Planning a Friend's Bachelorette. Never Done this Before

You can absolutely ask the BM's to help pay, you can ask that everyone chip in...some will some won't. For my daughters shower, we all chipped in to cover our own cost plus her share. You don't have to do favors.

Just Bridemaids though? A majority of her guests are not bridesmaids. Some of these people I don't understand why she's inviting. There are 3 that I've never heard her talk about and we've been best friends for like 6 years.

Also a word of advice that always applies---don't count on the money until it's in your hand. People often say they'll chip in and never actually do. Don't spend more than you can handle expecting people to chip in, even when they say they will.

Yeah, I'd only ask for bridesmaids to chip in.

I have planned several bachelorette parties. First, talk to the other BM. Ask them how much they would be willing to contribute. It's my opinion that bridesmaids should contribute equally to the cost of bridal showers and bachelorette parties. You absolutely should not shoulder all the cost. The BM should split the cost of the karaoke room - s a bridesmaid, when we rent a room for a bridal shower, I would never expect guests to pay for the room rental, for example. You should also split up other costs equally. For example, invitations, favors, decorations for the room, etc. E-vites are an easy way to do invitations, plus they're free If you don't do an e-vite, I would still do an email list and get a count of who is able to come. Just because she wants to invite 16 people doesn't mean they will all be able to come. As for the hotel, guests should absolutely pay their own way. Let them know the cost in the invitation and that it will be split based on the number of people who want to spend the night (not all will). Then follow up with who RSVPd yes and who wants to say in the hotel, and let them know the final cost and how best to pay you (paypal in advance would probably be best). I have been on several weekend trip bachelorette parties where we needed to rent a house or get a hotel and this was how it was handled. Definitely be upfront about costs right from the beginning and also get money upfront - people may say they will contribute but don't count on it til you have it in your hands, as @AMW said!

The last bachelorette party I went to, all the bridesmaids split the cost which included the brides share. We did a pole dancing class, went to dinner, a bar, and stayed at a hotel. It ended up being about $130 a person.

I would say ask other member of the bridal party to help chip in. Just remember not everyone is going to turn in their money on time.

For the bachelorette party, all attendees chip in and usually cover their own cost plus share the bride's. For a shower, just the hosts cover the costs

I paid for her shower completely! One of my friends offered to help host and she didn't end up splitting costs with me, so I was out much more than I had planned. Thank you all for your advice.

BM can help but not guests.

You don't need to do a crazy hotel. A doubletree or something is fine.