Q:How do I combine a bridal shower and bachelorette party? My delightful maid of honor lives about an eight-hour drive away and has expressed her desire to attend both my bridal shower and bachelorette party.

To reduce the number of times she has to travel for my wedding, I want to combine the bridal shower, being thrown by my mom and future mother-in-law, and the bachelorette, thrown by the bridesmaids, into one weekend. Everyone invited to the bachelorette will also be invited to the shower. The shower will include a few extras—moms’ friends, maybe an aunt or two—who I wasn’t planning on inviting to the more drinking-oriented festivities.

Every time I think I have the logistics figured out, I realize one way or another that it won’t work. Hangover risk! People feeling left out! Too long of a day/weekend for everyone! Me being so socially overwhelmed that I collapse into a giant puddle of anxiety!

What have others done when combining these two events? Bachelorette on Saturday night, shower Sunday morning? Shower Saturday afternoon, bachelorette starting immediately after? Help!

ANSWER FROM THE EDITOR:

Let’s be realistic here—you can totally make this happen. That being said, you should expect a long and busy weekend, quite a bit of planning, some possible hangovers, and many new memories with your whole crew. Here are some tips on how to plan an awesome bachelorette party with the whole gang. You can have drinking-oriented festivities that don’t have to be too crazy, or even have a more non-traditional get together with your friends.

Did you combine your bachelorette party and bridal shower? If so, what worked and what didn’t? How do you keep everyone sane and happy?

 If you want the APW community’s two cents, send it to QUESTIONS AT APRACTICALWEDDING DOT COM, and we’ll do our best to crowd source you some answers!

Image CreditThe Bannerie

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