How to Choose Your Bachelorette or Bachelor Trip Destination (A Simple Guide for the Whole Group)
The hardest part of planning a bachelorette or bachelor trip is picking where to go. One person wants a beach, another wants Nashville, someone else says "I'll go anywhere" and then vetoes everything, and the group chat turns into a long thread nobody can follow. This guide helps you pick the perfect spot, with the same questions for bachelorette and bachelor trips.
1. Start with who's coming
Before you look at a single destination, get a rough headcount. Group size changes almost everything.
- Small groups (4 to 6) can go almost anywhere. Restaurants, tours and boats are easy to book.
- Medium groups (7 to 10) need more planning. Tours and restaurant reservations need to be booked ahead, and a rental house starts to make sense.
- Large groups (10+) need a destination with plenty of group-friendly options, such as party boats, big restaurants, and large rental homes.
Also think about the group itself: friends from different cities, different life stages, and different comfort levels with partying. A weekend that works for a group of college friends may not work for a mix of friends and family.
2. Set the budget before you pick the city
Money is the topic nobody wants to bring up, which is why it's worth settling first. Talk about:
- the rough total each person is comfortable spending (flights, lodging, food, activities)
- who covers the bride or groom's share, if anyone
- whether people can take on a bigger bill, or whether you need a lower-cost option
A drivable destination can save a lot on flights, and the cost of a weekend swings widely between a major resort city and a smaller town. Lodging is usually the biggest piece, so ask whether the group would rather split a house or book separate hotel rooms.
Tip: Have everyone answer privately (a quick poll or a direct message to the organizer), so no one has to announce a number in front of the whole group.
3. Think about the time of year
The same city can be a perfect weekend in one month and a less enjoyable one in another. A few general examples:
- Desert cities like Scottsdale are great in the cooler months, but summer is very hot, and outdoor activities shift to early morning or sunset.
- Beach cities like Miami are popular in the winter and spring, while late summer and fall are hot and humid, and are also hurricane season in much of the Southeast.
- Cities like Austin and Nashville are lively most of the year, but summer heat can limit outdoor plans.
- Mountain and lake destinations often have a short season for swimming, boating and hiking.
Check the typical weather for your dates, and check whether a big event (a festival, a conference, a major sports weekend) will make hotels expensive or fully booked.
4. Match the destination to what your group actually likes
This is where most groups skip a step. Instead of asking "where should we go?", ask "what do we want to do?" Have everyone pick their top two or three from a list like this:
- pool or beach time
- a big night out with bars and dancing
- outdoor adventures (hiking, ATVs, horseback riding, boats)
- great restaurants and brunch
- shopping and photo spots
- live music
- something relaxed, like a spa day or a cabin weekend
Count the answers. If most people chose pool time and nightlife, you're looking at a very different list than if the top picks are hiking and good food.
5. Look at how people will get there
A trip is only fun if everyone can arrive without a headache. Check:
- which cities most of the group can reach on a direct flight
- how far the airport is from where you're staying
- whether driving makes sense for some people (and who's carpooling)
- if everyone can arrive around the same time, so you don't lose a day waiting on stragglers
6. Decide how you want to stay
Where you sleep shapes the whole trip. The main options:
- A rental house is usually best for groups of six or more. It's often cheaper per person and gives you a place to get ready together.
- A hotel or resort is better when you want a pool scene, room service, and no cleanup.
- A mix, with a house for the bride or groom and close friends and rooms for everyone else.
Check how many beds there are before you book, and whether the property allows groups and events.
Putting it together: a simple way to decide
- Ask everyone for their budget range, available dates, and top activities (one short message or poll).
- Pick the budget and date window that works for most people.
- Narrow to three destinations that fit the group's top activities and travel.
- Share the shortlist and have everyone vote.
- Lock in the destination, and book lodging first.
If you're stuck, ask whether a destination solves your biggest constraint (budget, travel, or time of year). If it does, it's probably the one.
A quick-pick list
These are starting points, not rules. Always check current prices and availability.
- Want a big night out, live music and great food? Try Austin, Nashville or New Orleans.
- Want beach, pool and nightlife? Try Miami, San Diego or Las Vegas.
- Want a laid-back beach house weekend? Try 30A in Florida, Destin or Gulf Shores.
- Want desert adventures, pool days and country bars? Try Scottsdale or Palm Springs.
- Want a historic, walkable weekend with great restaurants? Try Charleston or Savannah.
- Want a big city trip with shows, shopping and restaurants? Try New York City, Chicago or Los Angeles.
- Want a mountain or lake weekend? Try Lake Tahoe, Park City or the Smoky Mountains.
- Want the ultimate nightlife and casinos? Try Las Vegas.
- Want a cool-weather weekend? Look at the months you're traveling. Many of these cities are most comfortable in the spring and fall.
Keep everything in one place
Once you've picked a destination, the real planning starts: flights, lodging, reservations, and who owes who. That's why I built VowCrew.
With VowCrew, your group can:
- Put every reservation in a shared itinerary, so no one has to ask "what time is brunch again?"
- See everyone's flights in one place, so you know who lands when.
- Split expenses so no one is stuck covering the house or the boat.
- Easily view where your group is staying, and what you need to wear for each event.
Download VowCrew and get your trip organized.