Learn From Some Of My Mistakes

Mistakes? I've made a few. 

Especially when it comes to sending online invitations. 

MISTAKE 1 : NOT GATHERING EVERYONE'S EMAIL ADDRESS

While this might sound like a no-brainer, hear me out. We didn't have everyone's email address, and a lot of our older relatives share an email address with their partner. We figured we'd send the invite to one member in the family, and they would pass it along to everyone else. WRONG! Make sure you get every cousin, friend, and relative's email address if you plan on inviting them. 

MISTAKE 2: NOT THOROUGHLY EXPLAINING THE INVITE LIST TO YOUR MAID-OF-HONOUR

This will really only come back to bite you in the butt if you’re having a shower or bachelorette. How will your MOH know that Chris is a shortened form of Christine, and she should be invited to the bridal shower? Or that you didn’t have an Aunt’s email address so you’ve been contacting them via their husband’s address? And then their husband thinks your bridal shower is a Jack and Jill and asks if they’re invited? To avoid any awkwardness, just take the extra step and gather everyone’s email.

MISTAKE 3: NOT FIGURING OUT THE DEAL WITH YOUR REGISTRY BEFORE BRIDAL SHOWER INVITES ARE SENT

Nothing like having to explain to everyone that you’re actually not registering at Kitchen Stuff Plus and they should only check out The Bay. It’s confusing for your guests. Also confusing for your guests? Only registering for three items. Make sure there's plenty for everyone to choose from at the time the invite is sent. 

And those are my mistakes! Well, mistakes so far. I’m sure there will be more and I’ll share so that you don’t make the same ones! 

via GIPHY

 

Bachelorette Parties in your 30s vs. your 20s

Bachelorette parties in your 20s are filled with matching t-shirts, extravagant weekend getaways, awkward strip club encounters, alcohol, drama, more alcohol, and even more drama. 

When you're in your 30s? Ain't nobody got time for that!

Your married friends (maybe) have kids, and weekends are filled with cleaning, working out, and other adult responsibilities. Most have more financial obligations than they did in their 20s, and it gets harder to justify spending a couple hundred dollars on one night of YOLO-ing. 

What do you do instead? Something like what happened at my friend Dayna's bachelorette a few weeks ago.  

FOOD

The bachelorette organizer happened to be a homeowner, and threw a bbq to kickoff the night's festivities. Low key, delicious, healthy, and wallet friendly. Plus, party goers were able to go back for seconds. You know where you can't go back for seconds? At an overpriced restaurant! 

BOOZE

Shots? Sure, maybe later in the night. But when you're in your 30s, you need to PACE yourself. Playing a game that involves booze? A sip of wine instead of an ounce of vodka does the trick. Speaking of games... 

PRE-DRINK ENTERTAINMENT  

The games did get little raunchy towards the end of the pre-drink, so I'll stick to the beginning of the night. Another one of the party organizer's had us all recount our first meetings with Dayna. It was a fun trip down memory lane, and also served as a great icebreaker. 

TRANSPORTATION

This is where we splurged. Instead of Uber-ing, the party organizers ordered us a limo. It was a fun way to head downtown. 

DANCING

We went out dancing to a few different places. No pressure to drink, just to boogie. I had to leave early as I had to move a bunch of stuff in the morning, but from what I heard the night was a success! How do I know? They ended up grabbing late night pizza. Nothing like cheese and carbs to cap off an amazing night.