How to Throw a Cheap Bachelorette Party

Is your best girl getting married? Are you in charge of throwing the Bachelorette Party, but don't have a lot of money to spend?

I have just the ideas to help you out. Being a college student (again) myself, I know it's tough to party on a budget. However, a few years ago I threw Bachelorette parties for two of my girlfriends, and managed to do it without spending a ridiculous amount.

First of all, make sure all partygoers are on the same page when it comes to who pays for what. Obviously, the bride-to-be should not have to spend a dime all night, so that leaves everyone else footing the bill. It's up to you, but I think it's most beneficial (and the most fair way) to have everyone split up the final costs equally.

The largest expenditures you will have is food/drink and a hotel. If you're aiming to have a fun Girl's Night Out, I recommend getting a hotel suite. Even at $200-$250 for the night, that's not bad once you split it up 10 ways. As for dinner, if you want to save, have it either at the hotel or someone's house beforehand, and have everyone bring a dish. It's a good, easygoing way to start off the evening before beginning the last night of debauchery. Once you get out on the town, brides and their bridesmaids can usually score some drinks from bar patrons if they go in decked out in decorated t-shirts, veils, the whole nine yards.

Another cheap, fun idea is to make t-shirts before heading out. I had everyone bring a white t-shirt and bought a pack of Sharpies and we had a decorating party before we went to town. It was fun because we were all able to decorate our shirts as we wanted, and still look like we were a group.

Getting a funny veil for the Bachlorette is always classic, but some of those novelty veils can be pricy. I bought a headband for a dollar, and some white netting with stars on it at Wal-Mart for about two dollars a yard and stitched it onto the headband, making a cute (and one-of-a-kind) veil. You can always get novelty items at the store to hang on it as well.

I've seen a lot of shirts for the Bachlorette that have a checklist on the back of things to do on the night out (for example; get a lapdance, do a shot, get a kiss from another guy, dance on the bar...). These can cost upward of $15! I designed my own in a word document, printed it on an iron-on, and ironed it onto a cheap t-shirt I bought. Total cost: $5.

If you want to bring in some money for the Bachelorette, you can always create a necklace or a shirt with Lifesavers sewed on, and write on it "Suck for a Buck." Each person who wants a candy pays the Bride-to-Be $1, then sucks a candy off her.

If you're really strapped for cash, ditch the idea of getting a stripper. It's expensive, and if you have a good-looking, good-dancing male friend who isn't embarassed easily, you can pay him a lot less to come over and dance, and it's a sure-fire way to embarass her even more than having someone dance on her that she doesn't know (extra points if you can get the best man to do it).

Factor in the usual "cutesy" parlor games you see at many bachelorette parties and you'll have a fun evening that shouldn't cost you more than $35!