How Bachelorette Parties Became Bigger, Longer, and More Expensive Than Ever

Bachelorette parties used to be simple: a nice dinner, tickets to a show, and maybe a few cheeky gifts. But as weddings have become more extravagant, so have their attending celebrations, with many brides and grooms now opting for bigger, longer, and pricier pre-wedding affairs than ever before. It’s safe to say that the bachelorette parties of this day and age are completely different from those of yesteryear. 

From international trips with welcome bags, sightseeing tours, and spa reservations to stateside soirées at rental homes with private chefs, on-site pools, and group photo shoots, these parties are all about the little luxuries (and sometimes, the bigger ones, too). Ahead, we track how this celebration has changed over time—and explore why the new-age bachelorette party has become more of a bucket-list vacation than a single night on the town.

The Evolution of the Bachelorette Party

When bachelorette parties made their way into the lineup of mainstream pre-wedding celebrations in the middle of the 20th century, they served as a contrast to the more formal, all-ages bridal shower. “Bachelorette parties started out as a single-night event to celebrate the bride-to-be the day or evening before her wedding,” says Allison Odhner of Bach to Basic, a company that specializes in planning this pre-wedding event. “The tradition was that the bridesmaids would take the bride out for her last moments of being single and treat her to a night out!”

These parties evolved from small, at-home affairs where mid-century brides might have an extra cocktail or open a gift of new lingerie in front of just their closest friends to nights at bars and clubs with R-rated accessories, cakes, and dancers. But now they’ve continued to expand, as brides take advantage of the chance to gather their closest friends and family members for elaborate, days-long affairs filled with custom gifts, personalized experiences, and luxury travel plans. 

Today's bachelorette celebrations go farther, last longer, and cost more than those of the past: According to the 2023 trend report from party planning app Batch, bachelorette parties now cost an average of $1,200 per person—and 57 percent of the app’s users have two or more bachelorette parties on their calendar each year. “Over the past 10 years, bachelorette parties have gotten increasingly more extravagant and become weekend-long events—or more!” says Odhner. “Typically, guests will travel to a destination and spend two to four nights celebrating and indulging in new experiences. Along with the increased amount of time dedicated to these events, there is a financial commitment that has also increased to accommodate the bachelorette parties that are more like vacations.” 

The Rise of the Destination Bachelorette Party

Dr. Terika L. Haynes, owner of Dynamite Travel, says she has “definitely seen a rise in the number of bachelorette getaways” in the past two years. She estimates a 40 percent increase in bookings and a $500-per-person (or higher) boost in spending since 2022. This rise can be attributed in part to a renewed interest in post-pandemic travel. “After Covid-19, everyone wanted to get out of their homes and travel and that has included more destination weddings and bachelorette getaways,” says Haynes. “Travelers have been wanting to travel longer and farther, and bachelorette getaways have not been exempt.”

Odhner has also seen an increased interest in destination bachelorette parties, which she believes stems from a rising dedication to prioritizing overall wellness and balance. “I think travel has become more and more a part of people's lives in general,” she says. “Taking vacations is a budgeted item for a lot of people and important to their work-life balance and growth. Bachelorette parties have become an excuse to take the trip!” 

With the average age of brides also creeping up—the United States Census Bureau placed it at 28.6 in 2022, compared to 20.3 in 1960—more brides (and guests) have enough money to splurge on these parties. “We are also seeing brides get married older and with more financial stability, allowing them the ability to travel and spend more on these celebrations,” says Odhner.

What Today's Bachelorette Parties Look Like

Curious about the new-age bachelorette party's defining characteristics? Whether you're prepping for your first bachelorette party or gearing up to plan your own, here's what you can expect from some of today's more involved events.

They're happening in trending destinations.

Sure, destination bachelorette parties have become more and more ubiquitous—but where are these far-flung events are happening? “Destinations are becoming more exotic and more exclusive,” says Haynes. “Eastern and Southern Caribbean are seeing more getaways, as well as Europe—think Greece and Spain—Dubai, and Asia (think Bali and Thailand). Everyone wants an Instagrammable getaway.”

The guests lists are only growing.

Bachelorette party guest lists are also expanding, meaning you may score an invitation even if you’re not a close friend, relative, or member of the bridal party. They’re also becoming intergenerational, with brides asking mothers, aunts, and older relatives to join in the memorable moments. “The things we experienced during Covid-19 have placed more of a priority on our family and friends,” says Haynes. “There is a shift happening where weddings are becoming more about family and friends. Now, couples are wanting to involve their loved ones more in the celebration.”

Most of the trips Haynes books include 10 to 30 guests, allowing the bride to celebrate with more friends and family than in the past. “Being in a bridal party can be costly,” says Haynes. “With a bachelorette getaway, it gives the perception that everyone can benefit from and partake in the celebration, rather than just being in the wedding.”

These trips have packed luxury itineraries—and they don't always prioritize partying.

Whether brides plan a destination party to a once-in-a-lifetime location or choose to do something closer to home, groups are leaning into itineraries packed with all kinds of customized experiences, from sightseeing trips and spa days to photo shoots or boat outings. These types of activities are replacing several days of non-stop partying. “We have definitely seen a shift since starting out that groups are looking for more luxurious and experience-based events,” says Odhner. “While some of our groups love to party, we also see quite a balance in downtime or more low-key events combined with nights and days out partying.”

A new focus on personalized details and added luxuries only enhance these carefully crafted trips. “A trend for 2024 is enjoying more of a wellness weekend, or splurging on a house rental with a lot of amenities and hosting more meals and events at the house,” says Odhner, whose company also offers an “on-site concierge” service that provides weekend-long support (and content creation). At hotels and resorts that Haynes books for her clients, brides will reserve poolside cabanas, host private dinners, create curated welcome bags, and provide other exclusive amenities for their party. 

Why Bachelorette Parties Have Changed in 2024

Post-pandemic factors, including the return of travel and an increased focus on togetherness, are partially responsible for longer, bigger, and more involved (read: expensive) bachelorette parties—but there's another reason behind the shift, explain our experts. Social media is also driving the change, since more and more modern brides look to it when they make their bachelorette plans. The goal, however, isn't necessarily to plan something bigger and better than the parties they see online. “While some of it may be for show and keeping up with other brides, [social media] has also played a huge role in sharing creative content. Brides are more informed on the possibilities of what type of décor or aesthetic, experiences, and destinations are available to them,” says Odhner. “I think that social media is encouraging people to be more creative and unique, and to want their wedding events to be customized to themselves and their wedding parties.”