Bachelorette parties are more than just a night out with the girls, they celebrate the bride-to-be’s passage transformation from single woman into married life. It’s a chance for her to celebrate this life-changing event with her closest friends and family. The bachelorette party is usually planned by the maid-of-honor, although she might also want some help from other members of the bridal party: planning an event like this is an enormous task. Here are some tips to help you plan the perfect bachelorette party that the bride-to-be will never forget:

1 – Find out who else is in the bridal party.

Traditionally, the guests at a bachelorette party are the members of the bridal party, and maybe some close family too. It’s important to get details of the other people in the bridal party as soon as possible so you can involve them in planning the event, and know when everyone will be available to attend.

2 – Decide on the date, duration, and budget of the party.

It’s also tradition that attendees pay for the bride-to-be to attend her bachelorette party, so you need to make sure that party guests can cover their costs, and put some money towards covering the bachelorette too. The budget will influence where you hold the party, and how long it lasts. Some bachelorette parties run over a weekend, while others last for an evening. The date of the party can be anything between a month and a few days before the wedding. Even if you’re keeping the party a surprise, the run up to the big day will be a busy time for the bride, so make sure she knows to keep the day or weekend of the party free.

3 – Choose a theme.

Bachelorette parties don’t necessarily have to have a theme; however this can make the party more entertaining. Some parties become risqué, so if you’re choosing a theme make sure it will be agreeable to all guests. You should also consider what the bachelorette herself will want: will she want a big night out, or is she the kind of person that would prefer time at home with friends?

4 – Hire or book a venue/hotel and entertainment (if necessary).

Even if you’re having the bachelorette party in someone’s home, you should start thinking about the kind of entertainment you’re going to have. This might include party games, movies, music, or even something like a cooked dinner. Once you have the theme and know what kind of venue you’re using, you can start thinking about purchasing bachelorette-themed decorations and costumer accessories.

5 – Send invitations to guests well ahead of time.

Remember to give guests a date by which they should RSVP. You should also ask them to tell you if they have any special requirements, such as food allergies. The iPartyGram app lets you send out free, customized invitations to guests via email, saving you time and money. Simply download the app, create your invitation, and then share it with everyone you want to invite. Guests can also upload their own photos to the party’s page within the app, so it’s a lovely way to get everyone involved in the bride-to-be’s big night out.

6 – Book accommodation and transport (if necessary).

If you’re booking a hotel for the bachelorette party, you should try to arrange it as soon as possible to ensure you get the best deal. You also need to arrange transport to and from the party venue, especially if there are no designated drivers. Some bachelorette parties hire a limo to travel in style, but arranging transportation might be as simple as booking a few taxis.

7 – Ask guests to pay their share of the night’s costs in advance.

This is important for two reasons. Firstly, having other guests’ share of their costs on the night means that you can pay for everything yourself, saving time and minimizing any complications that might arise with everyone wanting to pay for food and drink separately. Sometimes people can drop out of bachelorette parties at the last minute, leaving the other members covering the bachelorette’s costs on their own. Asking guests for money to cover expenses in advance reduces the financial impact if someone isn’t able to make it on the night

8 – Double-check confirmations the week before.

Make sure the guests know the date, time and venue for the party, especially if it’s a surprise. If you’re planning to travel from one venue to another, it’s helpful to send guests an approximate itinerary for the evening so they know what’s happening, and you can focus on having a good time.