekend.
Southern Trail Rides
Horseback riding is a very Austin, TX thing to do for your bachelorette party weekend. We have beautiful trails to explore the 100 acres of rolling Texas Hill Country.
Horseback riding is very therapeutic and a unique way for your party to bond.
Southern Trails is only 15 minutes away from downtown Austin and is nestled on the awe-inspiring Victory Cheval Estate.
Nickel City
Keeping with the western theme, Nickel City is the perfect bar to grab a cold beer and hang with the bachelor party attendees. It's the perfect place for your guest to meet up on the first day in town.
The atmosphere is relaxed, and although a famous landmark, it's considered a neighborhood dive. They have a good selection of draft beers, cocktails, and you can have a celebratory shot or two.
If you want to grab a bite to eat, go no further than the back of the lot, where you'll find Delray's food truck. The eats include Detroit-style Coney dogs, chicken wings, and sliders.
The Austin Winery
Bachelorette Parties and wine go together like lace wedding gowns and tuxedos. When you travel to Texas Hill Country, you'll come across about 50 wineries. Our top pick for bachelorette party ideas is the Austin Winery.
The Austin Winery is a small urban winery. It's ten minutes outside of Austin, TX. Schedule a wine tasting for your group.
The Infinite Monkey Theorem
No, we're not referring to that Infinite Monkey Theorem, although the decor, which includes vintage typewriters, will have you wondering. This place is actually a cool graffiti-adorned urban winery. Not only do you get to explore murals by some of the hottest graffiti artists from Austin, but you also get to watch wine being made.
Remember, this hot spot is a winery and not a bar, so they close around 10 pm leaving you and your guest with plenty of time to explore the Austin club scene.
Create Moments for the Gram
You can't have a fun Bachelorette party without posting about it on Instagram. Part of choosing great places to visit in Austin, TX, is the amazing backdrops for incredible pictures, videos, and Reels.
South Congress Murals
Visiting the South Congress murals is a fun place to create a scavenger hunt bachelorette party game. Give guests clues about the murals and have them take a picture in front of them and post it to Instagram using a custom hashtag.
South Congress also has shops and restaurants. It's designed for your walking enjoyment and has enough going on for a nice outing. Your party can take in the murals and finish the morning off with a nice brunch spot.
Wonder Bar
The Wonder Bar is another Instagrammer's dream. It is a colorful maze of fun features, including a carousel and cool furniture. You also get a menu of creative cocktails for your enjoyment.
Their food menu is enough to coat your stomach before partaking in a game of Wheel Shot.
Hire a Photographer or Videographer
It makes no sense to host an amazing bachelorette party weekend in a city like Austin, TX, and not capture lasting memories. Of course, everyone will have their smartphones ready to capture cute images for their social media page. We're talking about hiring a professional photographer or videographer to shadow your party from start to finish.
The last memories a professional photographer will capture can get turned into a digital memory book that's easily shared with all guests. You can link the images and video to the website created for the bachelorette party.
Also, ask the person you hire to create a special video to present to the bride-to-be as a gift.
It's Time to Celebrate!
Planning a bachelorette party, Austin, TX style, is a lot of work and a tremendous amount of fun. The bride-to-be and guest party will thank you for your commitment and dedication to hosting such a fun event.
We hope you found this guide to planning an unforgettable bachelorette party in Austin, TX. When horseback riding is a part of your itinerary, Southern Trails is number one for safe, fun trail rides.
Click here to book your adventure.