A Guide to Bachelorette Party Etiquette 101: Who Should Pay For What?

Updated on 3/14/2020 at 6:40 PM

As far as bachelorette party etiquette goes, things can get a bit messy and there can be a lot of awkward moments when it comes to money. We're sure you've encountered questions like, "Who should pick up the bar tab?" or "Does the bride pay for her own accommodations?," but they are conversations that need to be had beforehand to avoid any confusion or upset feelings. Planning the bachelorette party is one of the greatest perks of being the maid of honor and a bridesmaid, but it also can be the most stressful. While traditionally, the bride doesn't pay for her own last hurrah, each bridesmaid has her own budget she's comfortable spending. And while it's totally OK if the maid of honor wants to do a little something extra, on the whole, the maid of honor and bridesmaids should split things evenly.

We've rounded up a few bachelorette party etiquette rules, so when it comes time to discuss how much it will be to pull off the best bachelorette party ever, you're prepared and all on the same page.

The Bride Should Pay For Her Own Airfare

If you're going on a destination bachelorette party, the bridesmaids shouldn't be expected to pay for the bride's airfare. Everyone has their own spending limit, and on top of other bridesmaid costs (like the dress, a wedding gift, etc.), airfare should not be factored into that.

The Bride Should Pay For Her Own Lodging

Unless it's only an overnight, the bride should pay for her own lodging. People have their own hotel room standards when it comes to amenities, and if the bride would like a more luxurious suite, gently encourage (it's her weekend after all!) and reminder her that this will be coming out of her own pocket.

The Bridesmaids Should Pay For the Decorations

A bridesmaid's duty is to make the bride feel extra special during her bachelorette party, and decorations are an easy way to do that. The best part is it's totally up to the bridal party how much money goes into this category! If you'd rather keep it simple with balloons and a party veil so you can splurge on an activity later, that's super doable!

The Bridesmaids Should Pay For Party Favors

If the bridal party decides to get party favors such as matching robes, slippers, or small gift bags, that price tag should fall on the bridesmaids. A gift for the bride doesn't have to be an expensive piece of jewelry (hello, she just got a gorgeous ring!), but can be something homemade or sentimental. You are her closes gal pals and know her better than anyone, after all!

Again, this could be an area you decide to either skip or have a tight budget on so you can put more money towards other areas like a nice dinner and bottle of bubbly. Totally up to you and the scale of the bachelorette party (three-day getaway vs. one night locally).

The Bridesmaids Should Pay the Food Bill Unless There Are Multiple Meals

This area is a toughie and a rule everyone needs to be clear on from the gecko. If the bachelorette party is a single-day event, the bridesmaids should pay for food. However, if multiple meals are involved, bridesmaids should figure out beforehand who pays.

There are lot of ways to go about this, like half the party pays for day one and the other half covers day two, or you let the bride know a certain amount of her meals (like snacks and dinner) will be taken care of and that she's responsible for the rest.

The Bridesmaids Should Pay For the Drinks Tab

As much fun as you're having, there's probably a lot of alcohol flowing as well. It's bachelorette party etiquette for the bridesmaids to pick up the bar tab. If you're nervous about dropping too much dough on blurry memories, look into budget-friendly options like finding bars that offer wristbands that include food and drinks or buying pitchers for the table.

The Bridesmaids Should Pay For Excursions

Trying to figure out what activities to do for the bachelorette party? Maybe a brewery tour, spa day, hike, or kayaking? Whatever the group decides on, the bridesmaids should pay for. Of course, if there's a particular excursion that's a little more on the high-end, it's not uncommon for the bride to pitch in, especially on a weekend getaway.