Both bachelor and bachelorette parties celebrate the end of singlehood and should include the wedding party along with close friends of the couple.  Traditionally, it’s the maid of honor and best man that take the lead in arrangements.

The couple’s interests should be kept in mind while planning these events and setting a budget that works is important.  The guest list should come from the bride or groom.  Have an itinerary but leave some wiggle room in the schedule.  The location or activity could also be kept a secret for an extra element of fun.

The options for these parties have expanded greatly over the years.  Still popular is the traditional night of barhopping.  Another variation of that theme is the trendy Pedal Taverns.  Creating a theme with props or having everyone wear a special t-shirt helps bring the group together.

Other creative choices are becoming common as people are being more inventive in their plans.  There are paint and wine studios where you can create your own masterpieces on canvas or personalized wine.  Home parties remain a frequent choice along with out-of-town trips.

Remember to preserve the evening in pictures but reframe from anything too embarrassing.  You will want to have these memories long after the party is over.

Both parties are best held a week before the wedding and not the night before whenever possible. Whenever alcohol is a major factor, it’s a good idea to treat yourself to a limousine or party bus for both elegance and safety.

While it’s certainly not a necessity, the rehearsal dinner can be a great way to begin your wedding festivities, allowing everyone to get acquainted.

The rehearsal dinner is traditionally hosted by the groom’s parents, who should invite the immediate family of the bride and groom, the clergy-person and his or her spouse or special guest and the complete wedding party and their spouses or guests. If there are friends from out of town who have already arrived, they should also be invited to join the party.

Since this will probably be the first time many of your guests will meet, it can be helpful to include place cards. “Betty’s Aunt Milly,” or “Maid of Honor, Barbara Jones,” can help break the ice. Plan your seating so that your guests will enjoy the company of those with whom they are seated while also meeting new people.

The bridal couple and their immediate families generally sit together at the front or focal table. The wedding party can be seated with the bridal couple and their families, or seated amongst your other family members and special guests.

The rehearsal dinner is traditionally the time for the groom’s father to make his formal toast to the couple. It’s also an excellent time for the couple to give their attendants gifts, especially if they will be used during the wedding ceremony.

The rehearsal dinner is a joyous, relaxed time for friends and families to meet, get to know one another and enjoy each other’s company. So whether it’s simple or elaborate, it’s a lovely gesture and makes a great beginning.

Some brides consider dress shopping a party. If you’re traveling to another city to shop, or if you’re inviting bridesmaids, aunts, and moms, the act of browsing dresses can suddenly become an all-day affair. Lean into it and make the day feel festive! Enjoy mimosas and light appetizers while you shop, or plan a luncheon after a morning spent in bridal salons. This is something you, the bride, should plan and execute, since you will be the point of contact with any bridal shops you’re visiting and can coordinate timing from there.

Another mini party that some brides plan is a bridesmaid brunch or luncheon. If all of your bridesmaids are in town a day or two prior to your wedding, get the girls together for some quality time and yummy food. This is a great way to gather under one roof and get on the same page about the wedding day timeline and field any final questions.

Lastly, when the wedding is over, there’s still a chance for one final party: the post-wedding gift opening. Many couples and their families opt to meet the day after the wedding to share a meal, relive last night’s events, and watch the happy couple unwrap any presents. Attendance to such a party should be optional, as some folks would rather rest. In fact, you might prefer to rest, too! Having a gift-opening is by no means mandatory. But it’s a bonus party option, in case you’re not already partied out.

With the stress of planning your wedding, you might feel as if you need a break, which is exactly why couples are taking a pre-honeymoon!

What is a pre-honeymoon? It can be a weekend getaway or just an overnight stay at a bed and breakfast a couple hours away.

Why do I need a pre-honeymoon? You might feel stressed due to wedding planning, and this can ease that stress by getting away for a couple days to decompress and come back with a fresh start. It also allows you to rekindle as a couple, rather than constantly planning your wedding.

Where should we go? You could go somewhere abroad, if money permits, or just somewhere a couple hours away, as long as you are together, having a great stress-free weekend! You could even just check into a nice hotel and get pampered for the night; this will keep your stress level down as you are relaxing!

You could also go somewhere that’s sentimental to you as a couple, including where the proposal took place, or where you went on your first date. Pack a picnic basket and explore a local park, check out open houses near you just for fun. Grab your phones and take silly fun pictures of each other. Watch a comedy that’s wedding related.

The purpose of the pre-honeymoon is to unwind and connect as a couple, and taking a pre-honeymoon is just the ticket!